The Magic of the Italian Lakes (6320)

8 Day Tour from Milan to Lake Maggiore

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details » View 2026 Tour Details »

Discover the beauty of the Italian Lakes on this magnificent vacation. With the Alps for a backdrop, you’ll enjoy nature at its finest—with overnights in Verona, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore. Plus, on this affordable Italian Lakes tour, you’ll spend one night in Milan, known as one of the world’s fashion capitals. Take a guided walking tour around medieval Verona, famous for the Roman Arena, home of the summer Opera Festival. Situated at the foot of the Alps, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake. With its cobalt-blue waters surrounded by majestic mountains, Lake Como is one of Europe’s deepest lakes, lined with elegant 17th-century villas and lush gardens; it’s the perfect destination. You will enjoy a scenic boat trip to Bellagio and Varenna, both picturesque towns on Lake Como’s shores, where nature and culture come together. Admire the centuries-old buildings, explore the cobbled alleyways, cafes, and shops. Lake Maggiore is a paradise of crystal waters, backed by towering mountains and surrounded by lush countryside. With its prestigious Italian gardens, intriguing palaces, and scenic landscapes, you can choose to relax or enjoy some of the many activities available. On the way to Lake Maggiore, visit Lugano, set on gorgeous Lake Lugano, shared between Italy and Switzerland. Here—with a Mediterranean ambiance—you can stroll along the lakeside promenade or simply unwind as you enjoy a delicious gelato. Over centuries, Italy’s great lakes have been among Europe’s most popular vacation destinations, providing enchanting landscapes and a relaxing ambiance. Now is your time to enjoy them on this affordable Italian Lakes tour. It’s a lovely vacation, perfect for savvy, value-minded travel lovers.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi, as well as a scenic boat ride to Bellagio and Varenna. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Save 50% on the Single Supplement on select 2025 Cosmos Europe & North America Tours*
From Here to Anywhere Sales Event: Save $200 per couple on select 2025 Cosmos tours worldwide*
Multiple Vacation Discount: Save up to an additional $100 per person when you book more than one Globus, Cosmos or Avalon Vacation for the same travel year
The Magic of the Italian Lakes map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfast daily, 1 Dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MILAN, ITALY

Check into your hotel in Milan. Start exploring with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

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Day 2 MILAN–SIRMIONE–VERONA

Start the day with an orientation tour of Milan, stopping to admire the famous Gothic-style Duomo. Travel east through the Po Valley and stop at Lake Garda to discover Sirmione. This is a Spa town rich in thermal waters and ancient charm situated on a long peninsula surrounded by breathtaking views. Among its highlights, a medieval castle, the famous Roman villa and grottoes of Catullo. Spend the evening in Verona, the "city of love".
Today’s Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 VERONA

In the morning, a Local Guide takes you through the old cobblestone streets of the old part of Verona telling the stories behind the old buildings and how this beautiful city inspired Shakespeare. Spend the afternoon shopping, visiting, or taking a stroll along the Adige River banks, or sip and see with delightful wines and water views on an optional excursion to Valpolicella. Discover delicious local vintages, such as Valpolicella and Amarone, followed by time to relax on the shores of Lake Garda in Lazise.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 VERONA–LAKE COMO

This morning, say goodbye to the romantic city of Verona and continue to fascinating Lake Como, where you’ll spend two nights. Stroll around the narrow alleys of the city center and the "lungolago" (lake promenade) and maybe taste some fabulous local gelato.
Today’s Distance: 125 mi/ 200 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 LAKE COMO. EXCURSION TO BELLAGIO AND VARENNA

Inspiring everyone from Roman senators and great composers to Hollywood actors, Como is the glamorous image of the lakes. Its cobalt-blue waters are lined with magnificent mountains, lush gardens, and grand villas. Join the included boat trip to Bellagio, set in one of the most scenic locations in all of Italy, and Varenna, an old fishing village.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 LAKE COMO–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND–LAKE MAGGIORE, ITALY

Depart Lake Como and cross the border into Switzerland. Head towards beautiful Lake Lugano and the stylish city that bears its name. Time to stroll along the lakeside promenade, window shop on refined Via Nassa, or sip an espresso on the Piazza Riforma. Leave Switzerland and cross back into Italy, driving to Lake Maggiore.
Today’s Distance: 96 mi/ 155 km

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 LAKE MAGGIORE

Set between Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore is a paradise of crystal waters, backed by towering mountains and surrounded by lush countryside. The day is yours to relax or to enjoy some of the many activities available around the lake. Breathtaking views are a shore thing with an optional boat trip to the Borromean Islands, with time to visit the extravagant Borromeo Palace, built like a ship anchored just off the shoreline.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 8 LAKE MAGGIORE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa.)

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANDREA BOLDRINI

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

Traveling has always been a passion of mine. The thrill of exploring new destinations, immersing myself in different cultures, and meeting people from all over the world is truly exhilarating. As a Tour Director, I have the unique opportunity to share this passion with others, steering a group through the magnificent landscapes of the world. I love crafting engaging commentaries that foster the best of each destination, from hidden gems to iconic landmarks. Guiding groups through these experiences and witnessing their excitement and wonder is incredibly rewarding. Every tour is a new adventure, filled with unforgettable moments and the chance to create lasting memories for my guests. Being a Tour Director allows me to combine my love for travel and enthusiasm, with my desire to educate and inspire others, making it the perfect career for me.

Tour Director - ANDREA BOLDRINI

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Lake Garda
Lake Maggiore

Lake Garda

The Vineyards of Verona & Lazise

The Vineyards of Verona & Lazise

Embark on an adventure in Italian wine tasting with a drive to beautiful Valpolicella and Lazise in the Verona wine region.

Price Range: $

Lake Maggiore

Dinner on Isola dei Pescatori

Dinner on Isola dei Pescatori

Get acquainted with the enchanting Borromean Island of Isola dei Pescatori as you dine on local specialties at a lovely historic restaurant

Price Range: $$

The Borromean Islands

The Borromean Islands

Depart from Baveno to see Isola Madre, then move to Isola Bella and later enjoy some free time in Stresa on your own

Price Range: $$

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $1,944*
18 guests in a party: $453*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (USD) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.


The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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