Italy’s great lakes and wine country
Northern Italy Tour
Join a slow travel adventure connecting with northern Italy’s landscapes, people, and timeless way of life.
Tour Details
Journey through northern Italy’s elegant lakes, hillside villages, and wine-grown hillsides - where timeless landscapes and local life intertwine.
Price
From US$11,500 per personGroup Size
Maximum 12 guestsDuration
12 days / 11 nightsDepartures
September 2026Starts/Ends
Venice to Turin
Inclusions
Boutique stays, guided experiences, and meals with wineAccommodation
Charming luxury 4 star accommodationActivity Level
Light walking — some uneven terrain
Highlights
Why You'll Love This Tour
Glide across Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore, soaking in reflections of mountains, villas, and pure Italian serenity
Savor world-class wines - from Barolo’s bold depth to Franciacorta’s delicate sparkle - in the landscapes that shaped them
Breathe in the romance of grand villas and royal castles, each one a window into Italy’s elegant past
Follow truffle dogs through Piedmont’s misty woods, and taste the thrill of finding Italy’s most coveted delicacy
Relish slow, golden moments - from sunset boat rides to peaceful mornings by the lakeshore.
What our guests say
your untold italy tour Includes
11 nights in charming luxury 4 star accommodation – 5 nights at luxury palazzo near Lake Garda, 3 nights in a boutique hotel on Lake Maggiore and 3 nights in a boutique hotel in the Langhe countryside
Guided walking tours, premium wine tastings, truffle hunt, cooking class, castle visits, cheese tasting, Lake Garda and Como boat ride, artisan visits
11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 1 aperitivo and 11 dinners as specified in the itinerary, wine and bottled water is included with meals other than breakfast
Air-conditioned minibus/minivan will get you around on tour.
Tips and gratuities are included for local guides and your driver. Tips are not included for your tour host.
We pick up in Venice and drop off in Turin
Not included
Fly into Venice or Milan. Venice can be reached by high-speed train from Milan in just over 2 hours.
No one books a trip expecting the unexpected – travel insurance ensures you’re covered if plans change. See our trip FAQ below for more information and suggested providers.
Nearly all meals are included – you’ll have three free lunches to explore the local food scene at your own pace.
Tour Overview
Northern Italy Tour Description
Step into the heart of Northern Italy on an unforgettable journey where sparkling lakes, elegant palaces, and rolling vineyard hills tell stories centuries in the making. From the shimmering shores of Lake Garda to the gastronomic heart of Piedmont, this carefully crafted itinerary blends beauty, culture, and indulgence at every turn.
Italy's Grand Lakes
Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in Venice before heading to Verona, the city of timeless romance. On Lake Garda, let the sunset wash the sky in shades of pink and gold as you cruise past medieval towns and cypress-studded shores. In Sirmione, you’ll have time to linger, wander cobblestoned streets, and savor la dolce vita at your own pace. Soon after, glide across the waters of Lake Como aboard a Venetian-style boat, pausing at the exquisite Villa Balbianello – a scene straight out of a fairytale.
Vineyards, Villas, and Sparkling Moments
Italy’s sparkling soul awaits in Franciacorta, where you’ll sip the country’s finest bubbles against a backdrop of vineyard-draped hills. At day’s end, retreat to the grandeur of an 18th-century palace, where history whispers from every gilded ceiling and frescoed wall.
The Flavors and Traditions of Piedmont
The final chapter of your journey takes you deep into Piedmont, a region where culinary tradition and wine culture reach their peak. Over three nights in the UNESCO-listed Langhe hills, you’ll taste world-renowned Barolo wines, join expert hunters and their dogs in search of Italy’s most prized white truffles, and uncover centuries of history inside a local castle. A hands-on Piemontese cooking class ensures you take home not only memories but also flavors to recreate.
This 12-day itinerary is more than a tour – it’s an immersion into Northern Italy’s soul. It combines the romance of the lakes, the elegance of historic palaces, and the irresistible flavors of Piedmont. With every boat ride, wine glass raised, and dish prepared, you’ll be writing your own love letter to Italy.
Northern Italy Tour Itinerary
We often don’t publish specific destinations in order to preserve the local flavor of your trip and allow you to enjoy special surprises along the way.
Day 1-2
Welcome to Lake Garda
Begin your journey in Venice before heading to romantic Verona. Settle into an elegant 18th-century palazzo and toast your arrival with a long, lazy lunch at a Lugana winery. As the sun sets, glide across Lake Garda on a private boat, aperitivo in hand, as the lakeside towns light up the evening.
See Details
- Places: Venice, Verona, Sirmione, Desenzano
- Activities: Walking tour of Verona, wine tasting, private boat tour of Lake Garda
- Accommodation: Palazzo del Garda (or similar)
Day 3-5
Sparkling Wines & Timeless Stories
Savor the sparkling wines of Franciacorta in Italy’s premier sparkling region before exploring Brescia’s artisan traditions. Step inside a baroque church adorned with Tiepolo’s masterpieces, and wander the halls of a centuries-old castle where fascinating legends and local tales bring history vividly to life.
See Details
- Places: Franciacorta, Brescia, Lake Iseo and Lombardy countryside
- Activities: Franciacorta wine tasting, Brescia guided walking tour and artisan visit, Lake Iseo walk, Castle visit, Church and castle visit, and farm visit
- Accommodation: Palazzo del Garda (or similar)
Day 6-8
Lake Como Elegance & Lake Maggiore Calm
Taste your way through Bergamo on a food and artisan tour before retreating to a boutique hotel by Lake Maggiore. Glide across Lake Como on a Venetian-style boat, pausing at Villa Balbianello and elegant Bellagio, then enjoy a full day of leisure to relax and recharge by the serene shores of Lake Maggiore.
