Begin your day with an Italian breakfast of cappuccino and a croissant at Pavè. Explore the city's art and history by visiting the Pinacoteca di Brera Gallery and Il Duomo di Milano. For lunch, indulge in classic Milanese dishes, such as risotto alla Milanese and osso buco, at Trattoria Milanese. Take a stroll through the trendy Navigli neighborhood for some gelato, coffee or aperitivo. End the night at the Bulgari Hotel Milano for a Michelin-starred dinner at Il Ristorante.
Start the day with a visit to Sirmione, a picturesque town on the southern shore of Lago di Garda. Walk along the castle walls and ancient ruins before indulging in some fresh seafood antipasti at Antica Trattoria Pescatori.
Head west to the charming town of Bardolino, known for its vineyards and soft red wine. Cantine Lenotti offers wine tasting sessions, where you can also sample local cheese and cured meats. Follow it up with a genuine lunch at Osteria al Pigno for traditional pasta prepared with lake fish.
End the day with an enjoyable sunset view from the medieval castle of Desenzano. For your farewell dinner, experience exquisite Italian cuisine in elegant surroundings at Vecchio Mulino Beach and indulge in a delicious seafood platter.
Consider renting a car to explore Milan and surrounding areas comfortably. It's the easiest and most convenient way to travel around. In Milan, use the metro and trams to get around the city center. Alternatively, book a taxi or use ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. Rome2rio estimates that the taxi fare from Milan Linate Airport (LIN) to Milan city center is €25-€35 and takes 15-20 minutes.
If you have more time, consider visiting other beautiful towns along the lake, such as Peschiera del Garda, Garda, Lazise, and Malcesine. If you have less time, remove one location from the Day 2 itinerary, preferably Bardolino, to make the trip shorter but still enjoyable. Also, bookings are recommended to avoid any last-minute disappointments, especially for restaurants and wine tastings.
The main airport serving Milan is the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), located about 50 km northwest of the city. Another airport is Milan Linate Airport (LIN), positioned 8km east of the city. Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) and Brescia Montichiari Airport (VBS) are the closest airports to Lago di Garda, both serving domestic and international flights. Verona Villafranca Airport is located 23 km east of Sirmione and Brescia Montichiari Airport lies 22 km southwest of Desenzano del Garda.