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Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District
Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 7-32 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
Starting From
10-day Air Package
$5,245
7-day Bike Tour Only
$4,095
Per person, double occupancy
Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District
While many claim to know the Italian lake district, few have visited Lake Iseo. Nestled between Lake Garda and Lake Como, this pristine lagoon is Lombardy’s hidden gem—almost completely unknown to tourists. Here, you’ll explore the lake’s serene waters by boat, and its quiet shoreline by bike, before ferrying to charming Monte Isola to discover its 13th-century castle and hamlet. Our leaders will introduce you to the vineyards of Franciacorta, where you’ll meet local vintners and sample their sparkling wines. Observe glaciers through the dome-windowed cars of the legendary Bernina Express en route to Switzerland’s St. Moritz. After a glorious adventure in the opulent city of Bellagio, your knowledge (and enjoyment!) of the Italian lakes district will outshine that of mere tourists.
Tour Highlights
- Sample delicious sparkling wines at a cantina in Franciacorta, Italy’s “Champagne” region.
- Cycle the scenic lakeside bike paths around Lake Iseo, made famous when the artist Christo installed his “floating piers” here.
- Marvel at breathtaking scenery when you ride the UNESCO-listed Bernina railway, then cycle among the splendid Bernina peaks.
- Ride the easy bike paths of the Valtellina valley, blanketed in vineyard terraces among miles of dry-stone walls.
- Taste delicious Pizzoccheri pasta and local cheeses only found in Valtellina.
Positive Impact
VBT is proud to support Wine to Water with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. Wine to Water is an international organization providing access to clean drinking water and emergency supplies in water-challenged regions. We believe in giving back to the places that have enriched the lives of our guests. We’re committed to identifying and supporting sustainable initiatives in a variety of areas including education, world health, economic equality, safe drinking water, the environment, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
What to Expect
This tour offers easy terrain and is suitable for beginning cyclists who are comfortable with some easy uphill rides and riding on packed gravel paths. Unpaved terrain is approximately 10% of the entire cycling offered. The tour runs mostly on dedicated and well-marked bike paths as well as country roads. We recommend a hybrid bike or an E-bike for this tour. Road bikes are available, but riders should be aware that on land-package days 2, 4, and 5 there are some short stretches on unpaved paths or roads.
Our VBT support vehicle is always available for those who would like assistance with hills.
- Daily Mileage: 7-32 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
- Group Size: 22
Cyclists
Support
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
May72º/49º
Jun79º/56º
Jul79º/59º
Aug81º/61º
Sep75º/55º
Oct63º/47º
Average
Precipitation:
May2.8 in
Jun2.5 in
Jul1.5 in
Aug2.6 in
Sep2.2 in
Oct2.7 in
Air Package |
Tour Only |
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Roundtrip international airfare |
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Airport car service for arrival and departure |
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One night in Sirmione on Lake Garda and one night in Bellagio in Lakeside hotels with daily breakfast |
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6 nights in 4-star lakeside hotels and one eco-friendly hotel |
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12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners |
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![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2022/11/bicycle-line-up-12.png)
Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2023/06/bicycle-line-up-8.jpg)
Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2022/11/bicycle-line-up-10.jpg)
Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
See More >![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2022/11/bicycle-line-up-5.jpg)
Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2022/11/bicycle-line-up-12.png)
Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >![](https://content.vbt.com/content/uploads/2023/06/bicycle-line-up-8.jpg)
Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Support Vehicle
Luggage Transportation
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2025 Pre-Trip Extension - Sirmione
2 Nights From
$445
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 2 nights at the Hotel Ideal
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
A VBT representative will greet you at the Verona airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in Sirmione. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Ideal
Perfectly situated on the northern tip of the scenic Sirmione peninsula, the Hotel Ideal offers tranquility and breathtaking views of Lake Garda. Enjoy private access to the lake and a natural waterside terrace via a stairway to the water. The most beautiful beach on the lake is a five-minute walk away; the Lido delle Bionde hot springs are also nearby, as are the town’s Aquaria thermal baths. The famous Caves of Catullus are visible from the hotel’s terrace. Enjoy strolls among olive trees in the property’s gardens, take a dip in the pool water, enjoy local cuisine at Essentia restaurant, and enjoy ample amenities in your modern, air-conditioned room.
