Discover the Secrets of Piedmont, Bernina Express & Lake Como
Piedmont, Bernina Express & Lake Como Small Group Tour-Taste the essence of Northern Italy on a small group tour featuring Piedmont, the Bernina Express, and Lake Como, where authenticity and elegance meet against a backdrop of extraordinary beauty. Piedmont is a region of quiet sophistication, where time-honored traditions blend with graceful landscapes and a deep love for fine living. In Turin, Italy’s first capital, grand boulevards, refined cafés, and baroque architecture capture the city’s cultured spirit. Venture into the rolling Langhe hills, where vine-covered slopes, prized truffles, and centuries of craftsmanship reveal the region’s most treasured pleasures. Savor the richness of Barolo and Barbaresco wines, experience the artistry of local cuisine, and feel the deep connection between land and heritage that defines this remarkable corner of Italy.
Continue your Northern Italy small group journey aboard the legendary Bernina Express, one of Europe’s most scenic rail experiences. Cross alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and crystalline lakes before arriving at the serene shores of Lake Como. Here, pastel villages, cypress-lined promenades, and timeless villas reflect a world of refined beauty and tranquility.
Traveling with Secret Italia Tours means more than visiting destinations. It is an invitation to live the Italian art of hospitality, guided by those who know it best. This intimate journey captures the very essence of Northern Italy, where culture, scenery, and gastronomy come together in unforgettable harmony.
Upcoming Tour Dates 8 Days/7 Nights
Selling Fast
Pricing: € 4,000
Price is per person based on double room occupancy
Single supplement available at the cost of € 900,00
Experience the beauty
Tour Highlights
- Guided tour of Turin
- Visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Local food and wine moments
- Hands-on cooking class and Bicerin tastings
- Visit La Morra and soak in panoramic views of the Langhe Region
- Local markets and cheese tastings
- Barolo and Barbaresco wine tastings
- Experience the unique Bernina Express
- Fall in love with Lake Como
- Iconic villas and gardens
- Picturesque streets of Bellagio and Varenna
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to Turin, the elegant capital of Piedmont and your gateway to Northern Italy’s refined beauty. Arrivals are arranged from the Turin airport, and your first two-night stay will be at a charming historical hotel in the heart of the city. This region is celebrated for its world-class wines, white truffles, and culinary artistry shaped by generations of tradition. Turin is a city of grace and culture, where grand piazzas, baroque facades, and historic cafés reflect an enduring sense of style. This evening, we gather for a welcome drink and dinner in a local restaurant to begin our journey together.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included
Accommodation: Overnight in Turin
Turin reveals its true character today, a city shaped by artistry and tradition as well as innovation. This morning, meet your expert city guide for a walking tour through the historic center, where you’ll discover the baroque grandeur of Palazzo Carignano, the stately Piazza Castello, and the refined charm of Palazzo Reale and San Carlo Square. Hidden courtyards and graceful arcades whisper stories of centuries past, while the soaring Mole Antonelliana stands proudly as the city’s beloved symbol. Between visits, pause to enjoy a taste of local life with a cup of rich Bicerin, Turin’s signature chocolate and coffee creation. Your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, perhaps visiting the renowned Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of ancient artifacts, or simply enjoying the city’s vibrant streets, cafés, and boutiques.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Turin
Today, we’ll experience a hands-on cooking class to learn how to cook traditional Piedmontese and Northern Italian dishes. Learn about different ingredients and methods as we prepare a delicious lunch for ourselves! Afterward, we’ll drive to the striking Regia di Venaria, one of the most amazing Royal palaces in Italy. This imposing structure was inspired by the French architects during the renovation of the Palace of Versailles. It was built in the second half of the 1600s by command of the Savoy Duke Charles Emmanuel who gave it as a gift to his wife. The palace includes the main building as well as the largest park, which we are welcome to wander and enjoy. Then, travel to Alba, a pleasant agricultural centre famous for its wine, hazelnuts, and white truffles. You’ll be staying at a central boutique hotel, with breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Alba