See Details
- Places: Bergamo, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Bellagio
- Activities: Guided walking tour of Brescia with tastings and goldsmith workshop visit, Private Lake Como boat ride and Villa Balbianello visit
- Accommodation: Palazzo del Garda (or similar)
Day 9-11
Castles, Barolo & Culinary Secrets
Arrive in the UNESCO-listed Langhe hills and settle into the heart of Piedmont’s wine country. Savor a long lunch at a local winery before gazing in wonder at an 11th-century fairytale castle rising from the vines. Stroll through the charming streets of Barolo, explore the bustling town of Alba, and uncover the secrets of Piemontese cuisine in a hands-on cooking class.
See Details
- Places: Langhe countryside, Barolo, Alba
- Activities: Winery visit and tasting, Guided castle visit and Langhe town visit, Guided walking tour of Alba, Cooking class
- Accommodation: Dai Gresy (or similar)
Day 12
Truffles and Barolo Wine
Embark on a walk you’ll never forget with our local truffle hunter and his trusty dog in search of white truffles. Raise one last glass – this time to the King of Wines at our Barolo wine tasting.
See Details
- Places: Barolo and Turin
- Activities: Truffle hunt and Barolo winery visit
Over 1000+ satisfied guests
Departures
Upcoming Dates and Prices
Book now →Northern Italy Tour
Mon 21 Sep - Fri 2 Oct 2026
Private Tour
Private Tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our Northern Italy tour departs from the beautiful city of Venice at 10am
Our Northern Italy tour ends in Turin around 5pm at the Turin Porta Nuova Centrale train station.
Venice has an international airport that services American, Italian and European destinations. Alternatively, you can reach this romantic city by high-speed train in just over 2 hours from Milan or Florence, or 3.5 hours from Rome.
For onwards travel, there is a 1 hour high speed train to Milan, 3 hours to Florence, or just over 4 hours to Rome. If you prefer to travel by plane, the city has a small international airport that services Italian and European destinations.
Please let us know well in advance if you have any dietary needs, including allergies. It is quite a meat and dairy heavy cuisine so it can be a little difficult for vegetarians and not advisable for vegans. We’re happy to work with tour accommodation and restaurants to ensure that you have suitable meal options.
You’ll feel completely at home – whether you enjoy a glass of wine or prefer to skip it. Our tours celebrate the stories, traditions, and people behind Italy’s incredible food and wine culture, so there’s always something meaningful to experience. Non-alcoholic local options are happily provided, and every tasting, vineyard visit, or shared meal is about connection, not just what’s in the glass.
Absolutely! We always welcome solo travelers in our groups and generally have at least a couple of solo guests join.
This tour includes light to moderate physical activity, with guided walks lasting around 1–2 hours at a time. If you have mobility concerns, please get in touch and we can help you determine if this itinerary is the right fit.
Alongside USD, we offer payment in Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars, Euro and British pounds using the mid-market rate at time of payment on xe.com. Please reach out to us at info@untolditalytours for a quote.
Pay a USD $500 deposit per person to secure your place. Then three easy instalments at 180 days, 120 days and 90 days prior to departure or as specified on our tour booking page. The balance is due 60 days before departure or on the date specified on the trip booking page. Email us if you’d like to break up the instalments even more.
Our Northern Italy tour offers unbeatable value for money and includes 4 star accommodation, luxury transportation, most meals, guided tours, entrance fees, artisan visits, local experiences, a dedicated tour host and more.
Most guests find they spend money on souvenirs, a few snacks and additional services such as laundry and spa treatments. You have three free time lunches but our guests often find this a welcome relief from the sheer amount of food during the rest of the tour.
When you book a tour with us, we take care of all the details so you can sit back, completely relax and enjoy your Italian experience.
Yes our 2026 tour schedule has an opportunity to combine this tour with another Untold Italy experience. It can be combined with our Cinque Terre and Beyond tour in Fall. Please reach out for more information.
The unexpected can occur and becoming ill or injured in a foreign country is a very daunting experience, therefore we require guests take insurance with international evacuation coverage for all trips.
Please consider cancelation insurance also because refunds are made available only per our
terms and conditions, and we are unable to make exceptions for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies.
You should book a policy as soon as the trip has been confirmed. Some companies to consider:
- World Nomads – simple and flexible travel insurance for independent travelers. Includes 24×7 assistance when abroad
- Safety Wing Nomad Insurance – designed to meet the unexpected medical and travel needs faced by people traveling outside of their home country
- Travelex (USA residents only) – comprehensive travel insurance options covering medical assistance and delays
Unfortunately these providers may not offer policies for those aged over 69. In this case you can try Travel Insurance Master – a service that allows you to compare quotes and insurance policies.
Discover Northern Italy
Stretching from the romantic shores of Lake Garda and Lake Como to the vineyard-clad hills of Piedmont, Northern Italy is a region of glittering waters, elegant cities, and timeless traditions. Here, medieval castles, Renaissance towns, and world-class cuisine invite you to slow down and savor la dolce vita. Read our articles and listen to our podcast to discover more about enchanting Northern Italy.
Read
Lake Garda Travel Guide
Discover the magic of Lake Garda
Listen
Untold Italy Ep. 294 Journey Across Northern Italy
What we get up to on our tour
