Milan & Lakes Maggiore, Orta, and Como
Depart from Milan to explore three lakes by train and ferry, visiting the Borromean Islands, Orta, and Bellagio.
No car rental is needed for this route, which relies entirely on trains and lake ferries. Stay three nights in Stresa to explore the Borromean Islands and Lake Orta, and one night in Varenna, taking ferries to Bellagio and famous lakeside villas. The pace is relaxed, making it ideal for couples and older travelers. The trickiest part is the day trip to Lake Orta, as direct buses mostly run in summer; traveling from Maggiore to Como requires changing trains in Milan, which takes up half a day.
The Borromean Islands and most villa gardens are closed in winter; ferry frequencies are also reduced in spring and autumn.
Day by day
Day 1 · Milan Old Town and The Last Supper
Milan（Milan Cathedral、Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II、Sforza Castle、The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)）
Mainly walking in the historic center; take the metro from the Duomo to Santa Maria delle Grazie. No travel outside the city today.
Tickets for The Last Supper are extremely limited and must be booked 2 to 3 months in advance during peak season.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 2 · Train to Stresa
Lake Maggiore & Stresa（Stresa Lakefront & Old Town、Villa Pallavicino Park）
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Stresa, taking about 1 to 1.5 hours; enjoy a lakeside walk in the afternoon.
Stay: Stresa
Day 3 · Borromean Islands Hopping
Lake Maggiore & Stresa（Isola Bella、Isola dei Pescatori、Isola Madre）
Buy a three-island hop-on hop-off ticket at the Stresa pier; ferry rides take between a few minutes and 20 minutes.
It is best to visit Isola Bella in the morning during summer (takes about 2 hours); the palace on the island is closed in winter.
Stay: Stresa
Day 4 · Lake Orta Day Trip
Lake Maggiore & Stresa（Orta San Giulio & Isola San Giulio、Sacro Monte di Orta）
The direct SAF bus takes about 50 minutes but has limited daily runs; traveling by train takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with transfers.
The direct bus historically only operates from June to September; in other months, take a taxi or hire a private driver.
Stay: Stresa
Day 5 · Return to Milan and Transfer to Varenna
Lake Como（Varenna、Villa Monastero、Castello di Vezio）
Travel from Stresa to Varenna via Milan, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours in total; explore the eastern shore in the afternoon.
Stay: Varenna
Day 6 · Ferry to Bellagio and Return to Milan
Lake Como（Bellagio、Villa Melzi Gardens、Villa Carlotta）
Take a 15-minute ferry to Bellagio, then transfer to Tremezzo; return to Varenna and take a 1-hour train back to Milan in the evening.
You can leave your luggage at your Varenna accommodation; it is not recommended to book a tight flight immediately after the return train.