Milan & the Italian Lakes
Gardens & Villas
September 13 - 20, 2026
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.
DETAILS
WAITLIST ONLY
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: Maximum 15
Tour Themes: Gardens. Villas. Cuisine.
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.
HIGHLIGHTS
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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.
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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).
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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.
FAQs
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.