Italy Travel for Women / Small Group Tour / Lake Como / Lake Garda

proseccoandheels.com

ABOUT

Prosecco & Heels is a bespoke small group tour for women, tailored to OUR needs! The tour can be modified to your individual group if you have a group of 6 all set and ready to go! Just let me know what your priorities are, and I can tailor make a trip to suit your every desire!

Italy ticks all the boxes, markets, stunning scenery, fantastic food, wine, shopping, vineyards, beautiful villages, castles, churches, culture, the Bernina Express, Lake Como, Lake Garda and enchanting Verona!

Meeting in Milan and saying our goodbyes in Verona, travel plans can fit either side - whether with your travel companion, or meeting your partner to travel onwards... so many options! The trip has been tailored for twin share to travel with your bestie, your sister, or anyone else who knows you well! I have been incredibly fortunate to visit this part of Italy many times, due to a dear friend who took the bold move of becoming a part time local in Lake Como many years ago. 'La Dolce vita' has certainly rubbed off on me, and over the years of visiting and acquiring knowledge of the area, I have discovered local hidden gems, and travelled and traversed the travel logistics. I now wish to share my knowledge with other like minded women who love good food, good wine, retail therapy, historical villages and superb scenery. A sense of adventure, humour, and a reasonable fitness level is required. This is a girls trip to escape the every day... so join me on the trip of a lifetime!

Testimonial

'Prosecco and Heels is where it is at girls! Such a treat to enjoy some of the best sites, and get a real authentic feel of what Italy and its beautiful people have to offer. I feel extremely privileged and forever grateful to be part of the first group of girls to be part of Jo's venture. Photos are only a visual tease, the experience is what will become memories that I will treasure forever. Thank you Jo Cullen for being the beautiful person that you are inside and out, for thoughtfully creating a girls trip to a magical country with such attention to detail that has your artistic and passionate eye for detail.'

ITINERARY

2025

Proposed dates to be confirmed

Day 1 - Monday

Meet & greet at Malpensa/Milan

Private transfer to Bellagio, Lake Como.

Spend the afternoon exploring the many beautiful cobbled streets and boutiques that Bellagio has to offer. Soak in the atmosphere of one of the prettiest (and touristed) villages in Italy!

Day 2 - Tuesday

Lake day...Varenna, 'George Tour' & Villa Balbianello...

Ferry to Varenna and discover one of the most ‘beautiful villages in Italy’ for yourself.

Time for lunch before we cruise the lake with a private boat and guide. The ‘George’ tour takes us up close to view beautiful villages and residences, including a few famous ones!

We disembark at romantic Villa Balbianello where films such as Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode 2 were filmed… Explore the magnificent garden and famous Villa.

Day 3 - Wednesday

Local villages...Dongo & Musso

Spend the morning soaking up the atmosphere of Bellagio and some last minute shopping.

Transfer by ferry to the local village of Dongo, our home base for the next 4 nights.

Enjoy a relaxing walk to Musso, a quiet village on the shores of the lake where you can have a swim or just admire the gorgeous houses on the lake. Alternatively for the more active, a walk to a local historic church with stunning views over Lago di Como is certainly worth the effort! Dinner at a local Crotto for a unique local dining experience!

Day 4 - Thursday

Retail therapy & local cooking class...

The local markets are on your doorstep to discover this morning… including fresh produce, cheeses, meats, clothing… just about everything! After shopping up an appetite, Silvia invites us to her cucina to show us how to cook like a local!

Day 5 - Friday

Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express...

Private transfer to Tirano to board the Bernina Express.

Travel on one of Europe's most spectacular train journeys to St Moritz. The beautiful Swiss Italian countryside is on view, so sit back, relax and enjoy!

... yes passports are a requirement on this excursion!

Time to have a wander around the streets of St Moritz before heading back over the border.

Private transfer back to hotel.

Day 6 - Saturday

Relax by the lake...

Enjoy a day relaxing... take a leisurely walk to Musso for some beach time, before lunching at one of the lake side cafes, before more beach time or exploring! Options to hire a bike and explore nearby villages, or just sit in a cafe drinking aperol spritz and watch the world go by!

Dinner at my favourite local spot.

Day 7 - Sunday

Stunning Sirmione... Castle, Roman ruins & beaches...

Private transfer to train station.

Travel by train to Milano Centrale and on to Sirmione. Private transfer to hotel.

Explore Sirmione at your leisure. Roman ruins, a castle, beaches, more cobblestone streets, and a huge selection of Gelateria’s! Dinner at a Michelin star restaurant is an optional extra!

Day 8 - Monday

Lake Garda & her villages...

We have the day to explore the lake with a private driver to take us to see the most

beautiful villages around the lake. We visit the stunning village of Limone,

Malcesine with its stunning castle and historic narrow streets,

and Bardolino with it's stunning piazzas before returning to Sirmione.

