Elegant Lakeside Italian Dreams

The Italian Lakes captivate with waterfront villas, charming towns, and breathtaking vistas framed by the Alps.

Plan Your DreamItalian Lakes Journey

Why Visit?

Italy’s northern lakes blend natural beauty and elegance, with serene waterside towns, grand villas, and a slower pace perfect for romantic or relaxing escapes.

Best Time to Visit

May, June, and September offer warm weather without peak crowds; July and August are livelier but busier; many lakeside spots partially close in winter – contact us to find the best season for you.

Getting There & Around

Fly into Milan or Verona, then drive or travel by train to Lake Como, Garda, or Maggiore. Private drivers make lakeside access smoother, especially for exclusive villas, however we do not recommend self-driving around the lakes. Ferries are busy during peak seasons, so private boats are recommended.

Accessibility

Lake towns often have steep slopes and steps, but places like Stresa (Lake Maggiore) or Lake Garda are more accessible. Tip: Opt for lakefront hotels with promenade access and prioritise towns with good infrastructure and lift access at ferry ports. We work closely with our local team to assist with accessibility needs – contact us to discuss how we can support your journey.

Booking Considerations

Lakeside villas and hotels, especially on Lake Como and Maggiore, fill quickly from May to September, so book at least 6 months ahead. Popular sites like Villa del Balbianello and top restaurants require advance reservations.

Discover our Italian Lakes Journeys

Glide across Lake Como, stroll cobbled Bellagio, or dine lakeside in Lugano. Explore Garda’s grandeur, and the gastronomic charm of Lake Orta. Discover the timeless beauty of Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands, the vineyards near Garda, and the family-friendly shores of Lake Iseo. The Italian Lakes await your discovery.

2026 Departures Now OpenNew TourPort Series

Northern Italy with Lake Como & the Dolomites

10 days
(Small Group Journey)
Apr to Oct 2026 (departure)
$11,390 AUDFrom Price PP
12 People Max Per Tour

At the heel of Italy’s boot, discover beautiful whitewashed villages, stunning coastlines with turquoise coloured waters, ancient ruins and gastronomical...

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2026 Departures Now OpenBest Seller

Italian Lakes & Swiss Mountains

10 days
(Small Group Journey)
May to Oct 2026 (departure)
$13,990 AUDFrom Price PP
12 People Max Per Tour

A scenic, nature-inspired journey delivering the best of Italy and Switzerland’s stunning lakes, intimate lakeside villages and beautiful mountains.

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Lake Como Splendour, Italy

5 days
(Private Itinerary)
Depart on any date you choose
$5,350 AUDFrom Price PP
Fully Customisable

Set in the shadow of the snow-covered Rhaetian Alps and encapsulated by steep wooded hills, discover Italy’s infamous glacial lake...

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Lake Lugano: A Swiss-Italian Gem, Switzerland

5 days
(Private Itinerary)
Depart on any date you choose
$6,400 AUDFrom Price PP
Fully Customisable

Experience the magic of Lake Lugano, a captivating destination nestled between Italy and Switzerland, offering stunning landscapes, charming villages and...

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Port Series

Beauty of Verona & Lake Garda, Italy

6 days
(Private Itinerary)
Depart on any date you choose
$5,240 AUDFrom Price PP
Fully Customisable

Combine romance, Renaissance, and glistening lake views on this enchanting journey

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Charming Lake Orta, Italy

5 days
(Private Itinerary)
Depart on any date you choose
$4,690 AUDFrom Price PP
Fully Customisable

Uncover the hidden gem of Lake Orta over 6 days, a tranquil destination nestled in the enchanting Italian countryside.

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Italian Lakes Unmissable Experiences

Cruise past elegant villas and flowering gardens, enjoy lakeside aperitivos, mountain vistas, and the refined glamour of Italy’s most romantic lakes.

Villa Carlotta

14-acres of landscaped gardens and a frieze of Alexander entering Babylon, commissioned by Napoleon

Menaggio Lakeshore Promenade

Walkway with stunning lake views, flower-lined paths, historic arcades, cafés, boutiques and vibrant summer events

Villa del Balbianello

Fairytale villa built in 12th century much used by filmmakers including James Bond and Star Wars

Porta Torre

Well-known city gate built in 1192 & surrounded by restaurants, shops and a weekly market

Como Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di Como)

Imposing cathedral built over 3 centuries, with tapestries, art & frescoes in a palatial interior

Basilica of St. Giacomo

Romanesque-style church

Villa Carlotta
Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy
Menaggio Lakeshore Promenade
Menaggio, Lake Como, Lombardy
Villa del Balbianello
Lenno, Lake Como, Lombardy
Porta Torre
Como, Lake Como
Como Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di Como)
Como, Lake Como
Basilica of St. Giacomo
Bellagio, Lake Como

Explore Other Perfect Nearby Destinations

Discover more incredible destinations that inspire wonder and adventure. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, each location offers unique and unforgettable memories.

