THE LAKES AND VENETO WINE ROAD
Switzerland Pre-Tour: Zurich, Lake Constance, Lucern, the Alps via Bernina Express
The Italian Lakes and Veneto: Lake Como, Lake Garda, Verona, The Wine Road including Soave and Prosecco, Venice.
Post-Tour Options to Torcello and Burano or The Dolomites
Contact us for details and pricing and create your own independent travel experience with our Concierge Travel Services.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
Switzerland Pre-Tour: Zurich, Lake Constance, Lucern, the Alps via Bernina Express
The Italian Lakes and Veneto: Lake Como, Lake Garda, Verona, The Wine Road including Soave and Prosecco, Venice.
Post-Tour Options to Torcello and Burano or The Dolomites
Contact us for details and pricing and create your own independent travel experience with our Concierge Travel Services.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
Pre-Tour Day 1. Arrive Zürich
Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enroute to the lake hotel, you will enjoy a short orientation driving tour around the Zürich’s city highlights. Our boutique 4-star hotel is located on the harbor promenade on the island of Lindau. It has a spa, fitness center and free WIFI throughout the property.
Tonight: Included Welcome Dinner
Pre-Tour Day 2: A Day on Lake Constance
Optional activities:
- Take a 3 hr. round-trip boat ride around the lake
- Rent a kayak
- Bicycle around the lake. There is a 170-mile flat and well-paved cycle route around the lake.
- Shop for selected cheeses, local products, and wine.
- Ride up to the mountain paradise on the cable car, where you’ll find a panoramic viewpoint, an alpine wildlife park, and lots of biking and hiking trails
Depending on your travel dates, you can enjoy Opera at the Bregenz Festival. The “festival” is an opera production on the world’s largest lake stage. Yes, the stage is IN the lake. Begin your festival evening a ferry to floating stage.
Pre-Tour Day 3: Morning transfer from Lake Constance to Lucerne
You will have time to stretch your legs and have included lunch at a Michelin star restaurant in Vaduz looking over the Alps Liechtenstein castle. What you definitively shouldn’t miss: the Sonnenhof chocolate collection “Princely Chocolate”.
This will be a 5 hour trip with and 1.5 hours in Vaduz.
Overnight in Lucerne 2 nights, including breakfast. Our luxurious 5-star hotel boasts a rich tradition in a prime location right on the lake.
We'll enjoy an orientation stroll through the Old Town when we arrive. The sidewalk along Lake Lucerne is lined with big beautiful trees, benches to relax, and swans that’ll easily entertain you. We'll start on the Old Chapel Bridge. It’s known for the beauty of the flowers that line the sides of the bridge and the stunning interior paintings. Built in the late 1300’s, it’s the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world. The Rauthaus Brewery is right by the Chapel Bridge and is a must-do for a happy hour beer and pretzel before dinner.
Included dinner in Lucerne
Pre-Tour Day 4. A Day in Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus Excursion.
These days clean water is a big treasure, but in Lucerne it is everywhere, running through the river Reuss. And then there is this beautiful lake and the view to the Alps. We'll climb the high staircase that leads to the cathedral to begin our tour. Later we will take a short detour to see Lion Monument. Heading back to the Reuss river will will stroll around the center and have time on your own to enjoy the architecture of its squares and richly fresco painted houses. Then you can climb to the ancient fortresses. We hope the view from here will remain in your memory as a true portrait of Lucerne - spires and domes of churches, medieval houses decorated with bright frescoes, bridges under the triangular roofs, mountains Pilatus and Rigi and . . . a lot of clean water.
This afternoon, think about visiting:
- Rosengart Museum. This museum features works of art by Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee along with other artists from the Impressionist and Classic Modernist period.
- Swiss Museum of Transportation
- Shopping!
Day 5: Transfer from Lucerne to Chur (1.5 hours) to catch the Bernina Express to Lugano, transfer to Bellagio on Lake Como.
The Bernina Express is a scenic train ride through the Swiss Alps and one of the most unforgettable train journeys in the world.
Those guests who are not doing the Switzerland Pre-Tour will fly in to Milan Malpensa and be transferred from the airport to Bellagio. (1.5 hours)
Your Tour Begins: Day 1: Bellagio on Lake Como
On the southern shore of Lake Como the town of Bellagio is called la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake). Thanks to its narrow cobbled streets, breathtaking views, impeccable homes and glorious villa gardens, many consider this to be the most beautiful town in all of Europe. You'll have the late afternoon to enjoy this charming town before our included dinner/
Bellagio hotel, 2 nights, including breakfast.
