All inclusive tour of Italy

Package 17 - Lakes & Northern Italy

10 Nights / 11 Days

Local Tours

Package 17 - Lakes & Northern Italy — View more photos

INTRO

Embark on an 11-day journey through the beauty of Northern Italy.
Enjoy private guided tours of the BorromeanIslands, IseoLakeIslands, CatulloCaves, Verona, and Venice city centers, as well as Murano, Burano, and Mazzorbo.
Glide across Como Lake and Garda Lake on private boat tours.
Indulge in a winery tour and tasting of Garda wines, and learn the secrets of Italian cuisine with a cooking class in the Garda area.
Experience the magic of Venice with a classic gondola ride and witness the art of glass blowing with a demonstration.
Relax in hand-picked 4 or 5-star accommodations with breakfasts included.
Immerse yourself in the charm and luxury of Northern Italy's breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures.

HIGHLIGHTS

11 day tour with 4 Nights in Como, 3 Nights in Garda, 3 Nights in Venice
Private guided tours of the Borromean Islands, Iseo Lake Islands, Catullo Caves, Verona and Venice city centers, Murano, Burano and Mazzorbo
Private boat tour on Como Lake and Garda Lake
Winery tour and tasting of Garda wines, cooking class in Garda area, classic gondola ride in Venice, glass blowing demonstration
Hand-picked 4 or 5 star accommodations with breakfasts included

our safety measures

English speaking driver at your disposal for 10-11 hrs per day
New luxury mercedes vehicle
Vehicle sanitized prior to pick up of guests
The vehicle will be used exclusively for you for the duration of the vacation/tour
The driver and vehicle is exclusive the same from the start till the end of the vacation.
Our tours frequent off the beaten path locations, less frequented by tourists with a greater authentic feel.
No hidden costs: guides and tickets are always included in our packages
Company representative available by phone 24 hrs per day
Flexible, risk bookings and penalty changes*
Changes to land portion of tours up to 30 days prior to the travel date without penalty*

Why choose our tours vs big groups?

Customize your days and timing at sites directly with your driver
Private, comfortable luxury vehicle exclusively for your party for the duration of your tour
Our private vehicles (which can hold a maximum of 8 guests) can arrive directly in the main center of the cities, while taking a bus involves a considerable amount of walking which is a significant amount of lost touring time.
No need to wait around for groups members to arrive and designated meeting times
More time to spend actually visiting sites
Air conditioning (temperature control) and wifi on board
Water, snacks and refreshing cotton wipes with aloe vera, provided everyday
Friendly, local, english speaking driver/guides who engage with guests and share information to optimize your touring experience
24/7 assistance and support from our ground operational office in Italy
Private small groups of 3, 4, 6 and 8 + price per person will be lower
For groups more than 8 guests, we’ll use 2 minivans and the service provided will be the same
For custom made tours we work with any reasonable budget

AVERAGE PRICE

Average Price for this package is 9000€ per person based on private party of 4 guests in a 4 or 5-star hotel in standard double occupancy rooms. If there are additional guests in your party, the price per person decreases, please fill the form to get the best offer for your private tour of Italy 🇮🇹.

When

All year

Level

Very Easy

What’s included

Vehicle and driver at your disposal for 10/11 hrs a day
4 Nights in a 4 or 5 star hotel in Como
3 Nights in a 4 or 5 star hotel in Garda
3 Nights in a 4 or 5 star hotel in Venice
All breakfasts included
Glass blowing demonstration, Classic Gondola ride in Venice, wine visit and tasting, private boat tours and private guided tours

Not included

Gratuities
Any meal or beverage not mentioned above
City taxes at the hotel

Itinerary

Lago di Como
Lago Maggiore
Lago d'Orta
Lago di Varese
Lago d'Iseo
Lago di Garda
Sirmione
Verona
Venezia

