Sites of Northern Italy: Lakes, Cities & Sea | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Sites of Northern Italy: Lakes, Cities & Sea

PRIVATE TOUR - 12 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 7340

Private Tour Highlights

  • Behold a panorama of colorful waterside villages and elegant estates on a private motorboat tour across Lake Como.
  • Tour the most outstanding artistic and architectural beauties of Verona including the best-preserved Roman amphitheater of Italy and the house of "Romeo & Juliet".
  • Marvel Michelangelo's David in Florence before enjoying a Florentine dinner with a local family, savoring local dishes and stories.
  • Soak up the medieval flavor of Siena with a private art historian guide to fully admire some of the most outstanding works of art of the famed painter, Pinturicchio.
  • Take in the amazing scenery of steep hillsides with terraced vineyards and olive groves and enjoy stunning views of the coast aboard local trains between destinations.
  • Catch a local train to Pisa and visit Campo dei Miracoli with its famed leaning bell tower with a private local guide.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Embark on a journey through the iconic Sites of Northern Italy: Lakes, Cities & Sea with stops at Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Florence, and Milan.

Beginning in the pristine glacial lake in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, visitors will soak in the resort-like atmosphere of Lake Como’s beautiful landscape, lined with luxurious villas along its shores. Before taking a highspeed train to Verona, travelers will explore the Northern side of Lake Como in the village of Colico where there will be a picturesque lunch at a local farmhouse. Once in Verona, the tour continues through the most outstanding artistic and architectural beauties of the city including the Roman amphitheater and the house of Shakespears’ Juliette.

From Verona, travelers will take a highspeed train to the world capital of art where the renaissance began, Florence. Alongside a private art historian guide, travelers will take in the medieval architecture and iconic works throughout the city, including Michelangelo’s David and the city’s iconic Duomo. Finish your florentine experience with a delicious dinner of regional delicacies prepared by a local family. Following Florence, the tour continues on to the medieval city of Siena before continuing on to Pisa to marvel the famous leaning bell tower.

After taking the train to Levanto, visitors will soak in the idyllic coastline. Being centrally located to numerous points of interest including Cinque Terre, Levanto is the perfect starting point for day trips by train or boat. Cruise with a private guide to the Cinque Terre, or “five lands” to take in the clusters of pastel-hued homes that cling to the cliffsides overlooking the harbors. Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting session with local specialties together with a local food and wine expert in Manarola before finishing off the tour in Milan.

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 7340

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International flight to Italy

Overnight International Flight to Milan

Overnight International Flight to Milan

Day
2

Milan - Lake Como

Upon arrival to Milan, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in Lake Como.

Lake Como, also known as Lario, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy. You will love the upscale resort area known for its dramatic scenery set against the foothills of the Alps.

Upon arrival to Milan, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in Lake Como.

Lake Como, also known as Lario, is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy. You will love the upscale resort area known for its dramatic scenery set against the foothills of the Alps.

Day
3

Lake Como by Motorboat

This morning, board a private motorboat for a 2-hour tour across Lake Como. Behold a panorama of colorful waterside villages and elegant estates, fringed by palms and pines backed by soaring mountains. Return to Menaggio before lunch at leisure.

This morning, board a private motorboat for a 2-hour tour across Lake Como. Behold a panorama of colorful waterside villages and elegant estates, fringed by palms and pines backed by soaring mountains. Return to Menaggio before lunch at leisure.

Day
4

Cistercian Santa Maria di Piona Abbey

Take a circular ride (e-bike available) around the Northern side of Lake Como to Colico. Once at Colico, visit the Cistercian Santa Maria di Piona Abbey, a masterpiece of the Lombard architecture. Built in the 12th century, it represents the first source attesting a monastic community present in the territory. After the visit, enjoy a glorious lunch at a local farmhouse with panoramic views. Return to your hotel by private water taxi for another great chance to admire the beautiful views that the lake has to offer.

