Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Italy - The Lakes Region
100% customisable for you
Your romantic Italian getaway begins today, so pack your bags and head to the airport for your two-hour flight to Milan. Upon arrival, collect your hire car and drive for around one hour and 40 minutes to the first lake on your agenda: Lake Maggiore. This lake is the second largest in Italy, renowned for its opulent villas, lush gardens and stunning mountain setting. You’ll spend two nights here, staying at an elegant lakeside hotel.
For the rest of the day, settle in and unwind on the lovely lakeshore. It’s not hard to see why nobles and aristocrats chose to build their sumptuous villas here. Whether you’d rather get stuck into a good book in the gorgeous gardens or head to the hotel’s beach for a refreshing swim, there are plenty of places to relax.
You have the full day to explore majestic Lake Maggiore, so chill out on one of the pebbled beaches, discover pretty towns like Stresa and Cannobio, or hop across the border into Switzerland to lovely Locarno.
Fancy a boat trip on the lake? Enjoy a private tour of three of the Borromean Islands, a small archipelago boasting pristine gardens, palaces and picturesque charm. Led by a knowledgeable guide, your tour also includes a delicious three-course lunch at a local restaurant, so bring your appetite…
Another day, another (just as beautiful) lake. After a leisurely breakfast, hop in your hire car and drive for an hour and a half to Lake Como, a sought-after spot (and celebrity favourite) tucked in the Prealps massifs. First, cruise along the south bank of Lake Maggiore, then wind through beautiful mountain scenery to reach your splendid hotel for the next two nights.
This afternoon, settle in and explore the hotel’s grounds and amenities: fancy a dip in the lake, anyone? Come evening, enjoy lake views as you dine on a delicious meal at the restaurant.
Enjoy a hearty Italian breakfast at your hotel this morning, before taking to the waters on a private speedboat cruise. Led by a skilled local skipper, glide through Lake Como’s crystal-clear waters and marvel at the lush green shores dotted with picturesque, colourful villages on this one-hour tour.
For the rest of the day, explore the beautiful towns that fringe the lakeside. Peruse chic boutiques and people watch in Bellagio or soak in the peaceful atmosphere of Varenna. There’s no shortage of romantic spots for lakeside dinners in Como, but consult our Dossier for our favourites and you won’t be disappointed.
Wave goodbye to serene Como this morning and hit the road again for your next destination: Lake Garda. The drive takes around three hours in total, but you’ll break up the journey with a tour of beautiful Bergamo en route. We’ve organised a guided walk around this historic city, followed by a local wine tasting and lunch at a traditional osteria. Walk the cobbled streets to the Medieval square, marvel at the sumptuous basilica and cathedral, and admire the views of the lower town from the UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, before cruising onwards to Garda.
You’ll spend the next two nights in a beautiful hotel on the shores of the lake, surrounded by hills planted with olive trees, pink laurels, magnolias, cedars and lemon trees. Unwind with your loved one in these peaceful surroundings for the rest of the day.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before hopping in the car again for a one-hour drive to Lake Iseo. The lake’s wild, varied landscapes are best explored from the water, so we’ve organised a private boat tour, taking in the majestic Monte Isola – the largest of Italy’s lake islands – and the islets of San Paolo and Loreto. Explore Monte Isola’s historic fishing village, Peschiera Maraglio; climb to the hermitage of Madonna della Ceriola for panoramic views; and enjoy a glass of wine in an osteria, before returning to the shore by boat.
Once back in Lake Garda, you can either relax at your hotel or continue exploring the lake’s pretty resort towns. If the latter is on the cards, we recommend strolling down Salo’s promenade, marvelling at Gardone Riviera’s Art Deco villas or visiting Malcesine’s Medieval Scaliger fortress. Thirsty work? Non-drivers can treat themselves to a wine tasting in the vineyards of Bardolino.
Today, drive for around one hour and 15 minutes to reach Verona, the final stop on your journey. Once you reach your hotel in the heart of the city, waste no time in exploring; it’s the penultimate day of your trip, after all. Wander past historic architecture, people-watch in cobbled piazzas and don’t miss the impressive Roman Arena – one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Stroll through the beautifully manicured Giardino Giusti, climb the Torre dei Lamberti for views over the city and uncover local history at the Castelvecchio Museum. Come evening, consult our Dossier to find the finest Veronese cuisine in the city.
It might be the last day of your holiday, but there’s still time for one last activity: a gastronomic tour of Verona. Set off with a private guide to discover the region’s traditional cuisine in the markets of Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. Sample a bounty of agricultural products, including the delicate olive oil of Lake Garda. Visit the Melegatti Palace to try pandoro, the traditional Christmas pastry, and sample sweet pastries at the Rossi bakery.
With bellies full and bags packed, return your hire car to the airport and catch your two-hour flight back to the UK. Pass the time by scrolling through your camera rolls and reminiscing over your favourite moments from the trip…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
