12D/11N - 2020 Enchanting Northern Lakes of Italy

day 01 Como

Arrival at Milan airport and independent transfer to your hotel. Meet the rest of the participants and enjoy dinner in the evening.

day 02 Como – Lake Como -Bellagio - Cernobbio- Como

Today, enjoy some time to visit the city of Como which lies on the lake viewing beautiful mountains. At the scheduled time, depart by public ferry for our marvellous excursion. First stop in Bellagio, at the top of the "Larian triangle", on the promontory that divides the Como branch from that of Lecco. Both the historic centre situated at a higher level dominated by the Romanesque Basilica Of San Giacomo (enlarged in the Baroque Age) and the more recent arcade lake-front are all preserved intact. Among the aristocratic villas let's remember Villa Serbelloni, first castle, then country residence and transformed into villa at the end of the 15th century. Later once again restructured in the 17th and turned into a hotel during the last decade of the 19th century, it is presently appointed headquarters of conventions and study tours. Then embark again to Cernobbio: an important centre for tourism situated at the foot of Monte Bisbino. At 1325 meters, the summit of the mountain offers a magnificent panorama of the Lake. Above all, this small town is celebrated for the grandiose Villa D'Este (15565-70), the residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi. Situated on the lake with a splendid view, the villa has a spacious Italian-style garden with a famous perspective boulevard- which rises to the top of hills- lined with cypress trees and intervals of water games making it one of the Italy's most beautiful Renaissance roads.

day 03 Como – Maggiore Lake-Stresa – Borromee Islands- Como

Today we will depart to Stresa. Lying on the western flank of thin, wispy Lake Maggiore, Stresa is an elegant resort backed by the Alpine foothills of Monte Mottarone and beloved of travellers for the grandiose hotels spread along its tree-lined promenade. Visit the little village and enjoy some time at leisure to relax viewing the lake as well as the Alps. In the afternoon, Lake Maggiore, the second largest lake in Italy, is the border between two regions in Italy: Lombardy and Piedmont, and readers of classic literature may recognize the lake as a setting in Ernest Hemingway's novel, A Farewell to Arms. With your guide pointing out landmarks and points of interest, enjoy the cruise around the large lake. Gawk at islands, such as the verdant Isola Madre (Mother Island), and then pull up to Isola dei Pescatori, the Island of the Fishermen. Take some time to explore the island at your own leisure, strolling down the narrow streets or sitting down to enjoy a coffee at a cafe. Once you're back on the boat, head to the Beautiful Island of Isola Bella where you'll find the Borromeo Palace, a beautiful Baroque structure from the 17th century. Explore the gardens and study the ornate facade or perhaps wander around town and do some shopping. Back on the boat again, head to the last stop: the lakeside town of Stresa, home to many artists and writers in the 19th century.

day 04 Como - Milan

Enjoy the day at leisure in Como before being transferred to Milan hotel and meet the rest of the participants.

day 05 Milan

Today we will enjoy a half day panoramic tour of the Economical Capital of Italy: The tour will continue to Piazza dei Mercanti, and you'll get to admire the medieval heart of the city, hidden away from the crowded streets. The Scala Theatre, built in 1776 and located in Piazza della Scala, is not only a monument, but a true temple of Music and Italian History and Culture. You will also enter the majestic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a treasure of XIXth century engineering, more than a building, its a real symbol of Italian excellence. And, last but not least, you’ll reach the Duomo, the third biggest Cathedral in Europe. Free time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to discover the city before returning to you hotel in the evening for dinner.

day 06 Milan – Sirmione – Verona - Venice

Depart to the Garda Lake and in particular to Sirmione: an ancient town replete with quaint cobbled streets and historical landmarks. Enjoy your time at leisure to visit the city or the beautiful Roman villa and the Grottoes of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo). Enjoy also the magnificent Scaliger Castle, a rare example of a medieval port fortification. Continue to Verona where we will enjoy a panoramic walking tour of the city, known for its famous Arena and for being the hometown of Romeo and Juliet. We will then depart to Venice for dinner and overnight.

day 07 Venice – Murano – Burano - Venice

Today we will first enjoy a walking tour of the Serenissima: one of the most beautiful cities in the World among Italian Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Venice historic centre is situated in the middle of a lagoon, with a total of 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges for pedestrian use only. We will walk through beautiful monuments (exterior visits) as Palazzo Ducale, the famous Bridge of Sights, the tour will continue discovering the beauty of Venice, with the Basilica of San Marco (exterior visit). Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to the Lagoon islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello which are the traditional destination among the islands located in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedectine church designed by Andrea Palladio and built between 1566 and 1610, the public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the Lido (the famous beach resort), the boat arrives at Murano known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here there is a stop to visit one of the factories. The second stop is on the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for its fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Then, after a short sail, you will reach the quiet and sparsely populated island of Torcello, the first centre of civilization in the estuary. Only the Cathedral of "Santa Maria Assunta" with its magnificent mosaics and the church of "Santa Fosca" remain the testimony of its former glory.

