Italy

La Dolce Vita: The Italian Lakes of Como, Garda and Maggiore

Program No. 16740RJ
Learn the story of the Italian Lakes Region as you voyage to iconic islands, savor renowned cuisine, visit the museum home of "Oetzi the Iceman," and explore unique villas and gardens.

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At a Glance

Since the days of Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE), the stunning Lakes Region of Italy has attracted the world’s rich and famous, who built glorious villas along its shores against a backdrop of rugged Alps. Venture to three of the region’s lakes — Como, Garda, and Maggiore —and uncover a wealth of human achievement and natural beauty, from aristocratic villas and castles to serene waters, snow-capped mountains, and breathtaking waterfalls.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles a day. Sheltered waiting areas may not be available at docks. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, steep inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, boat, and funicular.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore the remarkable villas and gardens that grace the shores of the Italian lakes region with a local expert.
  • View the Bronze Age "Oetzi the Iceman."
  • Savor delectable dishes and wines of the Trentino Alto Adige, Piemonte, and Lombardia as you explore the lake regions of Northern Italy.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Patrizia Spini
Patrizia Spini graduated from the University of Milan with a degree in Political Science. As a local expert, she has led explorations throughout all European countries, but now prefers to showcase the Lakes of Lombardy where she was born and resides today with her husband and two children.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Patrizia Spini
Patrizia Spini View biography
Patrizia Spini graduated from the University of Milan with a degree in Political Science. As a local expert, she has led explorations throughout all European countries, but now prefers to showcase the Lakes of Lombardy where she was born and resides today with her husband and two children.
Profile Image of Lorenza Scorti
Lorenza Scorti View biography
Lorenza Scorti earned her degree in literature and art history from the Università degli Studi di Milano, and uses her expertise to work as a licensed group leader in the city of Milan and the region of Lombardy for the past twenty years. Currently a resident of Milan, Lorenza is especially proud to showcase her hometown of Como, where she especially likes showing visitors the villages around Lake Como where she was born and raised.
Profile Image of Mara Mori
Mara Mori View biography
Mara Mori was born and raised in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy. She currently lives in Lombardy with her family who own a restaurant in the area. Mara earned a doctorate in modern history from the University of Bologna and wrote her thesis on ancient maps and drawings of the Po River. She has published numerous essays and articles on gastronomy, wine and winemaking, and travel. She also taught history and geography at an Italian high school.
Profile Image of Alessio Rosoldi
Alessio Rosoldi View biography
Alessio Rosoldi is a native of Rome and a true lifelong learner. He graduated from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" with a degree in foreign languages and literature and an MA in intercultural communication. Alessio went on to work for the World Food Program, a United Nations entity based out of Rome. Recently, he earned a second MA, this time in Italian studies from the University of Washington.
Profile Image of Daniela Marini
Daniela Marini View biography
Daniela Marini is a licensed professional guide in the city and province of Trento. She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from the Università degli Studi di Padova. For more than 15 years, Daniela taught both English and German in a secondary school in Trento, and has now shifted her career focus to working exclusively as an exploration leader. She speaks Italian, English, and German.
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