Itinerary
- Day 1
Milan to Venice
Start at Hotel AC Sesto in Milan at 8:15 AM and head out through Lake Garda. You'll spend time in Peschiera del Garda walking around the waterfront, then move on to Verona where you can check out Juliet's Balcony and the Roman Arena. By evening you'll arrive in Venice for your first two nights there.
Included Activities
- Travel through Lake Garda region with scenic mountain views
- Explore Peschiera del Garda
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Lake Garda at Peschiera del Garda
- Local food and wine tasting at Peschiera del Garda
- Visit Juliet's Balcony in Verona
- Visit the Roman Arena in Verona
- Explore historic piazzas and cafés in Verona
Landmarks Lake Garda Peschiera del Garda Roman Arena Juliet's Balcony 
- Day 2
Venice
Begin with a two-hour walking tour led by a local guide covering Venice's main highlights and history. After that, the rest of the day is yours. You can take a gondola ride, spend time in Piazza San Marco, wander through the 177 canals and hidden courtyards, or duck into churches and galleries. Later in the evening when things get quieter, head out and explore the more peaceful side of the city.
Included Activities
- Two-hour guided walking tour of Venice with local guide
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride along Venice's canals
- Visit Piazza San Marco
- Explore renowned galleries
- Visit churches and religious sites
- Dine at local restaurants serving Venetian cuisine
- Visit restored 17th-century pharmacy (now luxury perfume shop)
- Explore historic crypts
Landmarks Piazza San Marco St. Mark's Basilica - Day 3
Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo
After breakfast, travel from Venice to Valdobbiadene where prosecco comes from. You can do an optional tasting or just walk around town. Then head through the foothills to Mel for lunch where you'll try some local Venetian food. Your guide will take you to their favorite gelato spot in Belluno province, and by evening you'll reach Cortina d'Ampezzo surrounded by dramatic mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Valdobbiadene vineyards
- Stop in village of Mel
- Guide-led gelato experience in Belluno province
- Arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Optional Activities
- Prosecco tasting in Valdobbiadene
- Explore Valdobbiadene town
- Lunch in Mel
Landmarks Valdobbiadene Mel Cortina d'Ampezzo - Day 4
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Start the day taking the Tofana cable car up for sweeping alpine views, then you can hike or relax on the terrace. Grab lunch at a guide-recommended spot, then head out on a scenic route to see the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with its three iconic peaks. Stop by Lake Misurina for a walk around it, and later you're free to find dinner in local restaurants or visit the observatory for stargazing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo cable car ride to Tofane mountains
- Stop at Tre Cime di Lavaredo viewpoint
- Walk around Lake Misurina
Optional Activities
- Short hike from Tofana cable car
- Lunch at guide-recommended spot
- Dine in local restaurants in Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Visit local observatory for stargazing
Landmarks Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo Tre Cime di Lavaredo Lake Misurina - Day 5
Cortina d'Ampezzo to Trento
Start at Pordoi Pass and ride the Sass Pordoi cable car up to 2,950 meters for panoramic views. You can walk around or relax on the terrace. Then descend into Val di Fiemme where spruce forests grow, and your guide shows you charming towns with optional walking routes. You'll end up in Trento, a city that blends Alpine character with history, centered around Piazza Duomo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sass Pordoi cable car ride to 2,950 meters elevation
- Explore Val di Fiemme and charming towns
Optional Activities
- Short walk from Sass Pordoi cable car
- Further walking routes in Val di Fiemme
Landmarks Pordoi Pass Sass Pordoi Piz Boè Val di Fiemme Piazza Duomo Fountain of Neptune - Day 6
Trento to Milan
After breakfast, visit Castello del Buonconsiglio, a 13th-century fortress with collections of art and archaeology. Head to Bardolino on Lake Garda where you can try olive oil tasting or walk along the waterfront. Your last stop is Bergamo, a lesser-known town with a historic upper section and Renaissance architecture. You'll return to Milan in the evening and then have a free day before the second stage starts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entry to Castello del Buonconsiglio
- Visit Bardolino
- Visit Bergamo
Optional Activities
- Olive oil experience in Bardolino
- Waterfront walk in Bardolino
- Lunch in Bardolino
- Funicular ride to upper town of Bergamo
- Visit Cappella Colleoni in Bergamo
- Visit Bergamo Cathedral
- Explore bustling squares in Bergamo
Landmarks Castello del Buonconsiglio Bardolino Bergamo Cappella Colleoni Bergamo Cathedral - Day 7
Milan
Spend the entire day exploring Milan on your own. Check out Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper (you'll need to book ahead), see the Duomo cathedral, or find hidden corners around the city. Browse the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or the fashion district. Try local dishes like Risotto alla Milanese. Later, join the local tradition of aperitivo with drinks and snacks as evening comes.