Tonight: Included dinner
Day 2: A Day on Lake Como
This morning, we’ll meet our guide at our hotel and walk to the dock to meet our private boat. Your tour price includes a private guide, 3 hour water limo and admissions to Villa Balbianello, a place of rare beauty, combining luxurious interiors, great views and gardens. We’ll finish our tour with an included lunch at one of the most beautiful restaurant locations in the world - and it is only accessible by boat. At the Locanda, the same set menu has been served since 1947 and it remains an exquisite example of simplicity. Six courses are offered which includes a finale that makes it a unique experience.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Bellagio.
There is lots of great shopping and nooks and crannies to explore. Villa Melzi is one of Bellagio’s most famous residences. English style gardens are embellished by monuments, artifacts (including a Venetian gondola transported to Bellagio, expressly desired by Napoleon, and two precious Egyptian statues), rare exotic plants, secular trees, hedges of camellias, groves of azaleas and gigantic rhododendrons.
On the southern shore of Lake Como the town of Bellagio is called la perla del lago (the pearl of the lake). Thanks to its narrow cobbled streets, breathtaking views, impeccable homes and glorious villa gardens, many consider this to be the most beautiful town in all of Europe. You'll have the late afternoon to enjoy this charming town before our included dinner/
Bellagio hotel, 2 nights, including breakfast.
Tonight: Included dinner
Day 2: A Day on Lake Como
This morning, we’ll meet our guide at our hotel and walk to the dock to meet our private boat. Your tour price includes a private guide, 3 hour water limo and admissions to Villa Balbianello, a place of rare beauty, combining luxurious interiors, great views and gardens. We’ll finish our tour with an included lunch at one of the most beautiful restaurant locations in the world - and it is only accessible by boat. At the Locanda, the same set menu has been served since 1947 and it remains an exquisite example of simplicity. Six courses are offered which includes a finale that makes it a unique experience.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Bellagio.
There is lots of great shopping and nooks and crannies to explore. Villa Melzi is one of Bellagio’s most famous residences. English style gardens are embellished by monuments, artifacts (including a Venetian gondola transported to Bellagio, expressly desired by Napoleon, and two precious Egyptian statues), rare exotic plants, secular trees, hedges of camellias, groves of azaleas and gigantic rhododendrons.
Day 3: Morning transfer from Bellagio to Verona with a stop in Lake Garda
This morning we leave Lake Como and take a beautiful drive to Sirmione, a colorful town on the southern bank of Lake Garda. It’s known for its thermal baths and Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle overlooking the lake. Set at the tip of a peninsula, Sirmione is surrounded by historic city walls and a castle; as soon as you step in through the gates, you feel like you’re in a different world altogether. Enjoy lots of little independent boutiques, sit in one of the cafes and take in the amazingly colourful architecture. You’ll enjoy lunch (not included) and some strolling time.
We’re then on to Verona. It’s a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy the old and the new. The old town wraps around the most well-preserved Roman Colosseum in Italy. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. In ancient times, nearly 30,000 people was the housing capacity of the Arena. Today, it holds 15,000 people - one of the largest opera stages in the world!
Set on the corner of Verona’s most charming square Piazza delle Erbe, our luxury hotel is set in an 18th-century building and features wooden ceilings, frescoes and antique paintings.
Overnight in Verona 2 nights, including breakfast.
Included dinner in Verona.
Day 5: A Day in Verona.
On our private walking tour we’ll enter the famous courtyard of Juliet’s house and see her legendary balcony to discover that love, passion, sacrifice, courage, tenderness, dedication are timeless emotions. You’ll also see Romeo’s house and Prince Escalo’s burial place. Then to the colors and sounds of the Piazza Erbe, where Medieval towers and ancient palazzi with frescoes and statues overlook an everyday market. You'll have the afternoon on your own to discover more of Verona.
This evening we'll prepare for tomorrow's wine route with an included food and wine pairing of the local Valpolicella region. From soft and approachable Valpolicella Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) to Valpolicella Ripass Doc, a more intense version of Valpolicella, we'll move on to the rich and concentrated Amarone della Valpolicella Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG),DOC. We'll finish with Recioto della Balpolicell DOCG, a passito-style dessert wine made from dried grapes to go with our dessert.
