Italian peaks and lakes trip

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Turn your travel dreams into a tailored reality with this Italian peaks and lakes trip that celebrates dramatic mountain light, lantern-lit canals, and tranquil lakeside afternoons. Choose authentic, small-scale experiences like a private glass atelier visit, a guided mountain walk at dawn, and a secluded boat cruise on crystal water.

Our travel experts will design a bespoke itinerary, secure trusted local guides, and manage bookings so you enjoy discovery without the logistics. Ready to craft a personal Italy trip? Share your dates and travel style, and we will start planning.

Italian peaks and lakes trip highlights

  • Private gondola and local guides: Glide Venice canals with a private gondolier and expert local guide, discovering quiet sestieri and artisan workshops.
  • Dolomites panoramic hikes: Tailor-made hikes unveil craggy peaks, alpine meadows, and panoramic rifugios.
  • Lake Garda villa and watersports: Stay in charming lakeside villas, sail crystal waters, and enjoy bespoke watersports or relaxed beach afternoons.
  • Authentic culinary experiences: Savor regional specialties with family-run trattorias, hands-on cooking classes, and private tastings.
  • Tailor-made transfers and hidden gems: Effortless private transfers link Venice, the Dolomites, and Lake Garda, while bespoke itineraries reveal lesser-known villages.
DayMorningAfternoonEvening
Day 1Arrival in Venice; private water taxi to your hotelExplore Piazza San Marco, Cannaregio or LidoLagoon views and relaxed dinner
Day 2Skip-the-line tour of St. Mark’s BasilicaExplore the Doge’s Palace with private guideFree time to wander or dine canal-side
Day 3Private tour to Murano: glassblowing and shopsCannaregio storywalk with wine and cicchettiHidden gardens and local charm
Day 4Travel to Cortina d'AmpezzoVisit local sights or ride the Faloria Cable CarSettle in and enjoy mountain views
Day 5Hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo with local guidePanoramic photo stops and alpine meadowsAlpine dinner or stargazing
Day 6Drive the Great Dolomites Road to BolzanoCable car, WWI trenches, castle museum and lakesSlow travel through scenic passes
Day 7Dantercepies gondola to Puez-Odle trailsHike to Rifugio Puez or descend to VallungaOptional mountain meal in a rifugio
Day 8Cable car to Alpe di Siusi; hike among farmsExplore peaks: Sassolungo, Schlern, RosengartenStay in village or enjoy a mountain hut dinner
Day 9Choose hike: Bullaccia, Hans and Paula Steger path, or Mount PizHut lunch and meadow walksSunset views over the Dolomites
Day 10Travel to Limone sul GardaStroll limonaie and visit the old fishing portBoat ride, garden tour, or sunset on cliffs
Day 11Active or cultural day at Lake GardaHike Monte Baldo, visit castles or Roman ruinsSpa visit or family fun at Gardaland
Day 12Private boat to SirmioneTour Scaliger Castle and stroll cobbled streetsLakeside dinner with sunset views
Day 13Private walking tour of VeronaExplore historic piazzas and Juliet’s BalconyFarewell aperitivo in the old town
Day 14Seaside breakfast in Cinque TerrePrivate transfer to Milan AirportArrivederci – your Italy trip concludes

Places you'll visit

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Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’AmpezzoTrentino-Alto Adige
Day01

Day 1: Arrival in Venice

Welcome to Venice. A private water taxi meets you at the airport and glides you through the canals to your accommodation, your first taste of the city’s magic.

Spend the day strolling through Piazza San Marco, wandering Cannaregio’s quieter backstreets, or unwinding on the Lido with sweeping lagoon views.

Venice, Italy
Day02

Day 2: St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace

Join a private tour with skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica and an expert guide in the heart of St. Mark's Square. Admire the golden façade, explore mosaics, relics, and marble, and take in panoramic views from the terrace.

Then explore the Doge's Palace, where grand halls, the Doge's apartments, and the notorious prisons reveal Venetian power and shadow.

St. Mark's Basilica
Day03

Day 3: Venice, Murano and Cannaregio storywalk

This morning, take a private half-day tour to Murano to watch master glassblowers create molten glass artworks and browse showrooms showcasing centuries of Venetian craft.

Back in Venice, enjoy a private guided storywalk through Cannaregio, exploring hidden alleys, a charming wine bar for local wines and cicchetti, and a secret garden surprise.

murano
Day04

Day 4: Free day in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Today is yours to personalize in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Visit the 18th-century Basilica of Santi Filippo and Giacomo, browse the Mario Rimoldi Modern Art Museum, and trace For Your Eyes Only filming spots like Piazza Angelo Dibona and the Olympic bobsled track.

Ride the Faloria Cable Car on Via Ria de Zeto for sweeping Dolomites views and easy hikes or bike rides. Perfect way to tune your Italy travel between Venice and Lake Garda and discover authentic mountain culture.

cortina
Day05

Day 5: Hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Hike the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo with a local mountain guide who tailors the route to your pace and interests. Along the way, learn about the Dolomites’ trails, geology, and alpine wildlife, with expert tips to keep things safe and engaging.

