Northern Italy Tour ~ Lake District to Italian Riviera with Cinque Terre

NOTE: This itinerary features superior tourist hotels with some rooms boasting views of Lake Como, Lake Orta and the sea from the Italian Riviera. We always request lake or sea view rooms for our guests, however to guarantee a lake or sea view room, please inquire with reservations. We cannot guarantee a room with a view.

Depart for Italy ~
Depart the United States on your Trans-Atlantic flight (not included) to Europe.
Yes, we can arrange your air travel from the QueensLander air department. We’ll work with you to get the absolutely lowest-fare available based on your travel preferences. We utilize both our own air department and online agencies to find the best rate.

Welcome to Milan Airport | Optional Arrival Transfer to Lake Como

Milan Pre-Tour Extension
Note: Do you want to experience Milan and possibly explore its treasures like The Last Supper? Contact Reservations for our 1, 2 or 3 night Pre-Tour Extension to Milan.

Upon arrival Milan Malpensa Airport (or Train Station), opt for an arrival transfer to Varenna and the Royal Victoria Hotel: $189 per person, minimum two guests.

With our transfer you will transfer to Lake Como via private vehicle to our hotel in Varenna, on the shores of Lake Como. You will be met by our Tour Captain at the appointed time and enjoy a short orientation tour and then check in to hotel (rooms ready by 2pm).

Our Hotel in Varenna
The Royal Victoria is a 19th Century, "4-Star Hotel" that features some rooms with views (remember, we cannot guarantee a room with a view). In the opinion of our program manager, Mark Story, you have to realize that the Star Rating system in Italy is not necessarily based on the amenities and quality of rooms, but can be totally dependent upon the location of the property. This is the case with the Royal Victoria. It is positioned in Varenna, our town of choice on Lake Como (to avoid crowds and still have fantastic views), and some rooms do feature a view. The swimming pool area in the garden is really the best place to relax and soak in the surroundings of Lake Como.

Once a spinnery, it was bought by Mrs Giuseppina Pezzini who transformed it into a hotel and called it "Hotel Royal". The "Hotel Royal", the most famous of the Lecco branch of lake Como, gave hospitality to many famous people. In 1838 the Queen of England stayed here, and it was in her honor that the hotel changed its name to "Hotel Royal Victoria". Probably also the famous musician and composer Gounod was inspired by his contemplations of the lake at sunset before composing his "Ave Maria".

Tonight's Reception & Dinner
There will be time to freshen up and explore on your own before joining your Tour Captain for a delightful Welcome Dinner in Varenna this evening.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner with your Tour Captain. Note: On nights dinner is not included, your Tour Captain will invite you to join him/her at an off-the-beaten-path restaurant just in case you don’t feel like exploring on your own. We’ve sought out what we consider to be the best ristorantes in Northern Italy and the Italian Riviera.

Lago di Como is the third largest lake in Italy. At over 1320 feet deep it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. The lake’s name comes from the town of Como, known to the Romans as Comum. We'll be staying in the little village of Varenna, probably the best location for touring the Lake. On a clear day the spectacular Alps are visible across the lake. Lake Como boasts a variety of attractive villas which have been built here since Pliny the Younger constructed the Comedia and Tragedia.

Enjoy our Welcome Dinner together tonight (included).

Hotel: 3 Nights Royal Victoria Varenna

Your Included Sightseeing
Your Tour Captain will invite you to join them on included sightseeing throughout the tour on select days (scheduled transportation and admission costs per itinerary).


Bellagio, Lake Como & Villa Carlotta
Lake Como

Lake Como & Bellagio
B - After breakfast (included daily) meet the Tour Captain and our Guide in the lobby for a sightseeing tour via our boat. Experience the stunning beauty known as the Pearl of the Lake that is Bellagio. Enjoy gliding on the lake in our private boat (or public ferry on some itineraries) for the perfect vantage point to see stunning villas and for a proper exploration of the lake.

Time for Lunch in Bellagio ~ Villa Carlotta
Enjoy time for lunch (recommended locations by the Tour Captain, at your own expense) and then enjoy the afternoon admission to Villa Carlotta. Villa Carlotta is a place of rare beauty where art and nature intertwine. There are over 70 square meters (about 230 square feet) of gardens and museum to explore. The villa, built at the end of the 17th century by the marquis Giorgio Clerici from Milan, sits in the natural basin between the lake and the mountains. It faces the grand dolomite Grignas and the Bellagio peninsula. The garden is Italian by design and temperance, and includes sculptures, stairs and fountains. In 1801 Gian Battista Sommariva, a famous politician and businessman (as well as patron of the arts) bought the villa.