Day 9 - Tuesday

Desenzano markets...

Short ferry trip this morning to Desenzano to explore the biggest market day on the lake.

You have the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the beach, or explore the castle or ruins if you haven't already! Many shops to explore if you still require a retail therapy fix!

Day 10 - Wednesday

Villa, vines & wine...

Time for a spa treatment? Or just spend more time soaking up the atmosphere of Sirmione.

After lunch in Sirmione, we transfer to the most beautiful 16th century villa in the Valpolicella...

Enjoy a wine tasting and winery tour next door to the villa... Relax by the pool with magical views over the Italian countryside... explore the gardens, and soak up the grand atmosphere!

Day 11 - Thursday

Relax at the Villa...

Relax for the morning or take a walk through the vines.

Yoga and lunch in private studio/home with gorgeous views over the Valpolicella!

Relax by the pool in the afternoon or for more wine tasting,

a tour can be arranged to Villa Bertani winery.

Day 12 - Friday

Verona...City of love & Opera!

Transfer to the enchanting city of Verona…

So much to see...get your walking shoes on and discover Romeo's house, Juliets balcony, the Arena, the Roman Theatre, Castelvecchio, the many churches, beautiful bridges, roman ruins and piazzas. Guided walking tour or bike tour can be arranged as an optional extra.

Lunch & Dinner... so many amazing options to choose from!

An optional extra is to attend the Opera at the Arena... Friday or Saturday night... 9pm!

Day 13 - Saturday

Enchanting Verona...

More shopping... more exploring the ancient city…

Hidden gardens, views over Verona - if you're up for some walking I can show you the spots!

Many beautiful restaurants to have our last dinner together...

Day 14 - Sunday

Arrivederci...

It's time to say our goodbyes...

Bags are packed, hearts are full...

Memories to take home that last a lifetime...

Transfer to Verona train station to head home, or for onward travel...

Trains go in either direction if you are flying out of Venice or Milan...

or onward to Rome or anywhere beyond!

ACCOMODATION

ACCOMODATION

2 nights

Beautiful Bellagio

Central family run hotel within the maze of cobbled streets of Bellagio. Surrounded by gorgeous boutiques and restaurants. A great spot to explore this popular touristed village.

4 nights

On the shores of Lake Como

Gorgeous lake views from this small,

family run hotel in the local village of Dongo.

With its fascinating history, Dongo is a great spot

to feel like a local, and experience the 'real' Italy.

3 nights

Sirmione & Lake Garda

A modern style hotel completely renovated

in a 15th century building.

Stay in the heart of the historic centre of Sirmione, with its Castle, Roman ruins , stone alleyways and beautiful beaches.

2 nights

Soaking up the atmosphere of a Historical Villa.

Feel the history surrounding you in this

majestic 16th century villa.

Over looked by a beautiful hilltop village,

and surrounded by more wineries and olive groves... bliss...

2 nights

Exploring the Ancient City of Verona

Stay in the heart of the historic city.

Beautifully renovated rooms in a

beautiful medieval city...

get lost in the magic of Verona..

HIGHLIGHTS

Bernina Express

One of Europe's most spectacular train journey's, travel on the UNESCO listed Bernina Express route. Soak up the incredible scenery of the Italian and Swiss Alps in the panoramic carriage. Explore the glitzy resort town of St Moritz before heading back to Italy.

Markets & Shopping

The shoes, the bags, the linen, the boutiques, the food, the wine!!! Italian markets and the shops of Verona... heaven for the girls!

Make sure you leave plenty of space to bring back a few items!

Cooking Class

Food is one of the things Italians do best, so who better to receive instruction from! We are invited into Silvia's kitchen to watch and learn from a true local. Silvia will show us her skills, tricks and tips for cooking the Italian way. Some participation may be required!

Food & Vino

The food in Italy is a pleasure not to be rushed... just savoured... pasta, pizza, risotto, cheeses, cured meats, fresh produce, brioche, gelato...the list goes on! Aperol spritz is an institution... and what about the coffee?! Limoncello... mmmm...

Wine tasting and wineries in the Valpolicella are in abundance... heaven...

Lake Como

Stunning lake edge Villas, historical churches, a few famous home owners... Impressive Duomo's, medieval streets and historical markets... The beautiful villages on the lake are many... dreamy cobbled streets, gorgeous boutiques all oozing ambience!

Lake Garda

Bardolino, Lazise, Riva del Garda, Malcesine & Limone are just some of the villages we have an opportunity to explore while staying in the stunning spot of Sirmione. Quiet fishing villages, ancient cobbled streets and beautiful piazzas are a plenty. Whilst markets in Desenzano!

Beautiful restaurants including Michelin Star options...

GALLERY