Exploring Italian Waters
Explore Italy through its waters: from the Milan’s Navigli, to the Ligurian sea by the Cinque Terre, to the fresh waters of Lake Garda.
- Milan and its hidden canals
- Lake Garda and its Healing Waters
- Cinque Terre: The Five Villages
- Genoa and the Aquarium
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN MILAN
Upon arrival to Milan airport meet your private guide for transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon discovering the Navigli neighborhood with its canals, the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay.
DAY 2: MILAN’S TREASURES
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the journey at the Santa Maria delle Grazie to admire Leonardo Da Vinci’s most celebrated painting The Last Supper. Continue to the historical center of Milan to the magnificent Gothic cathedral on Piazza Duomo. Stroll around and walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the world’s oldest shopping mall. Lunch on your own. Visit the world-famous Opera House Teatro alla Scala. Find your way to San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore 16th-century church and former monastery with vivid biblical-themed artwork and frescoes.
Pass by the Castle Square Fountain before you stop at Castello Sforzesco to see Sala delle Asse: a beautiful room with a mulberry forest painted by Da Vinci. Pass through Sempione Park where you’ll find Fontana dell’acqua marcia fountain known for its sulphurous water. Dinner. Overnight stay.
DAY 3: LAKE GARDA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Before arrive at you next destination, view the beautiful historic villas of Gardone Riviera on the way to see the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the former home of famed poet and soldier, Gabriele d’Annunzio. Tour the museum and beautiful gardens, pools and streams and see the spectacular view from the top of Lake Garda. Check in at your hotel in Sirmione. Evening at Leisure. Overnight stay.
DAY 4: SIRMIONE AND THERMAL SPA
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to discover on your own the beauty of Sirmione, known for its ancient fortress, The Scaliger Castle, and the thermal waters. Visit the Roman ruins at one end of peninsula and meander through the cobble stone streets of this medieval village. After lunch, pamper yourself at the world-famous Terme di Sirmione Thermal spas. Evening at Leisure. Overnight stay.
DAY 5: SAILING ON LAKE GARDA
Breakfast at the hotel. An unforgettable private boat trip discovering the stunning Lake Garda. You will pass in front of the Island of San Biagio (also known as the Island of Rabbits) and the nearby Garda Island, where you will admire the neo-gothic Venetian palace Villa Borghese. Your journey will pass by the Tower of San Marco, reaching the Bay of Sirens and Punta San Vigilio, where you will stop in a local restaurant on an historic little pier. You will continue to the Gulf of Garda, admiring the stunning Villa Canossa. Here you can also enjoy swimming in the Lake’s emerald waters.
On your way back you will stop in a typical small village for a nice walk. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight stay.
DAY 6: CINQUE TERRE
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Cinque Terre, the Five Colorful Villages along the Ligurian Sea. Check in at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to shop in the village. Overnight stay.
DAY 7: THE VILLAGES AND WATERS OF CINQUE TERRE
Breakfast at the hotel. Hiking Option: Meet your guide for a full day tour on the Sanctuaries hiking path, named this way as it links all the sanctuaries of the National Park of the Cinque Terre. Visit to the famous seaside villages: Vernazza – Reggio Sanctuary – Soviore Sanctuary- Monterosso. On the way stop for wine tasting in a local winery.
Cruising option: Experience a private boat cruise to enjoy the amazing Cinque Terre from the water and enjoy swimming and snorkeling, sip some wine and enjoy la Dolce Vita. Dinner. Overnight stay.
DAY 8: GENOA
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Genoa, the bustling port city of Italy. After check in, experience this fascinating old city. We will guide you through the narrow alleys (caruggi) of the widest historical centre in Europe to discover its many curiosities and secrets. The tour starts from the Old Port area, wonderfully renewed by the famous Genoese architect Renzo Piano in 1992, and it guides you through the historical centre and the most important places (the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, The Doge Palace, the Opera House, the old and narrow alleys and the many small squares).
The tour will end at the Strada Nuova Museums. In these museums (Galleries of Palazzo Bianco, Rosso and Tursi) you can visit part of the old furniture and important masterpieces of Italian and foreign artists such as Veronese, Procaccini, Rubens, Van Dyck. Optional: enjoy an evening opera. Overnight stay.
DAY 9: THE AQUARIUM
Breakfast at the hotel. The largest aquarium in Europe the Acquario di Genova was built on the occasion of the Expo ’92 and features a wide variety of fish, jellyfish, penguins, sharks and dolphins. Visit its biosphere and Galata museum, the largest and most innovative maritime museum. Afternoon at Leisure. Overnight stay.
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to the airport and departure. Arrivederci!
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change based on the availability of the services/tours/activities listed at the time of your traveling. Check out other Italian villages ideas.
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