During this 10-Day Northern Italy tour, immerse your senses in the splendor and architecture that stretches across the country. Journey through 19th-century villas that dot the shores of Lake Como, venture over snow-laden landscapes as the Bernina Express transports you to Switzerland, soar through the skies on a private jet to Verona, and witness Venetian Gothic palaces from your gondola ride down the Grand Canal.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Milan – Walk on the Duomo Rooftop
When your plane touches down at Milan Malpensa Airport, your friendly transfer will be waiting to greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the center of Milan. You will maneuver along the cobblestone streets with your guide to the Duomo di Milano. The heavy doors will open for you as you begin your private tour, and a holy silence will encircle you as you amble among the marble columns. Your tour will continue as you reach the cathedral rooftop, which will provide you with spectacular views of the city and square below.
What's Included:
Day 2
Varenna – Revel in the Glamour of Lake Como
Day 3
Varenna – Cruise around Lake Como
Day 4
St. Moritz – Delight in the Beauty of the Alps
Day 5
Verona – Encounter History and Culture
Day 6
Verona – Attend a Performance in a Roman Amphitheater
Day 7
Padua – Visit Chapels and Palaces
Day 8
Venice – Indulge in a Grand Canal Gondola Ride
Day 9
Venice – Venture to the Islands of Murano and Burano
Day 10
Venice – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of Milan’s Duomo, which will be complete with a vibrant sunset and viewed from the rooftop terrace
- Discover hilltop castle ruins and the 19th-century villas that line the placid shores of Lake Como
- Indulge in a visit to the Villa del Balbianello to enjoy the exquisite gardens and promenades while sipping your favorite aperitif
- Board a world-class train that provides you with a grand scenic tour, leading you from the palm trees of Lake Como to the snow-capped glaciers of Southern Switzerland
- Soar through the skies on a private jet that flies you from the mountains of Switzerland to the sunbaked terrain of Verona, Italy
- Applaud as you attend in an exclusive open-air performance in the Roman Amphitheater
- Venture through Padua, which is one of northern Italy’s oldest cities, and observe gorgeous 14th-century frescoes
- Luxuriate on a private gondola ride down the Grand Canal, observing classic Venetian Gothic architecture and charming flower-lined neighborhoods
- Receive personalized demonstrations of glassblowing and lacemaking on the charming islands of Murano and Burano
Detailed Description
The contagious, high-energy buzz of Milan will greet you as you begin your grand adventure through Northern Italy. High-fashion is always in style, and you will mingle past haute-couture shops to make your way to the massive gothic cathedral that graces the center of the city. Your private guide will lead you through the Duomo and to the rooftop, where you will be amazed at unsurpassed views over the city. The sleek buildings of Italy’s banking industry will fade in the background as your driver transfers you to Lake Como, and you can gaze at emerald forests and a turquoise lake that sits among the snow-capped Alps. A private boat will whisk you around the stunning lake, and you will visit small villages and glamorous villas that dot the shoreline.
Afterward, you board the Bernina Express, which is a panoramic train that will escort you from the palm tree promenades of Lake Como, over glaciers, and to the spa town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. Here, you will spend the night and be pampered at an exclusive resort. In the morning, a private jet will fly you to the beautiful city of Verona, where you will sit in the lap of luxury as you view the glorious landscapes. Red rooftops and bell-towers will eventually come into view, symbolizing that you will be arriving in Verona shortly. Upon your arrival, you will indulge in a personalized tour through the most intriguing sites of the city, visiting the house of Shakespeare’s Juliet and attending a captivating show in the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater.
You will continue your tour in Padua, which is Northern Italy’s oldest city. Here, you will see the impressive Basilica of St. Anthony, which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, and Giotto’s exquisite frescoes that blanket the walls of the 14th-century Scrovegni Chapel. The following day, your driver will lead you to the iconic city of Venice, where you will board a gondola and cruise down the canal, passing Gothic palaces and arched stone footbridges. After your gondola ride, you will enjoy a private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Your final full day in Venice will consist of an adventure to the colorful islands of Murano and Burano, where you will witness glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations that have made these islands famous for centuries.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 6223 reviews.
From the moment we landed in Germany to the moment we left, the trip was incredibly well planned and tailored specifically to what we were interested in, but with the expert knowledge of Zicasso's travel agent and our tour operator to guide us toward our best possible experience.
DO IAfter receiving the initial itinerary proposal from him, we had a helpful phone conversation to talk about our family "must-do's." The itinerary was adjusted accordingly and was perfect. Every day had a memorable experience and everything went smoothly!
I cannot recommend this tour company any higher. If you are considering working with our travel agent and his colleague, do it. I am already trying to determine when we can return to Germany and work with them to plan our Germany vacation (part two)!
Reviewed By Kerri B.
The trip was very well planned by Zicasso's travel company and all of the stops and pick-up points, cars, trains, boats, etc., were there and reliable. We had a fantastic time.
Reviewed By Jeffrey C.
I am writing to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at Zicasso’s travel partner for curating the most spectacular trip to Italy for my family. From start to finish, the level of service was beyond impeccable and truly set a new standard for what we consider luxury travel.
The planning process was an absolute pleasure. Communication was one of their greatest strengths; our contact was consistently available and responses to our questions were nearly instantaneous. This travel company made us feel like we were their only clients. They took the time to understand the different ages and interests within our family, and built a bespoke itinerary that perfectly balanced history, leisure, and unique local experiences.
This was genuine white-glove service in every sense of the word. From the moment we landed, every detail was flawlessly executed. Private drivers were waiting for us, guides were engaging and knowledgeable, and our accommodations were magnificent. We never once had to worry about a single logistic, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy our time together.
If you are looking for a travel partner that offers unparalleled personalized service and flawless execution for a trip to Italy, look no further. Thank you for giving our family memories we will cherish forever.
Reviewed By Christopher L.
My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
Reviewed By Anne F.
Our trip was a family one, two grandparents over 70, two parents and one adult son, one teenage girl, and one younger girl, 12. Three of us had been to Italy while the others had not. We wanted as complete a trip as we could in 14 days, so we included all the traditional places, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples/Pompeii. We spent three days in each and one day in Ferrara. While it was a lot for 14 days, we did not feel rushed.
What I like about Zicasso is they give you options to pick the best fit for your trip—we worked with two other agencies before we picked Zicasso’s travel partner. This travel partner took the time to understand our needs: three hotel rooms, all different in sizes, and tours and timing. Very important was the degree of coordination before the trip with the travel agent; she was available and knowledgeable, and took the time to adjust our needs. One of the best things about this travel partner was they used a van for all the travel, except from Rome to Naples. This was a much better option than the train for seven people and baggage.
During the trip, we were met on time by every driver and every guide. The hotels were excellent and the whole trip went well. When we had a delay on the train, the driver knew it and adjusted our pick-up.
Reviewed By Fred S.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