Expect sunrise or sunset photo stops, sweeping views, and moments that go beyond the trail. This is more than a hike, it’s an authentic alpine experience.

tre cime
Day06

Day 6: Great Dolomites Road to Bolzano

From Cortina d'Ampezzo, drive the Great Dolomites Road to Bolzano, a stunning 110km route that’s all switchbacks, alpine drama, and postcard views. Ride the Falzarego cable car to the Lagazuoi Refuge for panoramic terraces and WWI open-air trenches. Stop at Andraz Castle Museum, then wind above Arabba and Canazei for hairpin turns and sweeping vistas.

Walk around Lake Carezza, where the Latemar peaks meet legends and Sissi-era history. Cross the Pordoi Pass for views of Marmolada, Sass Pordoi, and Sassolungo. Ideal for slow travel, mountain walks, and photography, this scenic route is a standout addition to any Italy itinerary.

great dolomite road
Day07

Day 7: Puez tour in the Dolomites

Take the Dantercepies gondola to Passo Gardena and follow trail 12A to Baita Jimmi, then trail 2 up to Passo del Cir for wide views over Val Chedul and the jagged Odle peaks. Continue to Passo Crespëina and pause at the reflective Crespëina Lake, an ideal spot to rest.

From here, either descend the steep serpentine trail 14A to Vallunga and Selva, or extend your hike to Rifugio Puez for a hearty mountain meal and return via trail 16. A perfect alpine adventure to add to any Italy trip that includes Venice, the Dolomites, and Lake Garda.

puez
Day08

Day 8: Alpe di Siusi

Discover Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s largest high Alpine pasture, reached by cable car from Seis/Siusi. Hike among 365 alpine farms and huts with sweeping views of the Sassolungo, Sassopiatto, Schlern, and Rosengarten peaks. Expect family-friendly trails, traditional mountain food, and a wide-open landscape that feels both wild and welcoming.

Base yourself in villages like Kastelruth (Castelrotto), Völs (Fiè), or Tiers (Tires) to experience local farming life. Bolzano (Bozen) and Brixen (Bressanone) are just 30 minutes away for easy day trips.

siusi
Valentine

Tips from Valentine

Italy Travel Expert

quotes

Skip the midday rush and head out at sunrise; Alpe di Siusi is at its best before 9 am. You’ll have the trails nearly to yourself, the light is incredible over the jagged Dolomites, and you’ll beat the crowds arriving from the cable cars.

Day09

Day 9: Hiking Alpe di Siusi

Alpe di Siusi is a hiker’s paradise in the Dolomites, with trails for every level. Choose an easy family walk like the Hans and Paula Steger path, a panoramic loop from Bullaccia, or challenge yourself with the ascent of Mount Piz. Along the way, take in alpine meadows, stop at huts like Arnika, and soak up views of Sassolungo and Sciliar.

Set the pace: opt for a relaxed two-hour loop or go all in with a full-day hike to Rifugio Alpe di Tires.

Siusi
Day10

Day 10: Limone Sul Garda

Wander Limone sul Garda’s narrow streets and historic lemon houses (limonaie), visit the old fishing port, and sample local limoncello and lake fish.

Hike scenic lakeside paths for sweeping views, or slow things down with a private boat ride, a guided garden tour, or sunset from the cliffs: tailored experiences that keep it real and unhurried.

limone
Day11

Day 11: Lake Garda

From Venice to the Dolomites, Lake Garda offers sea-like waters framed by the Alps and the Po Plain, lined with palms, oleanders, olive groves, and postcard-perfect borghi.

If your Italy tour leans toward history and art, explore prehistoric sites on Monte Baldo, Roman villas in Desenzano and Toscolano, or visit Scaliger castles and Romanesque churches in Sirmione, Bardolino, and Maderno.

For something more active, swim, sail, or windsurf in Riva del Garda and Nago-Torbole. Hike Monte Baldo, cycle the Olive Riviera from Malcesine to Peschiera, soak in thermal spas in Sirmione or Lazise, or go all in at Gardaland for a family-friendly thrill.

garda
Day12

Day 12: Sirmione walking and boat tour, Scaliger Castle

Take a private boat to Sirmione, a colorful lakeside town perched on a narrow peninsula, with cobbled streets and bright façades. Enjoy a unique perspective of the lake and a tailor-made exploration of Sirmione’s historic heart.

With a private guide, step inside the 13th-century Scaliger Castle. Learn about its defensive design, drawbridge, towers, and the powerful Scaliger family, who once ruled these waters.

sirmione
Day13

Day 13: Private walking tour of Verona

Explore Verona on a private walking tour with a local guide who brings the city’s layers of history to life. Start in Piazza Bra and the Roman Arena, then pass through Porta Borsari to reach Piazza delle Erbe, where frescoed palaces, the Torre dei Lamberti, and a buzzing market set the scene.

In nearby Piazza dei Signori, stop by the statue of Dante Alighieri before hearing tales of star-crossed lovers at Juliet’s Balcony. It’s a tailor-made experience that connects you to Verona’s culture, past, and present.

verona
Day14

Day 14: Farewell to Italy

Spend a final leisurely morning on the shores of Cinque Terre, savoring a seaside breakfast and wandering pastel alleys that complete your tailor-made Italy trip.

At the scheduled time, your private driver will transfer you to Milan Airport for your departing flight. This curated journey leaves you with coastal walks, mountain vistas, and timeless canals. Arrivederci Italia!

Italian flag