Lake Como & the Italian Riviera Milan, Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Lake Como
Lake Como & the Italian Riviera Milan is a major world capital for fashion and design. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci s fresco The Last Supper, testify to centuries of the cities art and culture. Next is Lake Como, a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. Set on the Gulf of Tigullio between Rapallo and Portofino, the resort/fishing town of Santa Margherita Ligure is perfectly located on the Ligurian Sea with fishing boats bobbing along the shore. Lovely restaurants and cafe s offer great people watching opportunities and the town has some good shopping options, interesting sights like its 16th century castle and the 17th century Basilica di Santa Margherita. Along the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera walk the pathways of Cinque Terre (Five Towns or Terrains) in the picture perfect surrounds of these colourful fishing villages. Have a seafood Linguine in Manarola, you will remember it forever! Inclusions 10 nights in a double room for single use in 4 Star quality hotels 4 x dinners, 2 x lunches, 1 x wine tasting, breakfast daily English speaking guides throughout Transfers as shown Cinque Terre access cards Hotel bar is open almost daily between 5.30pm and 6.30pm with house wine, beer, soft drinks included for Individual Travellers Cooking Experience Train tickets from Tirano to St. Moritz Villa Balbianello entrance fee Porterage Water on vehicles 24 hour assistance during your trip
Day 1 Private transfers to hotel upon request Commencing in Milan you will check into Hotel where you have a Double Room for Single Use reserved for 3 nights and breakfast included. Welcome Aperitif to meet and mingle followed by a wonderful Dinner at Boccondivino Restaurant for a 3 course Dinner with beverage and coffee or tea included. Milan Hotel Crown Plaza (or similar) Dinner Day 2 Start with a very special tour of the famous Canals of Milan with your private local expert guide Duration 3 hours Our tour today will take us on a stroll through the south west part of the city where we will discover the Naviglio Canals Quarter with the Naviglio Grande, once considered to be the major area for communications and commerce. During our journey our guide will give us some very interesting heads up on this area, such as the Barges that used the Naviglio Grande to transport the Candoglia marble which was used to build the Duomo and much more!! This area is also considered to be one of the liveliest in Milan and has not changed much over the years with its small apartments and courtyards and tiny stone balconies. The area is also known for its nightlife, with its many nightclubs, pizzerias and pubs, not to mention the churches which are among the oldest. This tour is an excellent way to get a blend of the old and new Milan! Afternoon at Leisure to enjoy and discover Milan on your own. Milan Hotel Crown Plaza (or similar) Breakfast, Dinner Day 3 Crazy for shopping but at the same time you don t want to give up to your passion for good food and wine? Well then let s begin your personal shopper is waiting Duration 8 hours Departing from your hotel you will head east towards Franciacorta, also known as the strada del vino where they not only produce the best Spumante but a wide selection of some of Lombardy s finest wines. Upon arrival you will enjoy a tour of one of the historic wine cellars where you will learn the technique used to produce these fine wines while enjoying a tasting as well. We recommend a light jacket or sweater as the temperature in the cellar is between 50-54 degrees!! After our tour of the cellar our Personal Shopper will accompany us to one of the area s best wine shops where we can purchase some of the best labels the market can offer. Before beginning our shopping spree a stop for lunch is a MUST!! (Payment for lunch direct your personal shopper will have some great suggestions where you can enjoy the specialties of the area) After our lunch Outlets here we come!! Here your personal shopper will share her expertise and point you in the right direction whether it s Calvin Klein, Conte of Florence, Fornarina, Guess, Pinko, Twin Set, Bagatt, Baldinini, Timberland, Bottega Verde, Pupa, Frette, Richard Ginori, Borgo, Bialetti just to name a few. Milan Hotel Crown Plaza (or similar) Breakfast
Day 4 Check out of your Hotel and settle all extras direct including city taxes Enjoy a private Minibus transfer from your hotel to Moltrasio passing through Lugano to enjoy a leisurely day discover this pearl and its Lake with your Guide. Departing from Milan we will cross the border to make our way up the Ticino Region of Switzerland towards the charming lakeside town of Lugano. During our journey, our Tour Manager will begin by giving us an amazing introduction to Switzerland, the Ticino Region and of course our destination Lugano, the people and their way of life, different to that of the Italians. Tour Manager will also share with us the best places to shop and enjoy a delightful lunch. (Payment for lunch direct to restaurant) Also remember that Lugano is a tax free town so please ask your driver about this and above all remember passports or you will not be allowed to pass the border! Check into your Hotel where you have a Double Room for Single Use reserved for 4 nights. Enjoy a wonderful Dinner at Imperiale Restaurant for a 3 course Dinner with beverage and coffee or tea included. Lake Como Grand Hotel Imperiale (or similar) Breakfast, Dinner Day 5 Following Breakfast in your Hotel enjoy with your Private English speaking local Guide, a very special day exploring the Central Lake