day 08 Venice – Florence

Depart to Florence. You will have a stop on the way for Lunch. Once in the city, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour beginning at the Piazza San Firenze; home of the Bargello and the Tribunale Fiorentino, once a church and convent complex and now home to the Florence courts. You'll walk first to the Church of Santa Croce, home to many well-known masterpieces and burial place of some of Italy's most important personages. Next you will arrive at Piazza Signoria, the heart of the city of Florence since ancient times. It is famous for Neptune's Fountain, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lovely Piazzale degli Uffizi as well as the famous Ponte Vecchio.

day 09 Florence – Cinque Terre – Pisa - Florence

Today, enjoy a marvellous excursion to one of the most famous area in Italy: Cinque Terre. Depending on the weather conditions, we will either depart to Portovenere or in case of bad weather, we will stop in La Spezia and do the visit to Cinque Terre by train. From Portovenere, we will embark on a regular ferry which will bring us to Monterosso, the largest town among the Cinque Terre. Your tour leader will guide you through the terraced vineyards, the ancient olive groves and the spectacular panoramic views. Then depart to the charming town of Vernazza, characterized by its narrow streets and small square looking out over the sea. Then back to Portovenere to take the ferry back to Florence. We will stop in Pisa along the way to admire (exterior visits) the famous Leaning Tower. Then, arrive in Florence for dinner and overnight.

day 10 Florence – Siena – San Gimignano - Florence

Depart to the medieval city of Siena. Walking tour of the city including (exterior visits): the Cathedral, admiring the unique marble, the Piazza del Campo, the famed site of the Palio di Siena, the horse races held twice a year. Afterward, soak up some free time to continue exploring independently or to purchase lunch. In the afternoon, depart to the walled medieval city of San Gimignano. Resting on the top of a hill, explore the area’s impressive Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

day 11 Florence – Chianti area - Assisi – Rome

Depart to the famous Chianti area where apart admiring the famous Tuscany countryside, we will be able to do a wine tasting (not including). Continue to Assisi, famous pilgrimage site. Stroll the maze of medieval streets, and visit the Basilicas of Santa Chiara and St Francis to see one of Italy’s largest collections of church art. Depart to Rome for dinner and overnight.

day 12 Rome

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast

Inclusions: twin share in 3* hotels or 3* superior/4* hotel, half-board accommodationwith buffet breakfast (from the dinner on first day to buffet breakfast on last day), transfer from Como hotel to Milan hotel, transportation from Venice central parking to the nearest point to your hotel roundtrip,

half day excursion by public ferry from Como to Bellaggio – Cernobbio – Como (roundtrip, half day excursion by public ferry from Stresa – Borromean Islands – Stresa, entrance at Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori (Borromean Islands), half day excursion to Murano and Burano by ferry, cinque Terre ferry from Portovenere to Monterosso and Vernazza (weather conditions permitting), deluxe motorcoach (sizes accordingly to the number of passengers), multilingual tour guide in Spanish and English from 7 participants throughout the tour except on Day 1, Day 4 and last day (with less than 7 participants, the tour takes place without tour guide), panoramic visits (no local guides) except for the visits to Milan, Venice , Florence and Bellagio where visits are done with an English/Spanish local guides.

Exclusions: flights, transfers in & out, beverages during meals, entrance fees, city tax to be paid locally, tips and personal extras, porterage

Hotels: Como-4* hotel Como, Milan- 3* Ibis Milano Centro, Venice-3* Il Mercante di Venezia , Florence-3* Meridiana, Rome -3*Fiamma / 3* Rome Garden (or similar) / Upgrade hotels: Como-4* hotel Como, Milan- 4* Grand Hotel Adi Doria, Venice- 4* hotel All’ Angelo/ 4* hotel Bonvecchiati/ 4* 3* hotel Santa Chiara, Florence- 4* hotel Palazzo Ricasoli/ 4* Hotel Kraft/ 4* hotel C-Hotel, Rome- 4* Hotel Donna Ronna Palace/ 4* Massimo d’Azeglio/4* hotel Diana Roof Garden (or similar)

Note: tour is bilingual English/Spanish, the itinerary can be changed or inverted without notice due to technical reasons. All previous visits, excursions and services are guaranteed. Dinners during the tour could be at hotel or at local restaurant according to the tour director’s decision. If less than 7 participants, the trip maybe conducted by an English/Spanish speaking driver/guide.

On request: private transfers from Milan or from Como