Italy – Magnificent Lakes and Cities

On your arrival at the Malpensa airport, The Vacation Studio’s representative with receive you to do the meet and greet. Later they will transfer you to the designated hotel in Bellagio. Bellagio is situated on a promontory near the center of Lake Como, about 19 miles (30 km) northeast of the town of Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. This lovely town is considered as the pearl of Lake Como, a top lakeside vacation destination, and one of the most romantic places to visit in Italy. After taking some rest, we will depart for an interesting wine tour today. The glamorous Italian tradition of an Aperitivo as the sun is setting is loved all over the world. For your Aperitivo experience, you will be hosted in a local 17^th-century wine cellar and shop where you will taste 3 regional wines with a full description and explanation made by a professional sommelier. The wine tasting is accompanied by a tray of local cheeses and cold cuts, olives, and bread.

At 1,300 feet deep, Lake Como is the deepest European lake outside Norway. The lake is cupped in the shadow of the snow-covered Alps and lush, green hillsides and its blue waters are mesmerizing. So sit back and relax on your private wooden boat whilst your captain transports you into the magical world of Lake Como’s prestigious waters. Stops can also be arranged either in advance via our concierge or on the day directly with your captain. Today we will go on a 2 hours private boat tour of this great region. Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times. Villas and palaces abound, including Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta. Well-known people have had homes on the shores of Lake Como since Roman times, and still do. (At 1,300 feet deep, it is the deepest European lake outside Norway. The blue waters are gorgeous.) The lake is cupped in the shadow of snow-covered alps and lush, green hillsides. The historic downtown, and what’s left of its 12th century walls, is charming. Como’s economic base has been silk for centuries—go shopping. Besides visiting the villas, go to the Basilica di San Fedele. Some of it dates from the 12th century, and there are dazzling windows and frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries. A craft and antiques market fills its piazza on Saturdays.

After your picked up from your hotel in Bellagio, you'll be whisked off to the Village of San Giulio before being transferred to your hotel in Stresa. Spend about 3 hours strolling along the picturesque streets of San Giulio; a favorite place for romantic souls, the village is a maze of narrow cobbled lanes, flanked by old stone walls and doorways topped with triangular architraves. The little squares, reminiscent of the Campielli of Venice, are enlivened by the presence of craft boutiques, antique shops and lively cafés. There is a splendid view of Lake Orta from the 15th century Church of Maria Assunta, a favorite for weddings, from where a flight of broad granite steps leads to Piazza Motta, the main square of the village. Walk down between two rows of 16th century houses and arrive in the historic Palazzo della Comunita square where two side streets lead off to Moccarolo and Villa. The Moccarolo district in the southern part of the village has an elegant row of villas and townhouses, all with colorful flower-filled gardens overlooking the lake. The houses in the Villa area are period townhouses embellished with pretty little wrought iron balconies; see them to best advantage along the narrow, picturesque Via Olina. The best views are from the Sacro Monte of Orta, a complex of chapels built between the 16th and 17th centuries, in the woodland setting of the Sacro Monte Special Nature Reserve. After you depart from San Giulio, your driver will drop you off at your hotel in Stresa.

Island-hop at Lake Maggiore, and discover the tiny Borromean Islands with a hop-on hop-off ferry ticket. Use the 1-day pass to venture out from Stresa, and spend your day sightseeing as you wish. Step onto the shores of Isola Bella, home to the Borromeo family ‘palazzo’; wander amid the houses of pocket-sized Isola dei Pescatori and admire the greenery of Isola Madre where botanical gardens beckon. Hop-on hop-off 1-day ferry ticket around Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. Travel in style on a comfortable, modern ferry. Soak up beautiful views of the lake and dramatic slopes Move between the three islands as and when you please, hopping on and off the ferry Explore botanical gardens and palatial residences on Isola Bella and Isola Madre. See the quaint old houses and traditional fishing boats of Isola dei Pescatori.

Everyone needs to visit Milan once in their lives, and what better place to experience this vibrant city than on a comprehensive Milan Walking Tour with Last Supper? We designed the perfect visit to one of the most exclusive paintings in the world – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. You will visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie where you will get privileged access to view this painting in a group as small as 30 people, making it possible to get up close to one of the most prized works of Italian heritage. Your tour begins with a highlight and only gets better from there. Milan Walking Tour with Last Supper will also take you to the San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore which is known as the Sistine Chapel of Milan, a historic pastry shop, the financial district of the city, Milan Duomo and plenty more.

Rub shoulders with the Milanese locals as you scout out seasonal produce. Here you'll find the best cheeses available, perfect for a chic aperitivo, or the ideal tomatoes to garnish your “cotoletta alla Milanese.” Experience the delights of everyday Milan, behind its fashionable facade, and dive into your destination like a local foodie. Explore your guide’s most trusted artisanal food shops, tasting as you go. Share your passion for Italian gastronomy with other like-minded travelers as you make new friends in this small group, street food tour. Later proceed towards the Royal Palace of Milan. One of the most prestigious and history-rich buildings in the city, the Palazzo Reale di Milano (Royal Palace of Milan) in northern Italy's Lombardy region, is a must see for any art aficionado. It has been home to the city government since the 16th century. Its heyday arrived two centuries later under Austrian rule when it was refurbished in neo-classical style with contributions from architects and artists such as Pelagio Palagi and Francesco Hayez. Despite severe bombing during World War II, the Royal Palace has been hosting a flurry of art exhibitions since the 1950s. Between the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, exhibitions will be dedicated to influential Japanese artists such as Hokusai, Hiroshige and Utamaro; the Baroque of Rubens; and sculptures by Arnaldo Pomodoro are planned.

Today, join a special walking tour around the best shopping district in Milan. This itinerary includes the fashion industry’s most dazzling locations and includes museums, showrooms, shops, and galleries by worldwide famous architects and designers. Highlights of the tour may include the Mudec Museum, the Armani Museum by Japanese architect Tadao Ando; or the Gianfranco Ferrè Foundation. The tour ends with a special Aperitivo in the most glamorous cocktail bar in the neighborhood.

After enjoying breakfast, Checkout from the hotel & transfer to Malpensa Airport. Board flight and bring sweet memories back home.