Is it because of Sommariva that the villa came into its splendor and became “the most important halting-place of the Grand Tour,” the traditional tour through Europe’s best landmarks.

Optional dinner tonight ~ consider going with the Tour Captain to another unique dining experience in Northern Italy.


Lake Como
B - Relax today or opt for excursions (see Reservations) on Lake Como and surrounds.

Optional excursions and activities abound from hiking, culinary experiences, kayaking, exploration of gardens from Tremezzo to Bellagio and so much more are available.

Join your Tour Captain tonight for an optional dinner at a lakeside restaurant.
Optional dinner tonight.


Stresa, Isola Bella, Lake Orta
B, D - Depart Lake Como for Lake Orta and the picturesque area of Orta San Giulio, with its charming lakeside piazza.

On the way we stop in Stresa for an optional lunch and depending on weather conditions, we will enjoy a visit to nearby Isola Bella.

Depart for Orta mid-afternoon, check in and enjoy an orientation walkabout with your Tour Captain. This is one of our most peaceful legs of the tour. Enjoy a slow pace of living.

Welcome Dinner included tonight.
Hotel: 2 nights Hotel San Rocco Read Reviews of this hotel at TripAdvisor©

Orta San Giulio
B - Join the Tour Captain and taxi by boat (included) to the tiny island of San Giulio with its centuries-old basilica and famed circular “path of silence.”

Relax on the hotel's large lakeside terrace with pool. Enjoy lake and mountain views, restaurants and shops in this quaint pedestrian-only village.

Optional Dinner tonight with Tour Captain.

Italian Riviera & Santa Margherita Ligure
B, D - Depart Lake Orta for the Italian Riviera and Santa Margherita, the gateway to the Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre.

Santa Margherita Ligure is a beautiful resort town with everything a Riviera playground should have: ocean front views, palm trees, grand hotels, seaside cafes and a yacht-filled harbor marina. Many of the older structures here continue to boast trompe l'oeil frescoes which are typical to this section of the Riviera. Santa Margherita Ligure is the perfect balance for many: "more spacious than the Cinque Terre; less glitzy than San Remo; more relaxing than Genoa and environs; and ideally situated for day trips," such as our included excursion to the Cinque Terre.

Welcome Dinner included tonight.
Hotel: 3 nights at the sea-front Grand Hotel Miramare.

Cinque Terre
B - After breakfast, meet the Tour Captain in the lobby to enjoy a full day of exploring the Cinque Terre by boat, train and foot! You’ll want good walking shoes as there are many hills and sights to explore here. Or just opt to sit and watch the very interesting passers by in one of the five towns.

Cinque Terre means five lands, referring to the five villages precariously perched along the coast. It is famous for its white wine and their Pesto Sauce with pasta is a must as the Italian Riviera is where Pesto originated. Enjoy the tiny villages perched high above the sea, with their many wine bars and restaurants.

Ready to hike the Cinque Terre? Not a problem, today the Tour Captain will give you great, close-up advice and access to the trails (you may opt to hike today or continue the experience with the Tour Captain. Remember, you can always come back tomorrow for your hike).

For dinner tonight join your Tour Captain to a delightful restaurant.
Included dining tonight.

Italian Riviera, Portofino & Cinque Terre
B, D - After breakfast, join the Tour Captain to Portofino for a guided tour OR you may opt to simply go exploring! Perhaps another day on the Cinque Terre and return to your favorite of the five villages for a second look and a relaxing lunch in a tiny piazza. Or spend the day sightseeing or sunning on one of the tiny beaches in the Cinque Terre or at the larger beach at our hotel. The Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre are truly a photographer’s paradise.

Tonight you will enjoy a delightful Farewell Dinner (included).
Farewell Dinner tonight included!

Arrivederci Day! Catch Flights Home or...
Extend to Nice & Monte Carlo?
B - Arrange your departure transfer to Genoa/Genova (only 50 minutes away), Milan, Nice or Florence with QueensLander or continue on with the tour to Nice & Monte Carlo.

Optional Departure Transfers from Santa Margherita Ligure to...
Genoa Airport: $119 Per Person, Minimum 2 Guests
Milan Malpensa Airport: $300 Per Person, Minimum 2 Guests

###TOUR ENDS###