We are pleased to introduce our refined northern Italy tour for 2020! We are offering an 8 day/7 night luxury trip from Milan to Venice to Lake Como, where we will be highlighting the best wines of the areas. You will explore these towns with a local Italian guide who knows the ins & outs and off-the-beaten path places to stop. Travel like an Italian, with Italians! We take pride in ensuring each hotel is hand-picked by our staff, highlighting only the best of the best, unique and authentic places for our guests to stay.

1x Night in Milan

Day #1: We will start the tour with your arrival in Milan. This city, famous for its fashion, is also home to some incredible architecture and quaint character. We’ll have one evening & one morning to explore so we’ll cover as much ground as possible to welcome you to our incredible country. We will visit the beautiful Duomo, the Gothic cathedral and famous landmark of Milan. We’ll stop to stand in awe of the opera house, La Scala Teatro. Next we’ll travel to the upscale shopping district in Monte Napoleone, named Europe’s most expensive street in 2018. We’ll enjoy dinner at a beautiful restaurant in the city center. The following morning before leaving Milan, we’ll explore the artistic heart of the city, Brera. There we can spend the morning visiting antique shops, the famous museum Pinacoteca or the Botanical Gardens. It’s another side of Milan that we always enjoy sharing with new guests! We’ll sample local wines at a chic wine bar.

Platinum Plus Option: For our Platinum Luxury Plus option, we have the incredible five star Mandarin Oriental, the utmost in luxury stay. Just steps away from the opera house, these restored 18th century buildings will be your comfortable home away from home for your time in Milan. We also have the option of staying in the famous Bulgari Hotel on a quiet street in downtown Milan. In a tastefully renovated 18th century palazzo, this luxurious hotel has a Spa & Wellness Center and a private garden that extends out into a spacious Botanical Garden. 

Platinum Option: For our Platinum Option, we offer a stay at the Principe di Savoia. This five-star hotel overlooks the Piazza della Repubblica and is a beautiful blend of old world charm and comfortable amenities.

Gold Option: We have three exceptional hotels for our Gold Package. First is Cavalieri Hotel, a four-star centrally located hotel with access to the best of Milan at your fingertips. Next we have Uptown Palace, an elegant & sophisticated hotel in central Milan. Finally, we offer our guests the charming Masion Borella, a four-star hotel with a super chic feel.

Silver Option: For our Silver Package, we offer guests two beautiful hotels: Art Hotel Navigli and Star Hotels Echo. The beautiful Art Hotel Navigli has a rooftop garden and is just a few kilometers from the famous Duomo. The Starhotels E.c.ho is a four-star, stylish eco-friendly hotel situated in central Milan, near the train station.

*Please note: we are happy to accommodate extra days in Milan. Please inquire for pricing details. 

3x Nights in Venice

Day #2: After our stay in Milan, we will take an early afternoon fast train to Venice. We’ll arrive in Venice in the late afternoon, and drop our bags at your accommodation. After getting settled in your hotel, we’ll head out to absorb Venice in its glowing afternoon light. On foot, we’ll head to a wine bar to sample some of our favorite local wines at Cantine del Vino Gia Schiavi.

Day #3: Today will be focused on your introduction to the history of Venice or you have the option of taking a wine tour in the famous Collio region.

Option #1: In Venice, we’ll start the day with a walking tour, visiting the most popular and famous sites that scatter this remarkable city. We’ll start in St Mark’s Square and head on for a walking tour over some of the most famous & oldest bridges in all of Venice. Neighborhood by neighborhood, we’ll unravel the rich layers of the architecture Venice has to offer. We’ll stop for lunch at Trattoria Bar Pontini, a traditional Venetian bar / restaurant with an authentic atmosphere and exquisite food. In the afternoon, you’ll be treated to a gondola ride through the secret canals to explore Venice via boat.

Option #2: We’ll head to Collio region, about an hour north of Venice, where we’ll explore the marvelous hills and enjoy lunch paired with a tasting at a local vineyard, Marco Felluga. This incredible region boarders Austria and is beautifully picturesque.

We’ll all regroup and enjoy dinner together at an authentic and lively restaurant that is hard to find unless you know the city well - which is great for us!

Day #4: Today is a special day! You have two options:

Option #1: We’ll head out for a cruise through the Venetian Lagoon to the islands Burano and Murano. Burano, a true fisherman’s island, is a photographer’s dream! With rows of colorful houses, this island is bound to leave with you a photo album full of memories. Murano is another island very famous but instead for its glass. There we’ll do some shopping & see some glass blowing activities. We’ll enjoy lunch on Murano. After our tour of the islands, we’ll head back for a free afternoon in Venice.

Option #2: You have the option of taking a prosecco tour near Treviso, just outside of the city, at Villa Sandi. This landscape is gentle & welcoming, filled with sweeping landscape of vineyards and charm. We’ll enjoy lunch & the tasting.

We’ll meet back up for an aperitivo at a local bar, and then head out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. After dinner, we’ll take a stroll to Harry’s Bar for a drink, famously known as the bar that Hemingway drank at.