The Dolomites

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites offer stunning hikes, scenic drives, and ski resorts wrapped in dramatic mountain landscapes.

Learn More

Piedmont

Piedmont tempts with Barolo wine, white truffles, regal Turin, and scenic valleys at the foot of the Alps dotted with medieval towns.

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The Italian Riviera

Colourful villages, turquoise coves, and chic seaside towns define this alluring stretch of Ligurian coast.

Learn More

Switzerland

Where snow-capped peaks meet crystal-clear lakes, Switzerland is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Ride scenic mountain trains, explore medieval old towns, and indulge in world-class chocolate and cheese amid breathtaking alpine scenery.

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Our Preferred Italian Lakes Hotels

Our selection of preferred hotels blend local charm with refined luxury, offering upgraded rooms, stunning views, and thoughtful touches. Each stay is curated for comfort and exclusivity, ensuring your accommodation is as unforgettable as the destinations you explore.

LAQUA by the Lake

Lake Orta, Piedmont, Italy

Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Orta in Pettenasco, LAQUA by the Lake is a luxurious boutique resort that harmoniou...

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Hotel San Rocco

Lake Orta, Piedmont, Italy

Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Orta, the Hotel San Rocco offers a harmonious blend of historical charm and modern ...

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Grand Hotel Victoria

Menaggio, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

With its elegant Belle Époque architecture, 5-star Grand Hotel Victoria is a refined blend of old-world charm and modern...

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Palace Hotel Como

Como, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

The elegant Palace Hotel stands as one of the most notable landmarks in Como, with its beautiful exterior and scenic lak...

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Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

With over 100 years of history, Belle Époque charm and unparalleled views of beautiful Bellagio and the stunning Grigne ...

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    Traveller Stories & Trusted Reviews

    A family trip to Italy has been at the top of our wishlist. Ormina Tours made our wish come true! We recently spent 12 days traveling from Venice, to Florence, through Tuscany, to Sorrento, finishing in Rome. The private tours in each city were lead by experienced guides. The experiences booked for us were the perfect amount of time allotted with 2 teenagers in tow and gave us plenty of time to explore on our own as well. The hotel accommodations in each city were above expectations as well as the private transfers to each destination. There was never a moment of stress or frustration on this trip. Every guide, driver, ticket and booking came through without any issue. Our first trip to Europe as a family was a huge success because of the care and consideration of Ormina Tours. We can’t wait to book our next adventure with Ormina!

    Lisa P.Italy

    Our Italian food experience with Ormina Tours was top value.
    From start to finish we could fault nothing. It exceeded our expectations and we look foward to another Ormina Tour in the future.

    MajorItaly

    In April and May 2024 we did Ormina's 'Enchanting Puglia' and 'Sicily Bella' tours. Both were amazing small group tours with 8 people on each tour. We had fantastic local guides, great drivers and comfortable Mercedes vans. Accommodation was first class and the itineraries fascinating. We highly recommend both tours for anyone wanting to be fully immersed in the culture, history, architecture and food of Southern Italy.

    Greg VPuglia, Italy

    Ormina tours were exceptional for our group tour to puglia drivers were punctual guides spoke perfect english with exceptional knowledge and hotels were amazing highly recommend ormina tours.

    Colin G.Naples, Italy

    I won a half day tour from Naples to a winery for a tour and lunch, including being picked up and dropped off. The tour was seamless, from the wonderful driver who whisked us up to winery. We were given a private tour in English and the Michelin star meal was sublime.

    I would take an Ormina tour again in a heartbeat, and wholeheartedly recommend them to others. Quality, attention to detail and personal service is a given with Ormina. Thank you!

    Christina ConteAustralia

    My wife and I had a wonderful experience travelling through Puglia in a small guided tour group in September 2022. The tour guides were excellent as was the accommodation. We will certainly travel with Ormina again.

    Michael MaxwellPuglia, Italy

    I have used Ormina Tours on couple of occasions already and currently have a new reservation in place. All the clients have been extremely happy with their arrangements and all have commented that they would travel with Ormina again. It worked well on their guided tour as well as organising independent arrangements. Highly recommended.

    Vanesa T

    I have booked valued clients with Ormina Tours and as a travel agent I find my dealings with them exceptional, no request seems to be out of their reach. The feedback from my clients is always highly complimentary which is why I continue to book with Ormina.

    Gayle F

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