Lakes & Cities of Northern Italy
SMALL GROUP TOURS
Destination: Croatia • Duration: 13 days / 12 nights • DateDuration: 11 days / 10 nights • Dates: Nov 12 - 22, 2025 • Destination: Italy • Duration: 11 days / 10 nights • Dates: Nov 12 - 22, 2025 • Destination: Italy
Destination: Italy
Dates: Nov 12 - 22, 2025
Duration: 11 days / 12 nights
DAY 1
WEDNESDAY, NOV 12, 2025
Arrive Milan / Transfer to Lake Maggiore
Arrive Milan international airport, meet your driver, and enjoy the transfer to our hotel in Lake Maggiore, the town of Stresa. Get settled, relax and recuperate from your flights. In the late afternoon, meet your host and fellow travelers in the lobby for a short welcome meeting and then head out for your welcome dinner at a local restaurant., the perfect way to dive into the local life and flavors.
DAY 2
THURSDAY, NOV 13, 2025
Lake Maggiore
Today we’ll explore and enjoy the beauties of this amazing lake as we meet our captain nad board our boat to sail around Lake Maggiore. We will admire the beauty of the Borromean Gulf and Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromeo Islands and then we will have time on land to enjoy exploring the jewel of Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella. We will see The majestic Baroque Palace and lush terraced gardens. Later, we will sail back to Stresa, and the rest of the day will be free. Join your host for a walk in town in the afternoon.
DAY 3
FRIDAY, NOV 14, 2025
Lake Maggiore - Lake Orta - Lake Maggiore
It’s time to visit another amazing, less known, stunning lake of Northern Italy. After Breakfast we will board our mini coach and head toward Omegna, a town in Piedmont, on Lake Orta. In Orta, we will be greeted by a licensed local guide who will show us around. The town to discover the intimate historic center with narrow alleys and ancient palaces, precious churches and picturesque corners. Then, we’ll board a taxi-boat to the island of San Giulio to see the beautiful Basilica and its monumental old Seminary. Then, we will Some free time to enjoy and explore on own, or to sit down and grab a bite. Before heading back, in the afternoon, we will visit Sacro Monte of Orta, a special Nature Reserve protected by UNESCO. The return to Sresa is planned for the afternoon hours, and your evening is at leasure.
DAY 4
SATURDAY, NOV 15, 2025
Lake Maggiore - Turin
Today we bid farewell to Stresa and charming Lake Magiorre as we head toward Turin, the capital of Piedmont, and was once the capital city of newly unified Italy before the seat was moved to Rome. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide and head onto the discovery of the magnificent Royal Palace, one of the most mesmerizing palaces in Italy that belonged to the Savoy Royal Family. Our next adventure will be a panoramic city tour, a combination of driving through and we will take a walk through some of the most amazing areas of the city. Of course, we will have the time to grab a bite and enjoy the city atmosphere. Then, we will check into our hotel. Relax, enjoy, the rest of the day is free. Join your host later in the day and head out to find a restaurant for dinner (optional).
DAY 5
SUNDAY, NOV 16, 2025
In Turin
Today we will meet a local foodie guide and enjoy a Turin Gourmet Food Tour, the perfect match between a walking city tour and a real food experience in Turin. You can expect a full meal or even more! Be ready for an immersive food experience in a relaxing atmosphere! From the famous breadsticks called “Grissini”, to cured meats and cheeses, specialties such as Vitello Tonato, and amazing chocolate confections, today we will taste it all! The rest of the day is free for everyone to enjoy and explore this elegant Italian city at your own pace.
DAY 6
This morning we will leave Turin and enjoy the scenic drive along the Langhe area. We will stop to visit the charming village of Barolo and enjoy lunch with a wine-tasting experience at one of the best local wineries of the area. Discover the amazing Barolo wines, but also the less knows Nebbiolos of Borgogno. After lunch we will proceed with our drive to Milan. The fashion, financial and business capital of Italy. Milan has a charm that often “gets lost” in the modern city facade, so tonight, join your host for a leisurely walk in the Navigli area to see some hidden gem areas (this is not mandatory, it will be just for drinks and to grab a bite).
MONDAY, NOV 17, 2025
Turin - Milan
DAY 7
TUESDAY, NOV 18, 2025
In Milan
After breakfast we’ll meet our licensed guide and board our Mini Coach to enjoy a city tour of Milan. Today, we’ll visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the amazing Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci, admire the Cathedral, one of the finest representations of Gothic architecture, the Sforza Castle, which was originally a stronghold, and then the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the most famous examples of “cast-iron architecture”. The rest of the day will be yours to explore, enjoy, and don’t forget to go shopping, because a visit to Milan would not be complete without it!