Platinum Plus Option:  For our Platinum Plus Package, we offer guests either a stay at the famous AMAN Hotel or Danieli. AMAN is set in an historic building on the Canal Grande and invites its guests to indulge in the grandiose experience that is staying in Venice. Danieli not only has beautiful accommodation, but they also have a terraced restaurant with exquisite food.

With views of the lagoon & the grand canal, this remarkable hotel is part of Marriott’s Luxury Accommodation for good reason.

Platinum Option: For our Platinum Package, we have the magnificent L’orologio five-star hotel that overlooks the Canal Grande.

Gold Option: For our Gold Option, we offer guests a stay at Pensione Accademia. This family-run hotel is perfectly situated adjacent to the Grand Canal. In the heart of the historic district, you’ll be surrounded by the tranquility of the ground’s gardens and waterways.

Silver Option: For our Silver Package, we offer guests a stay at Hotel Cannaregio 2357 , a comfortable hotel in a great location.

After your final relaxing breakfast at your accommodation in your Venice hotel, we’ll pack our bags and head out for our next portion of the trip: the lakes!

3x Nights in Lake Como

Day #5: Today on our way out of Venice and off to the lakes, we’ll stop in Verona, where we can visit the famous balcony of Romeo & Juliette and enjoy lunch & tasting at Brunelli Winery, just outside of the city. Next we’ll head off for the beautiful drive towards the lakes and stop for an afternoon wine tasting along the way at either Ca’del Bosco or Berlucchi. We’ll get settled into your accommodation in Stresa or Como, and take the evening to relax in our new setting. 

Day #6: Today we’ll take a private boat tour to Bellagio to explore this quaint town on the water. Bellagio is absolutely breathtaking and a perfect place to take some photos. Scattered with small alleyways and gardens, Bellagio is a perfect introduction to the lake district. We’ll go to Cava Turacciolo for a wine tasting & light lunch. We’ll stop at some of the breathtaking towns along the coast, including Nesso so we can see it’s cascading waterfall that breaks the ravine. We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to our accommodation. We’ll have a free afternoon to relax by the lake or hotel’s pool, or we can offer rides to smaller towns to do some shopping. 

Day #7: Today you have the choice of regrouping for an excursion to Isola Comacina, the only island in Como or staying by your hotel’s accommodations. The Isola Comacina is said to be home to the beginning of the development of Italy’s medieval art.  With break taking views and layers of history, we’ll explore this unique island together and stop for lunch. We’ll head back to our accommodation. In the afternoon, we can organize a wine tastings, a cheese tasting or an aperitivo with views over the lake. It’s your final evening in Italy, so we like to get your input on how you want to spend your final evening! We’ll regroup for a fabulous dinner at a favorite restaurant near our accommodation.

Day #8: Departure day! After a relaxing breakfast, we will transport you back for your departure in Milan!

In the lakes district, we have two options based on your interests. We can stay in either Lake Como or Stresa. Below you will find our hotel accommodations for all packages for both places.

Lake Como

Platinum Plus Option: We offer a stay at the beautiful Villa D’este, one of Europe’s most acclaimed luxury hotels.

Platinum Option: For our Platinum Package, we offer stays at either the Hilton or Palazzo Albricci. The Hilton offers a strategic location between Como and Switzerland, with a rooftop bar, infinity pool & hot tub plus a wellness spa onsite. The Palazzo Albricci is a luxury accommodation with sophisticated design.

Gold Option: For our Gold Option, we offer guests a stay at the Sheraton Lake Como, situated conveniently in Como with a private swimming pool.

Silver Option: For our Silver Package, we offer guests a stay at B&B Convent Sant’Antonio, a family run B&B with quaint style.

Stresa

Platinum Plus Option: We offer a stay at the beautiful D’este, one of Europe’s most acclaimed luxury hotels.

Platinum Option: We offer a stay at the Palazzo Aminta. This five-star luxury hotel offers first class service and rooms with views of the lakes.

Gold Option: For our Gold Package, we offer staying in La Palma or Cappuccini Resort. La Palma is a four-star resort that has a rooftop bar, beautiful views and a wellness spa for guests. Cappuccini Resort is set outside of the lakes and offers a different side of this beautiful landscape. Exquisite design and beautiful taste, this estate offers high quality service in a beautiful setting.

Silver Option: For our Silver Package, we offer guests a stay in B&B Villa Rubio. A family-run B&B with comfortable accommodation.

Please visit our dates & pricing page for details on pricing. 

Included in this package:

-All breakfast, lunches &  2 dinners for your tour

-Two wine tastings at local wine bars

-Five wine tastings (depending on customer’s desire to partake in the optional wine tastings)

-All travel fare included for travel within this itinerary for high-speed trains

-Travel outside of this itinerary is NOT included

Terms & Conditions:

Please note: the entire group must choose the same options for day outings. We cannot split the options for individuals within the group. Individuals within the group may choose different accommodation packages. For example, one couple can choose the Gold Package Option and another couple the Silver Package option. 20% deposit is due upon booking. The balance to be paid 30 days prior to tour date. For reservations made within 30 days of tour, full payment is due upon booking. We accept bank transfers as well as online payment via credit card.