Italian Lakes Discovery

Day 1: Milan

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Milan (Milano), Italy's second largest city and capital of Lombardy - the wealthiest province. Milan Central station (Milano Centrale) is also one of Italy's and Europe's main rail hubs for both domestic and international routes so it’s easy to arrive by train from other Italian cities or European destinations. Milan's Malpensa airport (45kms from central Milan) is a major international air gateway with frequent and comfortable bus and rail connections to the downtown area. Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving/ departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transports minimal carbon emissions. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents) that is centrally located and close to all the major sights. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. This evening is free so why not enjoy dinner in one of the nearby traditional restaurants.

Day 2: From Milan - Lake Como - Breglia

We spend the morning enjoying a walking tour of Milan. Apart from being known as the fashion capital of the world and Italy’s financial centre, there is also an overwhelming amount of history here, as we discover when we visit some of the must-see sights. The Gothic Duomo is the city's most famous building and walking in between the sculptures on its roof is an amazing experience. Views from up high are impressive. We then walk through the beautiful Galleria, to the Teatro alla Scala, arguably Italy’s most famous opera house and a stage that has been graced by many great performers. We also explore some shops in the famous fashion district and we visit the medieval castle and enjoy its beautiful park. Lunch is optional, we can either eat in a local restaurant or pick up a ‘panino’ if we prefer. In the early afternoon we drive north to Lake Como (Lago di Como), an area of stunning beauty, full of unique and evocative landscapes. We stop and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful medieval town centre of Como. Then there is time for a drink, either on Como's amazing town square or along the lake shore, before driving around the western side of the lake to our next base. To recover from the hectic city life, we’ll stay for one night in the quaint mountain village of Breglia, high above Menaggio. In the evening we get together and savour some fine local fare at our hotel. (Total walking time approx.3 hours) Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 3: Mountains of Menaggio - Varenna

Today we take a great walk up to the mountain hut above Menaggio, situated on the southern slope of Mount Grona. The walk is challenging in sections but the visual rewards are spectacular with peerless views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. The pace set by the leader will be achievable for the whole group. The first portion of our walk goes through forest and pastoral land, before we trek up to the 'Rifugio' itself. This is a great scenic setting to enjoy our picnic lunch. A ten minute walk from the 'Rifugio' takes us to a viewpoint called Pizzo Coppa, from where we have a view not only of Lake Como, but also of the entire region with Lake Piano and Lake Lugano, between Italy and Switzerland. After lunch we have time for a rest and then begin our descent down to the lake again. According to our energy levels there are a number of different return routes back down to Breglia and from there to Menaggio, and there is also a possibility to catch the bus in several places. Those who wish to have a more relaxed day, you can opt to miss today’s more challenging walk and instead take a wonderfully panoramic, but easy circular directly from the hotel, or instead you can travel down to Menaggio, to relax on the lake shore. In the late afternoon we will head to Menaggio and take a local ferry to the romantic town of Varenna on the east side of the lake. Strewn with elegant villas and crowned by an old castle, Varenna is our base for the next two nights. (Walking time: approx. 5-6 hours) Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 4: Lake Como cruising

This morning we take a boat ride to the central part of Lake Como and visit the pretty village of Bellagio. We walk through the Bellagio’s delightful countryside and visit beautiful Villa Melzi. This grand white villa sits just back from the water and its surrounding estate is filled with a plethora of rare and exotic plant life. Boarding another boat, we then travel to the lakeside village of Tremezzo and explore the splendid Villa Carlotta, with its beautiful gardens overlooking the lake. Another ferry ride takes us back to the charming village of Varenna, deemed by some as the most romantic town in all of Italy. We see the Fiumelatte, the curious “river of milk,” Italy’s shortest river (250m), which flows only six months a year. Not even Leonardo da Vinci, who explored the cavern from which the river emerges, could discover its source or why it flows for only half the year. (Walking time: 3-4 hours) Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 5: St Moritz (Switzerland) - Tirano

