Love & Lakes STANDARD Independent Rail Tour 2025

The tour of the Northern Lakes begins in Milan where there is a free day to explore the sights of the "Capital of Northern Italy": the Duomo with its terraces, the Castello Sforzesco, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the famous fashion and shopping streets. Overnight at the hotel in Milan.

Breakfast at the hotel and then board a train from Milan Central Station to Lake Maggiore. The shores of the lake are shared between Switzerland and Italy. It gets its name due to being one of the largest of the lakes in the north, but in fact it is the second largest after Lake Garda. The train journey will finish in Stresa, the most famous resort on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. After checking in at the hotel spend the rest of the day strolling through the beautiful and picturesque streets of Stresa and be completely enchanted by the wonderful views of the lake. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Stresa. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by visiting the Borromean Islands, a small archipelago that owes its fame to its three main islands: Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) and Isola Bella. The first stop will be Isola Madre, the largest of the three on Lake Maggiore and site of a 16th century palace set in a magnificent English-style botanical garden dating back to the late 19th century.  From Isola Madre, travel to Isola dei Pescatori, the only public island of the three and unique in that it is permanently inhabited by a small community. Lastly, Isola Bella, known for its Italian garden paradise with the magnificent Teatro Massimo at its centre with its ten terraces forming a truncated pyramid, adorned with statues and fountains - its layout is one of rare beauty. The garden and palace were commissioned by Count Vitalino Borromeo in 1650 and about four centuries later the “rock” was finally transformed into the magnificent work visited today. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Stresa. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and goodbye to Stresa and the beauty of Lake Maggiore. In the morning board a regional train bound for the famous and equally breathtaking Lake Como. The train will pass through valleys and landscapes typical of northern Italy, moving from Piedmont to Lombardy, before arriving in the charming town of Como. Como is known for its Gothic-style cathedral, the panoramic funicular railway and the pedestrian pathways along the lake. Fascinating museums uncover the city’s history including The Educational Silk Museum that illustrates the history of Como’s silk industry, and the Tempio Voltiano Museum, dedicated to a famous Como resident, the physicist Alessandro Volta, inventor of the first electric battery. Seeing the picturesque lakeside gardens of Villa Olmo and other villas, strolling the beautiful streets of the town or taking the funicular ride to enjoy spectacular views are all enjoyable ways to spend the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Como. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by the day discovering the beauty of Lake Como. The ferry ticket included in the tour allows stops in various villages on the stretch of the lake that spans from Como to Bellagio. The romantic town of Bellagio is situated between the two arms of Lake Como, known for its cobbled streets, elegant buildings and the park of Villa Serbelloni, an 18th century terraced garden overlooking the lake - there is lots to see. Be careful not to be distracted by such beauty and be sure to check the ferry return times to Como! On the way back to Como, you can admire the changing colours of the lake in the late afternoon light. Overnight at the hotel in Como. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and time to take a last look at the lake as you head out of Como to the next stop, Verona: the city setting for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Nestled between the Italian Alps and the Po Valley, as the train approaches, begin to savour the timeless charm of this city located close to Lake Garda. After check-in to the hotel the afternoon is free to stroll around the city or visit the famous Arena di Verona. Desenzano di Garda, one of the larger towns on the southern shores of Lake Garda is only 20 minutes away by train if you prefer an excursion. Return to the hotel in Verona in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Verona. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by the morning in Verona with the help of an expert local guide who will take you to meet people from the past who helped build the Verona of today. Learn about the legendary stories that have made the city famous throughout the world. See the main monuments, such as Juliet's balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, the Lamberti Tower and the Arena from the outside. Discover the medieval castle in the centre, see bridges that have survived war and hear about the way of life and thinking of the Veronese people. The afternoon is free to do some shopping in the city or alternatively take the time to visit picturesque places around Verona: The Prosecco Hills or the art cities of Mantua, Vicenza or Padua. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Verona. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. (B)