Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Milan, Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Asti and the Langhe
Day 1 : ARRIVAL
Arrival at the hotel, welcome drink, dinner.
Day 2 : STRESA: BORROMEO ISLANDS AND LAKE ORTA
After a buffet breakfast, departure from Stresa, elegant, international tourist destination, by small private launch for Isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromean Islands. Visit the 17th-century Palace with its rich artistic and historical heritage, and its park, a masterpiece of Italian gardens, laid out on ten stepped terraces descending to the water’s edge. Free time for shopping and exploring the island.
Re-board for Isola dei Pescatori, the centuries’ old working fisherman’s island, with its picturesque lanes and alleyways, typical dwellings and the small church dedicated to San Vittore. Free time for lunch to try delicious lake fish specialties at one of the island’s ,many restaurants and then explore the village. Return to Stresa by boat and board private coach for the short drive to Orta and a guided tour of this charming medieval village:
Piazza Motta, open towards the lake just opposite the island of San Giulio, the main square and heart of the town, with the “Palazzotto”, dated 1582 and picturesque lanes lined with 16th and 17th century townhouses, with their lovely wrought iron balconies, testimony to local artisan skills. Board a small motor launch over to the island of San Giulio, known for its Romanesque basilica founded, according to tradition, by the saint at the end of the fourth century. Enlarged several times, it was completely rebuilt between the XIth and the XIIth centuries. Adjacent is the nineteenth-century Mater Ecclesiae Abbey, a community of Benedictine nuns and an important spiritual center.
Return to Orta by private launch and back to the hotel by coach. Dinner
Day 3 : MILAN, VISIT AND SHOPPING
After a buffet breakfast, depart from the hotel by private coach for the city of Milan.
The tour begins at the Castello Sforzesco, the ancient residence of the Visconti and Sforza families, now home to museums and temporary exhibitions and where, among other masterpieces, you can admire the beautiful Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's last work.
Then a short walk to the impressive central square of the extraordinary Duomo, the largest and most complex Gothic building in Italy. The rich exterior, with more than 2000 statues, rises over 108 meters to the sky, its roof decorated with a “forest” of 135 spires, crowned by the famous gold Madonnina. Pass through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the city’s historic “drawing room” and then stroll along the elegant streets, like Via Montenapoleone, symbol of Milan’s reputation as the global capital of sdesigners fashion.
Free time for individual shopping and lunch. In the early afternoon departure from Milan for a stop at the Vicolungo Outlet, a shopper’s paradise with designer names at bargain prices. Return to the hotel by private coach. Dinner.
Day 4 : LAKE MAGGIORE, LAKE COMO, LAKE LUGANO (SWITZERLAND)
DOCUMENT REQUIRED: valid identity card to cross border
After a buffet breakfast, departure from the hotel by private coach for the trip north along Lake Maggiore, into Switzerland and the elegant city of Lugano, passing Locarno, host to the famous summer film festival in Canton Ticino, on the way. Upon arrival, visit Parco Ciani and the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, one of the most significant in the area, with its finely painted frescoes. After a brief orientation tour, enjoy free time for shopping and lunch. In the afternoon departure for Como, famous for its silk production and still one of the city’s most important industries. Free time to visit the Cathedral (1396-1770), a magnificent summary of four centuries of architecture, noted for the harmonious fusion of different styles, and then a short cruise to admire some of the beautiful patrician villas overlooking the lake.
Departure from Como and return to thé hotel. Dinner.
Day 5 : TOUR OF LANGHE WITH TASTING: ASTI, BAROLO, GRINZANE CAVOUR
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, depart for Asti by private coach, about a 2-hour drive, for a short guided tour of the historic center of this beautiful city, known worldwide for its wines and cuisine, but unfortunately much less so for its artistic beauty. Discover the city by walking the narrow streets of the medieval center between towers and palaces and visiting still intact 5th to 17th-century monuments, like the Collegiate Church of San Secondo and the complex of San Pietro: cross the famous sPalio squares and then take a walk under the Art Nouveau arcades lined with elegant shops and traditional cafés.
From Asti, transfer to the picturesque village of Barolo, center of the production area of one of Italy’s most famous wines, for a guided visit of an historical winery, followed by a tasting of the renowned local wines paired with cheeses and cold cuts. Then a short walk to WIMU, the new multimedia museum dedicated to wine, housed in the Falletti castle, for a one hour tour. Transfer by coach to the town of Grinzane Cavour to visit the castle/museum there, with free time for tasting and purchase of local products (including truffles). Departure for the hotel, with photo stops along the scenic hills of the Langhe on the drive back. Dinner.
Day 6 : DEPARTURE
After a buffet breakfast, check-out and departure.
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