Take a circular ride (e-bike available) around the Northern side of Lake Como to Colico. Once at Colico, visit the Cistercian Santa Maria di Piona Abbey, a masterpiece of the Lombard architecture. Built in the 12th century, it represents the first source attesting a monastic community present in the territory. After the visit, enjoy a glorious lunch at a local farmhouse with panoramic views. Return to your hotel by private water taxi for another great chance to admire the beautiful views that the lake has to offer.

Day
5

Train to Verona with City Tour

After breakfast and check-out, enjoy a private transfer to Milan to catch a Frecciarossa high-speed train to Verona Porta Nuova railway station. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, meet your local guide for a guided tour of the most outstanding artistic and architectural beauties of the city. Admire the best-preserved Roman amphitheater of Italy before proceeding to the house of "Romeo & Juliet", the Porta Palio, the colorful Piazza delle Erbe, and the Arche Scaligere.

After breakfast and check-out, enjoy a private transfer to Milan to catch a Frecciarossa high-speed train to Verona Porta Nuova railway station. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, meet your local guide for a guided tour of the most outstanding artistic and architectural beauties of the city. Admire the best-preserved Roman amphitheater of Italy before proceeding to the house of "Romeo & Juliet", the Porta Palio, the colorful Piazza delle Erbe, and the Arche Scaligere.

Day
6

High-Speed Train to Florence

After breakfast and check-out, catch a Frecciarossa high-speed train to Florence railway station. Check-in to your hotel before having lunch at leisure. Then, set out on a private walking tour of the historic center with your art historian guide. In Piazza della Repubblica, discover the city's beginnings as a Roman settlement. Wander through narrow streets past the fortified houses and towers that marked the medieval town, and emerge onto the open Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the city since the Middle Ages. Marvel Michelangelo's David in the Accademia's Gallery before enjoying a welcoming Florentine dinner with a Florentine family, savoring local dishes. ...read less

Day
7

Siena City Walking Tour

This morning, board a local train to Siena and soak up the medieval flavor of the city on a walking tour with an art historian. Discover the hidden gardens, the Palazzo Pubblico, the colorful, marble clad cathedral and entrance to the striking Piccolomini library to admire some of the most outstanding works of art of Pinturicchio. Continue to the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy's most beautiful squares and host to the thrilling Palio bareback horse races.

This morning, board a local train to Siena and soak up the medieval flavor of the city on a walking tour with an art historian. Discover the hidden gardens, the Palazzo Pubblico, the colorful, marble clad cathedral and entrance to the striking Piccolomini library to admire some of the most outstanding works of art of Pinturicchio. Continue to the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy's most beautiful squares and host to the thrilling Palio bareback horse races.

Day
8

Pisa & Lucca

After breakfast, catch a local train to Pisa and visit with a professional private local guide. Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Campo dei Miracoli, consisting of a piazza with monuments of inestimable value and great appeal: the white structures of the Duomo, the Baptistry and the famous Bell Tower, known as Leaning Tower. Afterwards, return to Pisa railway station and board a local train to Lucca, a city of ancient origins surrounded by its boundary wall that dates back to the XVI century. Proceed to the awe-inspiring sites, the Medieval tower Torre delle Ore and the Duomo di San Martino with its magnificent facade. Return to Florence in the late afternoon. ...read less

Day
9

Florence - Levanto

After breakfast and check-out, board a local train to La Spezia railway station where you will be met for a private transfer to the little town of Levanto, in the Cinque Terre Area. Check-in and enjoy time at leisure.

