High Above the Alps, Brunante Town, Lake Como

PRIVATE VENETO

Private Winter Tour with your Own Driver & Private Guides: Venice, Milan and Italy's Magnificent Lake District

Tour Code TUR-00641

Duration 8 days

Group Type Private

Departs From Veneto

Meeting Point Venice

Customize This Journey View Full Itinerary

Overview

This is a unique package that we offer for couples or groups of friends who want to experience the very best of Venice, Milan and Italy's unique Lake District - including the towns of Bellagio, Como and some of the famous gardens which surround the lake. It's a terrific package which includes all private transfers, luxury rail and the finest accommodation in each destination.

Itinerary

Where We Visit: Venice | Meeting Location: Venice

Arrival at the Venice Airport and private transfer with local English speaking assistant to your 5 star hotel.

Check in (suite accommodation). Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner options available.

Overnight at the hotel.

Where We Visit: Venice

Breakfast at the hotel and private tour of Venice for 2 hours with English speaking guide at disposal.

Suggested itinerary: You will visit the Doge's Palace (exterior only), the famous bridge of sighs and San Marco as well as the many monuments of this beautiful square. Explore also the hidden Venice, enjoying a delightful stroll along narrow passage ways, over delicate bridges and meandering canals. As your eyes feast on the postcard images that abound in every direction, the guide will continue to narrate the story of the most unique city in the world. In the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa, discover the Venetian Architecture as you admire its fine Gothic Palaces, and at the "St Mark's school"you'll learn about the trade schools of Venice that provided the foundations of the Venetian Mercantile Empire. Then, the tour continues through the back streets of Venice to visit the Cannaregio district, where we'll admire the most beautiful well head in Venice and the church of San Giovanni e Paolo (only exterior) where many important Venetians were laid to rest. And, through the many important sights and in depth historical narrations, you’ll learn about illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo as well as more common citizens, which made this city of stone such a vibrant and magical place. Of course, learn about the modern day Venice, and what it's like to live in the most unique city in the world, though not always the most practical. The day is far from over! Enjoy a Private gondola tour of Venice. This one of the quintessential things to do for most tourists visiting the city. The Gondola is a unique as Venice itself; their crescet shaped hulls and their “forcole” that allow the Gondolieri to position their oars in many different ways are the secrets to how these long and slender crafts can navigate the narrow and intricate network of waterways of Venice. On this private gondola tour of Venice you will visit parts of the city that are only accessible by this means of transport, and as you glide silently along these inviting waterways, dominated by soaring and majestic Venetian Palaces you will be transported back in time to when the main means of transportation for Venetian nobility were these vessels. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner options available. Overnight at the hotel.

Where We Visit: Venice Milan

After a delightful buffet breakfast at your hotel this morning.enjoy a private transfer to the rail station Santa Lucia by boat.

From here, your assistant will help you to board the high speed train Frecciarossa to Milan and relax on a first class seat.

Upon arrival in Milan, private transfer by car to your 5 star hotel.

Check in (Suite accommodation). Private tour of Milan for 3 hours with English speaking guide at disposal. Suggested itinerary: Discover the world capital of design and fashion on your Private Walking Tour of Milan, Italy. With one of our Local Expert Guides visit all the main monuments that the city has to offer and learn its history that dates back to Roman Times. Due to its strategical position, the city has always prospered as a trade centre. The impressive Cathedral, the Duomo represents the heart of Milan. Considered as one of the greatest churches in the world, its gothic vaults are the highest of any completed church. The church holds the world's largest collection of marble statues with the widely visible golden Madonna statue on top of the spire that you'll admire as travel up to roof to admire incredible views of Milan. This private walking tour of Milan also features the medieval Castle Sforzesco, dating from the XV century hat now houses many of the cities museums and art galleries. Visit the oldest shopping mall in the world, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the famous La Scala opera house which is the most celebrated in Italy. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner options available. Overnight at the hotel.

