Day 1: Milan

Meet your private English-speaking assistant outside of airport customs. Waiting with a sign with your name on it, they will direct you to your awaiting private transfer, and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.

A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Accommodation: UNA Hotel Cusani (4*)

The elegant UNA Hotel Cusani lies in a very central position between the Castello Sforzesco and the Duomo. Its 92 refined rooms and the welcoming lounges of the hall provide exclusive comfort. The well-known restaurant offers a taste of the best gastronomic specialties of traditional and international cuisines. The fitness room keeps guests in shape with a variety of workout machines.

Day 2: Milan

Enjoy an exciting private, guided tour of the great monuments of Milan, such as the Cathedral, Sforzesco Castle, La Scala Opera House and the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church. Milan's giant cathedral is one of the largest Gothic churches in the world at 157 metres long. The Castello Sforzesco is a Renaissance palace which combines a forbidding exterior with a delightful interior. The Neo-Classical opera house, known popularly as “La Scala”, opened in 1778 and is now one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. The Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church, a beautiful 15th century Renaissance convent is famous all over the world for the Cenacolo (Last Supper) by Leonardo da Vinci. Entrance fees to Last Supper & Scala Theatre included.

This afternoon is perfect for shopaholics! Milan is world famous for its shopping. Begin your shopping discovery in the heart of the luxury shopping areas in Milan: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea. These elegant streets, together with Via Manzoni, Via Borgospesso and Via Santo Spirito are the outer limits of the famous Fashion Quadrilatero. This area contains the most prestigious boutiques and showrooms in the world, full of minimalist design and high tech.

Accommodation: UNA Hotel Cusani (4*)

Day 3: Milan - Como

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Como. Approximate travel time is 1 hour.

This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Accommodation: Metropole Suisse (4*)

Nestled in beautiful Como, between the Swiss border and the city of Milano is the Hotel Metropole Suisse. It's situated in the main square, facing directly to Como's best-known feature: the picturesque lake. Deeply rooted in its history, the hotel possesses a pleasant atmosphere of heritage. The Cassani family has held onto this hotel as a family heirloom, as it has been passed down throughout four generations. Metropole Suisse features 71 rooms and breathtaking views of the Italian valleys. The hotel offers all the amenities to ensure that their guest stay is as comfortable as can be. The Imbarcadero Restaurant features the best regional and international cuisine in the formal dining salon or outside on the summer lakefront terrace.

Day 4: Como

Meet your private guide and set out on foot for a walking tour through the town of Como, discovering the treasures of the historical center in this beautiful lakeside town. Founded by the Romans, the city is surrounded by medieval walls on its three sides. Enjoy a pleasant walk along the lake, in order to take in the view of some villas and important rationalist style buildings (1920's-30's), continuing toward the ancient core of the city, admiring some quaint squares enriched with works of art. Admire the Cathedral, where construction spanned the 14th-18th centuries, Como's best-known monument, thanks to its Gothic and Renaissance features. Enjoy a wine tasting of local wineries paired with salami, cheese and bruschetta, at a historical shop in the city core, dating back to 1930. In the afternoon, you will rise up by cableway over to the village of Brunate, enjoying a beautiful panoramic view of the lake. Visit the parish's cute church and take a pleasant walk in order to admire the Art Nouveau style, which characterizes many 20th century villas here, as well as the renowned Volta Lighthouse Tower, a 95-foot high octagonal tower erected in memory of the inventor of the electric torch, Alessandro Volta. End your day with a return back to your hotel in Como.

Accommodation: Metropole Suisse (4*)

Day 5: Como

Meet your private guide and driver at your hotel and depart along the southwest shore of Lake Como to the lakeside town of Tremezzo, where you’ll visit the stunning 17th century Villa Carlotta. Set in a natural basin between lake and mountains, the villa is surrounded by 750,000 sq.ft. of botanical gardens – a majestic retreat in all seasons. Turning back toward Como, you’ll make periodic stops to admire the lakeside villages as you follow the lake’s southern shore now up along the peninsula to Bellagio, the “pearl of Lake Como.” Here, where with the beautiful backdrop of the Alps, your guide will lead you on foot, spotting churches nearing 1,000 years old, and classical villas, of noble beginnings. Enjoy a visit to the English-style gardens of Villa Melzi, stretching out along the lake shore. This 19th century villa was built by master craftsmen for the Francesco Melzi d'Eril, who held the title of Gran Chancellor of the Napoleonic Reign of Italy. For a view of the area from the lake itself, you’ll board a public ferry for your return back to Como, which makes a brief stop in Tremezzo en route.

