Welcome to our 12-day best of Northern Italy tour itinerary, where you will experience the charming canals of Venice, the stunning lakes of Lombardy, and visit some of the most iconic cities and towns in Northern Italy, such as Milan, Florence, and Lake Como. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this tour is guaranteed to provide you with an unforgettable experience. Join us as we explore the charming towns, picturesque countryside, and world-renowned art and architecture of Northern Italy.
Experience the charming beauty of Milan’s city center on a walking tour that takes you through some of the most iconic landmarks and hidden gems of the city.
Starting at the renowned Teatro alla Scala opera house, you will then visit the Sforza Castle, a magnificent fortress that was once the home of the powerful Sforza family and now houses several museums and art collections.
You will also stroll through the trendy Brera district, known for its bohemian atmosphere, charming streets, and a wide variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Along the way, you will discover the charming Piazza del Carmine, a hidden gem that is home to a picturesque church, quaint cafes, and a lively local market.
Enjoy local food tastings throughout the tour as you discover the best of Milan in a few captivating hours.
The Duomo Cathedral is a well-known symbol of Milan, but few people are aware of its most breathtaking feature: the marble rooftop!
This exclusive tour of the Duomo starts at the top, where you can reach by elevator, to capture stunning photos surrounded by Gothic spires and grand statues.
Then, you will head down to explore the grand interior of the cathedral. With your fast-track skip-the-line tickets, you can enjoy unique perspectives from one of the highest points in the city!
The Cenacolo Vinciano, also known as “The Last Supper,” is a renowned masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci that was commissioned in 1494 by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro. The Duke selected the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie as the final resting place for his family, including his wife Beatrice d’Este. He also made changes to the large cloister and apse, including decorating the refectory with the impressive fresco painted by da Vinci.
The Chef’s Table is a place for friends and socializing, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere in Morelli Restaurant’s kitchen. Guests can observe the chefs at work, experience the energy and teamwork of the kitchen brigade, and gain insight into the preparation of each dish. The ancient wooden table provides a casual and relaxed setting for dining. Additionally, guests can pick from a vast collection of music from Chef’s personal vinyl collection to enhance their dining experience.
Explore the heart of Milan’s fashion scene with a one-hour, exclusive walking tour of the Quadrilatero della Moda.
The Milano Fashion Tour is your chance to visit some of the city’s best ateliers and fashion stores, including genuine factory outlets, luxury brand boutiques, and hidden showrooms.
You may even have the opportunity to see a Tailor Master at work in their artisan workshop, creating a hand-made piece of clothing.
Experience the true meaning of “Made in Italy” and witness the creation of a hand-made, top-quality work of art.
Milan is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. It is widely recognized as Italy’s most cosmopolitan city, and it has recently become a hub for world-class cuisine, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of culinary traditions. However, Milan also holds a deep reverence for its history and customs. One of the most beloved of these is the Milan aperitivo, which originated in the shadow of the city’s iconic Duomo. After work, locals relax in bars, sipping on a drink and savoring a plate of salami.
For anyone looking to truly experience Milan, a visit to the Navigli area is a must. The area is famous for its picturesque bridges, and here locals gather to indulge in the city’s signature aperitivo ritual. For Milanese, the aperitivo is more than just a pre-dinner drink, it is a symbol of their way of life.
Join our foodie guide as you discover different ways to savor the Milanese aperitivo, from street food to the traditional version, all served with high-quality snacks. This is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in a genuine, unforgettable Milanese experience.
Cocktails: Italy, and Milan in particular, have a rich history of creating delicious and world-renowned alcoholic beverages. You will have the opportunity to taste exceptional cocktails crafted by expert mixologists, featuring spirits that have played a significant role in Milan and Italy’s history.
Italian Wine: Italy is the birthplace of wine, and there are several renowned wineries located around Milan. Our tour will showcase a selection of the best labels from top Italian wine cellars.
Italian Cheeses: You will have the chance to taste some of the best Italian cheeses in a unique setting, learning about their flavor profiles and preparation methods that make them so delicious.
Cold Cuts and High-Quality Snacks: You will be presented with a variety of cured meats and gourmet snacks, along with tastings of local specialties.
Gourmet Stuffed Potatoes: Potatoes may seem simple, but through the skillful combination of tradition and creativity, extraordinary preparations can be made. You will taste potatoes that are stuffed or topped with refined ingredients.
Coffee and Dessert: We will conclude the tour with a selection of mouth-watering pastries and a delicious espresso at one of Milan’s oldest and most beloved coffee shops.
