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Map of Italian Lakes: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Italy

Let the Italian Lakes delight your senses on an active northern Italy adventure.

Indulge your appetite and treat the senses on this exquisite active journey through Italy’s Lakes district. Hike the forested paths around Lakes Como and Garda, cycle through the Dolomite highlands and simply admire the stunning views at every turn. Ferry to and fro between lake villages and charming villas, clamber about the crumbling ruins of medieval castles. Idyllic in setting, laid-back in lifestyle, and a gastronomist’s delight, this jaunt through one of Europe’s most charming regions shouldn’t disappoint. And if it somehow does, take the issue up with one of the local residents – like Sting or George Clooney.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Milan, Italy
Finish
Riva del Garda, Italy
Destination
Italy
Style
Original
Theme
Active Adventures
Code
ZGXI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend your time immersing yourself into the tranquil lifestyle of Lake Como and Garda – admiring the views, getting active by the lake, and indulging in regional food and wine.

  • Explore the beautiful villages, estates and gardens dotted around Lake Como, meandering the lake by ferry. Feel the fanciful vibe on the grounds of Bellagio's grand Villa Melzi, then see the shore from a kayak.

  • Explore Milan's wonders and urban history of this magical city including the Gothic Duomo, the city's most famous building.

  • Consider the option of taking a cable car up Monte Baldo – with varying degrees of mountain hikes available, or just to sit at the mountaintop restaurant for lunch, this experience gets you sky high above Garda.

  • Have plenty of free time lakeside in Riva del Garda, perhaps taking up one of the water sports on offer or visiting nearby wineries in the Bardolino region.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This multi-activity trip requires a decent level of fitness, as you will be doing some kayaking, cycling and a fair amount of walking. Some of the treks involve steep hills and steps that you'll need to be able to climb, although sometimes there are easier, alternative routes you can take. Daily walking times vary between 3 and 6 hours, but the rewards are worth every step.

  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in the Italian Lakes district (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. Please note that a single supplement is available on this trip (subject to availability). Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.

Itinerary
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Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Please make your own way to the hotel. No activities are planned for today until tonight's important welcome meeting at 6 pm, so you can arrive at any time. If you arrive early why not take a wander around the historic city of Milan. After tonight's group meeting the evening is free, so perhaps go for dinner at one of the nearby traditional restaurants with your new travel companions.
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Milan (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Milan - Duomo Rooftop Visit - EUR13
  • Milan - Castello Sforzesco - Free
  • Milan - La Scala Museum - EUR9
  • Milan - Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' - from - EUR29
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Enjoy a walking tour of Milan this morning. See the Gothic Duomo, the city's most famous building. Walk through the beautiful Galleria, to the Teatro alla Scala, arguably Italy’s most famous opera house. Explore some shops in the fashion district, and visit the medieval castle and its beautiful park. In the early afternoon you will travel north to Lake Como (Lago di Como), an area of stunning beauty. Your accommodation will be in the heart of Como, the capital city, which boasts a beautiful medieval town centre. Opt to travel up to Brunate, with one of the worlds’s oldest funicular railways, for a short walk through the hills surrounding Como, and then back down into town. There will be time for a drink, either on Como's beautiful town square or along the lake shore, before settling in your hotel. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Como (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Como - Lake Como Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Approximate walking Distance/Time: 5-7km/2.5 hours

Lake Como (Lago di Como) is an area of stunning beauty full of unique and evocative landscapes. Discover the central part of Lake Como by boat. You’ll head ashore in Bellagio, the 'pearl of the lake', situated on the Punta Spartivento, where the two arms of Lake Como meet. Embark on a scenic hike through the delightful countryside, past the charming fishing village of Pescallo and other scenic hamlets. Back down at the lake discover the grand estate of the Villa Melzi, which is set into gardens filled with rare and exotic plant life. Next is a kayaking adventure which brings you all around the headland of Bellagio. Back in Como take a stroll through the medieval town centre, before enjoying a drink in the main square or along the lake shore, if you’d like.
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Como (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Como - Kayaking on Lake Como
  • Como - Villa Melzi
Optional Activities
  • Mt Generoso Mountain Hike - EUR30
  • Como - Villa Olmo - Free
  • Spina Verde State Park - from - EUR10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Approximate walking Distance/Time: 7 km/2.5 hours

In the morning, transfer to Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest Lake. We drive along Bergamo and Brescia and hit the shore of Lake Garda at Salò. The next village is Gardone, famous for its amazing ‘Vittoriale’, the palace of the Poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. Opt to stop here (and continue by boat to Riva del Garda).We continue following the lake shore, through several charming villages, we reach Riva del Garda, the most alpine, and perhaps most beautiful village on the Lake. Time allowing explore the village, take a stroll along the lakeshore and perhaps visit the castle. Tonight, choose to dine under the medieval arches of Riva del Garda.