Our day begins with a visit to the charming town of Alba, where our local guide will take us on a tour through its narrow streets. Like many towns in Italy, Alba is built over Roman ruins, which we’ll stop and explore along the way. In the afternoon, we will reach the small town of Barbaresco. Surrounded by vineyards, winding roads, and an 11th-century tower, its heart is the production of Barbaresco wine. We’ll ascend the tower to take in the amazing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and cap off the day with a visit to a family-run boutique winery passionate about their wines and wine-making process. We then travel to Lake Como, one of Italy’s most graceful and scenic destinations. Settle into the colorful lakeside town of Menaggio for the next four nights, where your centrally located hotel offers views of the lake and easy access to its charming promenade.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Menaggio
This morning, we’ll set sail across the sparkling waters of Lake Como for a visit to the exquisite Villa del Balbianello, one of the lake’s most admired villas and a favorite of filmmakers for its enchanting gardens and breathtaking views. After exploring its elegant terraces and lush grounds, we’ll continue by boat to the graceful town of Bellagio, often called the pearl of Lake Como. Stroll its cobblestone streets lined with pastel houses, enjoy lunch or shopping at leisure, and take in the panoramic beauty that has long inspired travelers and artists alike. Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to Menaggio for time at leisure before meeting again in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the lake.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Menaggio
Enjoy a day of spectacular scenery as we travel from the gentle landscapes of Italy into the dramatic Alpine world of Switzerland. The journey begins with a drive through the Valtellina Valley to Tirano, where we board the legendary Bernina Express. This remarkable train climbs steadily through a series of spirals, tunnels, and viaducts toward Ospizio Bernina, the highest through station in Europe. From here, sweeping views reveal snow-covered peaks and shimmering glacial lakes that mark the natural divide between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Descending once more, we arrive in the elegant resort of St. Moritz, known for its refined charm and mountain grandeur. Take time to stroll its streets, browse the boutiques, or pause for coffee and cake before we return to Italy through another stretch of unforgettable Alpine terrain.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Menaggio
Spend the day at leisure, embracing the timeless elegance of Menaggio at your own pace. This unhurried day invites you to live like a local, whether you prefer a quiet morning stroll, browsing artisan shops or enjoying a cappuccino in one of the town’s welcoming cafés. Those who wish may join the Tour Manager for an included mini adventure to discover the lake village of Varenna. Later, gather for a private one-hour vintage wooden boat cruise, gliding past some of the lake’s most celebrated villas. Afterwards, celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where regional specialties and shared memories provide the perfect conclusion to your adventure.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Menaggio
After breakfast, group transfers are provided to Milan’s airport, train station, or your next hotel. As you say goodbye to the serene beauty of Lake Como and the memories made along the way, take with you the warmth, culture, and flavours that define Northern Italy. Until we meet again, may the elegance of this region continue to inspire your travels.
Additional Information
- Small group tour of 12/15 participants
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour director
- Entrance fees for all sites
- Tour transportation in a private air-conditioned motor coach
- Local guides in the outlined cities and towns
- Hotel city and service taxes at all accommodations and restaurants are included
- Transfers to Turin and Milan Airport at scheduled times
- Baggage transfers and porters are included
- All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners are covered. Main meals include wine, mineral water, espresso coffee with a set amount included
- Activity level: Light/Moderate
- Terms & Conditions/single supplement and FAQ.