Day 6: The Veneto Wine Route - Part Uno
We begin our wine route with a stop in Soave. These white wines are dry, crisp and refreshing, with a bright lemon flavor - perfect for a morning tasting. We're then on to the city of Vicenza, also called Palladian city, where we'll enjoy a private tour of the town, including the great villas of the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. We'll then enjoy an included lunch with local dishes, accompanied by the local wines of Braganze DOC Area. You'll have some time on your own in Vincenza to enjoy the stunning architecture and stop in to a few of the over 1,000 goldsmiths who make jewellery and gild the lives of tourists with their creations. We'll finish our day Valdobbiadene.
Included dinner.
Day 7: The Veneto Wine Route - Part Due
“Prosecco,” is a small town in the north of Italy in the Province of Trieste. Wine production began here in the 13th century. Prosecco cannot be made everywhere. To call a wine Prosecco it must originate from one of the Prosecco DOC production areas in the province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The Prosecco Road “Strada del Prosecco” lies between the towns of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano and is the road the highest quality Proseccos are produced. This morning, we will weave through wine villages and rolling countryside dotted with vineyards, medieval fortresses, family owned cantinas, and frescoed churches. Enroute, we'll visit some of the best wineries where the vintners will explain about the methodology of Prosecco making and introduce you to their finest DOCG Proseccos - which we will taste, of course. It will be a relaxing day, ending in Venice
Overnight in Venice, 2 nights
We’ll be staying at a lovely, antique 4-star hotel in the heart of the San Moise District of Venice, and a short walk to San Marco Square. For the past 30 years, the hotel has been run by the grandchildren of the original founders from Germany. I have been going to this hotel for years, so as my guests and your service will be wonderful.
Included dinner in Venice.
This morning we leave Lake Como and take a beautiful drive to Sirmione, a colorful town on the southern bank of Lake Garda. It’s known for its thermal baths and Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle overlooking the lake. Set at the tip of a peninsula, Sirmione is surrounded by historic city walls and a castle; as soon as you step in through the gates, you feel like you’re in a different world altogether. Enjoy lots of little independent boutiques, sit in one of the cafes and take in the amazingly colourful architecture. You’ll enjoy lunch (not included) and some strolling time.
We’re then on to Verona. It’s a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy the old and the new. The old town wraps around the most well-preserved Roman Colosseum in Italy. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. In ancient times, nearly 30,000 people was the housing capacity of the Arena. Today, it holds 15,000 people - one of the largest opera stages in the world!
Set on the corner of Verona’s most charming square Piazza delle Erbe, our luxury hotel is set in an 18th-century building and features wooden ceilings, frescoes and antique paintings.
Overnight in Verona 2 nights, including breakfast.
Included dinner in Verona.
Day 5: A Day in Verona.
On our private walking tour we’ll enter the famous courtyard of Juliet’s house and see her legendary balcony to discover that love, passion, sacrifice, courage, tenderness, dedication are timeless emotions. You’ll also see Romeo’s house and Prince Escalo’s burial place. Then to the colors and sounds of the Piazza Erbe, where Medieval towers and ancient palazzi with frescoes and statues overlook an everyday market. You'll have the afternoon on your own to discover more of Verona.
This evening we'll prepare for tomorrow's wine route with an included food and wine pairing of the local Valpolicella region. From soft and approachable Valpolicella Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) to Valpolicella Ripass Doc, a more intense version of Valpolicella, we'll move on to the rich and concentrated Amarone della Valpolicella Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG),DOC. We'll finish with Recioto della Balpolicell DOCG, a passito-style dessert wine made from dried grapes to go with our dessert.
Day 6: The Veneto Wine Route - Part Uno
We begin our wine route with a stop in Soave. These white wines are dry, crisp and refreshing, with a bright lemon flavor - perfect for a morning tasting. We're then on to the city of Vicenza, also called Palladian city, where we'll enjoy a private tour of the town, including the great villas of the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. We'll then enjoy an included lunch with local dishes, accompanied by the local wines of Braganze DOC Area. You'll have some time on your own in Vincenza to enjoy the stunning architecture and stop in to a few of the over 1,000 goldsmiths who make jewellery and gild the lives of tourists with their creations. We'll finish our day Valdobbiadene.
Included dinner.
