Private Europe Tour (ITY003) Best Northern Italy: Dolomites & Italian Riviera

Milan, World Fashion Capital - Lake Como, Hollywood Favorite

Pick you up at Milan Airport, Italy at the scheduled time.

Then travel 100 km to SERRAVALLE DESIGNER OUTLET, the largest designer brand outlet in Europe, featuring brands like Gucci, Prada, Armani, and Burberry. Enjoy shopping to your heart's content on this private trip, setting your own pace—whether you want to take it slow or fast is entirely up to you.

Travel to Lake Como in northern Italy, a filming location for James Bond movies and the third-largest lake in Italy, located near the Swiss border. Visit charming towns around Lake Como, the most famous being Bellagio and Varenna, and take a water taxi to view villas across the lake.

If time permits, visit renowned villas in the area, including Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello.

hotel Overnight Lake Como area

Sirmione on Lake Garda - Dolomites National Park Day 1 - Bolzano

Depart on a 200 km journey to Sirmione, a town on the shores of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. This beautiful historic town, dating back over 2,000 years, is one of the most popular destinations for travelers, set on a unique peninsula jutting into the lake. The historic old town surrounded by sparkling water creates an exceptionally charming setting.

Then travel 158 km to the Dolomites National Park region in northern Italy. The first stop is the town of Bolzano (BOLZANO).

This town is the gateway to the park and the capital of South Tyrol, surrounded by rivers. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC once filmed a documentary on the discovery of human remains buried under the snow in the high mountains of Austrian Tyrol, which were brought to Bolzano and became known as the Iceman of Bolzano.

Stroll through the town and take in the distinctive mountain views surrounding the city, interspersed with scenic green meadows. Overnight in the Bolzano area.

Dolomites National Park - Day Two

In the morning, travel 35 km to Ortisei (ORTISEI), the heart of the Dolomites nestled in a valley surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges. Weather permitting, we will take a cable car up to the alpine plateau known as ALPE DI SIUSI to take in the panoramic views of the Dolomites and Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow. Alternatively, you can choose to take the cable car up to Tofana, which offers equally stunning views.

Travel 60 km to Cortina d’Ampezzo (CORTINA D’AMPEZZO), the most famous ski resort town in the Dolomites, a filming location for James Bond 007, and nicknamed the "Pearl of the Dolomites." Enjoy a stroll around town at your leisure.

Next, continue 50 km to visit Lake Braies (BRAIES) in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, the largest protected reserve in the heart of the Dolomites. Legend has it that every 100 years, a doorway to an underground realm opens here; on that full moon night, a princess emerges to row across the lake while sounding a trumpet throughout the valley.

hotel Overnight Lakeside area or surrounding villages

Venice Island, Paradise on Water - Day One

Travel 200 km to Venice Island, located in the Adriatic Sea and one of Italy's most famous destinations. The city was built on islands supported by wooden piles, leading to predictions that it could submerge in the coming decades. A truly unique city of waterways, Venice has no car roads—only canals and gondolas. Ancient houses, islands, bridges, bustling markets, grand churches, and palaces blend together in spectacular harmony.

Take a boat cruise along the Grand Canal, then enjoy a walking tour covering Venice's iconic highlights: St. Mark's Basilica, the city's foremost church whose domes were inspired by Islamic mosque architecture. The central dome is the largest, adorned with shimmering gold mosaics from ceiling to floor, earning it the moniker “Church of Gold.” Visit the Doge's Palace, a Gothic palace of the ruling Dukes of Venice, elaborately decorated with gold and filled with masterwork paintings.

Admire the famous Rialto Bridge, the most popular photo spot for visitors, along with the other two famed bridges, Accademia Bridge and Scalzi Bridge, with Rialto being the oldest among them.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a renowned local restaurant and take a gondola ride if you wish. Overnight on Venice Island for your first night.

Venice Day One: Boat Trip to Murano and Burano

We take you on a boat ride to the vibrant island of Murano, renowned for its heritage of artisanal glassmaking. You can choose to visit the Murano Glass Museum and shop for unique local handicrafts.

Next, take a boat to the island of Burano to admire its charming houses and the Burano Lace Museum, where locals are celebrated for their intricate lace-making traditions. Return to Venice Island and head up St. Mark's Campanile, soaring 98 meters in front of St. Mark's Basilica. This is another iconic landmark popular for photos, where visitors can ascend to enjoy sweeping views over Venice.

Enjoy free time for shopping at your leisure, and attend an evening concert if you wish. Overnight on Venice Island for your second night.

Bologna, Birthplace of Sausage - Florence, City of Da Vinci

Travel 160 km to Bologna, a city rarely visited by typical tours, but an easy stop to add if you wish since it lies along our route.

