Northern Italy for Seniors: 10 Days of Cultural Immersion

Senior couple enjoying the blue surface of Lake Como, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

During this 10-Day Northern Italy tour, immerse your senses in the splendor and architecture that stretches across the country. Journey through 19th-century villas that dot the shores of Lake Como, venture over snow-laden landscapes as the Bernina Express transports you to Switzerland, soar through the skies on a private jet to Verona, and witness Venetian Gothic palaces from your gondola ride down the Grand Canal.

Countries Visited

Italy, Switzerland

Places Visited

Milan, Varenna, St. Moritz, Verona, Padua, Venice

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Milan – Walk on the Duomo Rooftop

When your plane touches down at Milan Malpensa Airport, your friendly transfer will be waiting to greet and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the center of Milan. You will maneuver along the cobblestone streets with your guide to the Duomo di Milano. The heavy doors will open for you as you begin your private tour, and a holy silence will encircle you as you amble among the marble columns. Your tour will continue as you reach the cathedral rooftop, which will provide you with spectacular views of the city and square below.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Varenna – Revel in the Glamour of Lake Como

Day 3

Varenna – Cruise around Lake Como

Day 4

St. Moritz – Delight in the Beauty of the Alps

Day 5

Verona – Encounter History and Culture

Day 6

Verona – Attend a Performance in a Roman Amphitheater

Day 7

Padua – Visit Chapels and Palaces

Day 8

Venice – Indulge in a Grand Canal Gondola Ride

Day 9

Venice – Venture to the Islands of Murano and Burano

Day 10

Venice – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of Milan’s Duomo, which will be complete with a vibrant sunset and viewed from the rooftop terrace
  • Discover hilltop castle ruins and the 19th-century villas that line the placid shores of Lake Como
  • Indulge in a visit to the Villa del Balbianello to enjoy the exquisite gardens and promenades while sipping your favorite aperitif
  • Board a world-class train that provides you with a grand scenic tour, leading you from the palm trees of Lake Como to the snow-capped glaciers of Southern Switzerland
  • Soar through the skies on a private jet that flies you from the mountains of Switzerland to the sunbaked terrain of Verona, Italy
  • Applaud as you attend in an exclusive open-air performance in the Roman Amphitheater
  • Venture through Padua, which is one of northern Italy’s oldest cities, and observe gorgeous 14th-century frescoes
  • Luxuriate on a private gondola ride down the Grand Canal, observing classic Venetian Gothic architecture and charming flower-lined neighborhoods
  • Receive personalized demonstrations of glassblowing and lacemaking on the charming islands of Murano and Burano

Detailed Description

The contagious, high-energy buzz of Milan will greet you as you begin your grand adventure through Northern Italy. High-fashion is always in style, and you will mingle past haute-couture shops to make your way to the massive gothic cathedral that graces the center of the city. Your private guide will lead you through the Duomo and to the rooftop, where you will be amazed at unsurpassed views over the city. The sleek buildings of Italy’s banking industry will fade in the background as your driver transfers you to Lake Como, and you can gaze at emerald forests and a turquoise lake that sits among the snow-capped Alps. A private boat will whisk you around the stunning lake, and you will visit small villages and glamorous villas that dot the shoreline.

Afterward, you board the Bernina Express, which is a panoramic train that will escort you from the palm tree promenades of Lake Como, over glaciers, and to the spa town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. Here, you will spend the night and be pampered at an exclusive resort. In the morning, a private jet will fly you to the beautiful city of Verona, where you will sit in the lap of luxury as you view the glorious landscapes. Red rooftops and bell-towers will eventually come into view, symbolizing that you will be arriving in Verona shortly. Upon your arrival, you will indulge in a personalized tour through the most intriguing sites of the city, visiting the house of Shakespeare’s Juliet and attending a captivating show in the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater.

You will continue your tour in Padua, which is Northern Italy’s oldest city. Here, you will see the impressive Basilica of St. Anthony, which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, and Giotto’s exquisite frescoes that blanket the walls of the 14th-century Scrovegni Chapel. The following day, your driver will lead you to the iconic city of Venice, where you will board a gondola and cruise down the canal, passing Gothic palaces and arched stone footbridges. After your gondola ride, you will enjoy a private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Your final full day in Venice will consist of an adventure to the colorful islands of Murano and Burano, where you will witness glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations that have made these islands famous for centuries.

Starting Price

$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

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My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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