We love —
- Discovering Lake Maggiore's elegant promenades, scented gardens and quiet cafés overlooking shimmering alpine framed waters.
- Savouring Ossola Valley wines, tasting mineral-rich Nebbiolo notes with local cheeses, surrounded by rolling vineyard-covered alpine foothills.
- Gliding across Lake Garda’s calm waters, feeling soft breezes, passing Sirmione’s castle and thermal springs in golden light.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected for our members by our experts
Your itinerary in brief —
BEST FOR: Cultural immersion
PACE: Moderate
Explore the Italian Lakes
Discover northern Italy through a journey shaped by elegant waterfront towns, island-dotted lakes and timeless cultural landscapes. From the refined shores of Lake Maggiore to the dramatic scenery of Lake Garda, this itinerary blends Belle Époque charm, Baroque gardens, Roman heritage and panoramic alpine views, before ending in Sirmione, where medieval stone and still water create a final moment of quiet lakeside beauty.
Your itinerary in detail —
7-night road trip
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT LAKE MAGGIORE
DAY 2: LAKE MAGGIORE - THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure, with the possibility to explore the enchanting Borromean Islands, scattered like jewels across the still waters of Lake Maggiore. The grandeur of Isola Bella reveals itself through elaborate salons and tiered gardens edged with white peacocks and flowering terraces descending towards the lake. On nearby Isola dei Pescatori, a slower rhythm prevails, with tiny waterfront restaurants and weathered fishing boats lending the island an enduring authenticity. Later in the afternoon, wander through the botanical gardens of Isola Madre, where rare plants, shaded pathways and quiet lake vistas create an atmosphere of complete serenity.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
DAY 3: LAKE MAGGIORE - VILLA TARANTO, MATTARONE & WINE TASTING
The day unfolds at a relaxed pace along the western edge of Lake Maggiore, with a recommended visit to the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Here, meticulously landscaped paths lead through tropical and temperate species, creating a richly layered world of colour, texture and scent beside the water. For a change of perspective, the ascent to Mottarone is also suggested, where the lake and surrounding Alpine peaks open into vast, uninterrupted panoramas. The experience is rounded off with a wine tasting in the Ossola Valley, where elegant, quietly expressive wines are paired with regional delicacies.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Wine tasting in the Ossola Valley (3 wines paired with local specialities)
- Night at Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
DAY 4: LAKE MAGGIORE → LAKE GARDA
Depart this morning from Lake Maggiore for the onward journey to Lake Garda, travelling south through Lombardy’s changing landscapes. The drive passes through the plains and foothills of northern Italy, with a passage through Bergamo, where the elevated Città Alta is framed by Venetian walls and quiet historic squares. As the journey continues, the scenery becomes increasingly Mediterranean, with olive trees and vineyards leading towards the lake. Arrival on the Sirmione peninsula brings you into a world of calm water, stone fortifications and softly lit lakeside views.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 5: LAKE GARDA - THE WESTERN SHORE, GARDONE RIVIERA & IL VITTORIALE
Today is spent exploring the quieter elegance of the western shore of Lake Garda, where olive groves, gardens and historic lakeside towns create a softer, more reflective atmosphere. In Gardone Riviera, palm trees and subtropical plants line the promenades, leading towards the lake’s edge. The main visit is to Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, the remarkable residence of Gabriele d’Annunzio, where terraces, museums and symbolic architecture unfold across the hillside. The rest of the day is left at leisure to enjoy the serenity of the lake setting.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 6: LAKE GARDA - VERONA & SIRMIONE BOAT TOUR
The day begins in Verona, where history unfolds through elegant piazzas and beautifully preserved architecture. Start at the Arena di Verona, an extraordinary Roman amphitheatre that still anchors the city’s cultural life, before moving through the lively Piazza delle Erbe and the more refined Piazza dei Signori. As you explore, the rhythm of the city shifts between grand monuments and intimate streets lined with cafés and arcades. In the afternoon, return to Lake Garda for a boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula, where medieval fortifications and Roman ruins are revealed from the water.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Boat tour around Sirmione peninsula
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 7: LAKE GARDA - THE NORTHERN LAKE
Today is spent exploring the more dramatic northern end of Lake Garda, where steep cliffs, shifting winds and deep blue water create an almost alpine setting. In Limone sul Garda, pastel houses and terraced lemon groves cling to the rock face above the lake, offering one of its most distinctive views. Continue by ferry to Malcesine, where a medieval castle rises above the harbour and narrow streets wind gently down towards the water. The afternoon is left to enjoy the striking contrast between mountain and lake, as Garda reveals its most dramatic character.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM LAKE GARDA
The final morning is left free on the shores of Lake Garda, where the stillness of the water and soft lake light offer a last moment of calm. Sirmione’s lanes and shoreline provide a quiet farewell to the journey. Later, you depart for the airport, leaving behind the lakes and olive-covered hills of northern Italy. The experience concludes with a smooth departure from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Torino Airport (TRN).