Area, its towns and villages, villas and gardens from the best possible place the lake itself including a lovely stop for lunch Duration: 7 hours By far this tour can be considered the best introduction to Lake Como, it s villas, gardens, towns and villages. With our guide and private boat we will begin our journey on the lake to the area owned by the Rockefeller Foundation of New York known as Villa Serbelloni, moving ahead past the fishing hamlet of Pescallo and crossing the Lecco branch towards the coastline of Varenna to view this tiny but beautiful town before heading towards Cadenabbia. From Cadenabbia, we can admire the lovely towns, villas, gardens and palaces that define Italy s most famous lake. We will pass Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo, Bolvedro, Mezzegra, Lenno and then across to the Villa Balbianello, considered the most beautiful villa on the lake by many. With our guide we will visit the entire villa and its gardens (1 hr and 20 minutes) After our visit, we will make our way to enjoy a special lunch on the Lake. After lunch we will head back home passing San Giovanni and the Villa Melzi Gardens. Lake Como Grand Hotel Imperiale (or similar) Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Following breakfast today we will experience one of the most impressive day, taking the train to the Alps, (rail tickets included) visiting St. Moritz and enjoying a drive back with an amazing view on the lakes with your private English speaking driver and guide. Duration: 9 Hours We will depart on an amazing journey through one of the most beautiful areas, taking in all it has to offer and more. Once in Tirano we will take train to St. Moritz to enjoy one of the most beautiful experience of the Alps: From the swaying palms in Italy up to the high towering glaciers of the mountains, the highest mountain railway in the Alps provides a link between northern and southern Europe. It does so in the most wonderful way imaginable, on a railway line that coexists in perfect harmony with its glorious mountain setting. The train makes short work of the 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and slopes of up to 70 millimeters per meter of incline along its route. The physical high point of the RhB is Ospizio Bernina, at 2,253 metres above sea level. The wonders of nature and the cultural achievements of man merge into one of the best ways ever to experience the Alps. The section between Thusis and Tirano has been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A milestone in our history. At your arrival in St. Mortiz you will meet your driver but before enjoying a wonderful drive back to Cernobbio you will have time at leisure to explore this pearl set in the Alps. Lake Como Grand Hotel Imperiale (or similar) Breakfast Day 7 Day at leisure to relax on Lake Como on your own. Lake Como Grand Hotel Imperiale (or similar) Breakfast Day 8 Check out of your Hotel and settle all extras direct. Enjoy a private Minibus transfer from your hotel to Santa Margherita in Ligure with your English speaking Driver. Check into your Hotel where you have a Double Room for Single Use reserved for 3 nights. Today you will enjoy learning traditional recipes of the Ligurian region in one of the best restaurants in Rapallo with your private English speaking chef. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your chef with a cappuccino and some delicious homemade cookies. You will then begin your hands on lesson preparing some delicious local recipes and also if weather permits you will enjoy a stroll in the garden where you can recognize spontaneous and aromatic herbs. During your lesson you will enjoy a small brunch for an immediate taste accompanied by a good glass of wine. Afterwards you will sit down for a gourmet dinner to enjoy all that has been prepared together Wines and liqueurs will be included. Included during the lesson: A copy of the restaurant s cookbook and their personalised apron. Santa Margherita Ligure Hotel Regina Elena (or similar) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Experience an unforgettable day discovering the famous Five lands known as The Cinque Terre with your local expert guide Duration: 8 hours Today we will enjoy a very special day exploring one of the most famous sites of the Italian Rivera, The Five Lands: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. These amazing villages are known for their beauty, over centuries people have carefully built terraces on the rugged steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea, which makes this place so characteristic. During your visit you will notice that the villages lack of modern development, another reason the area is considered so charming!! Paths, trains and boats make travelling from one village to another quite an easy task! From Riomaggiore, will stroll along the famous Via Dell Amore which is a pleasant easy walk to the next town, Manarola. From here we can either enjoy a car ride, train ride or walk to Corniglia to then drive up to Vernazza and enjoy the truest fishing village on the Five lands. We suggest you enjoy time at leisure admiring the colored buildings and the lovely shops. Santa Margherita Ligure Hotel Regina Elena (or similar) Breakfast Day 10 Day at Leisure to relax and discover the Italian Riviera on your own. Enjoy a wonderful Farewell Dinner at Lord Nelson Restaurant 3 course Dinner with beverage and coffee or tea included Transportation to/from restaurant is included Santa Margherita Ligure Hotel Regina Elena (or similar) Breakfast, Dinner Day 11 Check out of your Hotel and settle all extras direct. Private transfers available on request to Milan Airport Arrivederci! Breakfast