7 Days Northern Lakes and Dolomites Tour - from Milan

Breakfast at the hotel. Today or tomorrow, depending on the weather, you will be invited to taste a typical Italian aperitive with Prosecco, a great white wine in its dry version. Short visit of Como. An amazing small town rich of atmospheres, panoramas and human takeovers. In little kilometres you can admire the high mountains over the lake, the wild alpine valley and the industrialized area. The lake is famous for its setting at the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped lake, and it is also known as Lario. Divided in three branches, is situated at the bottom of the most renowned peaks of the Italian landscape. Board the boat we reach Bellagio, situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake's two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north. It is a picturesque village with small streets, luxury hotels and villas and gardens. Visit. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon, departure with panoramic route along the lake side to Bergamo. City characterized by a division of the urban structure on two levels, the “Lower town” (Città bassa), modern and dynamic and the famous “Upper town” (Città alta), a truly historic and artistic jewel. After a short walking tour inside the old town with many beautiful churches and monuments, transfer to the modern town, with the best shops, restaurants and museums. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lake Garda, the largest Italian one. Lake Garda offers to the visitor a splendid natural scenery, full of colours, surrounded by the Dolomites of Brenta in the north and the gentle slopes of the hills in the south. A rich vegetation flourishes thanks to the Mediterranean climate: lemon trees, oleanders, magnolias and bougainvilleas. The cultivation of vineyards and olive groves produces good wines and olive oil. Arrival to Sirmione where the lake offers its best panorama, really sunny with the blue of its waters and the green of its trees. Boat tour to have a nice view of the Sirmione Cape, the castle and the Catullo’s Grotto ruins. Next, depart to Lazise, a village in the South-East of the lake, popular for its medieval castle, nowadays part of the walls of entrance to the old town, in front of the lake. Lunch on your own and in the afternoon, outgoing to Verona. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and visit of the famous city of Verona. It is a work of art in itself: a fascinating crossroad of historical periods and cultures (classical and Germanic), a blend of both Nordic and Mediterranean influences; the city is at the same time ancient and modern. A walk through its narrow streets allows us to get in touch with its varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles, its magnificent Renaissance palaces as well as the impressive fortifications which protect it. A suggestive blend of art and history which continuously fascinates the onlooker. We will visit Piazza Bra with the Arena, a Roman amphitheatre, Via Mazzini, Piazza delle Erbe e dei Signori with the monument to Dante Alighieri and Juliet’s Balcony. Next, departure to Cortina d’Ampezzo with route through Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, two of the most wonderful valleys of the Dolomites area. Today you will be invited to taste red and green local apples. This region includes many small villages typical of a mountain setting. We stop in Canazei, important place for tourism in all seasons, due to the wonderful view given by this part of Dolomites that call thousands of tourists every month. Short visit. Next, departure to Cortina d’Ampezzo. The journey will be around Val Cadore among sinuous mountains and little villages that show the history of the territory, the tradition of the craftsmanship and offer good food and a lot of local museums. Visit on the way to Cortina of the centre of Pieve di Cadore, capital of the glasses industry and birthplace of the great painter Tiziano Vecellio. Arrival to Cortina d’Ampezzo, probably the most renowned one because of its historical importance in Italian summer and winter holidays since the 1950’s, is in the middle of the large valley of Boite. Cortina is not only a tourism resort but also the centre of traditional works, as for example, wood manufacturing. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Outing to Lake Misurina (situated in a perfect position among woods and Dolomites tops, Three peaks of Lavaredo the most important ones, probably one of the best places for alpinism experts). Then, way to Lake Dobbiaco, with a strange and shining colour emerald of its water that makes it as unique in the world. Visit of Val Pusteria and Val Badia, probably the most typical valleys of the region, having a stop in a village to have lunch at your own. After that, we will cross Falzarego Pass coming back to Cortina, in order to have free time for the rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be invited to taste the flavourful speck, a kind of smoked ham, typical of the Dolomites valleys. Departure to Canazei through Fedaia Pass; arrival to the bottom of the Glacier of Marmolada, the highest glacier of the eastern Alps. Visit of Canazei, an important place for tourism in all seasons, due to the wonderful view given by this part of Dolomites that receives thousands of tourists every month. Through Passo Costalunga, we arrive at Lake Carezza. Stop to have a look at this wonderful lake. Then, departure to Merano, the second biggest city of the province after Bolzano. Famous worldwide for its Christmas market, Merano is also a charming and amazing cultural and historical centre. Visit of the old town and lunch on your own.  Second half of the day is dedicated to Bolzano. Important commercial centre in the Middle Age, it has increased its industry productions during the World War. Tourism still represents the first resource of the local economy.  Visit of Duomo: the Cathedral, with a gothic style, is considered as the symbol of the town; finally, we’ll visit the main central streets, as Via dei Portici, core of the Medieval town. Rest of the evening is free for your personal visits. Overnight at the hotel.  

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Trento, capital of the region through the so called Weinstrasse, the route of the wine, where small villages like Caldaro or Trameno offer relaxing and amazing views. Short stop for visiting the area. Arrival to Trento. The city is dominated by the castle, known as del Buon Consiglio, symbol of the House of Habsburg which dominated the district for many centuries. Santa Maria Maggiore, built in the XVI century and one of the first work of Renaissance and Gothic age; Palace Geremia, building that represents the XVI century and Piazza Duomo with the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Vigilius. Lunch at your own. Departure to come back to Milan. End of the services.