Day 7: The Veneto Wine Route - Part Due
“Prosecco,” is a small town in the north of Italy in the Province of Trieste. Wine production began here in the 13th century. Prosecco cannot be made everywhere. To call a wine Prosecco it must originate from one of the Prosecco DOC production areas in the province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The Prosecco Road “Strada del Prosecco” lies between the towns of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano and is the road the highest quality Proseccos are produced. This morning, we will weave through wine villages and rolling countryside dotted with vineyards, medieval fortresses, family owned cantinas, and frescoed churches. Enroute, we'll visit some of the best wineries where the vintners will explain about the methodology of Prosecco making and introduce you to their finest DOCG Proseccos - which we will taste, of course. It will be a relaxing day, ending in Venice
Overnight in Venice, 2 nights
We’ll be staying at a lovely, antique 4-star hotel in the heart of the San Moise District of Venice, and a short walk to San Marco Square. For the past 30 years, the hotel has been run by the grandchildren of the original founders from Germany. I have been going to this hotel for years, so as my guests and your service will be wonderful.
Included dinner in Venice.
Day 8: Venice
This morning we will enjoy private morning sightseeing with your local private guide, with in-depth visits to St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the prison, and the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll be able to grab a quick lunch before you take a private water taxi over to the island of Murano. Your private boat will drop you off at a glass-crafting demonstration and viewing in one of Venice’s most prestigious galleries. Even if Venetian glass is not to your taste, the craftsmanship is a wonder to see. You’ll have a chance to tour the showroom, which has 2 floors of artists in all different styles.
You’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
You can think about:
• Correr Museum, Ca’Rezzonico, or Guggenheim
• Climb the campanile for a beautiful view of Venice and then enjoy the orchestras in San Marco square while you enjoy a wonderful (and expensive!) drink at Cafe Florian.
• Wiggle through the streets en route to the Rialto Bridge and shop, shop, shop!
• Enjoy getting lost
• Walking down the Grand Canal Riva to the Giardini Gardens is also a wonderful early-evening activity.
NEW! Dig a Little Deeper Series. Need more? Inquire about one of our private optional tour excursions. Pricing will be based on number of participants:
The Famous Islands of the Venetian Lagoon – Murano, Torcello and Burano Tour. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing excursion by private boat. With your local guide, you'll stop at a glass-blowing factory on Murano, visit Venice’s first cathedral on the tranquil island of Torcello and shop for handcrafted lace on Burano. It’s a great introduction to the magical islands around the medieval city of Venice and its enclosed bay in the Adriatic Sea.
The Ecology of Venice. Venice is a city that should not exist, yet still does. The city itself is a masterpiece, comprised of 117 tiny islands connected by 400 bridges over 150 canals. The city is separated from the Adriatic Sea by the lagoon and thin stretch of land. When the tide rises, the seawater enters the lagoon; when the tide falls, it exits. This happens twice a day, every day. Sometimes weather contributes to unusually high tides, which typically last between two and four hours. This is called the Aqua Alta. In November of 2020, the Aqua Alta plunged more than 80 percent of the city under water. Venice just might be the earth's canary in the coal mine, and a glimpse in to what the future might bring to many coastal cities. Who knows whether technology and/or human behavior will save it? Our Ecology of Venice Tour is led by a local ecologist. You'll learn how Venice was built, the engineering that sustains it, and the critical threats facing it. This is an excellent tour for those interested in learning about the engineering, ecology, and architecture of the city. You'll see where urban maintenance (canal dredging, relaying cables, raising walkways) is being carried out, and gain a better understanding of the techniques involved in safeguarding its future.
Venice Jewish Ghetto Tour. Venice has one of the oldest, most enduring Jewish cultures in Europe. This afternoon tour takes you to the home of the Jewish Venetian community so vividly depicted in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Founded in 1516, its serene nature has entranced visitors and locals alike for centuries, providing a respite from the city's many bustling streets. Led by a local scholar of Jewish history, you'll visit sites of historical importance throughout Venice's deeply important Jewish Ghetto, including the Jewish Museum and Synagogues, as well as two moving memorials to Italian Jews lost in World Wars I and II.
Venetian Mask Making. This is a fun activity for any age. Surrounded by artisan masks of every size and shape, you'll learn about the meaning and history of Venetian Carnival masks. You'll then choose one of over sixty different types of white Venetian masks, and learn how to decorate using a variety of techniques and materials,
This evening at sunset, we'll enjoy our included gondola ride and included Farewell Dinner.