The regional capital is home to the world's oldest university, "Alma Mater Studiorum", founded in 1088. It is one of Italy's most developed cities, frequently topping national rankings for quality of life, with a fascinating culinary culture packed with delicious specialties. Stop by the central square in Bologna for sightseeing and lunch.

Next, travel 120 km onward to Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the heart of Italian art (if you skip Bologna, you will have more time to explore Florence).

Florence, capital of Tuscany, sits on the banks of the Arno River as a renowned hub of art and architecture. During the Middle Ages, Florence was known as the Athens of the West, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visit the celebrated Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), built with three-color marble and the second largest in Italy. Admire Michelangelo's statue of David at the Galleria dell’ Accademia, along with other museums of your choice (advance booking recommended).

hotel Overnight First night in Florence

Tuscany - Chianti Wine Region

Travel just 50 km to reach the Chianti region, Italy's famed wine country of medieval villages. Renowned across Tuscany for grape cultivation and winemaking, Chianti charms visitors with enchanting churches, magnificent castles, picturesque hilltop villages, rolling vineyards, and idyllic countryside dotted with quintessential Tuscan scenery of cypress trees, vineyards, and historic wine châteaux.

The region is world-famous for its prime grape varieties and fine wine aging, with medieval dwellings scattered throughout the countryside. Renowned for winemaking for over 2,000 years, it was already celebrated as a premier wine region in the 13th century.

Today, you can book a perennially popular winery tour and wine tasting, hike or cycle through the scenic countryside, and sample a variety of Chianti wines. Return to Florence for your second overnight stay, or choose to stay in a château in Chianti for an authentic Tuscan experience.

Today's itinerary features a scenic drive through villages dating back several centuries, such as:

- Greve in Chianti: Shop along walkways lined with historic buildings - Radda in Chianti: A town enclosed by medieval walls, where you can view 15th-century fortifications - Chianti Sculpture Park in Pievasciata: Contemporary artworks by artists from around the world set among oak trees - Castellina in Chianti: Ancient Etruscan burial tombs (please choose stops based on available time)

Travel 80 km to Siena, another UNESCO World Heritage city with its own distinct Italian character. A medieval city once considered a historic rival of Florence, it is renowned for its art and architecture, especially around the historic center of the old town. Admire the splendor of Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), featuring an interior decorated in alternating bands of white and greenish-black marble, creating a truly unique beauty.

Explore the heart of the city at Piazza del Campo, the main square serving as the historic center of Siena and widely recognized as one of the most complete medieval squares in Europe.

When it is time, travel 50 km to San Gimignano, another delightful small town beloved by travelers worldwide. Perched high above the valley overlooking the lush green Tuscan countryside like a dream, this former resting stop for pilgrims is regarded as one of Italy's most picturesque medieval towns.

Discover the heart of San Gimignano in its enchanting walled old town. Stroll along these brick-paved streets to retrace 700 years of history, and visit Piazza del Duomo, one of the three interconnected central squares.

When it is time, travel 80 km to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a Wonder of the World, and stay overnight in Pisa.

Travel 80 km to La Spezia and board a boat or train to explore the 5 stunning coastal World Heritage villages of Cinque Terre (CINQUE TERRE), situated along the Italian Riviera.

CINQUE TERRE means "Five Lands" (FIVE LANDS), comprising 5 villages: MONTEROSSO AL MARE, VERNAZZA, CORNIGLIA, MANAROLA, and RIOMAGGIORE. Riomaggiore (RIOMAGGIORE) and Manarola (MANAROLA) are especially charming.

These seaside villages offer magnificent, breathtaking, and unforgettable scenery. Spend the entire day visiting each village as time allows, then return for an overnight stay in La Spezia. Alternatively, you may stay overnight in one of the coastal villages, but accommodations are limited, compact, and less comfortable.

If time permits, you can also explore La Spezia (LA SPEZIA), one of Italy's historically significant commercial and naval harbor gulfs.

Portofino - Genoa - Milan

In the morning, travel 90 km to Portofino (PORTOFINO), a world-famous Mediterranean coastal town located in the Genoa area. This small harbor is known as the "haven of harbor towns" for travelers, filled with colorful houses and moored yachts.

Next, travel 40 km to visit Genoa (GENOA), an important seaport along the Mediterranean coast in western Italy. It is like a precious pearl of Italy, consistently generating revenue for the country as a major port city, also known as Superba ("the Superb one") due to its past glory.

Visit Piazza De Ferrari and the old town dating back more than 500 years. Then travel 150 km to Milan. If time permits, enjoy shopping on the city's famous shopping street, and check in to the hotel in Milan.

11 Milan Airport - Departure In the morning, visit the Duomo of Milan, the 3rd largest church in Europe, and explore Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 2, one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in the world, nicknamed the living room of Milan.

Visit the church that houses The Last Supper painting.

Wrap up sightseeing in Milan, then transfer to the airport for your flight back.