7 days, 6 nights · Best for First-time visitors seeking romance and alpine scenery
Best of Venice and Lake Como | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Experience Venice and Lake Como as canals, alpine scenery and elegant lakeside towns create a journey of romance and relaxation in northern Italy.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Venice, Veneto
Venice
Canals, mosaics and the Floating City
We meet you at the airport and bring you by water taxi across the lagoon to your hotel in the historic center. On your second morning a private guide leads you through the calli to St. Mark's Square, the Basilica with its Byzantine mosaics, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. The third day is yours: take the vaporetto to Murano to watch glass artisans at the furnace, continue to Burano for lace-making workshops and painted houses, or stay in Venice for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Rialto markets.
Arranged for you: We arrange the water taxi transfer, the centrally located hotel, and the half-day walking tour with your guide.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Venice
-
Private tour of the Doge's Palace after hours Day Trips · Half day
Walk the empty chambers and cross the Bridge of Sighs at dusk when the day crowds have left and the palace belongs to you and your guide.
-
Prosecco tasting in the Valdobbiadene hills Day Trips · Full day
Drive an hour north with your guide to hillside vineyards where you taste Prosecco Superiore at family estates and stop for lunch in Asolo.
-
Private rowing lesson in a traditional batela Day Trips · Half day
Learn to row standing up in a flat-bottomed boat with a Venetian instructor, then glide through quiet canals away from the vaporetto routes.
-
Ca’ Rezonico, the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayImmerse yourself in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Venice on this 5-hour tour, where you’ll explore iconic landmarks such as the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Ca’ Rezzonico.
-
Doge’s Palace and Gondola Ride Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day -
Murano and Burano Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayThis 4-hour tour gives you an up close and personal look at the stunning glass factories of Murano Island, as well as a tour of the brightly painted houses on Burano Island.
-
San Giorgio, Murano Glass Factory and Gondola Ride Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayThis 5-hour tour allows you to explore a working Murano glass factory, takes you through stunning San Giorgio and lets you relax and unwind with a magical gondola ride through the canals of Venice.
-
Tour Venice by Gondola Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayExperience Venice in the most iconic way, gliding through its enchanting canals aboard a traditional gondola.
-
Venetian Costumes Tour Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
Uncover Venice’s most elegant legacy, where master tailors, lavish fabrics, and palace-ready fashion shaped centuries of style.
-
Venetian Lagoon Cruise Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
See Venice the way it was meant to be seen, by water, gliding through the lagoon with postcard views at every turn.
-
Venice and Jewish Ghetto Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayStep into Venice beyond the postcards. Discover the Jewish Ghetto’s living history, vibrant squares, and authentic neighborhood soul.
-
Venice with Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayFor travelers eager to experience Venice’s top sights, this 6-hour guided tour provides exclusive access to two of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
-
Walking Tour of Venice Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
Wander Venice’s legendary squares and secret lanes on a relaxed 4-hour walk filled with bridges, beauty, and unforgettable stories.
Day by day in Venice
Arrive in Venice, one of the most enchanting cities in the world. Upon landing at Venice Airport, you’ll be transferred by water taxi across the lagoon to your centrally located hotel. After check‑in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax, stroll along the canals, and begin getting acquainted with the “Floating City.”
After a classic Italian breakfast, meet your guide for a half‑day walking tour through Venice’s narrow calli (lanes) and historic squares. Discover the city’s most iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the historic Prisons, and the famous Bridge of Sighs. The remainder of the day is free for you to shop for Murano glass or masks, wander along the canals, and enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
Enjoy breakfast, then spend the day discovering Venice and its lagoon islands at your own pace. You may wish to take a boat excursion to Murano to visit a glass workshop and watch artisans create intricate glass pieces, or continue to Burano, famous for its lace‑making tradition and brightly painted houses. Alternatively, stay in Venice to explore the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, browse the historic markets near the Rialto Bridge, or simply wander through lesser‑known neighborhoods. However you choose to spend the day, Venice is sure to enchant.
Stop 2Varenna, Lake Como, Lombardy
Varenna
Steamboats, lakeside villas and alpine views
You collect your car in Venice and drive north. En route you can stop in Padua for the Basilica of Saint Anthony, in Verona for the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony, in Bergamo's walled upper town, or along Lake Garda for a lakeside lunch. You arrive in Varenna on the eastern shore in the late afternoon. The next two days are yours to explore by steamboat and ferry: cross to Bellagio with its stepped streets and villa gardens, visit Tremezzo or Lenno on the western shore, and return each evening to your hotel with mountain views across the water.
