How to Create the Perfect Lakes Region Itinerary
Venturing north from Milan, you’ll find the beautiful lakes region of Italy that extends north into the Alps of Switzerland. These glacial lakes offer stunningly scenic combinations. From lovely villages embracing lakeside shorelines to fabulous villas and gardens. Cruise boats providing vistas of pristine lakes and snow-capped mountains, as well as peaceful promenades. Read more here on why we’re obsessed with the Lakes region…
The perfect itinerary to explore the region is one that allows you to sample the best of the Italian and Swiss lakes. Walking the lakeside promenades, exploring the charming towns, visiting the magnificent gardens and villas, and getting out on the lakes by boat. Our nine-day Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains Tour provides you with an excitingly diverse itinerary. It explores six of the lakes and many of their prettiest towns and villages.
Here are some of the must see and do experiences of the region that you must include to create the perfect Lakes itinerary!
Bustling Milan
Start your journey in the dynamic and business-oriented city of Milan. Be sure to check out the massive Gothic Duomo and its rooftop views. Perhaps get a drink with an amazing view – see more here. And visit the ornate domed Victor Emanuel II Gallery for shopping and dining in elegant surroundings. Art lovers will want to see Leonardo’s Last Supper, and opera fans can enjoy a performance at the famous La Scala.
A stunning view of Milan’s Cathedral
Franciacorta Wine and Lake Iseo
For a taste of the region’s rich wine heritage, head east one hour to the vineyard-covered hills. The Franciacorta area is famed for its sparkling wine production. A perfect stop on your way to the lakes region.
The view of Lake Iseo from Franciacorta
From here it’s a short distance to the charming Lake Iseo. Take a leisurely lake cruise or a ferry across to the island of Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Italy. Walk or bike through the island’s olive groves and past fishermen’s villages. For the best 360-degree panoramas, visit the 15th century Madonna della Ceriola shrine.
Beautiful Monte Isola in the middle of Lake Iseo, italy
Lake Como and its Gorgeous Villages
Lake Como sits entirely within the Italian region of Lombardy. It resembles an inverted “y” in its shape. Luxurious villas are spaced along the picturesque lakefront. Plenty of scenic villages are vying for your attention, along with the mountain and lake views.
Take a tour through Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, its fountain and sculpture-filled gardens ablaze with color in springtime. Board a ferry to the beautiful village of Bellagio, set at the fork of the lake. Bellagio’s flower-bedecked streets, stairways and lakeside setting will captivate you, like a dreamy stage set come to life.
Beautiful Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
Other places to see include the villages of Menaggio with its lakeside promenade, and Varenna with its Castle of Vezio and lakeside gardens of the Villa Monastero. Perhaps visit the magical Villa del Balbianello set on its own promontory with terraces and loggias cascading down the hillside. Another great choice is to have lunch at the sumptuous and historic Villa D’Este hotel in Cernobbio.
A trip on the Bernina Express
One of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps is to take the famed Bernina Express train. Panoramic windows open onto amazing vistas of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and glaciers as you traverse 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. This stunning railway line from also holds UNESCO World Heritage status.
Hop off at St. Moritz
Twice the site of the Winter Olympic Games, St. Moritz is an elegant resort with high-end shopping and dining. Have a stroll or take a carriage ride along scenic Lake St. Moritz.
Other sights include the Segantini Museum of Modernist art and the town’s own Leaning Tower, all that remains of a church from the 1500s.
Enchanting Lugano and the Swiss Lakes
Heading south you’ll enter the Ticino region of Switzerland. Italian is spoken here, and the Italian influences permeate its food, architecture, and lifestyle. Here is where you’ll find Lake Lugano and the beautiful, sophisticated town of Lugano. The city captivates visitors with its Alpine and lake setting and Mediterranean climate.
On the edge of Lake Lugano from Switzerland
Take a cruise on the lake, stroll Lugano’s parks and lakeside promenade, wander the winding streets of its Old Town, or explore its museums such as the Museum of Swiss Italian Art (MASI Lugano). We recommend taking a trip by funicular to the top of Monte San Salvatore or Mont Brè for gorgeous scenery.
The Swiss Ticino also includes the northernmost part of Lake Maggiore. At the top of the lake lies Locarno, with its warm Mediterranean climate enabling the growth of lemon and palm trees. Its villas and gardens line the lake, and its Old Town, centered around the Piazza Grande, invites exploration.
The town of Locarno, Switzerland
Nearby Ascona charms with its relaxing waterfront scenery around its harbour, colourful houses, lake promenade and Old Town. Settle into one of the lakeside cafes and enjoy the view!
Stresa and the Spectacular Borromean Islands
Lake Maggiore stretches south into Italy, where the Lake is split between the provinces of Lombardy and Piedmont. On the west bank lies Stresa, a resort town that has high-end shopping, fine dining and a string of impressive hotels lining the lakefront. The lakeside promenade offers beautiful views across to the famed Borromean islands.
Start your island exploration with the magnificent Isola Bella. Here the Borromean family built an extravagant palace with ornate state rooms and fanciful grottoes along with spectacular terraced gardens with statuary and fountains. Isola Madre has beautiful English-style landscape gardens and its own villa. The small Isola dei Pescatori is a simple fishing village that offers a pleasant place to stroll. You can also have a meal at one of the restaurants that specialize in lake fish.
Boats anchored near Isola Bella
Other worthy sights in the Stresa area include the beautiful garden park at Villa Taranto, a ride on the cable car up Monte Mottarone for superlative lake and alpine views, and the Villa Pallavicino with its botanical garden and zoo.
Lake Orta
Lake Orta is west of Lake Maggiore and the only lake located entirely in Piedmont. The stunning medieval town of Orta San Giulio contains a maze of picturesque streets to explore with attractive shops and cafes.
Lakeside towns on Lake Orta
There is a great view of the town and lake from the 15th century Church of Santa Maria Assunta. From here, a set of steps leads into the main square of Piazza Motta. You can then catch a boat for a short ride to the beautiful island of San Giulio, dominated by its Romanesque Basilica.
Discover more!
The Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains itinerary map
The Lakes Region offers a beautifully scenic combination of gorgeous glacial lakes dotted with striking villas and charming towns against the backdrop of alpine peaks. From Stresa to Lugano, Orta San Giulio to Bellagio you’ll experience a mix of stunning natural and manmade beauty with the intriguing mix of cultures of Italy and Switzerland. Contact us for more information or to reserve your spot on the Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains Tour!
Tags: Milan, Lake Orta, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Maggiore, Bernina Express, Lake Lugano, Lake, Iseo, Franciacorta, sparkling wine, Isola Bella, Tremezzo, Bellagio, Stresa