Lago di Como

Lake Como, Italia

Lago Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

Lago d'Orta

Lake Orta, Italia

Lago di Varese

Lake of Varese, Provincia di Varese, Italia

Lago d'Iseo

Lago d'Iseo, Italia

Lago di Garda

Lake Garda, Italia

Sirmione

Sirmione, BS, Italia

Verona

Verona, VR, Italia

Venezia

Venice, VE, Italia

Lakes & Northern Italy - 10 Nights/11 Days

Day 1	Arrival at Milano Malpensa Airport. A driver will be meeting you outside the luggage claim, and will transfer you from Milan airport to your accommodation in Como, where you will check in at your 4-5 star hotel in one double occupancy room for four nights. Evening at your leisure.
Day 2	Four hour boat tour on the Como Lake. Visit Como and surrounding with your driver, an expert of the city.
day 3	Full day guided tour of the Borromean Islands on the Lake Maggiore. Transfer by boat to Isola Bella. Guided tour of Palazzo Borromeo and its garden, one of the greatest expressions of the baroque garden in Italy. Continue to the picturesque Isola dei Pescatori. Continue to Isola Madre, famous for its wonderful botanical garden and the upper palace which houses part of the Borromeo family's doll collection. Entrance to the islands included.
day 4	Quick stop to Buccione, from which you can see the Lake d’Orta from its southern part. Visit of the city centre of Varese. Stopover in Schiranna to have a look at the Varese lake.
day 5	Check-out from your hotel in Como. Private guided tour cruising around the Iseo Lake, visiting the three island San Paolo, Loreto and Monteisola, the biggest lake island in Europe. Transfer to Garda, where you will check-in at your 4-5 hotel in one double occupancy room for three nights.
day 6	Winery tour and tasting of Garda wines. Private lake Garda sunset cruise with prosecco.
day 7	Private guided tour of the Catullo Caves, archaeological area including the remains of the vast and luxurious Roman villa known from the Renaissance, on the Garda Lake. Visit to the local market and traditional food shops with a specialized host followed by a private cooking class to learn the most famous dishes of Garda cuisine.
day 8	Check out from your hotel in Garda. Private guided tour of Verona. Transfer to your accommodation in Venice, where you will check in at your 4-5 star hotel in one double occupancy room for three nights.
day 9	Today we’ll explore the extraordinary city of Venice. Discover the magnificent architecture, art and history of this city during a private 4 hour guided walking tour with a professionally licensed, English speaking guide. Visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica and Doge’s Palace. See famous landmarks such as Giotto Bell Tower and the Rialto Bridge. Complete the day with a 30 minute gondola ride along the Grand Canal.
day 10	Enjoy a boat tour in the Venetian lagoon and discover the true heart of this wonderful area! You will explore Murano, where the most beautiful glassware of the world has been produced since 1291. You will visit one of oldest glass blowing factories where you will remain in awe as you watch the incredible craftmanship of the glass-blowers creating a myriad of incredible yet fragile objects. You will stop in Mazzorbo, a small town close to Burano. This less known town is a gem of a location, where you will easily enjoy a more authentic Venice away from the crowds. Here you will visit a unique vineyard where a local wine is produced. You will have time in Burano, a picture-perfect island famous for its colorful houses and super tasty cookies known as the "Buranei". Keep your camera ready to capture fantastic pictures here!
day 11	Have your breakfast at the hotel, meet your driver. Private transfer by boat from your hotel to the airport. Departure from Italy 😔

What should I wear if I want to visit some religious sites?

If you intend to visit religious sites, please have knees and shoulders covered (both men and women).

What is the currency used in Italy, and where can I exchange money?

The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). You can exchange money at banks, exchange offices ("cambio"), or ATMs. Banks offer competitive rates but may have higher fees. Exchange offices are convenient but compare rates. ATMs are widespread with favorable rates, but watch for bank fees. Major credit cards are accepted, but carrying cash for small purchases and emergencies is advisable.

Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?

Whether you need a visa to travel to Italy depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Citizens of many countries, including those in the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, can enter Italy visa-free for short stays as tourists

What are hotel taxes in Italy, how do I pay them and how much are they?

