7 Days • 6 Nights
Venice & the Italian Lakes
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll drift along Venice's Grand Canal and lose yourself in its backstreets, stand beneath Juliet's balcony in Verona, and cruise the deep blue of Lake Como past pastel villages and grand villas. Aperitivo at sunset, lakeside lunches and unhurried elegance define the days.
With characterful hotels and guided touring, it is the softer, more romantic side of Italy at its finest.
Trip Highlights
- Venice's Grand Canal, St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace
- A traditional Venetian glass-blowing demonstration
- Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet
- A cruise on beautiful Lake Como
- The villa gardens and villages of Como's shores
- An optional day to Lake Maggiore or Bellagio
- Six nights across Venice and the Lakes
- Daily breakfast, a welcome Venetian dinner and a lakeside lunch
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Arrive in the floating city and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Venetian cicchetti and seafood by a quiet canal.
A guided walk to St Mark's Square, the Basilica and the Doge's Palace, then a Grand Canal boat ride past the palaces.
A free day to explore the backstreets, the Rialto market, a Murano glass workshop or the islands of Burano and Torcello.
Travel west, stopping in romantic Verona for Juliet's balcony and its Roman arena, then continue to the shores of Lake Como.
A day on the lake — a cruise past grand villas and pastel villages, a visit to elegant Bellagio, and a lakeside lunch in the sun.
A free day on Como's shores, or an optional excursion to Lake Maggiore's Borromean Islands, at a gentle, romantic pace.
A final lakeside breakfast before your transfer to Milan or the region for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 3 nights in Venice and 3 nights on Lake Como
- Daily breakfast, a welcome Venetian dinner and a lakeside lunch
- A guided Venice walking tour and a Grand Canal boat ride
- A Murano glass demonstration
- A visit to Verona en route to the Lakes
- A Lake Como cruise and villages day
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Italy
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can advise
- Language: The language is Italian, and a warm buongiorno and grazie are always appreciated. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small cafes, markets and tips
- Tipping: A cover charge (coperto) often applies at restaurants, so tipping is not expected — rounding up for good service is plenty
- Best seasons: Italy is wonderful year-round. Spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is hot and busy in the cities, and the Amalfi Coast and Sicily shine from May to October
- Dress code: Churches such as St Peter's and the Duomo require covered shoulders and knees, so carry a light scarf. Smart-casual is ideal for dinner
- Getting around: Italy's Frecciarossa high-speed trains link the cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Opening times: Many sites close one day a week and some shops pause midday; the Vatican Museums close on Sundays (except the last of the month). Your itinerary is arranged around this
- Driving zones: Historic city centres have restricted traffic zones (ZTL). We use trains and licensed drivers so you never risk a fine
- Safety: Italy is very safe, but as at any major attraction keep an eye on your belongings on busy transport and in crowded squares
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Tuscan wine lunch or an Amalfi seafood dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Italy's wonderful trattorias and gelaterias.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there is nothing to organise on the ground.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal, with pleasant weather and thinner crowds. The Amalfi Coast and Sicily are loveliest from May to October.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by Italy's superb Frecciarossa high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
Is this a good honeymoon?
Wonderfully — Venice and Lake Como are among Italy's most romantic places, and we can add a private gondola or a lake-view suite for the occasion.
How do we reach Lake Como?
It is a scenic drive west from Venice via Verona, and Milan's airports are close by for your return, making the loop easy.
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