Welcome to The Italian Lakes

Formed at the end of the last ice age, and a popular holiday spot since Roman times, the Italian Lakes have an enduring, beguiling beauty.

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Artful Landscapes

Travellers traversing the Alps wind down from snow-capped mountains to be greeted by a Mediterranean burst of colour: gardens filled with rose-red camellias, hot-pink oleanders, lemon trees and luxurious palms surrounding cerulean blue lakes. It’s impossible not to be seduced. Fishing boats bob in tiny harbours, palaces float in the Borromean Gulf, rustic churches cling to cliff faces and grand belle époque spas and hotels line the waterfronts in bijou towns such as Stresa, Como, Bellagio and Salò. No wonder European aristocrats, Arab princes and Hollywood celebrities choose to call this home.

A Modern Legacy

Since Leonardo da Vinci broke all the rules in his stunning Last Supper, the indefatigably inventive Lombards seem to have skipped straight from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Not only is Milan a treasure trove of modern and contemporary art, but art-deco and rationalist architecture abound. Around the lakes, Michelin-starred restaurants push the boundaries of traditionalism, and vintners, oil producers and textile houses experiment with sustainable technologies and techniques. Even now, jackhammers are hard at work on Milan’s futuristic new skyline modelled by star architects Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind, Arata Isozaki and César Pelli.

Living By Design

Though Italian design is distributed globally, seeing it in its home context offers fresh appreciation. From Como’s silk weavers to the Brianza's furniture makers and the violin artisans of Cremona, this region has an outstanding craft heritage. Today Milan is home to all the major design showrooms and an endless round of trade fairs. But it’s not just a coterie of insiders who get to have all the fun. Northern Italian design houses have branched out into spas, bars, hotels, galleries and restaurants. So why not join them for a touch of la vita moda (the stylish life).

The Lake Lifestyle

Home to many of Italy’s foremost musical talents, writers and artists, Milan and Verona are on the tour circuit of the best European and North American music acts, dance troupes, opera and theatre. In summer, film, music and art festivals abound in city theatres and palazzi, lakeside gardens and historic villas. While at weekends, urbanites escape to the mountains and lakes for morning markets, sailing, cycling and walking, and long afternoon lunches. The key to it all is an unswerving dedication to life’s fine print.

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Top experiences in The Italian Lakes

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The Italian Lakes activities

$90.20 Cultural & Theme Tours

Milan Sightseeing Tour with da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan, LombardyWalk inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, a 19th century glass vaulted shopping arcade. Brimming with fashionable shops and cafes, it is often called the ‘salotto di Milano’ or ‘Milan’s drawing room’ for its importance over the years as a common meeting point for the people of Milan.Stop At: Duomo di Milano, Milan, LombardyVisit the splendid Duomo, one of the world's largest, most striking Gothic cathedrals. Some 135 spires and 3,200 statues are crammed onto the roof and facade of the building. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Teatro Alla Scala, Milan, LombardyEnter Milan’s most famous Opera House, the fabulous La Scala theatre. Founded in 1778 and still in use, some of the world’s greatest musicians and opera singers have performed here including Pavarotti and Giuseppe Verdi, whose famous operas such as Falstaff often premiered in this very theatre.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Il Cenacolo, Milan, LombardyThe tour ends with the view of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, a UNESCO World Heritage sight, housed at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The delicate nature of this mural and its importance means that Last Supper tickets are strictly limited to those who have pre-booked. This Skip the Line Tour of the Best of Milan includes this difficult to obtain pre-booked entrance, guaranteeing exclusive no line entry and an intimate viewing of the Last Supper.Duration: 15 minutes
$101.61 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

Milan to Lake Como, Bellagio or Brunate Day Tour and Boat Ride

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Cathedral of Como (Duomo), Como, Lake Como, LombardyAfter your 1-hour coach journey from Milan, start your tour of Como visiting the historic center and enjoy some free time to get to know the town and shop in the many local boutiques.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Lago di Como, LombardyBoat cruise on the Lake :- 1 hour from November to March-2 hours from April to OctoberDuration: 2 hoursStop At: Funicolare Como-Brunate, Como, Lake Como, LombardyOnly during winter time ( from November to March)Duration: 1 hour
$147.28 Day Trips & Excursions

Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail Tour from Milan

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Zani Viaggi Day Tours, Milan, LombardyDeparture from Zani Viaggi, Milan Visitor Center in MilanoPass By: Brusio Spiral Viaduct, Brusio, Canton of Graubunden, Swiss AlpsYour journey continues taking you over the spiraling Brusio viaduct and through the Bernina Pass (2253 meters above the sea level) into the Engadin Valley before arriving at St. Moritz. Along the way you'll pass wild gorges and icy glaciers, cross soaring bridges and shoot through loop tunnels.This north-south Alpine crossing offers breathtaking views and stunning scenery as you travel over boldly curved viaducts and through winding tunnels.The view goes around while the train winds up to the heights of the famous circular viaduct of Brusio,with a 90-degree curve.Pass By: Bernina Express, Swiss AlpsThe station "Ospizio Bernina" lies at 2253 m a.s.l., making it the highest-altitude station on the Rhaetian Railway. From the train you will se the Alp Grum, the Palu Glacier and the Lake Palu.Stop At: Lake St. Moritz, St. Moritz, Engadin St. Moritz, Canton of Graubunden, Swiss AlpsAfter the train journey you will visit the exclusive resort of St. Moritz, stopping at Swizerland’s best chocolate house and enjoy free time to explore the ‘Top of the World’ before returning to Milan by air-conditioned coach.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Santuario della Beata Vergine di Tirano, Tirano, Province of Sondrio, LombardyYour journey starts amid the palms of Tirano, northern Italy. You will visit the church of Madonna of Tirano, one of the most beautiful churches in the region of Valtellina.Duration: 1 hour
$85.63 Cultural & Theme Tours

Milan Walking Tour, The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Tickets

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Duomo di Milano, Milan, LombardyIf your time in Milan is limited, or if you want an overview to guide your exploration, this one-day walking tour is the perfect introduction, taking in all the most prominent sights – including guaranteed entry to see Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.Led by your local, English-speaking guide, you’ll visit some iconic sights and some on the path less travelled. You’ll get to skip the line at Milan Duomo and experience this world-famous cathedral without waiting – unlike the city itself, which waited nearly 600 years for the incredible building to be completed.The tour will pause again so you can admire the medieval Sforza Castle, before delving into the cobbled streets of the Brera district. This is the beating heart of Milan’s social and cultural life, as your guide will explain. You’ll hear about all the famous artists and thinkers that have called Brera home, as well as some more up-to-date recommendations of places to revisit later for a drink or a meal.Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesStop At: Il Cenacolo, Milan, LombardyIt all builds to a viewing of Leonardo Da Vinci’s phenomenal mural, ‘The Last Supper’. Often imitated, never bettered, this masterpiece is carefully preserved, and only one group is allowed to view it at a time. This can make tickets a challenge to acquire, but yours are included in this package, along with special Skip the Line Access – so you’re guaranteed your full 15 minutes with the fresco. Listen as your guide points out the details that earn ‘The Last Supper’ its place in the history books.After just one day, you’ll find your relationship to Milan forever changed for the better.Duration: 30 minutes
$114.17 Sightseeing Tickets & Passes

Milan Duomo Tour with The Last Supper or Da Vinci Vineyard

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Il Cenacolo, Milan, LombardyLast SupperDuration: 30 minutesPass By: Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, LombardySanta Maria delle Grazie ChurchStop At: Teatro Alla Scala, Milan, LombardyLa Scala TheatreDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Castello Sforzesco, Milan, LombardySgorza CastleDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Duomo di Milano, Milan, LombardyDuomo CathedralDuration: 1 hourPass By: Arco della Pace, Milan, LombardyArch of PeaceStop At: Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro, Milan, LombardySan Satiro ChurchDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Milan, LombardySa Maurizio ChurchDuration: 1 hourPass By: Piazza Mercanti, Milan, LombardyMercanti SquarePass By: Parco Sempione, Milan, LombardySempione Park
$115.31 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

Lake Como, Lugano, and Switzerland 1-Day Tour from Milan

Leave central Milan by air-conditioned coach, and travel away from the city toward the snowcapped Italian Alps and Swiss border. Relax on the scenic journey and get ready for your 2-hour cruise!Board on the boat to cruise past luxury real estate along the shoreline. You quickly realize how Lake Como has become one of Italy’s most exclusive residential areas. Plush villas belonging to the likes of Sir Richard Branson and George Clooney are common sights around the glamorous lake.Hear about the mansion-size villas and their celebrity owners from your onboard guide, and look out for some of Como’s historical landmarks, too. After returning to dry land, explore the beautiful town of Bellagio, the 'pearl of Lake Como'. Make the most of your free time here to get to know the town. For lunch, stop at one of Bellagio’s cafes (own expense). After your break, leave the lakeside area and travel over the border to Lugano, aka the Monte Carlo of Switzerland. Located on a lake of the same name, Lugano is an Italian-speaking Swiss town and favorite vacation spot for affluent Europeans. How you spend your time in the chic city is up to you. Pay homage to Lugano’s cultural scene with a visit to Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli to see Bernardino Luini’s Renaissance masterpiece titled Passion and Crucifixion; hit the downtown shops and scout out Swiss chocolate, fine luxury goods and clothes; or simply soak up the lakeside sights. Meet back up with your guide in the late afternoon, and finish your day trip by traveling back to the start point in central Milan.
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