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Lake Como, the Italian Riviera & Venice

with Florence extension

Duration: 11 or 14 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 88

Get caught up in the laid-back Italian lifestyle.

It would be hard to leave northern Italy feeling stressed. Along the glimmering shores of Lake Como and the meandering canals of Venice, leisure and relaxation remain mainstays of the Italian lifestyle. Amble around every corner of sleek and stylish Milan. Soak up the sun on the Italian Riviera. Escape to the picturesque villages of Cinque Terre. Just unwind and let the Italians teach you a thing or two about indulgence (trust us, they know best).

Your tour package includes

9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
4 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Villa Carlotta
Sforza Castle
Milan's Duomo
Certosa di Pavia
Cinque Terre

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Milan today.

Lake Como Region2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Milan & transfer to Lake Como Region

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! After arriving at the airport, transfer to the Lake Como region and settle in to your hotel. Later, meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Como & Villa Carlotta

Included meal: Breakfast

Head out on a morning trip to explore Como, known for its mix of cultural and natural attractions.

• Enjoy free time in Como for lunch and shopping, while admiring the lakeside vistas

• Transfer to the beautiful Villa Carlotta to soak in spectacular views from the elaborate villa gardens (open March through October)

Enjoy free time in Como or add an excursion.

Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio

Excursion (additional cost)

Milan2 nights

Day 4: Transfer to Milan &sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Milan and embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Italy’s fashion capital.

• Walk through the Brera District and see the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and Piazza della Scala

• Step inside the Gothic-style Milan Cathedral, Italy’s largest cathedral

• Pay a visit to the 15th-century Sforza Castle, which currently houses an impressive collection of art

Tonight, enjoy local wine and a buffet-style meal at an apericena dinner.

Day 5: Free day in Milan

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Milan or add an excursion.

Scenic Lugano: A Day in Switzerland

Excursion (additional cost)

Italian Riviera3 nights

Day 6: Italian Riviera via Certosa di Pavia monastery

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Milan, stop in Lombardy to visit the exceptionally beautiful Certosa di Pavia monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, continue south to the seaside paradise of the Italian Riviera and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Cinque Terre

Included meal: Breakfast

Discover Cinque Terre, an idyllic cluster of five villages set on seaside cliffs.

• Travel by boat along the coast for dramatic cliffside views

• Stop for free time to explore the seaside villages of Vernazza and Monterosso

• Admire the Liguria region’s varied landscape as you transfer back to your hotel

Please note: The boat ride is weather-dependent. In the case of inclement weather, you’ll visit the villages by train. In addition, the specific villages you visit may vary.

Day 8: Free day on the Italian Riviera

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day on the Italian Riviera or add an excursion.

Villages of the Italian Riviera & Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Venice2 nights

Day 9: Venice via Verona

Included meal: Breakfast

En route to Venice, stop in Verona and walk through the city with your Tour Director.

• Stroll through the city’s UNESCO-recognized historic center

• Admire the Roman arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and the balcony of Shakespeare’s Juliet

Enjoy free time before continuing on to Venice.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as "the Queen of the Adriatic."

• Step into the iconic St. Mark's Square and enter St. Mark's Basilica

• View the stately Doge's Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340

• Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge's Palace and the New Prison

• See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city's most celebrated art

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Later, join your fellow travelers at tonight’s farewell dinner.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Florence.

Extension to Florence

Set out to explore the city at the center of the Italian Renaissance.

Florence3 nights

Day 11: Transfer to Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Say goodbye to Venice as you board a train and set out for Florence, Italy.

(Please note: You will need to handle your own baggage during the train transfer.)

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off to see Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance with a local guide.

• Visit the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo

• Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

• Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo

• See the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria, the center of Florentine life

Enjoy a free afternoon in Florence or add an excursion.

Galleria dell'Accademia Museum

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 13: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day exploring Florence on your own or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.5 average

05/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Eileen C.

I started the trip by being left at the airport for 2 hours without a ride. I paid $120 euro cash for a cab and specifically asked for a cash refund. You credited my card. The places we saw were beautiful and the guide, Stefania was excellent, however, I believe you should have a sign off on the wa...

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Too much

05/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Bonnie P.

I was concerned about how physically demanding this trip might be and as a result I called the office in Massachusetts to inquire. I was told that it was moderate and I would have no problem. That was a flat out lie. The trip is very demanding it is far too much for someone my age and in my particu...

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05/14/2019 by 3rd time traveler Victoria O.

Expected a lot more from this tour given the price and location. Unfortunately I found it to be very disappointing with the hotels, meals that were provided and the tour guide. It appeared to be more of a 'shopping tour' rather than an education of the history and culture. Only three local guides we...

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Paradise

04/09/2019 by 2nd time traveler Gloria R.

Go Ahead exceeded our expectations. Everything from the food to the tour guide was fabulous. Even the pace although at times we thought it was crazy I would do it again!!

Northern Italy Adventure

11/06/2018 by 12th time traveler Brent K.

Really had a fun trip with our exceptional guide Annamaria and the usual friendly Goahead travelers. Loved this part of Italy and we had beautiful fall weather. Lucky because Venice flooded about two weeks later. Como, Milan, Santa Margherita Ligure, Venice and Trieste were all great places to stay ...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

NH Pontevecchio

This scenic hotel is located in Lecco, on the shores of Lake Como. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a gym, and restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find walking paths, ...

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Best Western Plus Hotel Felice Casati Milan

Located in the business heart of Milan, in a peaceful side street of Corso Buenos Aires, the Best Western Plus Hotel Felice Casati combines comfort an...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved paths, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Milan Malpensa and depart from Venice (or Florence on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Please note that the transfer between Milan Malpensa airport and your hotel in the Lake Como region is typically more than an hour drive. Please contact us with any questions regarding this transfer.
Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of the tour.(The tour extension also includes a train ride from Venice to Florence.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
On the Italian Riviera, a taste of the region's famous basil pesto is a must. Luscious seafood dishes are popular along the shore, but true Ligurians favor simple, traditional recipes like minestrone soup and farinata, an unleavened chickpea pancake.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.