Northern Italy packs an unusual amount into a small area: a fashion and business capital, three large lakes, the Dolomites and Venice, all within a few hours of each other. A week is enough to see a good part of it without rushing, provided the travel days are planned well. This article sets out a sample seven-day route with the real driving times we see on the road, and explains how a chauffeur can make it easier. It is a starting point, not a fixed package: every trip we plan is built around the guests.
Day 1: arrival in Milan
Most international guests land at Malpensa. The drive to central Milan takes about fifty minutes, and your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Waiting time is included, so a delayed flight or a slow passport queue is not a problem. The first afternoon is best kept light: a walk around the Duomo and the Galleria, an early dinner and a good night's sleep.
Day 2: Milan
A full day in Milan can include the Last Supper, which must be booked well in advance, the Brera district, the Quadrilatero della Moda for shopping and an evening at La Scala if there is a performance. Much of central Milan is compact enough to walk, but a car with driver for a few hours is useful for moving between distant areas and for carrying shopping bags. An hourly booking with a minimum of four hours fits this kind of day.
Day 3: Lake Como
Lake Como is about an hour and ten minutes from central Milan to the town of Como, and about an hour and forty minutes to Bellagio, in the middle of the lake. Many guests spend two nights on the lake, visiting villas and gardens and moving between villages by boat. The car brings you and your luggage to the hotel; on the lake itself, boats are often the best way to get around.
Day 4: Lake Como
A second day on the lake can be spent on the water, visiting Varenna and Menaggio, or on a short excursion to Lugano, across the Swiss border, about an hour from Como. A driver is only needed if you leave the lake.
Day 5: to the Dolomites
The drive from Lake Como to the Dolomites is the longest of the week. From Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo takes about four and a half to five hours, and Val Gardena about four hours, mostly on motorway: east to Verona, then north on the Brenner motorway. From Lake Como the time is similar or slightly longer. A lunch stop in Verona or on Lake Garda breaks the journey into two comfortable halves. In winter the car is equipped with winter tyres and chains, and the driver checks the road conditions before leaving.
Day 6: the Dolomites
A day in the mountains: hiking in summer, skiing in winter, or simply a drive over a pass and lunch in a mountain hut. Some guests keep the driver for the day to visit several valleys; others prefer to stay in one place and walk.
Day 7: to Venice
From the Dolomites to Venice is about two and a half to three hours, depending on the valley. The car stops at Piazzale Roma, where the driver helps with the luggage to the water taxi. If you are flying home from Venice airport, the transfer can go there instead.
One driver for the week or separate transfers?
There are two ways to organise a week like this. The first is a series of separate transfers: Malpensa to Milan, Milan to Lake Como, Lake Como to the Dolomites, the Dolomites to Venice. Each one is quoted with a fixed price, and you use boats, trains or walking in between. This is usually the most economical option.
The second is one driver for the whole week, who stays with you, sleeps near your hotels and is available every day. It is the most flexible option and the most comfortable one, particularly for families and for guests who change their plans often. It costs more because it includes the driver's days and accommodation. We are happy to quote both versions so you can compare them.
Choosing the vehicle
For a couple, the Mercedes S-Class is the most comfortable car for the long days. Families travel in the Mercedes V-Class, which seats up to seven with a week's luggage. For larger groups or friends travelling together, the Sprinter Luxury VIP carries up to eight passengers and their bags. The Mercedes E-Class suits one or two people travelling light.
How to plan your week
Send us your dates, the number of passengers and suitcases, and the places you want to see. We suggest a route with realistic driving times and send a written, all-inclusive quote for each leg or for the whole week, usually within 30 minutes during the day.