The Experience

Take a break to discover the iconic cities and natural wonders of northern Italy. Start the adventure in the charming city of Venice known for its canals dotted with charming gondolas and head to Lake Garda and then Lake Como to unwind amongst the dream-like scenery. Then, go for a shopping spree in Milan taking pride in its imposing Duomo before going back home.

After eventful days and unravelling the cities' mysteries, unwind in the conveniently located hotels which offer contemporary accommodation in en suite rooms.

• Venice: Hotel Venezia or Hotel Garibaldi
• Lake Garda: Parc Hotel
• Lake Como: B&B Hotel Como or ibis Como
• Milan: Eco-Hotel La Residenza or Hotel Berlino

The Itinerary

• Outbound: flight to Venice
• 1 night in Venice
• Train from Venice to Lake Garda
• 1 night in Lake Garda
• Train from Lake Garda to Lake Como
• 1 night in Lake Como
• Train from Lake Garda to Milan
• 1 night in Milan
• Inbound: flight back from Milan

Groupon's Guide To Milan

A magnet for designers, artists, photographers, and models, Milan is one of the world's fashion centres, boasting an elegant backdrop rooted in Roman times.

From its imposing historic centre and fashion districts to the countryside outskirts, Milan is a rare and appealing mixture of ancient values and contemporary lifestyle. The Navigli area features an abundance of restaurants, ranging from pizzerias to fine seafood haunts, while Piazza del Duomo, boasting the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the world guarding the city’s cobblestoned streets since 1385, opens to shops, theatres, museums, and galleries in the city centre. Big fashion names can be found in the Corso Buenos Aires or Corso Vercelli, and cultural sights are plentiful, including attractions such as the Sforza Castle. Art lovers will rejoice at the chance to take in Italian art from the 14th century to modern times at Pinacoteca di Brera.

Groupon's Guide To Lake Garda

The romantic town of Riva del Garda is set between the green-clad slopes of the Italian Alps and the blue shimmering waters of Lake Garda. Forming a secluded Mediterranean oasis with olive trees and palms at every step, the lake’s rolling shores are a paradise for travellers fond of nature.

Tourists can try their hand at an array of water sports, such as sailing and windsurfing at the town’s two harbours, while rock climbing provides further land adventures. Strolling down pedestrianised streets, holidaymakers can see moated castles and a medieval tower, and enjoy a traditional Italian lunch at one of the many local restaurants in the historic town of Riva del Garda. The town’s civic museums is home to galleries and an archaeological collection, while historic sites can be found in Rocca, a former fort just off the shore. The region features a humid subtropical climate characterised by warm summers and rather cold winters. Summer comes with average temperatures of 28°C, lots of sunshine in July and frequent rainfalls in August. In autumn, a clear sky and moderate levels of sunshine invite travellers to visit the city during the season.

Groupon's Guide To Venice

The capital of the Veneto region, listed as a World Heritage Site, Venice is set on a group of 118 small islands separated by a labyrinth of canals and linked by century-old bridges. Collonaded squares, domes and arches can be seen while on a sleek motorboat or during a gondola ride that will carry visitors through the city's main waterways.

Tourists shouldn't miss out on the opportunity to visit the Doge’s Palace, a symbol of the republic’s wealth and mastery over land and sea. On the eastern end of St. Mark’s Square, the world-renowned Byzantine basilica has become a landmark of the city with its four bulbous domes and golden mosaics. Throughout the cobbled streets, there are countless shops where travellers can pick out unique handmade masks painted according to the 800-year-old Venetian tradition.

Groupon's Guide To Lake Como

The third largest lake in Italy, Como blooms in the fresh breezes of the Alps, exposing flourishing wildlife in a vast and verdant scenery. With ancient lakeside villas and landscaped parks scattered around, the region bears witness to the regal past and decadent wealth of the Roman Empire.

Crystal-clear waters invite holidaymakers to set sail and go yachting or make the most of the refreshing winds from the Alps and try out a session of windsurfing or kitesurfing at one of the on-shore sporting centres. Lakeside hiking trails will lead to the Tremezzo village, where the manicured gardens of the medieval Villa Carlotta fill the air with sweet perfume. Amid rustling olive groves and exotic woods on the western edge of the lake, The Sacro Monte di Ossuccio attracts cultural sightseers with its 15 Baroque-inspired chapels leading up to the famous sanctuary. Similarly inspiring historic sights await at the Gothic Como Cathedral, which features imposing Renaissance architecture and statues.