12 DAY NORTHERN ITALY TOUR

The majestic lakes, Piedmont and more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our lakes & legends tour

Price from $US 11,500 / person
Deposit: $US 500
DEPARTURES:  SEPTEMBER
STARTS: VENICE
ENDS:
TURIN

Locally curated experiences

Pay in preferred currency

Flexible payment terms

TOUR DETAILS

DURATION: 12 days/ 11 nights
GROUP SIZE: Max 12 guests
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Light/short walks
DEPARTS: Venice
• ARRIVES:
Turin

TOUR DETAILS

PRICE

From $US 11,500 / person

DURATION

11 Nights / 12 Days

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 12 guests

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Light / short walks

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

LOCAL IMMERSION

FOOD AND WINE FOCUS

private lake como boat
villas
turin aperitivo
north italy
lombardy pasta

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lake Como Venetian style boat ride
  • Sunset boat ride on Lake Garda
  • Relax on Lake Maggiore
  • Barolo and Franciacorta wine tasting
  • Villa Balbianello
  • Royal castles
  • Local cooking class
  • Truffle hunt

UPCOMING TRIPS

2026 Departures

INCLUSIONS

We have strived to make our Northern Italy tour as all inclusive as possible with no hidden surprises.

Included in your tour price

  • 11 nights in charming luxury 4 star accommodation
  • Guided orientation walking tours with expert local guides
  • Unique experiences: 4 premium wine tastings, truffle hunt, cooking class, castle visits, cheese tasting, Lake Garda and Como boat ride, artisan visits
  • Meals: 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
  • Luxury air-conditioned transport
  • Tips and gratuities for drivers and guides

Not included

  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Flights and local transportation to the tour departure point
  • Incidentals such as laundry, individual transfers, snacks and drinks, spa treatments
  • 3 lunches

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.

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.

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.

sirmione castle
lake como
verona
lakes of italy
lake garda

The final chapter of your journey takes you deep into Piedmont, a region where culinary tradition and wine culture reach their zenith. 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.

langhe countryside
lake maggiore
piedmont winery
lombardy winery

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.

Places: Venice, Verona, Sirmione, Desenzano 

Hotel: 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.

Places: Franciacorta, Brescia, Lake Iseo and Lombardy countryside

Hotel: Palazzo del Garda (or similar)

lake como boat ride

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.

Places: Bergamo, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Bellagio

Hotel: Palazzo del Garda (or similar)

grinzane cavour castle

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.

Places: Langhe countryside, Barolo, Alba

Hotel: Dai Gresy (or similar) 

white truffle piedmont

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.

Places: Barolo and Turin

Hotel: Dai Gresy (or similar)

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 have had celiacs join us on this tour before and can accommodate gluten intolerance. We’re happy to work with tour accommodation and restaurants to ensure that you have suitable meal options.

You are more than welcome to join! Do keep in mind that wine is a big focus of this tour as Piedmont is arguably Italy’s best wine region. We visit four wineries and participate in guided wine tastings.

Absolutely! We always welcome solo travelers in our groups and generally have at least a couple of solo guests join.

Light to moderate physical activity levels are required on this tour as our guided walks range from 1-3 hours at a time. Please get in touch if you have concerns.

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.

Yes we can set up a payment plan that works for you. Please reach out to us at info@untolditalytours to organize this once you have paid your trip deposit.

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.

In 2026, this tour can be combined with our Cinque Terre and Beyond tour or our Bologna, Parma and Modena tour. 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.

Untold Italy Ep. 75

Cruising Lake Como

listen to podcast

Lake Garda Travel Guide

Discover the magic of Lake Garda

read the guide

2026

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