8 Day itinerary in Italy, Europe
Travel from Milan Malpensa through northern and southern Lake Garda by electric car, with time in Riva del Garda and Sirmione, a guided Monte Baldo trek, a self-guided outing to Cascate del Varone, Lake Tenno, and Canale, a full-day bike ride to Punta Larici and Lake Ledro, en route stops, and a pri... Read More


By Matteo and Michela
Physical Difficulty
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GUIDANCE
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Self-driving
Sustainable Travel
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Culture & History
Meet local people
Explorer Trips
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Night
Drive from Milan Malpensa to Riva del Garda in an electric car
Hike Monte Baldo with a guide and ride the rotating cable car
Cycle Ponale Road to Punta Larici and Lake Ledro
Cruise Sirmione and Costa La Romantica on a private boat
Drive from Milan Malpensa to Riva del Garda in an electric car
Hike Monte Baldo with a guide and ride the rotating cable car
Cycle Ponale Road to Punta Larici and Lake Ledro
Cruise Sirmione and Costa La Romantica on a private boat
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Arrival and Electric Car | Pick up in Milan, drive to Riva
Welcome to Italy. Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, then pick up your car at the car rental office and begin your journey.
Your rental car is a Polestar 2 electric or similar, with a 469 km electric range, 5 seats, 4 pieces of luggage capacity, and automatic transmission. At pickup, you receive a key with a QR code for use at enabled charging stations. Charging costs accumulate and are later charged to the credit card provided as a guarantee at pickup. The rental is for 8 days, with both pick up and drop off at Milan Malpensa Airport.
From Milan Malpensa Airport, drive to Riva del Garda. The journey is approximately 210 km and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
About 130 km into the drive, make a convenient stop for a fast recharge before continuing the final stretch toward your destination.
Note: The rate includes unlimited mileage, airport charge, full insurance, liability insurance, taxes, Super Cover (Excess Waiver), and Glass&Tyres. Exclusions are fuel, additional driver, and other additional coverages available at the branch. Please note that an International Driving License is mandatory to pick up the vehicle, together with your national driving license, and both documents must be original.
Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, stretching across the regions of Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto.
Accommodation:
Day 2: Riva and Monte Baldo | Free time and guided trek
Today is free for you to enjoy Riva del Garda at your own pace. Nestled between Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites, Riva del Garda is the very epicenter of Garda Trentino. The town rises against rugged cliffs and, with its panoramic lift, reaches the fortress of Il Bastione, whose grey stone walls look over the lively community below. You can find plenty here, including climbing and windsurfing, art exhibitions and open-air concerts, cheese tastings, and winery visits. Take in the glittering surface of the lake and the distinct style and vibrancy of this setting.
Later, drive yourself to the hiking starting point for a half-day trekking excursion on Monte Baldo with a local expert. Begin in Malcesine, where you board a unique rotating cable car for a 20-minute ride. As you climb to 1,800 meters, you can take in wide views over Lake Garda.
Monte Baldo, often referred to as the Hortus Europae, or Garden of Europe, has a unique ecosystem rich in biodiversity and many endemic species. Its landscapes range from alpine environments above 2,200 meters to sub-Mediterranean habitats near Lake Garda. Its slopes support most Alpine flora, more than 60 species of Italian orchids, and numerous butterfly species. Your guide leads an easy panoramic walk and shares insights into the local flora and fauna. Before returning to Malcesine, there is a recommended stop at one of the mountain huts near the cable car station to sample local mountain cheeses.
The hike is rated easy, with a length of about 8 km and an elevation gain of about 150 mt. Wear suitable hiking shoes and comfortable clothing, and bring enough drinking water. A good level of physical fitness and sure-footedness are essential. This experience includes a private guided hiking tour on Mt. Baldo and a return cable car ticket from Malcesine to Monte Baldo. Total duration is about 2.5 to 3 hours. The tour runs rain or shine, and the proposed routes may change depending on weather conditions and the state of the trails or cycling paths at the time of the event.
At the end of the day, recharge your electric car using the on-site charging facilities.
Monte Baldo spans a rare range of habitats, from sub-Mediterranean zones near the lake to alpine terrain above 2,200 meters.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 3: Tenno Area Discovery | Free day and self-guided outing
Today is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.
You can take a self-guided excursion to Cascate del Varone, Lake Tenno, and Canale. Just a few minutes from Riva del Garda, Cascate del Varone offers a striking natural setting. Follow the road toward Tenno to reach the entrance, where a well-maintained path leads through a narrow gorge carved by water over thousands of years. Two panoramic viewpoints, one at the base and one higher inside the cliff, let you see the waterfall up close. Lush gardens and easy walkways make the visit suitable for all ages.
Continuing uphill, you reach Lake Tenno, known for its vivid turquoise color and peaceful atmosphere. A gentle circular trail runs around the lake, with scenic views and many photo opportunities. It is a good place for a relaxed walk or a quiet break in nature.
A short distance from the lake, Canale di Tenno preserves one of the region’s best-kept medieval village settings. Stone houses, vaulted passageways, and narrow alleys give the village a timeless character. Artisans’ workshops and small galleries add to the sense of traditional mountain culture.