Accommodation: Metropole Suisse (4*)

Day 6: Como - Verona

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Verona. Approximate travel time is 2.5 hours.

Meet your guide today for this classic sightseeing tour, which unfolds through the streets and alleys of Verona. Experience Verona as it stood more than two thousand years ago, with buildings and monuments of various ages accumulated through the centuries: Romanesque churches, Gothic towers and castles, Renaissance palaces, squares, and elegant courtyards. This walking tour will include the famous house of Romeo, the famous house of Juliet, the stunning Scala family tombs, masterpiece of gothic architecture, Signori square, Erbe square with the fountain of Madonna Verona, the Arena, and the Roman amphitheatre.

Accommodation: Hotel Accademia (4*)

The Accademia Hotel is in the heart of the exclusive shopping area of Verona on the Via Mazzini and conveniently positioned between the Brà Square with the Arena and Erbe Square with Giulietta's House and its legendary balcony. The hotel is housed in a very well maintained historical building, with elegant rooms that are constantly renewed to meet the highest standards of comfort and modern technology. Accademia features an American-bar where one can re-energize after a long day’s adventure, and a gym to keep up with their daily workout routine. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Day 7: Verona

Meet your driver and guide today to take you to the enchanting village of Bardolino, along the Veronese shore of Lake Garda. This half day tour includes a walk through the streets and along the lakeside of Bardolino. You will enjoy a visit to the ancient churches of San Severo and San Zeno, as well as a wine-tasting session with Bardolino, Chiaretto and Bardolino Superiore wines. To finish off, your taste buds will become satisfied with an olive oil tasting at a local farm.

Accommodation: Hotel Accademia (4*)

Day 8: Verona - Venice

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

Depart by train from Verona to Venice. Approximate travel time is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Meet your private English-speaking assistant who will be waiting for you on the arrivals platform with a sign with your name on it. They will locate your awaiting private water taxi, and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.

Enjoy a 2-hour private walking tour of Venice with an English speaking local guide. Visit St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries.  You’ll learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons that retain the true secrets of how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. Other highlights include Marco Polo's House, a Merchants’ Warehouse, the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. This walking tour of Venice finishes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Market. Entrances are not included.

Today, sit back, relax and admire the views during an exciting, traditional Venetian Gondola ride. For your added comfort, an English-speaking escort will pick you up from your hotel and walk you to your awaiting private gondola. After boarding your gondola, your fully licensed Gondolier will navigate your vessel through the narrow canals and beneath the many stone bridges of Venice during a serene, half-hour gondola ride. Gently guide on this traditional means of aquatic travel along the Venetian Grand Canal, passing the many landmarks and sites that have made Venice a global tourist hub, including the 16th century Rialto Bridge, and the stunning Ca' d'Oro mansion with its arched Gothic exterior. A quintessential Venetian experience!

Accommodation: Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*)

With its unique vintage flare and Venetian fashion, Palazzo Sant'Angelo will capture the sense of time traveling in Venice. Its location sits right in front of the famous Grand Canal, making every morning a perfect stroll among the picturesque Venetian scene. This elegantly restored hotel welcomes guests with an entrance of Palladian pavement, warm hues, and an old stone fireplace. The suites at Palazzo Sant’Angelo feature stunning vistas over the waters of the lagoon, the lush garden or a quaint Venetian side street. Start your morning at the cozy breakfast room, and your evenings at the hotel bar that conveniently overlooks the Grand Canal.

Day 9: Venice

Meet your English-speaking guide for a 4-hour guided private tour to Murano and Burano on a private boat.  After being picked up by your guide at your hotel, take in the sights as you sail past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the famous Arsenal of the Venetian Republic. The first stop on your tour is Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here you will stop to visit to one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where you can enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a Maestro Glass Maker. The second stop is at the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Relax and enjoy a coffee before your guide will bring you back to your hotel or to Venice centre.

Accommodation: Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*)

Day 10: Venice

Meet your private English-speaking assistant who will accompany you on your transfer to Marco Polo Airport by private water taxi.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.