Italian Lakes: Hike, Bike & Kayak

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Please make your own way to the hotel. No activities are planned for today until tonight's important welcome meeting at 6 pm, so you can arrive at any time. If you arrive early why not take a wander around the historic city of Milan. After tonight's group meeting the evening is free, so perhaps go for dinner at one of the nearby traditional restaurants with your new travel companions.

Enjoy a walking tour of Milan this morning. See the Gothic Duomo, the city's most famous building. Walk through the beautiful Galleria, to the Teatro alla Scala, arguably Italy’s most famous opera house. Explore some shops in the fashion district, and visit the medieval castle and its beautiful park. In the early afternoon you will travel north to Lake Como (Lago di Como), an area of stunning beauty. Your accommodation will be in the heart of Como, the capital city, which boasts a beautiful medieval town centre. Opt to travel up to Brunate, with one of the worlds’s oldest funicular railways, for a short walk through the hills surrounding Como, and then back down into town. There will be time for a drink, either on Como's beautiful town square or along the lake shore, before settling in your hotel. (B)

Lake Como (Lago di Como) is an area of stunning beauty full of unique and evocative landscapes. Discover the central part of Lake Como by boat. You’ll head ashore in Bellagio, the 'pearl of the lake', situated on the Punta Spartivento, where the two arms of Lake Como meet. Embark on a scenic hike through the delightful countryside, past the charming fishing village of Pescallo and other scenic hamlets. Back down at the lake discover the grand estate of the Villa Melzi, which is set into gardens filled with rare and exotic plant life. Next is a kayaking adventure which brings you all around the headland of Bellagio. Back in Como take a stroll through the medieval town centre, before enjoying a drink in the main square or along the lake shore, if you’d like. (B)

In the morning, transfer to Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest Lake. We drive along Bergamo and Brescia and hit the shore of Lake Garda at Salò. The next village is Gardone, famous for its amazing ‘Vittoriale’, the palace of the Poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. Opt to stop here (and continue by boat to Riva del Garda). We continue following the lake shore, through several charming villages, we reach Riva del Garda, the most alpine, and perhaps most beautiful village on the Lake. Time allowing explore the village, take a stroll along the lakeshore and perhaps visit the castle. Tonight, choose to dine under the medieval arches of Riva del Garda. (B)

Good morning from idyllic Lake Garda. Our journey begins with a boat tour across the northern side of Lake Garda, with destination Limone, a village named after the many lemon groves around. From here we walk up through the old cobbled streets to the edge of town, where the scenery changes from Mediterranean into alpine mountain scenery. Walk uphill into the Singol Valley, along a comfortable path, alternating between woods and panoramic views of Garda Lake. Stop at a spot along the mountain stream, before descending back to Limone. Walk amongst olive-groves and citrus trees down to the lake shore. In the late afternoon perhaps book into one of the watersports on offer – this is a common holiday destination for locals, with Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on offer. (B)

Embark on a bike ride along the shores of Lake Garda, taking in the glorious scenery of the glistening lake in front of you and the towering Alps behind you. Depending on weather, fitness and interest of the group several rides are possible. The ride out of Riva del Garda is mostly flat. Explore the remains of WWI in a place which until 100 years ago was the border between Austria and Italy. In the afternoon hop on a boat to the beautiful town of Malcesine with time for you to explore or just take in the lake views. (B)

Transfer by boat from the northern, ‘alpine’ side of the Lake to the southern, Mediterranean shore, passing many photogenic villages. We’ll go ashore in Garda itself, nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’, dominated by its ‘Rocca’ (rock), complete with an abbey and the remains of a medieval castle. In Garda take a walking tour through the village, then we climb up towards the abbey, a steep but short climb, rewarded by beautiful views over the lake. Perhaps have a picnic or wander around the medieval alleys, have lunch in Garda, or relax on the beautiful lake front. We descend back to Garda again and perhaps drink a coffee and grab an ice cream, before travelling to the scenic village of Malcesine, After an easy afternoon walk here, in the late afternoon we transfer back to Riva del Garda, a scenic ride, all along the Eastern Lake shore. (B)

After breakfast this morning you are free to leave the Italian Lakes district at any time. From Riva del Garda you can travel by bus to Verona, from where it is easy to reach other destinations in Italy by train. If you'd like to stay in the Italian Lakes region, we can organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). (B)