Milan & the Italian Lakes

Gardens & Villas

September 13-20, 2026 - Waitlist Only

View of Lake Como with mountainous landscape in the background and an ornate stone railing with decorative carvings, and potted plants with flowers on the terrace in the foreground.

Join us on this special journey to the Italian Lakes. Enjoy Lake Maggiore and Lake Como by private boat, visiting magnificent villas and gardens at a leisurely pace. We have arranged exclusive out of hours access to public sites in addition to lunch in a private villa. Our hotels are located in charming walkable towns with plenty of shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • View from the rear of a power boat showing Lake Como between green mountains

    EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

    The Italian Lakes are one of the most visited regions of Italy. We have arranged special experiences to make the most of our trip: lunch at a privately-owned villa, early hours access to the Palazzo Borromeo, cruising Lake Maggiore and Lake Como by private boat.

  • Elegant room with ornate white walls and ceiling featuring painted cherubs and classical figures, chandelier hanging from ceiling, marble fireplace, framed mirrors, wooden doors, pink upholstered chairs, and a light blue table with decorative edge in the center.

    FRESCOED VILLAS

    We will visit plenty of Italian gardens on this trip (Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, and Villa Taranto to name just a few!), but we also visit several stunning Renaissance and Baroque palaces including the Villa della Porta Bozzolo (pictured above).

  • A lakeside building with tall windows and ornate balconies, surrounded by manicured gardens with lush green grass, round bushes, pink flowers, and a walking path

    LUNCH AT VILLA D'ESTE

    The Villa d’Este is another of the region’s iconic estates. Built during the Renaissance, it is now a hotel with a fabulous restaurant, Verandah. After our multi-course lakeside lunch, we’ll also explore the property’s Baroque gardens.

A lakeside hilltop estate with scenic views of mountains in the background.
A scenic garden with colorful flowers lining a narrow water canal, lush green trees, and a historic building in the background. Mountains are visible in the distance

Details:

The details below pertain to the 2026 tour.

Double Occupancy with Lake View Room: $8,800 per person

Single Occupancy with Park View Room: $10,900 per person

Single Occupancy with Lake View Room: $12,400 per person

Dates: Tour begins the morning of September 13th. Arrive in Milan at least the day before. Depart anytime on September 20th.

Length: 7 nights

Group Size: This tour is limited to 15 participants.

To Join the Waitlist, please fill out the following form or contact laura@wingbacktravel.com. We will confirm your place on the list and you will notified if a spot becomes available. Those on the waitlist will receive early access when this tour is offered again.

Registration for the 2027 Tour will open in the Spring of 2026.

FAQs

    • This trip is for those who love gardens and historical interiors, as well as luxury hotels, fine dining, and a slower pace with time to stroll small towns.

    • This is a slower paced trip, with leisurely sightseeing and long lunches. Our hotels are centrally located in charming towns and you will have several free afternoons to wander and shop.

    • 7 Nights Accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels

    • All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

    • Transportation by private minibus and private boat

    • Admission and guided visit fees to all included sights

    • Lunches at a private villa and the Villa d’Este

    • Early hours admission to Isola Bella palace

    • Privately guided visits at other gardens and villas

    • Two full-time guides (Laura and Ross) with you the entire way

    • Travel Insurance

    • Anything not listed on the itinerary

    • Airfare

    • Transfer to the Milan airport on departure day can be arranged at an additional cost

    • Tip to our driver

    • Fly in and out of Milan-Malpensa airport (MXP).

    • The tour begins at 10am on September 13th. You should arrive in Milan the night before. Many travelers prefer to spend several nights in Milan before the tour begins.

    • You can depart anytime on September 20th.

    • One suitcase! Each traveler is permitted one suitcase measuring no more than 26 × 18 × 12 inches.

  • This is not our most active tour, but it still requires a moderate fitness level. You should still be comfortable being on your feet for 1-2 hours at a time, walking over uneven terrain, and up and down a flight of stairs at the gardens and villas we visit (many historical buildings in Italy do not have elevators). At many gardens, you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

    The Lakes region in generally is hilly (it’s located at the foot of the Alps) and you should be prepared for some up and down hill walking. In Bellagio, our hotel is located at the doorstep of the town center. While plenty of shops and restaurants are accessible from the hotel without having to walk uphill, to explore the town further you will need to walk uphill. Stresa and Milan are both pretty flat.

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