The Italian Lakes region offers an elegant mix of alpine landscapes, grand villas and relaxed lakeside living, and our 2026 small group tour is designed to help you experience it at an unhurried, enjoyable pace.
Over nine days, you’ll explore Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Como, with lakefront stays on Lake Maggiore (Pallanza or Verbania) and Lake Como (Bellagio). The journey includes private boat trips, visits to historic villas and gardens, time in the region’s alpine landscapes, and excellent local food and wine. With boutique accommodation, carefully chosen restaurants and the ease of travelling in a small group, this tour offers Australian travellers a thoughtful and comfortable way to discover northern Italy’s most beautiful lakes.
Tour Dates and Prices
5 – 13 MAY 2026 – 2 places remaining
27 May – 4 June 2026
3 – 11 September 2026 – fully booked
24 September – 2 October 2026 – 1 place remaining
AUD 6,650 per person (twin or double share)
AUD 8,050 per person (solo traveller)
These prices include boutique accommodation, most meals, private transport, guided visits and a full-time tour leader throughout the journey.
Tour Highlights
Discover some of the experiences that make this small group journey through the Italian Lakes so rewarding.
– Explore the Borromean Islands by private boat, including a guided visit to Isola Bella and its elegant palace and terraced gardens.
– Spend time on Lake Orta, one of northern Italy’s most picturesque and lesser-known lakes, with a visit to the island of San Giulio and its historic basilica.
– Enjoy a change of pace in the alpine landscapes of Alpe Devero, with a scenic mountain drive and an easy walk through meadows and forested paths.
– Stay in Bellagio on Lake Como, ideally positioned for exploring historic villas, lakeside villages and the surrounding countryside.
– Visit grand villas such as Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello, renowned for their gardens, art collections and spectacular lake views.
– Travel into the Valtellina for a winery visit and tasting, followed by a traditional lunch showcasing local food and wine shaped by the alpine climate.
– Cruise across central Lake Como on a private boat, taking in the villas and small towns that line the shoreline.
– Dine well throughout the tour, with four lunches and three dinners included at restaurants selected for their quality and local character.
Enquire About Our Italian Lakes Tour
If you’d like more information about our 2026 Italian Lakes tour or wish to enquire about joining a departure, please click the Enquire Now button below. This will take you to our enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch shortly with further details and to answer any questions you may have about the itinerary.
9-Day Italian Lakes Itinerary
Days 1 – 4 – Exploring the shores of Lake Maggiore
Begin your nine-day journey with a stay on the peaceful shores of Lake Maggiore, known for its elegant lakefront towns and majestic scenery. Depending on your departure date, you’ll be based in either Pallanza or Verbania, both ideal locations for exploring the surrounding region at a relaxed pace.
One highlight of this first stage is a visit to the Borromean Islands, a trio of islands in the lake. Explore the baroque interiors and terraced gardens of Isola Bella, stroll the narrow lanes of Isola dei Pescatori, and enjoy time on the water by private boat.
You’ll also enjoy a full-day excursion to nearby Alpe Devero, a tranquil mountain plateau high in the Italian Alps. Surrounded by peaks, meadows and forested paths, this protected alpine area offers a refreshing change of pace. The day includes a gentle walk through the landscape and a relaxed lunch at a traditional mountain restaurant before returning to the lake.
Another day is devoted to Lake Orta, one of northern Italy’s most picturesque and lesser-known lakes. Visit the lakeside village of Orta San Giulio, with time to wander its cobbled streets before taking a short boat ride to the island of San Giulio. The visit concludes with time at the Sacro Monte di Orta, where peaceful woodland paths and panoramic views overlook the lake.
Days 5 – 9 The beauty and history of Lake Como
The second part of your journey takes you to Lake Como, where dramatic mountains meet deep blue waters and historic villas line the shoreline. You’ll be based in Bellagio, one of the lake’s most charming towns and an excellent base for exploring the region.
Your time on Lake Como includes a private boat cruise across the lake, offering a wonderful perspective on the grand villas and lakeside villages that have long attracted artists, writers and travellers.
You’ll enjoy guided visits to two of Lake Como’s most celebrated estates: Villa Carlotta, known for its impressive art collection and botanical gardens, and Villa del Balbianello, famed for its striking setting and fascinating history. Both provide an insight into the region’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Another day takes you north into the Valtellina, a scenic alpine valley renowned for its food and wine traditions. Visit a local winery to sample wines shaped by the mountain climate, followed by a leisurely lunch at a traditional trattoria.
Throughout your stay on Lake Como, there is also ample free time to wander, relax, shop or simply enjoy the view from a lakeside café.
Accommodation
We stay in carefully selected, well-located hotels throughout the tour, chosen for their comfort, character and exceptional positions on the lakes. As is typical of boutique-style accommodation, room layouts and features may vary slightly, but all rooms on this tour include lake views.
Lake Maggiore
Accommodation during our time on Lake Maggiore depends on the departure date. For May departures, we stay in Pallanza at Hotel Pallanza, a historic hotel overlooking the lake and well-positioned for exploring the Borromean Islands and the surrounding area. For September departures, we stay in Verbania at the Hotel Ancora, a comfortable lakefront hotel with direct access to the lakeside promenade and historic centre.
