Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District

7 days
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Group Tour
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-centu...
From$3,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

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.

What's this trip about?

    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. 

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySirmione
End CityBellagio

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Nature
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 22

Trip includes

    • 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

Itinerary

DAY 1: Travel to Sulzano on Lake Iseo / Warm-up ride / Welcome reception and dinner

Meet your fellow travelers and VBT trip leaders at 12:45 p.m. at the VBT hotel in Sirmione.

Please plan to have lunch before meeting the group in the hotel lobby. You can store your luggage at the reception desk and change into your biking clothes using the hot...

DAY 2: Ferry across the lake / Monte Isola / Lake Iseo loop

After breakfast, set off to explore the stunning shores of Lake Iseo by private boat and by bike. Also known as Sebino, the crystal-clear Lake Iseo is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy. Its shores are renowned for their lush mountains, medieval towns, and scenic roa...

DAY 3: Ride country roads in Franciacorta, the Italian ‘Champagne’ region

After breakfast, you head south into Franciacorta, affectionately known as the “Champagne” of Italy. This scenic region of rolling vineyards produces excellent sparkling wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, including Berlucchi and Ca’del Bosco. The traditions ...

DAY 4: Cycle the Oglio River biking path in Valcamonica / Savor Valtellina specialties at dinner

After breakfast, leave Lake Iseo by private boat to Marone to enjoy your final ride on the eastern bank. From here start cycling along its shores. You soon coast into the green park of the Oglio River, a roaring river whose source is in the Alps. Follow its banks on e...

DAY 5: Ride the Bernina Railway / Bike the Roseg Valley to St. Moritz, Switzerland

After a hearty breakfast, you leave Tirano on the famous Bernina Express train. This magnificent rail adventure crosses the border into Switzerland and climbs to the glistening Albula and Bernina glaciers. In total, the railway passes through 55 tunnels, crosses 196 b...

DAY 6: Cycle the Valtellina Valley bike path to Lake Como and Bellagio

Today you follow a flat and relaxing route along the Adda River from Tirano to the shores of Lake Como. You ride on the well-marked Adda River cycle path, traversing the Rhaetian and Orobic Alps south of the Swiss Canton of Grabuenden. This is a beloved paradise for b...

DAY 7: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Bellagio / Free time

Your tour ends after breakfast. You can travel to the town of Como by ferry or hydrofoil, where a train can take you to Milan or other destinations. Or ferry to Varenna (15 minutes) and board a train to Milan’s central railway station and Malpensa airport.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,995
Price per day$571
Last Updated: 5/10/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
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Average
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4
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Nov 2023

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Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in 4-star lakeside hotels and one eco-friendly hotel

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

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

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-ItLa

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