Included:
- Breakfast
- Departure from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Torino Airport (TRN)
9-night road trip
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT LAKE MAGGIORE
DAY 2: LAKE MAGGIORE - THE BORROMEAN ISLANDS
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure, with the possibility to explore the enchanting Borromean Islands, scattered like jewels across the still waters of Lake Maggiore. The grandeur of Isola Bella reveals itself through elaborate salons and tiered gardens edged with white peacocks and flowering terraces descending towards the lake. On nearby Isola dei Pescatori, a slower rhythm prevails, with tiny waterfront restaurants and weathered fishing boats lending the island an enduring authenticity. Later in the afternoon, wander through the botanical gardens of Isola Madre, where rare plants, shaded pathways and quiet lake vistas create an atmosphere of complete serenity.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
DAY 3: LAKE MAGGIORE - LAKE ORTA
Today unfolds at a slower, more reflective pace with a journey to Lake Orta, a quieter and more intimate counterpart to Lake Maggiore. In Orta San Giulio, cobbled streets open directly onto the water, where small boats cross towards the serene island of Isola San Giulio. The island’s Romanesque basilica and “Way of Silence” create an atmosphere of rare stillness, shaped by centuries of devotion. A gentle climb through chestnut woods leads to the Sacro Monte di Orta, where frescoed chapels overlook the lake in a setting of quiet beauty and wide panoramas.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
DAY 4: LAKE MAGGIORE - VILLA TARANTO, MATTARONE & WINE TASTING
The day unfolds at a relaxed pace along the western edge of Lake Maggiore, with a recommended visit to the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Here, meticulously landscaped paths lead through tropical and temperate species, creating a richly layered world of colour, texture and scent beside the water. For a change of perspective, the ascent to Mottarone is also suggested, where the lake and surrounding Alpine peaks open into vast, uninterrupted panoramas. The experience is rounded off with a wine tasting in the Ossola Valley, where elegant, quietly expressive wines are paired with regional delicacies.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Wine tasting in the Ossola Valley (3 wines paired with local specialities)
- Night at Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
DAY 5: LAKE MAGGIORE → LAKE GARDA
Depart this morning from Lake Maggiore for the onward journey to Lake Garda, travelling south through Lombardy’s changing landscapes. The drive passes through the plains and foothills of northern Italy, with a passage through Bergamo, where the elevated Città Alta is framed by Venetian walls and quiet historic squares. As the journey continues, the scenery becomes increasingly Mediterranean, with olive trees and vineyards leading towards the lake. Arrival on the Sirmione peninsula brings you into a world of calm water, stone fortifications and softly lit lakeside views.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 6: LAKE GARDA - THE WESTERN SHORE, GARDONE RIVIERA & IL VITTORIALE
Today is spent exploring the quieter elegance of the western shore of Lake Garda, where olive groves, gardens and historic lakeside towns create a softer, more reflective atmosphere. In Gardone Riviera, palm trees and subtropical plants line the promenades, leading towards the lake’s edge. The main visit is to Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, the remarkable residence of Gabriele d’Annunzio, where terraces, museums and symbolic architecture unfold across the hillside. The rest of the day is left at leisure to enjoy the serenity of the lake setting.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 7: LAKE GARDA - VERONA
Today is dedicated to Verona, a city of warm stone, elegant piazzas and layered Roman and medieval heritage. Begin at the Arena di Verona, where the ancient amphitheatre rises from the heart of the city, before continuing through Via Mazzini into the lively Piazza delle Erbe and the refined Piazza dei Signori. Arcaded streets, frescoed façades and quiet courtyards reveal a city shaped by centuries of art and commerce. The rest of the day is left at leisure to wander and absorb Verona’s atmosphere at your own pace.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 8: SIRMIONE BOAT TOUR
The day is dedicated to the waters around the Sirmione Peninsula, where the lake narrows into calm bays framed by medieval stone and soft shoreline light. From the harbour beside Rocca Scaligera, set out on a gentle boat loop that reveals the peninsula from the water, passing Roman remains, limestone cliffs and quiet coves. The Grottoes of Catullus appear above the shoreline, while the lake opens wide towards the southern horizon. The experience unfolds at an unhurried pace, offering a peaceful perspective of Lake Garda from the water.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Boat tour around Sirmione peninsula
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 9: LAKE GARDA - THE NORTHERN LAKE
Today is spent exploring the more dramatic northern end of Lake Garda, where steep cliffs, shifting winds and deep blue water create an almost alpine setting. In Limone sul Garda, pastel houses and terraced lemon groves cling to the rock face above the lake, offering one of its most distinctive views. Continue by ferry to Malcesine, where a medieval castle rises above the harbour and narrow streets wind gently down towards the water. The afternoon is left to enjoy the striking contrast between mountain and lake, as Garda reveals its most dramatic character.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Night at Lido International Hotel 4*
DAY 10: DEPARTURE FROM LAKE GARDA
The final morning is left free on the shores of Lake Garda, where the stillness of the water and soft lake light offer a last moment of calm. Sirmione’s lanes and shoreline provide a quiet farewell to the journey. Later, you depart for the airport, leaving behind the lakes and olive-covered hills of northern Italy. The experience concludes with a smooth departure from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Torino Airport (TRN).