After an early breakfast, we depart for a day in the real mountains, partly in Italy, partly in Switzerland. We drive to the northern edge of Lake Como and do some shopping and have a drink in the last Italian town, Chiavenna. Then we enter Switzerland, and along a wonderful panoramic road – with a stop at Passo Maloja – we arrive in the famous St. Moritz area, with a number of beautiful lakes. Close to here we take a spectacular, but easy excursion to the glacier of Morteratsch, where we can choose to enjoy a picnic lunch with a view. We return to Italy with the Bernina Express, a small local train, directly from Morteratsch. This amazing train ride, along mountain peaks and glacier lakes, descending steeply towards the valley, is among the most spectacular in the world and the journey is a highlight experience of the trip. The train brings us back into Italy and to the town of Tirano, where we spend the night. (Walking time: approx. 3 hours) Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 6: Tirano - Riva del Garda

After breakfast, we drive to Lake Garda. The drive takes us along some of Italy’s famous mountain chains, including the Dolomites. Our base is at the most northern point of the lake, in the charming small city of Riva del Garda. We stay in the medieval town centre, with its colourful painted houses. We take a boat tour across the northern side of Lake Garda to Limone, a village named after the many lemon groves that surround it. From here we walk up through the old cobbled streets to the edge of town, where the landscape changes from Mediterranean into alpine mountain scenery. After a coffee break, we walk steeply uphill into the Singol Valley, along a comfortable path, alternating between woods and panoramic views of Lake Garda. After a short rest at a mountain stream, we descend back to Limone and walk amongst olive groves and citrus trees down to the lake shore. It is worth spending some time in the old centre of Limone, strolling along its steep and narrow lanes. For those who wish there is a direct bus back to Riva, but it is also possible to spend some more free time in Limone, and then jump on the boat, to travel back to Riva along the coast. Tonight we can choose to dine together under the medieval arches of Riva del Garda and raise our glasses in a toast to the infinite charms of the Italian Lakes region (Total walking time: approx. 3-4 hours) Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 7: Lake Garda

Today we’ll discover the great variety of landscapes of Lake Garda. By boat we transfer from the northern, ‘alpine’ side of the Lake to the southern, Mediterranean shore, passing many photogenic villages. We’ll go ashore in Garda itself, nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’, dominated by its ‘Rocca’ (rock), complete with an abbey and the remains of a medieval castle. In Garda we take a short relaxed walking tour through the village and buy some picnic supplies, then we climb up towards the abbey, a steep but short and pleasant climb, rewarded by beautiful views over the lake. We have the chance to enjoy a picnic at an incredibly scenic place. For those who want to opt out, there is the chance to wander around the medieval alleys, have lunch in Garda, or relax on the beautiful lake front. We descend back to Garda again with some time for a coffee or gelato break, and then embark on an easy afternoon walk which takes us to the peninsula of San Vigilio. There is a fairytale ambience in this small medieval hamlet.You may wish to spend some time here on the tranquil lake, have a drink, or relax in the park. In the late afternoon we travel back by bus to Riva del Garda, a scenic ride along the Eastern lake shore. There is a large choice of fine restaurants to choose from tonight (Total walking time: approx. 3-4 hours). Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 8: Riva del Garda - Verona

After breakfast this morning, a private minibus will take us from Riva to Verona. Our trip ends on arrival in Verona. From Verona you can travel easily by rail to other major destinations in Italy. Please do not book any onwards train or bus travel before midday. For train schedules see the national rail site www.trenitalia.com. Of course you may opt to stay in beautiful Verona and spend time exploring this romantic city of Romeo and Juliet dominated by its Roman Amphitheatre. If you wish to stay back in the Italian Lakes Region, additional accommodation can also be booked in Riva del Garda or in the town of Sirmione. Please enquire when booking your tour. Meals included: 1 breakfast