Treasures of Northern Italy

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Created: 01.11.2015

Day 1 - DEPART ??? Today we depart New York, JFK on our way to Milan. We are served complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2- LECCO - Arrival in Milan.  We meet our Tour Manager outside of customs and board our motor coach for our drive to Ranco for lunch at ???Ristorante Belvedere??? before we continue to our hotel in Lecco. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 3 ??? LAKE CRUISE/VILLA BALBIANELLO/BELLAGIO This morning   we depart for Bellagio via Varenna .  We walk through this characteristic small village to reach our boarding point for our private boat to Villa Balbianello.  A visit of its charming garden and house before we transfer by private boat to Bellagio. Here we enjoy a group lunch, followed by our sightseeing tour. Some free time to explore on our own before our journey back to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 4 ??? MILANO/ GRUMELLO CASTLE/ BERGAMO -This morning we visit Milan, the financial capital of Italy. Our tour starts with a visit of its opera house ???La Scala??? (if available) then a walk through the Galleria to reach the ???Duomo???. We visit this marvelous Cathedral, dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity. Some time to explore on our own before we continue to ???Grumello Castle??? for a wine tasting and a light lunch. We tour its wine cellar before we continue to Bergamo. Enjoy a stroll through its windy streets before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 5 - STRESA/BORROMEAN ISLANDS ??? Morning departure for Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore where we  board a ferry for a visit to the Borromean Islands . This afternoon upon our return we visit Stresa before heading to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 ??? COMO/VERONA ???This morning we transfer to Verona via Como, the silk capital of the world. Our visit includes the Cathedral and the historical center. Today???s lunch will be at a local restaurant in Como.  Some time to explore on our own before we continue to Verona. Arrive at the hotel for dinner and overnight in Verona. Day 7 ??? VERONA/MANTUA -This morning we visit Mantua, one of the most important cities in Italy which has earned the title of UNESCO World Heritage. Mantua, known as the Sleeping Beauty, hasn't changed since the Middle Ages featuring its dramatic skyline of ancient towers, turrets, cupolas and domes. We enjoy some time to explore on our own before we return to Verona and begin our walking tour.  Verona was made famous by Shakespeare???s famous tragic couple, Romeo and Juliet. Our guided tour will include the Roman Arena, one of the largest and best preserved Roman Amphitheaters, still used today for Verona???s prestigious operas. Continue through Verona???s cobbled streets to the colorful Piazza del Erve, the former Roman Forum, lined with vegetable stands, cafes and restaurants. Our tour concludes at Juliet???s Balcony, perhaps one of the most romantic spots in the world. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 8 ??? FRANCIACORTA/DESENZANO DEL GARDA -Morning departure towards Lago di Garda and Franciacorta. Our first stop will be the small village of Franciacorta, famous worldwide for its winery. We visit the winery and enjoy a wine tasting session with a light lunch. We continue  to Desenzano and take a walking tour of this little village on the Lago di Garda. Some free time for shopping before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 9 ??? VENICE ???Today is dedicated to Venice called the ???Living Room??? of Europe ???upon arrival at St. Mark???s Square,  we begin our walking tour. Dominating the Square is the Basilica of San Marco, adorned with magnificent Byzantine Mosaics.  We  continue with a visit of the Doge???s Palace, decorated by the 16th century artists Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.  Before we set off to explore Venice on our own, we enjoy a Gondola ride through the canals. Return  to our hotel in Verona for dinner and overnight.   Day 10 - RETURN TO THE USA - Today we make our way back to New York, JFK with memories of a lifetime.