Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Lake Como - Lake Iseo - Lake Garda - the Dolomites - Venice
100% customisable for you
Kick off your Italian adventure on arrival at Milan airport, where you’ll pick up a hire car and begin your road trip. Fancy road-tripping from the UK instead? Swap the flight for the Eurotunnel followed by a car journey through the French countryside.
However you make your way there, your first destination is the beautiful Lake Como, around a one and a half hour drive from Milan airport. Settle into your elegant hotel before heading out on a boat ride – we recommend Grand Hotel Tremezzo's period water limousine for the most luxurious experience. Once aboard, lap up lovely Lake Como as you take in the picturesque surroundings (your knowledgeable captain will point out must-see sights and hidden gems along the way). Back on land this evening, tuck into a delicious al fresco dinner at a lakeside restaurant, with the spectacular mountains as a backdrop.
Today, leave the shores of Como behind and head three hours east to Lake Iseo, stopping in Bergamo for lunch en route. One of Italy’s best-kept secrets, charming Iseo sees far fewer tourists than its more famous neighbours.
Once you’ve settled into your hotel for the night, why not explore the surrounding area? Dotted with vineyards and wineries, enjoy some world-class wine tasting or simply soak in the quiet beauty of Iseo's shores from the hotel's pool – the choice is yours. For dinner, consult our Dossier for a list of recommended eateries in the area (the Gualtiero Marchesi restaurant in L'Albereta Hotel is a firm favourite).
After a regenerating stay at Iseo, head to your third, final and largest lake stop, Lake Garda. The drive is around two hours long, the perfect amount of time to get our destination-specific playlist blasting from the speakers. You’ll spend two nights here, and there's no better way to kick off than with a dip in the lake’s crystal clear waters. For the rest of the day, soak up the stunning scenery, cruise the lake on a pleasure boat and enjoy a late lunch with plenty of wine (lakeside, of course).
Lucky you, today is yours to bask in the beauty of Lake Garda again. Head to Desenzano del Garda, the largest (and loveliest) town on the lake, which is only accessible by boat. Here, you can spend your time wandering the promenades, browsing the fashionable boutiques or relaxing by the marina with a drink as you watch the yachts go by. If you're feeling active, walk up the narrow streets to the town’s hilltop castle for spectacular lake views. Enjoy a well-earned aperitivo before heading back to your hotel.
For the next leg of your road trip, swap the Italian Lakes for the dramatic Dolomites. The drive takes around three hours, but you'll be treated to some spectacular roads and views along the way. Fancy a pitstop? We recommend breaking the journey in Bolzano, the capital city of South Tyrol province and gateway to the Dolomites. Wander its historic centre, sample delicious food and discover its multilingual culture. Bolzano frequently ranks high for its quality of life, which is no mean feat in the land of la dolce vita (the sweet life). Reaching your hotel later this afternoon, settle in and enjoy the serene mountain setting.
In our humble opinion, the best way to explore the delightful Dolomites is on foot. You’ve got the next two days to see as much as possible; with walking excursions available for all fitness levels, you can embark on everything from gentle scenic strolls to demanding mountain treks. For those looking for something a little more adventurous, we can also arrange bike rides and mountain climbing.
Whether you’re most interested in the history or geology of the region, there’s plenty of breathtaking scenery to marvel at as you traverse the many mountain paths. Take in the jagged rock formations, discover the historical ledges of Lagazuoi, or visit the churches and chapels as pilgrims have done for hundreds of years.
Wave goodbye to Italy’s marvellous mountain peaks this morning as you drive two and a half hours to your final destination: Venice. As you approach Venice, drop your car off at the airport and head to the dock to board your private water transfer to the famous ‘Floating City’.
Once settled into your elegant hotel, meet one of our knowledgeable guides for a private gondola tour of Venice – the city’s magnificent architecture deserves to be seen from the water. With the help of your expert guide, you’ll meander through vibrant neighbourhoods, under bridges and past bustling squares, glimpse secret gardens and glide down the Grand Canal with centuries-old palaces on either side.
Once back on dry land, spend the rest of the afternoon how you wish. Consult our Dossier for our pick of the best eateries in the city for dinner, and you can’t go wrong…
Sadly, it’s the final day of your Italian adventure. To end your trip on a high, we’ve arranged a two-hour private tour so you can soak up Venice's rich culture. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll visit all the city’s iconic sights, including St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons’ Palace.
This afternoon, we recommend dedicating some time to Venice’s contemporary art scene. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection of 20th-century masters has long been one of the city's most visited attractions. The Punta della Dogana includes works by more modern art-world giants such as Dan Flavin, Jeff Koons, Jean Tinguely and Rachel Whiteread.
Come early evening, it’s time to return to your hotel. Chock-full of culture, hop in your private water transfer and head to the airport for your short flight home, arriving later this evening.
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