Where We Visit: Milan

Breakfast at the hotel. Are you ready for your Ferrari California tour? This tour will give all participants a day full of emotions, including the thrill of driving cars like the Ferrari California around one of the most beautiful areas of Italy. The departure is from Your Hotel at 10 am going towards the motorway A9 that will take you to the famous Lake Como. Exiting the highway you will arrive to the lake Como around 11 am. Once in the city you will relax for a moment and visit at leisure the Cathedral or walk along the lake. At about 12 pm, you will drive towards the town of Cernobbio, about 30 minutes away and reach the world famous Villa d’Este where you will enjoy a special lunch. Following lunch, at 2.30 pm, your tour will continue to the village of Laglio (now known worldwide for being the town where the actor George Clooney has his villa). Continue to Villa Balbianello with its stunning views of the Comacina’s island. Proceed to Cadenabbia and embark on the ferry towards Bellagio at around 3.20 pm. While crossing the lake you will admire the beautiful shores and enchanting villages.

Once on the opposite bank of the lake, you can visit Bellagio, always called the pearl of Lake Como for its magnificent location and its characteristic steps. The departure from Bellagio is scheduled at 4.45 pm. Your driving experience is far from over and will continue through the turns of the impressive Ghisallo mountain, famous to be one of the most spectacular part of the Giro d’Italia cycling tour.

These curves will for sure make you feel and appreciate the impressive power of your Ferrari . You will stop at the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel dedicated to all cyclists and enjoy one of the most panoramic spots of the road overlooking the Mount Grigne Resegone. The road then begins to descend in the direction of Canzo along a scenic roads, with a view over the seven lakes of Brianza.

You will then reach Como and the highway of the lakes in the direction of Milan. The tour will end back at the Sempione square. A second car will provide a personal assistance and guide you throughout your itinerary. Lunch, gas, ferry tickets and insurance are included in your package.

Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner options available. Overnight at the hotel.

Where We Visit: Lake Como

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day learning about the area, the history, the culture and the traditions of this lake area. The best way to see the lake is from the lake itself – cruise on the lake by private water taxi accompanied by your personal local guide, admire the stunning scenery with the numerous beautiful villas and gardens that line the lakeshores. Find out about their history, their architecture, and their owners and lots more!! A breathtaking tour of the central area of Lake Como by private water taxi with views of Pescallo, Varenna, Tremezzo, Lenno. The visit of the villa’s interiors is the highlight of this tour: The last owner of the villa, Guido Monzino was a wealthy Milanese, mountain climber and collector of antiques. Inside the villa, a priceless collection of antique furniture, Flemish tapestries, Samarqand, Persian and Indian carpets, 19th century prints, reverse glass paintings, Chinese porcelain and terracotta objects as well as a small and fascinating museum dedicated to the different expeditions of this last owner. After our visit of the villa, our tour continues by boat circling the only island on Lake Como, Isola Comacina, and nowadays uninhabited but in bygone times one of the most important centres on the lake. Find out more about the fascinating history of the island and why today nobody dares to live there ….

Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner options available. Overnight at the hotel.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

- Private transfers to/from the airports with deluxe car - Private transfers to/from the rail stations with deluxe car/boat - High speed train with first class seat reservation - Private English speaking guides in Venice (2 hrs), Milan (3 hrs) and Como (5 hrs). - Private gondola ride 30ms with spumante wine - Private driving tour with Ferrari California to Lake Como area (Lunch, menu Ã la carte included (no drinks) 8 hours

What's Not Included

Everything not listed under â€œincludedâ€

Pricing & Availability

Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.

Email: team@italyvacationspecialists.com
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Client Testimonials

Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made… Read More
— Ron and Deb Crosby
Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative … Read More
— Jo Ann West
In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run to… Read More
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We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.… Read More
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In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on o… Read More
— Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group
I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the… Read More
— Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!… Read More
— Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE t… Read More
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The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.… Read More
— Leon and Michele
This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there,… Read More
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