Day 9: Depart Venice
Transfer to the airport for flights out.
Post-Tour Option: The Dolomites
The combination of wide green meadows, jagged peaks, beautiful skies and incredible stars- the whole package is captivating. The Dolomites are made for road trips. They are perfect for picnics up mountains with incredible views, hiking, late-night photography and getting up early to see the sunrise. Let us know if we can plan a road trip itinerary from Venice for you.
This morning we will enjoy private morning sightseeing with your local private guide, with in-depth visits to St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the prison, and the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll be able to grab a quick lunch before you take a private water taxi over to the island of Murano. Your private boat will drop you off at a glass-crafting demonstration and viewing in one of Venice’s most prestigious galleries. Even if Venetian glass is not to your taste, the craftsmanship is a wonder to see. You’ll have a chance to tour the showroom, which has 2 floors of artists in all different styles.
You’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
You can think about:
• Correr Museum, Ca’Rezzonico, or Guggenheim
• Climb the campanile for a beautiful view of Venice and then enjoy the orchestras in San Marco square while you enjoy a wonderful (and expensive!) drink at Cafe Florian.
• Wiggle through the streets en route to the Rialto Bridge and shop, shop, shop!
• Enjoy getting lost
• Walking down the Grand Canal Riva to the Giardini Gardens is also a wonderful early-evening activity.
NEW! Dig a Little Deeper Series. Need more? Inquire about one of our private optional tour excursions. Pricing will be based on number of participants:
The Famous Islands of the Venetian Lagoon – Murano, Torcello and Burano Tour. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing excursion by private boat. With your local guide, you'll stop at a glass-blowing factory on Murano, visit Venice’s first cathedral on the tranquil island of Torcello and shop for handcrafted lace on Burano. It’s a great introduction to the magical islands around the medieval city of Venice and its enclosed bay in the Adriatic Sea.
The Ecology of Venice. Venice is a city that should not exist, yet still does. The city itself is a masterpiece, comprised of 117 tiny islands connected by 400 bridges over 150 canals. The city is separated from the Adriatic Sea by the lagoon and thin stretch of land. When the tide rises, the seawater enters the lagoon; when the tide falls, it exits. This happens twice a day, every day. Sometimes weather contributes to unusually high tides, which typically last between two and four hours. This is called the Aqua Alta. In November of 2020, the Aqua Alta plunged more than 80 percent of the city under water. Venice just might be the earth's canary in the coal mine, and a glimpse in to what the future might bring to many coastal cities. Who knows whether technology and/or human behavior will save it? Our Ecology of Venice Tour is led by a local ecologist. You'll learn how Venice was built, the engineering that sustains it, and the critical threats facing it. This is an excellent tour for those interested in learning about the engineering, ecology, and architecture of the city. You'll see where urban maintenance (canal dredging, relaying cables, raising walkways) is being carried out, and gain a better understanding of the techniques involved in safeguarding its future.
Venice Jewish Ghetto Tour. Venice has one of the oldest, most enduring Jewish cultures in Europe. This afternoon tour takes you to the home of the Jewish Venetian community so vividly depicted in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Founded in 1516, its serene nature has entranced visitors and locals alike for centuries, providing a respite from the city's many bustling streets. Led by a local scholar of Jewish history, you'll visit sites of historical importance throughout Venice's deeply important Jewish Ghetto, including the Jewish Museum and Synagogues, as well as two moving memorials to Italian Jews lost in World Wars I and II.
Venetian Mask Making. This is a fun activity for any age. Surrounded by artisan masks of every size and shape, you'll learn about the meaning and history of Venetian Carnival masks. You'll then choose one of over sixty different types of white Venetian masks, and learn how to decorate using a variety of techniques and materials,
This evening at sunset, we'll enjoy our included gondola ride and included Farewell Dinner.
Day 9: Depart Venice
Transfer to the airport for flights out.
Post-Tour Option: The Dolomites
The combination of wide green meadows, jagged peaks, beautiful skies and incredible stars- the whole package is captivating. The Dolomites are made for road trips. They are perfect for picnics up mountains with incredible views, hiking, late-night photography and getting up early to see the sunrise. Let us know if we can plan a road trip itinerary from Venice for you.