Air Package Only
2024 Pre-Trip Extension - Sirmione
2 Nights From
$295
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $95
- 2 nights at the Hotel Ideal
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
A VBT representative will greet you at the Verona airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in Sirmione. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Ideal
Perfectly situated on the northern tip of the scenic Sirmione peninsula, the Hotel Ideal offers tranquility and breathtaking views of Lake Garda. Enjoy private access to the lake and a natural waterside terrace via a stairway to the water. The most beautiful beach on the lake is a five-minute walk away; the Lido delle Bionde hot springs are also nearby, as are the town’s Aquaria thermal baths. The famous Caves of Catullus are visible from the hotel’s terrace. Enjoy strolls among olive trees in the property’s gardens, take a dip in the pool water, enjoy local cuisine at Essentia restaurant, and enjoy ample amenities in your modern, air-conditioned room.
Air Package Only
2025 Post-Trip Extension - Lake Como
2 Nights From
$295
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $195
- 2 nights at a hotel on Lake Como
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Milan Malpensa Airport will be provided (an approximately one-hour 30 minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Seven Park
Close to the town center of Colico, right on the shores of Lake Como, the 4-star Seven Park Hotel was inspired by the symbolism of the number seven. Its brightly lit interiors provide a soothing setting while its Seven Beach Bar & Restaurant offers a generous buffet breakfast, plus lunch and dinner. The onsite spa and wellness facility includes a Turkish bath, sauna, and massage. Spacious rooms with complimentary WiFi in this delightfully designed hotel are decorated in warm colors and simple clean lines.
Air Package Only
2024 Post-Trip Extension - Bellagio
2 Nights From
$245
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 2 nights at the Hotel Florence Bellagio
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Milan Malpensa Airport will be provided (an approximately one-hour 15 minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Du Lac
This historical hotel is centrally located, right across from the pier and Lake Como. The restaurant and roof bar offer amazing panoramas of the lake, the villages on the opposite side, the mountains, and the city. The hotel’s spacious rooms and bathrooms have been recently refurbished, and each features air conditioning, a telephone, satellite TV, a minibar, an in-room safe, a coffee maker, and a private bath with hair dryer.
![Reviews](/content/themes/base/img/reviews-logo.png)
This was the first VBT trip my husband and I took so I can't compare it to other trips. We very much liked the VBT experience and this particular trip to the Italian Lake District. The scenery was spectacular and the guides, Elena and Roberto, were wonderful. Both were attentive and went the extra mile to assist members of the group. My husband and I opted for the e-bikes. While we kept them in the "off" mode most of the rides it was nice to have it as a backup for some of those uphill climbs since most of our training has been on flat trails. I did a count and half and exactly half of our group used e-bikes and the other half were mixed road and hybrid. My husband's bike had a little bit of trouble with its chain (the chain came off 7 times during the trip) but didn't have any trouble with mine. A few others in the group with e-bikes also had trouble with their chain so I wonder if it's a problem with that particular e-bike model. The Ride with GPS app worked well. I cannot imagine doing a ride with paper maps and directions. The instructions were clear and precise and if you did go off course the app quickly let you know. It also warned you if there was things you need to pay attention too like loose gravel or cobblestone streets. The only thing that I was not ecstatic about was the pre-arranged dinners. I realize that because it's a large group you probably have to have a limited menu but a better selection with more than two options would have helped. The restaurants on our free nights that the guides recommended were delicious. The hotels on this trip were about what I expected - not over the top luxurious but all were clean, comfortable, and well located. The staff was very accommodating at all four hotels. All in all we very much enjoyed the trip and will be doing more VBT trips in the future. It was great to be off the beaten path and see the countryside.
VBT Newbies
Como and the Lake District is a fantastic region to discover in Italy. There's beautiful scenery each day with each view becoming better and better. The food was incredible and the routes were scenic along Lake Iseo, Como and into St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Fantastic region to discover in Italy
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