Palaces by the Water: Venice & the Lakes of Northern Italy

Lake Como is first and foremost a beautiful landscape. Here we find beautiful houses too, with fantastic gardens. Two of them even appear in the James Bond film Casino Royale: Villa Balbianello in Lenno and Villa La Gaeta in San Siro. Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is mentioned by Stendhal in The Charterhouse of Parma. A small cruise can be made on the Concordia steamboat, whose paddlewheels have been pushing it across the lake since 1926. Another idea for a stroll is at Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, home to fourteen UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baroque chapels. There are many different things to do around here, in addition to going to a beach for a swim, of course. In Milan, which is only about 25 miles away, travellers can visit the Duomo, the Scala, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.
Optional - Private tour of Villa del Balbianello.

Drive to Gardone Riviera. Enjoy a three-night stay at the first prestigious lakeside hotel founded in 1884, where you'll get a taste of the art of high-society living at the turn of the 20th century. The Neo-Renaissance facade stretches along the shore, where the boats come in. The rooms are bright, chic and welcoming. The hotel offers guests a heated swimming pool, solarium, beauty centre, sauna, Turkish baths: perfect for pampering, relaxing, and snoozing. On the large grove terrace, you can enjoy your meals amongst the lemon trees, overlooking the water; the dining room in the main restaurant is another excellent way to enjoy this traditional and delicate cuisine.

If the pleasures of relaxation are not enough for the guest, it is possible to visit Gardone and the André Heller botanical garden, now a centre for ecological awareness. The Museum Il Divino Infante presents a splendid collection of ancient works. Vittoriale degli Italiani is a poetic and patriotic folly conceived and built by d'Annunzio and architect Giancarlo Maroni between the years of 1921 and 1938. The lion of Saint Mark can be found in Salo, where visitors can also see the beautiful Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata (16th-century paintings, frescoes, and sculptures). Gargnano's medieval greenhouses were designed for growing lemon trees. The Roman villas of Toscolano Maderno and Desenzano evoke a flourishing antiquity… A walk offers stunning views of the lake and is sure to enchant visitors with the ample and serene nature.
Included in the itinerary - A private tour of the Sirmione peninsula. A renowned spa resort south of Lake Garda, the small town boasts some stone treasures: the massive Scaliger fortress and the church of Saint Maria Maggiore which has preserved frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries, all which can be discovered during a leisurely walking tour with a personal guide.

Included in the itinerary - A private gastronomical walking tour of Verona. Known as the pink city, Verona is famous thanks to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the ever-present romantic atmosphere. However, Verona also offers a rich cuisine where all the flavours come from the generous and unique Venetian tradition. The province's diversity has always provided a bounty of agricultural products of extraordinary quality, such as the delicate olive oil of Lake Garda or the excellent wines of the region, which perfectly complement the dishes. Included in the itinerary: the Melegatti Palace which produces Pandoro, the traditional Christmas pastry; the Rossi pastry shop; the market of Piazza Erbe; Piazza dei Signori. There will be tasting opportunities at every stage, of course.

Drive to Venice. Hire car return at the Santa Lucia Station and transfer by boat taxi to Lido. Enjoy a two-night stay in a palace with spectacular Moorish decor. On one side, the pier, on the other, a beautiful beach. Here, there are no reeds or bindweed: just a meticulous arrangement of beach cabins, deckchairs and umbrellas. There's a lovely balance of enjoying the outdoors and sunbathing and sea swimming alongside modern facilities and a chic, sophisticated atmosphere. You'll also have access to a restaurants, bars, gym, tennis, outdoor pool and a kids club.
Optional - Venetian artisans, from gondola craftsmen to mask makers.

Start at the very beginning, by heading to the Grand Canal, which is only a few steps from the hotel; St. Mark's Square; the basilica and its mosaics; the Doge's (Duke's) Palace; then have a coffee and a zaletti at Florian; visit the Gallerie dell 'Accademia (with works by Carpaccio, Piero della Francesca, Bellini, etc.); and the Bridge of Sighs. Then, perhaps, take a walk around the fish market of Rialto (selling eels, latterini, slipper lobsters, anchovies, etc.), the Pinault collection of contemporary art, and finally a gondola ride at Punta della Dogana. In the bacari, taste sardines prepared with onions, raisins, and pine nuts, spaghetti 'al nero di seppia' (in cuttlefish ink), polenta and cod brandade. Walk along the canals, rest in the little squares, venture into the courtyards, get a little lost. This is the right way to visit Venice, which is a discreet city despite all its splendour. It is well worth looking in all the nooks and crannies.
Included in the itinerary - A guided introduction to Venice. To learn about the main topographical, historical and artistic landmarks, a personal guide can be very useful. Even more so because Venice, although one of the most visited cities in the world, has not lost its secretive and modest charm. Visit the city for half a day with a local guide who will share their knowledge. Afterwards, the sestieri, canals, palaces, churches, museums, squares are all yours! Don't miss out on a visit to the islands of the lagoon, despite the permanent temptation of the beach. It is true that a dip in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea is an absolute must at the beginning or end of the day, luckily just a stone's throw from the hotel.