In Italy, hotel taxes, known as "tassa di soggiorno" or tourist tax, are fees charged by local municipalities on guests at accommodations like hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. These taxes vary based on location and accommodation type, usually calculated per person per night. They're not typically included in the room rate and are paid directly to the provider upon check-out, often in cash or added to the final bill. Exemptions may apply for certain guests, such as children or those with disabilities.

How do you greet people in Italy?

Greetings in Italy are typically warm and involve a handshake. It's common to greet people with a friendly "Ciao" or "Buongiorno" (good morning) during the day. In the evening or when meeting someone for the first time, "Buonasera" (good evening) is more appropriate. Italians value politeness, so don't forget to use "Grazie" (thank you) and "Per favore" (please) when appropriate.

What are the opening hours for shops and businesses?

In Italy, traditional business hours are observed, with most shops opening around 9:00 am and closing for a few hours in the afternoon (usually between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm). Shops then reopen at around 5:30 pm. Some smaller businesses may close on Sundays, so it's advisable to plan shopping accordingly.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Italy?

While major credit cards are generally accepted, it's advisable to carry some cash, especially in smaller establishments. Notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid any issues with card transactions.

How do gratuities work in Italy?

Gratuities are not mandatory and never included, but if you've been pleased with the service, it's customary to show appreciation, and workers are very thankful. Generally speaking, gratuities can be 100€ full day guides, 50€ half/partial day guides, driver 75-150€ on full day use of vehicle, skipper 150-250€ for full day tours, hotel porters 3-5€ per bag, restaurants 10-20% on the total, guest ambassadors, based on service received, 1-5% on rhe total amount. Gratuities in Italy run anywhere from 10-25% depending on the services and your satisfaction with them.

roxyblackbu

From Houston, Texas

Best guided tour in italy: We enjoyed a 10 day private tour of Venice, Florence, Rome with day trips to numerous smaller cities for wonderful experiences like balsamic and wine tasting, cooking classes and gondola rides. Our driver Giuseppe’s was fantastic and the van was very luxurious. All aspects of the trip were delightful with plenty of down time, personal requests attended to and highly knowledgeable guides who enriched our experiences immensely. Our guides ensured we saw all the highlights in the many museums and churches we toured and helped us to understand ancient and Italian history and art. Would definately use Joe Banana again and highly recommend to anyone traveling to Italy. The entire experience was professional and excellently planned and carried out

Neil D

From

We took a 21 day private tour of Italy. Everything was perfectly planed and executed: We have traveled the world using tours from A&K and Tauck.The Joe Banana's Tour was better than both. Our travel coordinator Milena and our driver Rafaela were both professional and personable. We were well taken care of for the whole 21 day trip. We would highly recommend them to our family and friends.

Mike M

From

My wife and I had a personal driver tour of Italy for a once in a lifetime adventure, and Joe Banana's did not disappoint. Our trip included Rome, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Assisi, Venice, Florence, and Cinque Terre. We had private tours of Rome, Venice, Florence, and Cinque Terre. Our driver was engaging and entertaining as we drove from place to place. We had a private tour of a cheese factory and a cooking class, but the highlight was a private tour of a family run balsamic vinaigrette that included a meal up in the hillside. From working with their staff, to the all the details they took care of, we would highly recommend using this company for your Italian Tour needs.

Andrew

From

Our private tour through Italy with Joe Banana was incredible. They arranged a beautiful journey with stays in Rome, Florence and Venice, as well as side trips to Naples, Pompeii, Orvieto and Modena. Milena helped us craft a perfect itinerary and was always readily available, when we wanted to make changes. Our driver, Giulio was an absolute pleasure to be around, and he took such great care of us. The guides in each city were so fun and knowledgeable, that we were always sad to only have a day or two with each. I cannot recommend Joe Banana highly enough. There was always someone there to help us. We wanted for nothing. This was truly a trip of a lifetime!