- Travel insurance and visa fees/Trip Interruption & Cancellation Insurance
- Any charges for extras not listed in the itinerary
- Room services, telephone charges, laundry fees
- Gratuities for the tour director and local driver
- Single room supplement
- Airfares
- Pre/Post stays in Turin, Lake Como or Milan
Tour Reviews
Another Masterpiece
This was our 4th trip through Secret Italia Tours, and each has been great. The food, the venues, our wonderful guide Niki, the hotels, all were top notch. We really knew very little about the area prior to our trip, but from our first day in Porto Venere everything was perfect. Carol and I are amazed at how well Aldo (and his staff) create such consistently great tours. Additionally, they came to our assistance when we had a near disaster created by British Airways during our layover in London. Basically, our tickets to Florence from London were cancelled and we were forced to remain at Heathrow airport for an entire day, setting back our travel and arrival details completely. We really had no idea what we would do. Aldo and his staff took over. They found us a last minute reservation at a hotel in Florence where we had stayed previously. In fact, the new driver that we had for our trip to Porto Venere from Pisa was our old friend Walter from our original Toscano adventure. Aldo’s experienced folks took an unhappy incident and turned it into a very pleasant reunion, so to speak. It was a great surprise seeing our old friend Walter. I must speak about our guide Niki. Aldo, what a terrific addition to your staff. She is smart and caring and organized and clearly loves what she does. We had so much fun with her, and we would happily sign up for any tour that she might lead. And thank you Manuela for all of your help and for tolerating my insisting on speaking or writing in Italian in virtually all of my communication with you. Carol and I highly recommend this trip to beautiful Liguria.
Beautiful Liguria
Ciao Aldo and Manuela,
Just wanted to let you know that Clare and I had a fantastic time on your tour of Liguria. We both thought it was a great itinerary and well planned. We had never even heard of Liguria before, and we can’t believe what a beautiful place it is. And the food there was out of this world. The seafood was incredibly fresh and the trofie pesto and polpo were amazing. Also had lots of great wine that we had never heard of before! Niki did a great job of running the tour, and seems to have unending energy and enthusiasm. She really was a great tour director.
Best to you all and looking forward to our next adventure with you!
Best regards,
Tom and Clare
Thank you for an excellent tour of the Piedmont!
Just wanted to let you know that Clare and I really enjoyed our tour, the first time in Italy for me. It’s a beautiful region that was well worth exploring, and the tour guides did a great job filling us with sights and information. The cuisine and the wine were also first-rate, and the cooking class and truffle hunt/picnic are things we won’t soon forget. The pace of the tour was excellent for us to explore on our own or just relax at poolside for an afternoon. It was an excellent experience, and we hope to join you again on a future tour. Thanks for delivering such a wonderful experience! Here’s a picture for you that we took while enjoying sunset and a glass of wine at the hotel.
In Love With The Piedmont Tour
Ciao Aldo,
I just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed the Piedmont Tour tremendously. It was probably one of the best tours we have ever been on. Felicity Moran was a great guide and was matched perfectly with this tour through Piedmont. All the hotels were excellent, and all our group meals were all culinary experiences that were not to be missed. I especially enjoyed touring the various vineyards and sampling their wines. The truffle hunt was also a once in a lifetime experience. All the small towns in the Barolo and Barbaresco area were especially memorable since Clara and I appreciate the fine wines of this area. Going to Aosta was a great way to end the tour along with its Roman history. The itinerary was perfectly planned. Each day was a memorable experience at a leisurely pace. Thanks again for a great tour and experience visiting Piedmont and Aosta.
Experience the Best
Why Book with Us?
Authentic Travel Experiences
We believe in showcasing the true heart of the Mediterranean. Our meticulously crafted tours delve beyond the surface, immersing you in the local culture, cuisine, and hidden gems that only true insiders know.
Small Group Exclusivity
Our tours are limited to a maximum of 12-15 travelers, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience. You'll enjoy meaningful interactions, flexibility, and the chance to forge genuine connections with both locals and fellow travelers.
Passionate Local Expertise
Our team is deeply rooted in Europe, with extensive knowledge and a love for sharing our homeland. We take pride in hand-selecting accommodations, activities, and experiences that reflect our passion for authentic Mediterranean living.
Stress-Free Travel
Leave the planning to us! We handle every detail, from logistics to unique cultural encounters, allowing you to relax and fully savor every moment of your Italian adventure.
Sustainable Tourism
We are dedicated to responsible travel practices that respect the environment and support local communities. We strive to leave a positive impact wherever we go.
Competitive Rates
Enjoy exceptional value on your European journey. We offer transparent pricing and zero booking fees, ensuring you get the best possible experience for your budget.