Simply outstanding! We visited Italy in September & used Luxe for all our tours and we can honestly say, they were the best! Right from the start, communication was easy and professional. Amy and her guides were able to customize their tours to suit our interests! If you want bespoke tours, I wouldn’t use anyone else. We would highly recommend Luxe & will definitely use them again when we next visit Italy!
Join your private driver as you make the 2-hour transfer to Turin in one of our luxury air-conditioned vehicles.
A private guided walking tour of Turin is the perfect way to experience the city.
One of the main attractions of Turin is the Royal Palace of Turin, which was the residence of the royal House of Savoy. The palace is a beautiful example of baroque architecture and features a number of grand halls and rooms, including the magnificent Galleria Sabauda, which houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts.
Another must-see sight in Turin is the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, which is one of the city’s most important religious buildings. The cathedral is known for its ornate baroque architecture and is home to the Holy Shroud, one of Christianity’s most important relics.
The Mole Antonelliana is another iconic landmark of Turin. The Mole is an impressive building that serves as the National Museum of Cinema. Visitors can take a lift to the top of the Mole for panoramic views of the city.
The Piazza Castello is a beautiful square located in the heart of Turin. The square is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Royal Palace and the Palazzo Madama, which houses the Museum of Ancient Art.
Finally, Turin is famous for its many beautiful parks and gardens, including the Parco del Valentino, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt and is considered one of the most important museums of its kind in the world.
During the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, which includes mummies, sarcophagi, hieroglyphs, statues, jewelry, and much more. You’ll learn about the history and culture of ancient Egypt, as well as the techniques used to preserve these precious artifacts.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of royal mummies, which includes the mummy of Ramses II, one of the most powerful pharaohs in ancient Egypt. You’ll also see the statue of Sekhmet, the goddess of war and healing, which is considered one of the most beautiful statues in the collection.
The museum’s hieroglyphs collection is also quite impressive, featuring a wide range of inscriptions and texts from various periods in ancient Egyptian history.
Your private tour guide will provide you with insightful commentary and answer any questions you may have. This tour also allows you to have a more personalized and flexible experience compared to a group tour, allowing you to spend more time on the sections that interest you the most.
Experience the delicious pairing of Turin’s rich history and chocolate delicacies on this tour.
Discover hidden gems in the city, including historical shops and local products. Trace the origins of this sweet love story back to 1563, when hot chocolate was first served during the transfer of the Duchy’s capital to Turin.
Indulge in Turin’s finest chocolate treats, including the must-try Bicerin.
In the evening your private chauffeur will deliver you back to your Milan-based accommodation.
Franciacorta is a region located in the Lombardy region of Italy and is known for its production of sparkling wine. The tour will start with a visit to a local winery, where you will learn about the history and production of Franciacorta sparkling wine. You will have the opportunity to taste different varieties of wine and learn about the differences between them. The winery tour will be followed by a visit to the vineyards, where you will learn about the grape growing and wine-making process.
Next, you will visit the charming town of Bergamo, which is located on the hillside overlooking the Franciacorta region. The town is famous for its medieval old town, Città Alta, and the tour will include a visit to the upper town to see the beautiful Piazza Vecchia and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. After exploring the town, the tour will take you to a traditional Italian restaurant where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. The meal will be paired with Franciacorta wines, allowing you to fully appreciate the flavors and aromas of the wines.
10 day trip to Italy Planned a 10 day trip in Italy with Travel by Luxe. The experience did not disappoint. We had wonderful guides and terrific drivers. Initially spoke to Amy but then dealt with Marta in planning trip. Best parts of the trip included trip to Pisa and Lucca with Viola. Luxe arranged for tickets to climb the leaning tower which my son said was the highlight of the trip. In Lucca we took a leisurely bike ride on the walls of the city and had one of our best lunches at restaurant Viola took us to. Also had Viola for a tour of Florence. She was very adaptive to our family that included two teenagers and made sure to include activities that kept their attention. Also great experience with Kylie in Rome who took us on a fantastic food tour. Finally, perhaps a bit off the beaten path but did a tour of a prosciutto factory near Parma and then had lunch cooked by our guide, Stefani, that our boys really enjoyed. Would also recommend the bike tour of Appian Way with Glenn- would suggest the e-bikes but we did with regular bikes and didn’t feel it was too difficult. Marta was also very responsive to our questions while we were in Italy. Our hotel in Rome (Rome Life), in Venice (Sina Centurion Palace) and in Modena (Best Western) were all terrific. Wonderful trip which I would not have been able to plan without Luxe.
