Cultural tour of Italy, Verona to Milan
Description of Cultural tour of Italy, Verona to Milan
Take a week to discover the architectural, artistic and culinary gems of northern Italy on a cultural tour, taking in its fascinating small towns and exceptional cities, including Verona and Milan. In each location, ancient wealthy families patronised great artists, who went on to give each place its special, unique character.
This seven day tour begins in Padua, which is packed with cultural sites, including a chapel by Giotto, the teaching desk that belonged to Italian polymath Galileo Galilei, and the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre, dating from the 16th century. You’ll also find the Caffe’ Pedrocchi here, famous for the delicious wine spritzes it serves. Then onto Verona, immortalised in Romeo and Juliet, where you can visit its famous piazzas and Roman arena, but also stroll its network of narrow streets and visit a mosaic maker’s workshop. Explore Mantua, too, home to the impressive Palazzo Ducale, and try some of its foodie specialities, including tortelli di zucca (pumpkin-filled pasta) and sbrisolona cake. You’ll visit the beautiful Sigurtà Park and Garden by Lake Garda, sample wine in local wineries, explore Cremona’s historic centre and see how violins are made on a tour of a craftsman’s workshop. Spend some time relaxing on Lake Como before ending the trip in the beautiful, fashionable city of Milan.
This cultural tour is tailor made and runs throughout the year, staying in charming hotels. Much of the transport is by rail, and on Lake Garda you’ll enjoy a cruise on a boat that creates zero impact on the lake’s environment.
Price information
Departure information
Travel guides
Reviews
9 Reviews of Cultural tour of Italy, Verona to Milan
Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026 by Ewa Rock
It was perfect. In fact, we are already planning another rail trip in Italy and we will ask the tour operator to organise it for us again. They listened carefully to what we wanted, tailored the route and the arrangements to our wishes and organised everything just as we wanted it. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Nov 2025 by Scott Chapman
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Giovanna listened to us and planned exactly what we asked for as well as adding a few surprise and delights. We felt confident with her support and level of communication. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Oct 2024 by Sue Rice
All the places we visited had their own charm - palaces, churches, paintings and frescoes , architecture, food…….It was great to visit a number of towns with such rich and evocative histories. Enjoyed travelling by train. We enjoyed the guided tours and had excellent guides - mainly just for the 2 of us. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 May 2024 by Lisa Randell
It was all really well organised in every way. The fact that we were exhausted by the end of it is not your fault; we just think we were a bit too old to have attempted it! Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2023 by Inge Kirkwood-Bleys
We most enjoyed the small group tours in Tuscany. Our guides were very informative and it was pleasant to be in a very small group. And, of course the scenery and the old villages were beautiful. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Aug 2022 by Colin Johnston
Giovanna was incredibly helpful in organising my trip and adjusting it according to my interests and budget. She obviously wanted to show the best of North Italy. I recommend this tour operator unreservedly. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Oct 2022 by Sheila Thomas
It was a good mix of places to visit. Some places were more beautiful than others, but all had enormous history and so all of them were interesting. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Sep 2019 by Ambika Thandavan
I found the entire holiday memorable, and especially enjoyed the wine tour as well as the visit to the mosaic artist's workshop Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Nov 2017 by Hooi Lee
The local delight in Amalfi is very delicious, especially seafood. The architecture in Rome in very unique. Awesome trip! Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
We use the train as the main means of transport throughout the itinerary. Where destinations cannot be reached by rail, transportation is provided by local companies.On Lake Garda, we work with a local company that operates an electric boat. The boat is powered by electricity and is designed to operate without direct exhaust emissions. Travelling by electric boat also provides a quieter experience on the lake compared with boats using conventional engines.
The itinerary includes visits to historical buildings, smaller towns and places connected with different periods of Italian history. These destinations include cultural heritage sites that are less frequently visited than Italy’s best-known cities and attractions.
People
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit craftsmen’s workshops and local food laboratories to discover traditional skills such as violin making and the preparation of handmade tortellini.Artisans open their workshops to visitors, explaining their work, techniques and the history of their craft. At the tortellini laboratory, for example, travellers can see how tortellini are made by hand.
The itinerary can include additional visits and workshops according to your interests and availability. We can arrange opportunities to meet local artisans and learn about traditional crafts and food production in the places visited.
In the historic centres of many of the towns included in the itinerary, you will also find traditional shops, including businesses that have been run by the same family for several generations. Travellers can visit these shops and purchase typical local products.
We can provide suggestions for local shops and businesses on request. In smaller towns, English may not be widely spoken, but local shopkeepers and artisans can still provide an opportunity for informal interaction and cultural exchange.
Popular similar holidays
Puglia self drive holiday in Italy
From US $2358 9 days excluding flights
9 Days Bari, Alberobello, Matera, Lecce & Ostuni
Italy highlights tour
From €2320 - €2920 11 days excluding flights
Discover iconic places, local traditions, and tasty food
Amalfi to Sorrento walking holiday in Italy
From £2389 - £2919 9 days excluding flights
Explore the peninsula between Ravello and Sorrento
