~ NORTHERN ITALY ~
16 Days Tour
Immerse yourself in this Italian adventure beginning in Milan, the capital of Lombardy and a global fashion hub. Unwind for 3 nights and soak in the city's grandeur. Marvel at the Gothic Duomo cathedral, wander through the opulent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and experience the world-renowned La Scala opera house.
Next, journey to the captivating Lake Como, a haven for visitors since Roman times. Explore Bellagio, a picturesque village nicknamed "the Pearl of Lake Como" for its beauty. Read more... Nestled amidst verdant hills and boasting a mild climate, Bellagio offers 4 nights of relaxation. Explore the region's artistic and cultural gems, including historical villas, palaces, and stunning gardens. Savor the fresh local fish, delectable game dishes and hand-crafted polenta.
Continue your adventure in Langhe, Piedmont, a land of rolling hills dotted with enchanting villages, captivating castles, and ancient towers. Immerse yourself in the region's Slow Food culture for 3 nights in Neive. Savor the "noble wines," indulge in artisan cheeses, and experience the legendary white truffle. Langhe boasts a wealth of World Heritage Sites and breathtaking scenery.
Move on to the Veneto region, where charming Borghetto sul Mincio awaits. This picturesque watermill village, ideally located near Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda, serves as your base for further exploration for 5 nights. Easy day trips include Verona, famed for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Mantua (European Capital of Gastronomy in 2017), the Roman archaeological site of the Grottoes of Catullus in Sirmione, Giotto's masterpiece in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, and the breathtaking Santuario della Corona nestled in a rock face.
Conclude your Italian odyssey with a final night and farewell dinner back in Milan.
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Tour highlights
- Tour starts and ends in Milan.
- Experience a delightful journey off the beaten path and enjoy Italy with the locals!
- Stay in charming hotels overlooking the lake and rolling hills of the Langhe region.
- Our intimate group size (max 6 people*) offers flexibility and efficiency, plus personalized service.
- Travel in a comfortable minivan.
- Spend less time on long transfers, spend more time savoring your Italian journey.
- Choose your favorite dishes and drinks from à la carte menus.
- Taste a variety of traditional Italian regional cuisine in tradition with the Slow Food Movement.
- Enjoy special dinners in amazing settings.
Sightseeing
- Explore charming villages, archaeological sites, castles, magnificent villas, cathedrals, medieval towns, and superb gardens, accompanied by our English-speaking local Italian guides.
- Lombardy region: Milan, Bergamo, Lake Como, Brunate, Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Vezio Castle, Chiavenna, Vigevano, Certosa di Pavia and Cremona.
- Piedmont region: Barolo, La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba Castle, Neive, Alba, Grinzane Castle, Fontanafredda and Guarene.
- Veneto region: Lake Garda, Sirmione, Grottoes of Catullus, Borghetto sul Mincio, Mantua, Verona, Lazise, Malcesine, Madonna della Corona sanctuary, Padua and Cittadella.
- View map of the Tour.
Activities
- Know how sheep cheese is made in a local family farm and taste their products during an outdoor lunch.
- Walk in the woods with Silvio and Toma (the dog) to experience truffle hunting.
- Visit a hazelnut family farm and learn the full operational cycle from growing, harvesting and processing the nuts, to the transformation into delicious products like the famous Nutella, cookies, cakes and more…
- Take part in winery tours in some of the oldest wineries in Italy and taste renowned wines like Barbera, Barolo, Dolcetto, Barbaresco, Moscato, Arnais, Valpolicella, Amarone, and more.
- Visit a workshop of a luthier in Cremona, the birthplace of Antonio Stradivari and learn how a violin is made.
- Visit a distillery and taste 'grappa', a unique Italian spirit.