Optional Activities
- Visit Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
- Explore the Duomo cathedral
- Visit Villa Invernizzi
- Explore House of the Omenoni
- Visit art galleries and museums
- Shop in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Shop in Quadrilatero della Moda (fashion district)
- Try Risotto alla Milanese
- Try Mondeghili (traditional meatballs)
- Participate in aperitivo tradition
Landmarks Last Supper Milan Cathedral (Duomo) Villa Invernizzi Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Day 8
Milan to Locarno
Meet your new driver-guide at the hotel at 8:15 AM to start stage two. You'll travel to Lake Como and take a boat trip to the village of Lenno with mountain and villa views. Spend time exploring Lenno's waterfront and 11th-century baptistry. After that, cross into Switzerland and stop in Lugano, then finish the day in Locarno on Lake Maggiore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip across Lake Como to Lenno
- Visit Lenno
Optional Activities
- Stroll lakeside promenade in Lenno
- Visit 11th-century baptistry and Romanesque crypt in Lenno
- Lunch in Lenno overlooking Lake Como
- Visit Piazza della Riforma in Lugano
- Visit Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli in Lugano
- Lakeside walk along Lake Lugano shores
Landmarks Lake Como Lenno Piazza della Riforma Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli Lake Lugano 
- Day 9
Locarno
Head to Stresa on Lake Maggiore after breakfast. There's an optional boat trip to Isola Bella to see the gardens and Palazzo Borromeo, or you can stay in Stresa and walk the Art Deco promenade with its lakeside restaurants. In the afternoon, visit Sacro Monte of Ghiffa, a UNESCO site in the hills with three chapels and woodland views over the lake. Return to Locarno for dinner and your second night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sacro Monte of Ghiffa
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Isola Bella
- Explore gardens on Isola Bella
- Visit Palazzo Borromeo
- Stroll Art Deco promenade in Stresa
- Lunch at lakeside restaurant in Stresa
- Walk around Sacro Monte of Ghiffa
Landmarks Stresa Isola Bella Palazzo Borromeo Lake Maggiore Sacro Monte of Ghiffa - Day 10
Locarno to Lausanne
Leave early heading to the Alps. Stop in Santa Maria Maggiore for coffee and photos, then drive winding mountain roads to Simplon Pass, an ancient route between two mountain ranges. Take a brief stop for views and pictures. Continue to Zermatt by train from Tasch, enjoying the ride. Explore the car-free town of Zermatt with the Matterhorn nearby, then travel to Lausanne on Lake Geneva for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Simplon Pass
- Return train tickets from Tasch to Zermatt
Optional Activities
- Coffee and photographs in Santa Maria Maggiore
- Lunch in Zermatt
- Explore Zermatt town
Landmarks Santa Maria Maggiore Simplon Pass Matterhorn Zermatt Lake Geneva 
- Day 11
Lausanne
Travel to Gruyeres, the birthplace of famous Swiss cheese. Explore at your own pace and choose between visiting the cheese museum and having fondue lunch, or checking out the 13th-century Château de Gruyeres, the town square, and chocolate factory. Later head to Gstaad for lunch and shopping. You can optionally visit Chillon Castle before returning to Lausanne for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit cheese museum in Gruyeres
- Fondue lunch in Gruyeres
- Visit Château de Gruyeres
- Explore Gruyeres town square
- Visit chocolate factory in Gruyeres
- Lunch in Gstaad
- Browse boutiques in Gstaad
- View peaks in Gstaad
- Visit Chillon Castle
Landmarks Gruyeres Château de Gruyeres Gstaad Chillon Castle Montreux - Day 12
Lausanne to Interlaken
Leave Lausanne and head to Lauterbrunnen Valley, known for its 72 waterfalls and dramatic landscapes. Stop in the village of Lauterbrunnen under the 300-meter Staubbach Falls that inspired Tolkien's vision of Rivendell. Your driver-guide can help plan your time. You can buy optional train tickets to explore nearby mountain villages or go to Jungfraujoch. Then continue to Interlaken for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lauterbrunnen Valley
Optional Activities
- Explore village of Lauterbrunnen
- Visit Staubbach Falls viewpoint
- Arrange train tickets to surrounding mountain villages
- Travel to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)
Landmarks Lauterbrunnen Valley Staubbach Falls Jungfraujoch Interlaken 
- Day 13
Interlaken to Milan
After breakfast, leave Interlaken and travel through the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch with its rolling landscape. Stop for a guide-chosen lunch and take short breaks, possibly in Altdorf depending on group pace. Head down from the Alps toward Bellinzona with its impressive castles recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Choose to explore the castles or have a relaxed afternoon in town. You'll return to Milan around 6:30 PM at Hotel AC Sesto, marking the end of the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
Optional Activities
- Visit historic town of Altdorf
- Explore Bellinzona castles
- Relax in Bellinzona town
- Lunch at guide-chosen spot
Landmarks UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Altdorf Bellinzona