Included:
- Breakfast
- Departure from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Torino Airport (TRN)
Important information about your tour and visits: The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change without affecting the overall experience of the itinerary.
Your hotels —
Just for you:
Hand-picked just for you
At each of your stops, you will be staying in thoughtfully selected hotels.
Your hotels (or similar):
- Lake Maggiore: Milan Speranza au Lac 4*
- Lake Garda: Lido International Hotel 4*
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
Your dining choices
This is a bed and breakfast stay.
Included services —
Assistance at destination
Enjoy an included destination assistance service provided by our local partners trained to Voyage Privé standards. A dedicated contact person, available 24 hours a day (by phone or WhatsApp), will assist you throughout your stay with advice, reservations, or help in case of unforeseen circumstances. Travel with peace of mind.
Your journey to Italy —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking, in either Economy, Premium, or Business class, depending on the destination and carrier. This flight may include one or more stopovers. Please review your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ, in order to offer the best price.
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your destinations —
Lake Maggiore
Discover the enchanting allure of northern Italy’s lake region, a haven of natural beauty and cultural richness. This destination has inspired literary greats such as Dickens, Stendhal, and Hemingway, drawn by the serene landscapes and timeless elegance of Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda. Ideal for a tranquil retreat, the area blends poetic scenery with a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
Must-sees:
- Explore the Borromean Islands, where Baroque architecture meets terraced gardens on Isola Bella, and the quaint Isola dei Pescatori offers a step back in time.
- Visit Villa Melzi d’Eril in Bellagio, a botanical paradise with panoramic views of Lake Como’s three branches.
- Take a boat ride to the Sirmione Peninsula, home to the medieval Castello Scaligero and ancient Roman ruins at the Grotte di Catullo.
Culinary culture:
The lake region is a gourmet’s delight, celebrated for its fresh water fish dishes, including lavarello and perch risotto. Pair these with a crisp glass of Lugana wine, produced along the shores of Lake Garda. Don’t miss trying formaggi di montagna, mountain cheeses, particularly during a visit to a local dairy such as 'Da Carozzi'. The rich culinary heritage is as much about the tradition as the flavour, offering a true taste of the region.
Dive deeper:
Beyond the iconic landmarks, wander into the lesser-known villages like Cannobio on Lake Maggiore or Varenna on Lake Como, where narrow cobbled streets reveal artisans’ workshops and historic chapels. Nature enthusiasts will relish a hike on Monte Baldo, offering dramatic views and diverse flora.
Good to know:
The ideal time to visit is between April and October, with mild weather and fewer crowds in spring and autumn. The local currency is the euro, and travelling by car or ferry is the most convenient way to explore the lakes and their surroundings. Always carry comfortable walking shoes to navigate the cobblestone streets and hillside paths.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, is a stunning natural gem surrounded by towering mountains and crystal-clear waters. Known for its serene landscapes, charming villages, and outdoor adventures, the lake offers an ideal mix of relaxation and exploration. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or thrilling activities, Lake Garda promises a memorable experience.
Must-sees:
- Boat tours: Explore the lake by hydrofoil or a leisurely boat, visiting islands such as Isola del Garda, renowned for its gardens and historic villa.
- Monte Baldo: Take the cable car for panoramic views and access to hiking trails in the lush alpine terrain.
- Brenzone sul Garda: A tranquil lakeside retreat offering relaxation, hiking, and breathtaking lake views.
Culinary culture:
Lake Garda’s cuisine reflects its unique setting, with dishes like bigoli con le sarde, rustic pasta with lake sardines, and freshly caught lavarello. The region is also famous for its delicate olive oil and Lugana wine, a crisp white perfect for pairing with fish. For dessert, enjoy the fragrant torta di rose, inspired by the area's floral landscapes.
Dive deeper:
Explore the rich history and culture with visits to medieval treasures like Sirmione, featuring the Scaliger Castle and the ancient Grotte di Catullo ruins. Discover the charm of Lazise, a picturesque town with cobbled streets and a lively lakeside atmosphere.
Good to know:
The ideal times to visit are spring and early autumn when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are fewer. Lake Garda is easily accessible by ferries, buses, and nearby airports like Verona, though renting a car offers greater flexibility for exploring hidden gems. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes and sunscreen for hiking and lakeside walks.