Accommodation
  • Hotel in Riva del Garda (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Good morning from idyllic Lake Garda. Our journey begins with a boat tour across the northern side of Lake Garda, with destination Limone, a village named after the many lemon groves around. From here we walk up through the old cobbled streets to the edge of town, where the scenery changes from Mediterranean into alpine mountain scenery. Walk uphill into the Singol Valley, along a comfortable path, alternating between woods and panoramic views of Garda Lake. Stop at a spot along the mountain stream, before descending back to Limone. Walk amongst olive-groves and citrus trees down to the lake shore. In the late afternoon perhaps book into one of the watersports on offer – this is a common holiday destination for locals, with Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on offer.
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Riva del Garda (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Riva to Limone hike
Optional Activities
  • Lake Garda - Kayak -1h - EUR15
  • Lake Garda - Stand up paddle board - 1h - EUR15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Approximate walking Distance/Time: 7 km/2.5 hours

Embark on a bike ride along the shores of Lake Garda, taking in the glorious scenery of the glistening lake in front of you and the towering Alps behind you. Depending on weather, fitness and interest of the group several rides are possible. The ride out of Riva del Garda is mostly flat. Explore the remains of WWI in a place which until 100 years ago was the border between Austria and Italy. In the afternoon hop on a boat to the beautiful town of Malcesine with time for you to explore or just take in the lake views.
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Riva del Garda (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Garda Bike Ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's bike ride takes place on the cycle path from Riva del Garda to Torbole and then towards Lago di Cavedine. The distance today depends on the group's abilities but is approximately 20km. The path is almost flat with just 150m difference in altitude. Please note that helmets are provided on today's bike riding activity.

Transfer by boat from the northern, ‘alpine’ side of the Lake to the southern, Mediterranean shore, passing many photogenic villages. We’ll go ashore in Garda itself, nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda’, dominated by its ‘Rocca’ (rock), complete with an abbey and the remains of a medieval castle. In Garda take a walking tour through the village, then we climb up towards the abbey, a steep but short climb, rewarded by beautiful views over the lake. Perhaps have a picnic or wander around the medieval alleys, have lunch in Garda, or relax on the beautiful lake front. We descend back to Garda again and perhaps drink a coffee and grab an ice cream, before travelling to the scenic village of Malcesine, After an easy afternoon walk here, in the late afternoon we transfer back to Riva del Garda, a scenic ride, all along the Eastern Lake shore. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel in Riva del Garda (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Garda Boat Trip
  • Rocca Abbey Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Approximate walking Distance/Time: 8 km/3 hours

After breakfast this morning you are free to leave the Italian Lakes district at any time. From Riva del Garda you can travel by bus to Verona, from where it is easy to reach other destinations in Italy by train. If you'd like to stay in the Italian Lakes region, we can organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you wish to continue your active adventure, you may want to consider extending your trip by adding another one of our Italy Active trips. The Cinque Terre: Hike, Bike & Kayak trip (ZGXT) starts in Levanto, taking in the best of the Ligurian Coast and the Portofino Peninsula, and the Amalfi Coast: Hike, Boat & Kayak (ZGXA) focuses on the stunning coastline south of Naples. The start locations for both trips can easily be reached by train. Many departure dates coincide to create the perfect combination. Please speak to your booking agent for more details.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Boat, Bus, On foot, Kayak, Bicycle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Como - Lake Como Hike
  • Como - Kayaking on Lake Como
  • Como - Villa Melzi
  • Riva to Limone hike
  • Lake Garda Bike Ride
  • Lake Garda Boat Trip
  • Rocca Abbey Hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Italian Lakes: Hike, Bike & Kayak trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This multi-activity trip requires a decent level of fitness, as you will be doing some kayaking, cycling and a fair amount of walking. Some of the treks involve steep hills and steps that you'll need to be able to climb, although sometimes there are easier, alternative routes you can take. Daily walking times vary between three and six hours, but the rewards are worth every step.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
3. This trip has different Start and Finish Point accommodation depending on the time of year - please check the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for further details

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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