Levanto is a commune in the province of La Spezia in the Italian region of Liguria, located almost 90 kilometers southeast of Genoa and about 20 kilometers northwest of La Spezia. It is also a famous seaside resort along the Italian Riviera. The town is on the coast at the mouth of a river valley, between hills thickly wooded with olive and pine trees.
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Day
10

Exploring Cinque Terre

Cruise with a private guide to the Cinque Terre, or "five lands". Clinging to cliffs above the Mediterranean, these hamlets dazzle with clusters of pastel-hued homes overlooking harbors dotted with fishing skiffs. Depending on trail conditions, hike along the trail that links the neighboring village of Corniglia, the most intimate. Then, enjoy a scenic train ride to Manarola. Take in the amazing scenery of steep hillsides with terraced vineyards and olive groves and enjoy stunning views of the coast. Finally, once in Manarola, enjoy a wine tasting session with local specialties together with Yvonne, a local food and wine expert.
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Day
11

Levanto - Milan

After breakfast and check-out, transfer privately to La Spezia to catch a local train to Florence and then a high-speed train to Milan. Upon arrival to Milan you will be met by a local representative for a private transfer to your hotel for some time at leisure.
Milan is a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region and also a global capital of fashion and design. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper", testify to centuries of art and culture.
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Day
12

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight.

Milan, Italy

Lake Como, Italy

Verona, VR, Italy

Florence, Italy

Levanto, SP, Italy

Places You'll See

  • Lake Como

    Perfectly nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is known for its gorgeous landscape and luxurious villas of the elite that dot its shores. Being such a large lake, it is difficult to see all that Lake Como has to offer in just one day. However, a day trip will provide a lasting impression. We suggest visiting the quaint fishing villages of Bellagio and Varenna before cruising along the lake to take in the stunning villas.

  • Verona

    Though it may not be nearly as popular as other Italian cities such as Rome, Venice, or Florence, Verona offers unmistakable Italian charm and historic sites without the heavy foot traffic of tourists. Home to some of the best-preserved architecture, including a still in use Roman amphitheater and several medieval bridges, Visitors should be sure not to miss the home of Juliette from the romantic Shakespearian tail.

  • Florence

    One of Italy’s most iconic cities, Florence is a must for first-time visitors. Long known as the birthplace of the renaissance, birthing the likes of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, the city of Florence is teeming with historic art found throughout its winding streets. Visitors can appreciate the details of the iconic Statue of David, walk along the shops of Ponte Vecchio bridge, and admire the cities reaches with views from atop Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo

  • Levanto

    The famous seaside resort of Levanto is located along the Italian Riviera. With a long beach coastline and magnificent hills shrouded in olive trees and vineyards, Levanto is a picturesque escape for beach lounging, trekking, boating among other activities. Being centrally located to numerous points of interest including Cinque Terre, Levanto is the perfect starting point for day trips by train or boat.

  • Milan

    Known as the capital of fashion and design, Milan is a global financial hub with top of the line shopping and dining experiences galore. Though the dazzling metropolis may not offer the same historic sites as other Italian cities, Milan holds tightly to its expansive art collections and is home to some of the most prestigious designer showrooms and fashion houses. Known as a cultural pusher, the city breaks through boundaries, not only in art and design but through its unique blend of worldly cuisines by combining rich Mediterranean flavors with other European methods and Asian influences.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Lake Como : Garni Corona

Verona : Hotel De Capuleti

Florence : Alba Palace

Levanto : Palazzo Vannoni

Milan : B&B Sant’Ambrogio

Testimonials

Al K.

Traveled January 2017

Already thinking about things to do on the next trip

The trip was wonderful and we had a great time. We are already thinking about things to do and places to visit on the next Chile trip or perhaps other countries, like Peru or Argentina.

Traveled To

Stefani V.

Traveled November, 2004

our trip was wonderful

Our trip was wonderful. Thank you for great ideas and planning!!! Such a well balanced trip. we will have so many memories and our lives are richer from this adventure.

Traveled To

Ian, UK client

Traveled July, 2009

Thank you for arranging such an exceptionally good tour

We arrived home on Sunday 5 July after a fantastic 2 weeks in Mexico.The first week’s tour you arranged for us went like a dream. All the Hotels were excellent and our guide was spot on, very informative and flexible in terms of our requirements. What can be said about the sites we visited, they all had something different and special associated with them. For example we visited Chichen Itza first thing in the morning, it was cooler, almost devoid of other people and a wonderful experience.Thank you for arranging such an exceptionally good tour We will definitely be back to use you again

Traveled To

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