Lisa B

From

Our custom three-week tour through Italy with Joe Banana was the trip of a lifetime! Milena arranged an amazing itinerary that covered everything on our wish list, even a private kayak experience in Sorrento. Our driver, Stefano, picked us up in Tuscany, and kept us laughing as we travelled to Cinque Terre, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Rome, to name a few of the spots we visited. A highlight of the trip was our private boat tour around Capri. We loved the Parco dei Principi in Sorrento and wish we had allowed for more down time to enjoy our time there. I can't speak highly enough of the fabulous service we received and the attention to every detail. I only wish Joe Banana had offices at every destination on our travel list!

Gordon C

From

Our family of four just finished a three week European vacation which was organized and executed by JBL Tours. This was the best travel experience we have had so far. This was our fourth trip with JBL but first one to include other countries besides Italy. The arrangements were complex but Cindy and Milena were awesome at meeting all of our specific needs including hotels, tours, guides and any thing else we requested. Our trip started in Paris and France, went thru Switzerland and then Italy from Lake Como to the Amalfi coast. Our driver, Antonio, picked us up at the Paris airport and served as our driver and sometimes guide managing all the details with local English speaking guides, tours, restaurant recommendations and multiple cruises over a three week period. Thanks to him and all the JBL staff, we never had to worry about any details. Antonio feels like part of our family now. We had the pleasure of meeting Joe in Sorrento and saw his dedication to individualized travel experience. We will definitely be using JBL in our future European travel.

Suzanne L

From

We searched for the right tour and the right company to help us celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We reached out to Joe Banana based on reviews we had read and started planning a trip for August 2023. Milenia was the best person to ask all my questions and make suggestions. She calmed my fears when I was “nervous” about things and let me know she would always be in contact with us. We spent two weeks in Italy visiting Venice, Florence/Tuscany region, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast and finally Rome. We planned all private tours and drivers and none of them disappointed. They were all fabulous. At the end of the tours we felt like family. Milenia always checked in every afternoon and asked how things went. Some days we suggested a slight change for the next day and she would always try to accommodate. All do the tours guides were phenomenal and so knowledgeable about the areas. All the drivers were friendly and great. I would 1000% recommend them to anyone and should we find ourselves back in Italy I would not hesitate to work with them again.

U9770EOmarkb

From

We built a customized tour with Joe Banana that was centered around Sorento / Amalfi / Pompei / Rome / Vatican City. It was an INCREDIBLE trip. Everyone we interacted with from Joe Banana was great. Our main driver Raffaele and main contact Milena were always above and beyond and the fact that we found our own VRBO places to stay and Joe Banana worked that in so easily made it even better! Our local guides in Rome and Pompei were extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and we even planned a private boat day with our Captain Luigi out to Capri (HUGE BONUS)! All in all would HIGHLY recommend Joe Banana and will absolutely use them again for our next visit to a different part of Italy!

968hollys

From

Anna at JB was amazing at helping me plan a whirlwind tour of a ton of Italy. She tailored the trip to be everything I asked for and more. Their communication throughout the trip was perfect, and we had 10 days of amazing adventures that I will never ever forget. A trip of a lifetime. I am already plotting my return to Italy, now that I have a taste of so much of it. I couldn't recommend Joe Banana more. Nothing will ever be perfect, but they are as close as it comes. I don't think anyone else would have helped me cram so much in, in the timeframe we had. We were never left without communication or a guide. From the start to the finish- TOP NOTCH planning and communication. Trust me, and use JB for your Italy travel. They KNOW Italy!

Daniel Febbroriello

From South Carolina

I highly recommend Joe Banana and his crew for any of your vacation needs in Italy! We booked a 13 day tour with them and it was fantastic. From our first contact with Melana our entire trip was handled without us having to worry. She planned the perfect vacation for the 6 of us. All of our local tour guides were phenomenal and offered the best recommendations. Our driver Giuseppe was great and went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of. Wouldn't hesitate to book another trip with them!