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Euroventure · Self-guided rail tour

The Italian Lakes

Self-guided rail loop through Milan, Como, Garda, and Venice

Illustration of The Italian Lakes

The Italian Lakes is a 10-day self-guided rail tour operated by Euroventure that loops through Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Venice. You depart from Milan, where a single night introduces you to the Duomo and da Vinci's Last Supper, then take the train to Lake Como for a three-night stay exploring Bellagio and taking a ferry across the water with views of the Alpine peaks. From there, another short train ride brings you to Lake Garda for three nights of wandering Sirmione's castle and thermal baths and the villages along the shoreline. The journey concludes with two nights in Venice, where you cross St Mark's Square and ride the vaporetto down the Grand Canal. Euroventure includes all train tickets, accommodation in tested central hotels, walking directions, and a personalised travel pack with local recommendations and language guides. This tour suits independent explorers, first-time rail travellers, and couples seeking an unhurried pace across Italy's most peaceful lakes and historic cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided tour, not escorted; you navigate between stations and hotels using provided walking directions and explore each location independently.
  • The trip ends in Venice; the operator notes that flying home from Venice to wherever you flew in (likely Milan) is the quickest onward option.
  • Euroventure publishes no specific hotel names in the evidence; the tour package books top-rated central hotels and hostels, tested by them, but the exact property may vary by availability and season.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Milan

    Milan (1 night)

    Kick off in Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, home to the Duomo and da Vinci's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lake Como

    Milan to Lake Como (3 nights)

    Train to Lake Como (about 1 hour). Wander Bellagio's streets, the 'Pearl of Lake Como', and take a ferry cruise for panoramic mountain views.

  3. Day 5railovernight: Lake Garda

    Lake Como to Lake Garda (3 nights)

    Train to Lake Garda (about 2 hours). Explore Sirmione's Scaliger Castle and thermal baths, Riva del Garda, and Gardone Riviera's Vittoriale degli Italiani.

  4. Day 8railovernight: Venice

    Lake Garda to Venice (2 nights)

    Train to Venice (about 1.5 hours). Cross St Mark's Square and ride the vaporetto down the Grand Canal.

  5. Day 10

    Depart from Venice

    Trip concludes in Venice; the quickest way home is a flight from Venice (having flown in to Milan). The route can be customised into a loop from Milan or Venice.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train from Milan to Lake Como (about 1 hour) and explore Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como, with alpine mountain views across the water.
  • Day 5Train from Lake Como to Lake Garda (about 2 hours) and visit Sirmione's Scaliger Castle and thermal baths on the southern shore.

Included

  • Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, as shown on the map
  • All possible seat reservations, not just the compulsory ones
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by us
  • Walking or public transport directions between the stations and your booked accommodation
  • Travel Disruption Protection - alternative travel if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • 24hr emergency phone number to use while you're away
  • A personalised travel pack with travel times, accommodation information, directions, language guides and things to see and do in each location
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe
  • 1GB of free data, with the option to add more anytime with eSIM

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted or self-guided?
Euroventure operates this as a self-guided tour. You have 24-hour emergency phone support and receive a personalised travel pack with directions and local tips, but no guide accompanies the group.
Which trains are included?
All train tickets from Milan to Venice are included, covering the legs Milan to Lake Como (about 1 hour), Lake Como to Lake Garda (about 2 hours), and Lake Garda to Venice (about 1.5 hours). All seat reservations are included.
What is included in the price from GBP 579?
Train tickets, all seat reservations, accommodation in top-rated central hotels or hostels, walking directions between stations and accommodation, travel disruption protection, 24-hour emergency support, a personalised travel pack, attraction discounts, and 1GB of free eSIM data.
How many nights do I spend at each location?
One night in Milan, three nights at Lake Como, three nights at Lake Garda, and two nights in Venice.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes walking around Bellagio, Sirmione, and Venice to explore these towns and visit landmarks. No hiking or high-altitude activity is mentioned.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish departure dates in the available information; contact Euroventure directly to check availability and confirm dates.

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