The best private tour among Milan and Lake Maggiore

A fantastic tour to enjoy the highlights you can see in the breathtaking natural scenery of Lake Maggiore and in Milan, the most important metropolitan city in Northern Italy.
A combination of different experiences to plunge into two different settings and to visit some special places, such as the Borromean Islands, the Hermitage of St. Catherine, the Duomo and the ancient canals in Milan.

DAY 1 – MILAN

Landing at the airport and transfer to MILAN by private. Accommodation at the hotel. Time at your disposal for individual activities and relax. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 2 – MILAN

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with your qualified multilingual-speaking tourist guide to visit Milan city centre, with its magnificent buildings: Sforzesco Castle, La Scala Theatre (outside), Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, DUOMO – Cathedral (entrance ticket included); Individual lunch. In the afternoon time at your leisure for individual visits and shopping in the well-known QUADRILATERO DELLA MODA (Fashion Quadrilateral). Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 3 – MILAN

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with your qualified multilingual-speaking tourist guide to visit NAVIGLIO GRANDE, the older of the two canals, dating back to XIII century, and the DARSENA (Basin), recently restored, where some old wash-houses are still visible.  Individual lunch. In the afternoon time at your leisure for individual activities or shopping in Tortona Street, a handcraft and DESIGN area. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 4 – MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Leggiuno by private car. Meeting with your qualified multilingual-speaking tourist guide for a visit to the striking HERMITAGE OF SANTA CATERINA, linked with the legendary figure of the Blessed Soul Alberto Besozzi, the whole monastery was built in XIV century and enlarged, over the centuries, up to its present size: southern monastery, courtyard of the press, small monastery and sanctuary. The monument is extraordinary for its location: perched on a rock near the deepest zone in Lake Maggiore.  Transfer to Angera and time at your leisure for individual lunch. In the afternoon visit to ROCCA BORROMEO, a stronghold perched on a rocky spur, overlooking Lake Maggiore. Built by some Milan archbishops in XII century, the Torriani and the Visconti noble families competed for it for a long time. The Room of Justice, which houses a cycle of XIII century frescoes by an anonymous painter, is extraordinarily beautiful. The stronghold houses the Museum of the Doll and of the Toy. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 5 – BORROMEAN ISLES, LAKE MAGGIORE

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with your qualified multilingual-speaking tourist guide. Transfer to ISOLA MADRE by taxi-boat and guided visit to the biggest isle in the Borromean Gulf. Fully covered by a botanical garden, renowned for its marvelous bloom of azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and wisteria pergolas. Visit to XVI century palace, rich in furniture coming from the Borromeo Family’s historic residences, and where a collection of puppet theatre is kept. Transfer to ISOLA DEI PESCATORI. Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon transfer and guided visit to ISOLA BELLA. The construction of the Baroque Palace started in 1632 thanks to Carlo III Borromeo, who dedicated it to Isabella d’Adda, his wife. Their son Vitaliano carried on the project and he wanted the magnificent setting of its blooming terraced gardens. The palace boasts a precious collection of painting and rooms rich in tapestries, furniture and objects of art. Time at your leisure for shopping along “Vicolo del Fornello”, with some prestigious brands of the so-called Made in Italy. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 6 – LAKE MAGGIORE – AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport by private car.