DAY 8
WEDNESDAY, NOV 19, 2025
Milan - Como
After 4 days of city life, hustle and bustle, it is time to return to the peacefulness of Italian lakes! Our driver will pick us up from our hotel and take us to Lake Como and our beautiful hotel in Como town. We will check in, get settled and enjoy some free time. In the early afternoon, we’ll meet a licensed local guide who will show us around the center of Como and give us an interesting overview of the culture, history and life of the towns around this amazing lake. Then, we’ll head to the funicular and enjoy the ride up to Brunate. Once up there, we’ll take a short walk and enjoy time to explore on own. Join your host for aperitivo at one of the local bars with a view and enjoy the sunset over the mountain tops! You can return down and to the hotel whenever you like, it is all close by, and the funicular runs until 10 PM at night. Enjoy the free time in Como.
DAY 9
THURSDAY, NOV 20, 2025
Lake Como
Today expect a day full of beautiful views! In the morning (not too early!) we will gather at the lobby and walk to the port where we’ll board a ferry. Today we will sail to the most picturesque area of Lake Como, the central area of the Lake, where the towns of Bellaggio, Varenna and Menaggio are located. We will have the time to explore and to have lunch at one of the local restaurants, and sail back to Como in the afternoon.
DAY 10
FRIDAY, NOV 21, 2025
Lake Como
It’s the last day of the tour. It’s a free day. You can use it to relax or to go see some of the amazing villas around the lake, do some shopping in Como, or take the ferry to some of the smaller towns along the shores. Or you can join your host for an optional, leisurely walk in Cernobbio, not far from Como where you’ll get to see the beautiful parks of Villa D’Este.
This evening we’ll gather one last time and head out to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner. We will enjoy the amazing local dishes and have fun together before saying good bye…
DAY 11
SATURDAY, NOV 22, 2025
Depart Milan
Your transfer to the Milan international airport will be arranged according to your departure time. You may share the ride with some of your fellow travelers in case your flight time is similar.
What's Included
Accommodation at listed hotels with breakfast daily, based on double occupancy rooms, with the option for single use at a supplement
Customized arrival and departure airport transfers, according to your individual arrival and departure flight timing
All transfers as per program with comfortable air-conditioned mini coach/van
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with a traditional 3-course meal, incl. drinks in Stresa (Lake Maggiore)
Private boat ride along Lake Maggiore with free time to explore Isola Bella
Lunch and wine tasting at a Barolo winery in Piedmont
City tour of Milan by mini coach, with entrance to Santa Maria delle Grazie, with a licensed local guide
Orientation tour of Como with a licensed local guide
Funicular tickets for Brunate
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant with traditional 3-course meal, incl. drinks in Como
Professional Vagabonda Travel host throughout
Walking tour of Omegna and Lake Orta places of interest with a licensed local guide
Public taxi boat ride on Lake Orta
Walking tour of the Royal Palace of Turin, with entrance, with a licensed local guide
Panoramic, orientation tour of Turin, with a licensed local guide
Gourmet food tour of Turin, with a specialized local guide and all tasting included
Ferry tickets to Varenna / Bellagio / Menaggio
Not Included
Visas, passport, and/or departure taxes
Airfare: international and local
Meals, drinks and other items not listed above
Expenses of personal nature (including tips to guides and drivers, telephone calls, laundry services, international data, internet, etc
Travel insurance – highly recommended! Check out World Nomads.
Porterage at airports, train stations and hotels
Tourist and Hotel taxes that must be paid on the spot (approx. 2 – 5 Euro per day)
Pricing
Price Per Person In
Double Occupancy Rooms
$1440
Single Supplement
$5270
Happy Clients
- The Coscia-Mancuso Family, White Plains, NY
We cannot thank Vagabonda Travel enough for custom-designing our family trip to Italy. Memories to last a lifetime. Every detail of our trip was perfectly curated and exceptional. We would have never been able to plan this adventure on our own. Communication with the staff is excellent and we felt secure knowing we had contact number while we were traveling. Cannot wait to book our next trip with you soon!
Trip of a lifetime.
Happy Clients
- Megan and Jerry, Los Angeles, California
We have never used a travel service before, and Vagabonda absolutely blew us away! From their hotel bookings, to the day-by-day itinerary, to hidden gems we definitely would have never found on our own, we can't thank their team enough! Highly recommend for anyone who wants an authentic experience in Europe!
BEST TRIP EVER! We'll remember this for the rest of our lives!
Happy Clients
- Pete and Paula, Lindenhurst, New York
When my husband and I started planning our 30th Anniversary trip to Italy we had no idea where to even begin. That’s when I stumbled across Alida’s TikTok videos. I absolutely LOVED her content. To be honest, at first I was skeptical about planning a trip like this off of someone I saw in a TikTok video, but after meeting with her we knew we picked the right travel agency. Our 17-day trip was absolutely incredible. Alida and Vagabonda Travel made our lifetime dream of touring Italy one we will never forget!
Happy 30th Anniversary to Us! A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
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Vagabonda's European small group tours are led by our professional hosts. We're dedicated to making sure that every moment of your trip counts. We believe in taking it slow and connecting with locals as we uncover amazing experiences in unforgettable destinations. Travel should be more than just a vacation - it should be an experience that touches your heart and deepens your relationship with the world.
