PROGRAM
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
Please note program is subject to changes
Day 1 Arrival Milan, Italy, 8th May 2026
Arrival in Milan, Italy, from your home destination, by your own arrangement. Check-in at NH Collection Milano Touring Hotel, centrally located in Milan.
Day 2 – Milano – Verona 9th May (B, L)
After breakfast at the NH Collection Milano Hotel, ARNE & CARLOS will meet the group in the lobby to begin the journey to Verona. Around midday, there will be a pause for something truly special — a private visit to the family-run Selva Capuzza winery, where vineyards slope gently toward Lake Garda. Guests will be welcomed into the 15th-century Cascina Capuzza farmhouse for a tour of the cellars, a guided tasting of their signature wines, and a leisurely three-course lunch in the vineyard setting.
The estate produces wines in three distinct DOC appellations — Lugana, San Martino della Battaglia, and Garda Classico — each with its own character and history. After lunch, the journey continues to Verona, one of Italy’s most romantic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its grand piazzas, softly coloured façades, winding alleys, and the glittering Adige River, Verona is a city to fall in love with. The group will check in at the Indigo Verona Grand Hotel des Arts, a boutique property only steps from the historic centre. The evening is free to explore the city’s cafés, cobblestone streets, and illuminated squares.
Day 3 – Verona 10th May 2026 (B, D)
This morning begins with a visit to one of Verona’s most enchanting treasures — the Giardino Giusti. Dating back to 1404, this garden offers a rich tapestry of citrus trees in terracotta pots, ornate fountains, mythological statues, and shaded terraces. In the days of the Grand Tour, it was a place of inspiration for poets, artists, and royalty. From the highest terrace, the panorama over Verona — with its rooftops, bell towers, and distant hills — is unforgettable.
Afterwards, the afternoon is free for unhurried exploration. Guests may choose to enjoy lunch in a sunny piazza, browse local shops, or simply wander through the city’s narrow medieval streets. In the evening, the group will gather for a short walk to a carefully chosen restaurant where a seasonal menu will be paired with wines from the surrounding region.
Day 4 – Verona – Franciacorta – Lago di Garda 11th May 2026 (B, L)
Today’s journey leads into the rolling vineyards of Franciacorta, Italy’s exclusive sparkling wine district. At the prestigious Mosnel Winery, guests will enjoy a private tour of the estate and cellars, taste méthode champenoise vintages, and savour a long, relaxed lunch overlooking the vines.
On the way to Salò, there will be a stop at Frantoio Manestrini, where Garda’s celebrated extra virgin olive oil is produced. The visit includes a walk through the silvery-green olive groves, a behind-the-scenes look at production, and a tasting that reveals the oil’s peppery, fresh character. In the afternoon, the group arrives in Salò and checks into the elegant lakeside Villa Laurin, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 5 – Lago di Garda 12th May 2026 (B, L)
The day begins with a private boat crossing to Isola del Garda, a privately owned island that feels like a secret world. Its neo-Gothic villa is surrounded by terraced gardens planted with rare trees and flowers. The Cavazza family has opened the island exclusively to small groups, and its combination of history, architecture, and nature is unforgettable.
Back in Salò, there will be a light lunch in the village before the group continues to Vittoriale degli Italiani, the hillside estate of poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. With gardens, courtyards, fountains, and sweeping views over the lake, it is part home, part museum, and part open-air theatre. Dinner is at leisure.
Day 6 – Lago di Garda – Lake Como 13th May 2026 (B, L)
The tour continues to Lake Como, beloved for its dramatic scenery, grand villas, and microclimate where camellias and palms thrive. Guests will check in at Hotel Due Corti in the heart of Como, a former convent lovingly restored to combine historic character with comfort.
From the hotel, the group will visit Villa Carlotta, a jewel of the lake with a vast botanical garden. Here, ancient trees stand alongside azaleas, rhododendrons, and palm avenues, all with panoramic views across the water. After the guided tour, the group will enjoy lunch nearby before returning to Como for an evening at leisure.
Day 7 – Lago di Como 14th May 2026 (B, L)
A private boat will be the group’s transport for the day, gliding across Lake Como to the magnificent Villa del Balbianello. The gardens spill down toward the water in elegant terraces, while the villa’s interiors hold art, antiques, and the exploration memorabilia of former owner Guido Monzino.
The journey continues to Bellagio to visit the Villa Melzi gardens, a neoclassical masterpiece of sweeping lawns, exotic plantings, and shaded walks. After a guided visit, there will be time to stroll into Bellagio for a lake-view lunch. The boat will then return to Como, with the evening free to explore or relax.
Day 8 – Lago di Como – Stresa, Lago di Maggiore 15th May 2026 (B, D)
After breakfast, the journey turns west toward Stresa, a refined lakeside town framed by the Alps. Here, grand hotels line the promenade, and the views to the Borromean Islands are postcard-perfect. The afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish — perhaps exploring the boutiques, enjoying a coffee on the square, or walking along the water. In the early evening, the group will gather for aperitivi before dining together at a charming local restaurant.
Day 9 – Stresa, Lago di Maggiore 16th May 2026 (B, L)
The morning is dedicated to Villa Taranto, created in the early 20th century by Scotsman Captain Neil McEacharn. Designed as both a botanical collection and an aesthetic delight, the gardens hold rare plants from around the globe. Guests will explore its winding paths, vibrant borders, and peaceful terraces overlooking the lake. After the guided visit, there will be time to wander before returning to Stresa for a leisurely lunch. The afternoon and evening is free.
Day 10 – Stresa – Isola Bella 17th May 2026 (B, D)
The final day begins slowly, with time to enjoy Stresa at your own pace. In the early evening, a private boat will carry the group to Isola Bella for an exclusive after-hours experience. When the gates close to the public, the baroque terraces of the Palazzo Borromeo become The ours alone. Rare white peacocks roam the lawns, and aperitivi are served among the flowers. The evening concludes with a three-course dinner at the family-owned Elvezia restaurant, with fresh lake fish, handmade pasta, and wines from the region. Afterwards, the boat returns to Stresa under the glow of the shoreline lights.
Day 11 – Departure from Stresa 18th May 2026 (B)
After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to the Italian Lakes — and to the friends and memories gathered along the way.