Lake Como
In Bellagio, we stay at the Hotel Florence, a welcoming lakefront hotel set directly on the waterfront in the heart of town. All rooms enjoy lake views, and the hotel’s central position makes it an excellent base for exploring Lake Como, with ferries, cafés and lakeside walks just moments away.
What’s included?
– Boutique accommodation for eight nights in well-located, lakefront hotels
– Daily breakfast
– Four lunches and three dinners at selected local restaurants
– Wine, or something softer, with all included lunches and dinners
– All land transport in Italy by private, air-conditioned mini-coach
– Private boat trips on Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
– Entry fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary
– Expert, local guides at key attractions
– Experienced, bilingual tour leader throughout the tour
– Group transfers at the start and end of the tour from Milan Malpensa Airport or Milano Centrale train station
What’s not included?
– International flights
– Travel insurance (required)
– Local city tax (payable directly at the hotels)
– Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
– Personal expenses and incidentals
– Optional activities during free time
Why travel to the Italian Lakes with Italian Tours?
We’ve been designing small group tours to Italy since 2007, and over the years we’ve refined an approach that balances thoughtful planning with a relaxed pace. Our Italian Lakes tour is designed to give you the time and space to enjoy the landscapes, towns and lakeside settings without feeling rushed.
With a maximum of 12 travellers, the experience remains personal and unhurried. We select well-located boutique hotels with lake views, work with knowledgeable local guides, and include private boat trips and experiences that are difficult to arrange independently. Throughout the journey, your tour leader handles the details, allowing you to focus on enjoying the places you’re visiting.
As an Australian-owned company with long-standing ties to Italy, we understand how our guests like to travel. The Italian Lakes tour reflects this, combining comfort, cultural insight and carefully chosen experiences in one of northern Italy’s most beautiful regions.
Ideal for travellers who appreciate …
This tour is well suited to travellers who enjoy small group travel, scenic landscapes and staying in well-located accommodation at a relaxed pace. A moderate level of fitness is required, as the tour includes walking through historic towns, uneven streets and garden paths, with time on your feet most days.
The Italian Lakes Discovery tour tends to appeal to travellers in the over-55 age group who value comfort, good food and wine, cultural experiences and the ease of travelling with a knowledgeable tour leader. If you enjoy exploring beautiful places without rushing, with time built in to relax and take in the surroundings, this tour offers a comfortable and rewarding way to experience northern Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many people are in the group?
We travel in small groups of up to 12 guests. This keeps the experience relaxed and personal, allowing us to stay in well-located, lakefront hotels and enjoy private boat travel on the lakes.
Are flights included?
No, international flights are not included. Many guests choose to arrive in Milan a day or two early or extend their stay after the tour. We’re happy to offer advice on arrival and departure planning.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. We welcome solo travellers on all our tours, and most departures include several solo guests. A single supplement applies and entitles the traveller to their own room.
What does the single supplement include?
The single supplement covers the cost of a private room for the duration of the tour. Solo travellers are accommodated in a double room for sole use. As we stay in boutique, lakefront hotels, room sizes and layouts may vary slightly.
Where does the tour begin and end?
The tour begins with a group transfer from Milan Malpensa Airport or Milano Centrale train station and ends with a group transfer back to the same locations on the final day.
What level of fitness is required?
A moderate level of fitness is required. You should be comfortable walking for up to three hours at a steady pace, with breaks, including along lakeside paths, gardens and historic town centres.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is required for all guests travelling with Italian Tours.
Other small group tours in 2026
If the Italian Lakes aren’t quite the right fit for you, we also offer a range of other small group tours across Italy. Each journey is carefully designed with boutique accommodation, local experiences and a relaxed, unhurried pace.
EMILIA ROMAGNA TOUR
13 DAYS
September-October 2026
Parma, Bologna, Romagna Hills & Ravenna
Explore one of Italy’s most food-loving regions, known for its historic towns, culinary traditions and everyday Italian life. From Bologna and Parma to quieter towns and countryside, this tour offers a rich introduction to central-northern Italy.
JOURNEY THROUGH THE VENETO
14 DAYS
June 2026
Venice, Prosecco Hills, Vicenza & Verona
Travel through one of northern Italy’s most culturally rich regions, exploring historic cities, countryside and local wine and food traditions shaped by the former Venetian Republic.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE DOLOMITES
13 DAYS
September 2026
Trento, Ortisei, Merano, Riva del Garda
Experience dramatic alpine scenery, mountain villages and gentle walks in one of Italy’s most beautiful and lesser-visited mountain regions. Visit charming towns, scenic valleys and historic sites in this stunning corner of northern Italy.
What our clients say about travelling with Italian Tours
Now that my holiday has come to end (as I await my flight home at the airport) I just wanted to send a quick note .
I have been on many big bus tours in the past- I will never go back to that! This trip has opened my eyes to this new way of travelling – it is great!!
The places we visited on this trip were truly beautiful and breathtaking vistas. There was a great balance of guided tour vs free time. The hotels were nice as well – and the location can’t be beat!!
I guess most of all, Anna Maria helped to make this a great trip. She is very knowledgeable on the area but most importantly, always took care of us. I also had dinner with her on 2 separate occasions (the single ladies, as we called ourselves – with B) and that was nice as well.
So, thanks again for this great trip. I will most definitely recommend you guys for anyone interested in this type of vacation, including myself when I come back to Italy.
Nadia, Italian Lakes Discovery Tour, September 2023