Arranged for you: We arrange the hotel in Varenna for two nights.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Varenna
-
Private boat tour of the central lake and villas Day Trips · Half day
Cruise the lake aboard a classic wooden launch with a captain who brings you past Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and Bellagio's waterfront.
-
Cooking class in a lakeside villa Day Trips · Half day
Learn to make fresh pasta and risotto al salto in a family kitchen overlooking the water, then sit down to lunch with local wine.
-
Guided hike above Varenna to Castello di Vezio Day Trips · Half day
Walk uphill through olive groves with a naturalist guide to the medieval castle ruins, where you survey the entire central basin from the tower.
Day by day in Varenna
After your final breakfast in Venice, collect your rental car and begin your scenic drive north toward Lake Como. Along the way, you can choose to stop in Padua to visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony, in romantic Verona to see the Roman Arena and Juliet’s balcony, in Bergamo to explore the walled medieval upper town, or on the shores of Lake Garda for a leisurely lakeside lunch. Continue on to Varenna, a picturesque village on Lake Como, where you’ll check in to your hotel and take in the breathtaking Alpine scenery reflected in the tranquil waters. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before spending the night in Varenna.
Spend the next two days relaxing in Varenna and exploring Lake Como at your own pace. We recommend taking a steamboat or ferry across the lake to admire the dramatic mountain backdrop and elegant lakeside villas with their manicured gardens. Visit Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como,” or other charming towns such as Tremezzo or Lenno, there are no wrong choices, as each village offers its own unique charm. Enjoy leisurely lakeside walks, café stops, and perhaps visits to historic villas and gardens. Return each evening to your hotel in Varenna.
Stop 3Cernobbio, Lake Como, Lombardy
Cernobbio
Silk boutiques, Como's promenade and Swiss border
You drive along the western shore to Cernobbio for one night. From here you can visit the city of Como to see the cathedral, the historic center and the lakeside promenade, and shop for silk in the local boutiques. You can also drive to the Swiss border to visit Lake Lugano and its surroundings. This portion of the itinerary is intentionally flexible so you decide how to spend your final hours on the lake before returning your car at Milan Malpensa the next morning.
Arranged for you: We arrange the hotel in Cernobbio for one night.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Cernobbio
-
Private silk atelier visit in Como Day Trips · Half day
Tour a family workshop where artisans print and dye silk scarves and ties, learn about Como's textile history, and choose a piece to take home.
-
Funicular ride and lunch above Como Day Trips · Half day
Take the funicular to Brunate for views over the lake and the city, then walk to a hillside trattoria for polenta and braised rabbit.
-
Guided excursion to Lugano and the Swiss shore Day Trips · Full day
Cross the border with your driver-guide to explore Lugano's lakefront, the old town, and a chocolate maker before returning to Cernobbio.
Day by day in Cernobbio
Drive along the lake to Cernobbio, another elegant town on Lake Como, and check into your hotel for a three‑night stay. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore the western shore of the lake. Visit the refined city of Como to see its cathedral, historic center, and lakeside promenade, and shop for high‑quality silk in the local boutiques. You can also drive to the nearby Swiss border to visit Lake Lugano and its surroundings. This portion of the itinerary is intentionally flexible, allowing you to decide how to spend your final days on Lake Como, whether relaxing by the water, exploring new towns, or simply enjoying the views that have attracted artists and celebrities for centuries.
Day 7
Return Flight
After breakfast, drive to Milan Malpensa Airport and return your rental car. Board your flight home with unforgettable memories of Venice’s canals, Lake Como’s alpine scenery, and the charming towns that made your Italian journey so special.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
Or call 1-866-464-8259
Questions travelers ask
Which places are included in this vacation package?
Over 11 days this journey brings you to Cernobbio, Lake Como, Varenna, and Venice. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
Is transportation arranged for us?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who is this trip designed for?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Can the itinerary or hotels be adjusted?
Yes. Nothing here is fixed. Your travel consultant can add nights, change hotel categories, or swap experiences so the trip matches your wishes and your budget of time. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
What time of year should we plan this vacation?
It is available all year around on request. May through September shows the lakes at their sunniest, with gardens in bloom and ferries running full schedules, while spring and fall bring softer light and thinner crowds.