At the end of the day, recharge your electric car using the on-site charging facilities.
Canale di Tenno is known as one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the Lake Garda area.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 4: Bike to Punta Larici | Full-day ride from Riva
Today, drive yourself to the starting point for a full-day bike tour: Riva del Garda, Punta Larici & Lake Ledro.
You start in Riva del Garda and ride along the iconic Ponale Road, a historic route suspended above the lake, with views of crystal-clear water, dramatic cliffs, and the surrounding mountains. The route then continues through forest trails up to Punta Larici, a panoramic viewpoint where you stop for views and photos. From there, you descend toward Lake Ledro to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and alpine scenery.
For the return, you may follow a relaxed route back to Riva del Garda or choose a slightly longer loop with an optional boat transfer, depending on your preferences and energy level.
At the end of the day, recharge your electric car using the on-site charging facilities.
Note:
The Ponale Road is one of Lake Garda’s best-known historic routes, cut into the cliffs above the water.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 5: Southbound Lake Garda Stops | Limone and Gardone en route
Check out and drive toward Sirmione, making self-drive stops along the way.
Your first stop is Limone sul Garda. When the scent of citrus surrounds you on Lake Garda, you are likely in Limone, the northernmost town on the Brescia side of the lake and also the northernmost place where lemons are grown. This ancient and atmospheric village has several places to visit during your journey. Among its historic structures, the Limonaia del Castèl stands out for both its size and state of preservation. It was founded in the 17th century with stone and wood greenhouses, then expanded in the 18th century to improve citrus cultivation and protect the crops from winter winds. Alongside the Castèl complex, other pillar structures for lemon growing can still be seen. Goethe observed them at the end of the 18th century, and they became increasingly widespread in Limone sul Garda until the postwar period.
In Limone sul Garda, you also have bike rental and helmet included. The Limone sul Garda bike path is a spectacular 2.5 km suspended pathway, part of the larger Garda by Bike project, hanging above the water with wide lake views.
Continue to Gardone Riviera, a charming village in the province of Brescia overlooking the southern shore of the lake. The D'Annunzio lakefront is recommended for a romantic walk by the water. You also visit on your own The Vittoriale degli Italiani, a hillside estate and monumental complex built by poet Gabriele D’Annunzio from 1921 to 1938. It contains his eclectic house, the Prioria, along with a war museum, an open-air theater, and extensive gardens. The site honors his "inimitable life" and Italy’s WWI victory. Entrance tickets to Vittoriale degli Italiani are included.
Gardone Riviera also offers many places for an aperitif in total relaxation or a dinner for two. Before continuing on, a walk through the ancient nucleus of the village is highly recommended, with picturesque alleys, old stairways, and colorful houses enhanced by abundant blooms.
After arrival, recharge your electric car using the on-site charging facilities.
The Vittoriale degli Italiani was created by Gabriele D’Annunzio between 1921 and 1938 as both a residence and a monumental complex.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 6: Sirmione by Private Boat | Cruise the Romantic Coast
Today, take a private boat tour through some of the most enchanting stretches of Lake Garda, combining Sirmione with the calm and elegant atmosphere of the renowned Costa La Romantica.
You set off along the Sirmione peninsula, where historic villas, thermal gardens, and ancient ruins shape the landscape. As you continue, the views shift from one iconic scene to the next, capturing the character of this well-known part of the lake.
The route then continues toward Desenzano, following the shimmering coastline of the Costa La Romantica, known for its golden shores, crystal-clear waters, and refined ambiance. This experience brings together history, nature, and elegance through a changing lakeside panorama.
Note:
Desenzano del Garda has long been one of the main gateway towns on the southern shore of Lake Garda.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 7: Sirmione at Leisure | Free time on the peninsula
Today is free for you to spend in Sirmione.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, stretches across a vast landscape of towering mountains, rolling hills, and lush plains, creating a wide range of views and experiences. Its crystal-clear waters shift from deep blue to vibrant turquoise, with colors shaped by the winds and weather. Along the shoreline, rugged cliffs give way to sandy beaches and hidden lagoons that suit a relaxing day by the water.
Sirmione stands on a picturesque peninsula and feels deeply connected to its long history. As you wander through the village, Roman ruins recall ancient times, while the atmosphere carries a Mediterranean character. The air is scented with lemon trees, olive groves, and vineyards extending across the landscape. Whether you focus on its heritage or simply enjoy the surroundings, Sirmione offers a memorable setting shaped by both natural beauty and history.
Later, recharge your electric car using the on-site charging facilities.
The Scaliger Castle of Sirmione is one of the best-preserved fortified ports in Italy.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Day 8: Departure to Milan | Drive, recharge, and drop off car
Departure day begins with check-out and the drive from Sirmione to Milan Malpensa Airport. The journey is approximately 160 km and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.
About 130 km into the drive, make a convenient stop for a fast recharge before continuing the final stretch toward your destination.
At Milan Malpensa Airport, return your car at the car rental office. Make sure to return the car with the correct fuel policy.
Then reach the terminal and depart with your flight. Arrivederci.
Milano Malpensa is one of northern Italy’s main international airport gateways.
Meals: Breakfast
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