Italy's Lakes & North Italy 8 Days Tour

DAY 1 – Rome to the North

Fuel your full day of sightseeing with pastries, juice, authentic italian espresso and more at your hotel’s included continental breakfast. Then board your deluxe motor coach for the scenic drive to Assisi, with time at leisure to explore this medieval city. It is the birthplace of St. Francis and is still surrounded by its ancient walls.

We suggest you visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Lunch is at your leisure. You will then proceed to Siena to take in views of the town square, Piazza del Campo, where the world-famous horse race, the Palio, takes place every year.

Also see the elegant Palace and the Cathedral. Reach your hotel in glorious Florence, the capital of Tuscany, in time for an included, multi-course dinner featuring Italian specialties—an ideal time to get to know your fellow travelers. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 2 – The City of Art – Florence!

Today’s sightseeing tour is dedicated to exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.

Visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, Campanile Tower, and Santa Croce, the 13th-century Franciscan church with Cimabue’s famous crucifix just to name a few.

Lunch is on your own; perhaps sit at an outdoor café for a typical Italian mid-day meal. Be sure to save room for some exquisite gelato! With your afternoon at leisure, you may want to check out the many shops and stalls at the Ponte Vecchio, where you can browse for Italian leather goods and other souvenirs.

Your afternoon is free or you may join an optional tour to see Pisa. Meet back at your conveniently located hotel for an included dinner tonight.

Day 3 – Tuscany, Heartland and Venice

Enjoy your breakfast and prepare for a full day of exploring. It’s on to Bologna for a visit to the city.

Visit the city’s historical center, Neptune Square and Major Square, King Renzo’s Palace , Podesta Palace and The Basilica of San Petronio to name a few. Lunch is at your leisure and the afternoon is yours to explore.

Later we will continue Padova for a visit to the Basilica of Saint Antonio and then on to the city of bridges; Venice, with its romantic canals, in time for dinner at your hotel.

Day 4 – Milano

Good morning! As you rise and shine in Venice, the smell of fresh espresso and pastries fill the air.

Today you Transfer from Venice to Milan by coach or rail. Enjoy the journey as you pass by the mountains and open fields. Upon arrival to Milan you have the entire day and evening to yourself to explore, shop and enjoy one of Milan’s famous high fashion shops and cafes.

Day 5 – Milan & the Northern Lakes

Departure at 08:30 am from the hotel in Milan to Lake Maggiore, one of the largest Italian Lakes. Wedged between the pre-alps, Lake Maggiore, of clear glacial origin, is framed in its lower section by the soft hills of the "Novarese" region, and in the upper section, by high mountain peeks, some of which with perennial snow. These features make it possible that in the costal areas the climate is temperate, milder in winter than in the inner areas and cooled down in summer by the breezes that blow on the water's surface changing its color.

Thanks to its mild climate it was possible for many species of flowers and plants typical to the sub-tropical climate to adapt in the costal areas.

Arrival in Stresa, an international tourist resort situated in a central but also panoramic and picturesque position along the lakeside roadway, stands just in front of the Borromee islands.

Tour of the Pescatori island by boat. The island, is named after the main activity which over the centuries has characterized this fishermen town. Although only few families still go on with the original activity, the identity of the small community appears still intact.

Tourists are fascinated by its simple houses, the narrow lanes, the stone portals and the attractive underpasses. We will continue to the Bella Island, where it is possible to visit the Borromeo Palace with its magnificent gardens. Return to Stresa. (free time for lunch , not included).

In the afternoon, after a Panoramic tour around the lake, we reach Lugano (Switzerland frontier).A very nice city, rich of shops and art galleries (Swiss shops offer the best luxury goods to be purchased), art galleries. At the end of the visit departure to Como .Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6 – The Heart of Lake Como

Breakfast at the hotel. Short visit of Como. An amazing small province rich of atmospheres, panoramas, and historic battles. In a few kilometres we pass from the high mountain to the lake, from the wild alpine valley to the industrialized brianzola hill, from the city area of Como to the villages of little houses, from the fanatical oasis to north to the tracks from ski to south.

Como lake, It has long been famous for its setting at the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped lake, which is also known as Lario. Board the boat we reach Bellagio, situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake's two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north. Divided in three branches, is situated on the most renowned beach on the Italian landscape.It is a picturesque village with small streets, luxury hotels and villas and gardens.

Visit. Time free for lunch. In the afternoon departure by boat to Varenna. Panoramic tour and departure to Bergamo. City characterized by a division of the urban structure on two levels, the “Lower town” (Città bassa), modern and dynamic and the famous “ Upper town” (Città alta), a truly historic and artistic jewel. After a Small walking tour of in the city centre, departure to Brescia. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 – Lake Garda and Beyond!

Breakfast at the hotel, departure for the Lake Garda, the largest Italian lake. Panoramic tour on the West Coast. Lake Garda offers the visitor a splendid natural scenery, full of colours, surrounded by the Dolomites of Brenta in the north and the gentle slopes of the morainic hills in the south. A rich vegetation flourishes thanks to the Mediterranean climate: lemon trees, oleanders, magnolias and bouganville.

The cultivation of vineyards and olive groves produces good wines and olive oil. Arrival in Sirmione. Here the lake offers its best panorama, really sunny with the blue of its waters and the green of its trees. Boat tour to have a nice view of the Sirmione Cape, the castle and the Catullo’s ruins. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon departure to Riva del Garda on the North side of the Lake. Its historic centre shows the signs of the Venetian domain. Leave to Verona. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8 – Romeo & Juliet's Town

Breakfast at the hotel and visit of famous city Verona. It is a work of art in itself: a fascinating cross-roads of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic), a blend of both Nordic and "Mediterranean" influences; the city is at the same time both ancient and modern.

A walk through its narrow streets allows we to get in touch with its varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles, its magnificent Renaissance palaces as well as the impressive fortifications which protect it.

A suggestive blend of art and history which continuously fascinates the onlooker Free time for lunch. In the afternoon departure to Milan. Note: This program ends in Milan. We can assist you with hotel this night if needed.

Departure Dates 2012:

• April  02  16 
• May  14  28 
• June  11  25 
• July  09  23 
• August  No departures  
• September  03  17 
• October  01  15 

The price of the tour includes:

• 3 & 4 Star hotels for 7 nights with private bath
• Transport by modern European coaches
• All breakfasts are included
• 3 multi course meals
• All taxes included! 
• Private Airport Transfers on pick up and departure
• Tour host for duration of tour
• Private Guided Sightseeing Tours
• Porterage Service: just 1 piece of luggage per person
• Hotels: Rome: Hotel Corona or similar, Florence: Hotel Raffaello or similar, Venice: Hotel in Mestre(suburb of Venice): Hotel Delfino or similar
• Group Size: Med-Lg.
• Minimum: 2 Average: 25
• The tour does not include: airfare, tips, baggage handling
• Tour price is based on the EURO Dollar and subject to change.

• Single supplement available upon request. 
• Guarenteed in English, other languages may be offered to assist others. 

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• Local assistance where available
• TripPak -  Free travel maps, guide books and information
• CRS System - 24 Hr Travel Support Hotline During Your Trip

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