Northern Italy & Lake Como MasterExperience
Programme & Itinerary
DAY ONE
Arrival in Bergamo Alta
- Welcome to Bergamo Alta, the Città Alta that welcomes you with its Venetian Walls, cobblestone alleyways, its beautiful piazzas and monuments against the jaw-dropping background of the Alps and the plains in the distance
- Check in at your Hotel
- This evening you will meet your splendid Host for a guided walk through town and maybe for a spot of people watching while enjoying an Espresso or Apertivo in the Piazza Vecchia, sipping on an elegant glass of Moscato di Scanzo, Italy’s smallest DOCG wine, as the XII Bell Tower famously tolls its 100 chimes, a tradition dating back centuries that used to announce the curfew for the Bergamaschi of Città Alta
- Dinner will be at a typical restaurant in town, where our Hosts will delight our palates with the best local food
DAY TWO
Taste of Bergamo Foodie Experience - Bergamo Crafts & Workshops
- This morning, your Host will introduce you to the Flavours of Bergamo on an intriguing and tasty walk to discover the secrets and traditions of Bergamasco cuisine.
- Stops will include the best places in Bergamo and its territory where we will taste local food & wine excellence and will also have the opportunity to watch their production.
- Several tasting experiences for a morning full of flavours and delicacies
- To follow, a tour of the Upper Town intertwined with a visit to some artisan workshops using old traditions that still survive and thrive keeping up the utmost Made in Italy quality
- Chance to actually see the artisans at work, as they are immersed in their own high quality creations
- Return to the heart of Bergamo Alta for a late afternoon and evening at leisure
DAY THREE
Cookery Masterclass – Antique Fabrics & Vestments Restorer
Balsamic Vinegar - Wines at the Castle
- After breakfast, it will be time for …sleeves up! for a morning local Cookery Masterclass to prepare and taste some of Northern Italy’s staple dishes under the guidance of our Chef!
- Lunch to sample the fruits of our labour
- A stroll along Bergamo’s Venetian Walls, a Unesco World Heritage Site, will lead to a truly unique visit to one of the town’s legendary antique fabrics & religious vestments restorers in the midst of his busy day in the workshop
- This afternoon, yet another treat as you will visit a beautiful Acetaia, a Balsamic Vinegar Estate owned and run by Mrs Manuela and her daughters, a women-only reality featuring an exclusive elegance and attention to detail!
- A walk through the vines and an explanation of their exclusive processing techniques before a delicious tasting
- 17:00-18:00: This day of discovery is yet to end, as we head towards an Aperitivo at Castello Grumello, a nearby medieval castle within an amazing vineyard n the very heart of Valcalepio (the Calepio Valley)
- Our Hosts will walk us through a visit of the Castle and the wine cellars accompanied by a tasting of four selected wines and local cheese.
- Return to Bergamo Alta for a good night’s rest
DAY FOUR
Valsassina Valley Gourmet & Cheese Experience - Lake Como – Como
- After a leisurely breakfast, we head further north in the Lombardy region till the foot of the Alps in a truly majestic natural landscape
- Our destination is the Valsassina valley, where our Hosts at one of the most famous venues in the area will offer us an amazing cheese tasting experience combined with our Gourmet lunch
- Our Tasting Experience with the Producers will be a unique journey through the flavours of Northern Italy featuring special cheeses such as Taleggio and Gorgonzola, a staple of Italy and world renowned
- After our Gourmet lunch, time to reach the shores of the famous Lake Como
- The picturesque town of Como is where we will check into our Hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in town with a light walking tour to discover its beautiful architecture, villas & gardens, lavish Cathedral and Basilica and its history dating back to the Celts and Romans
- Evening at leisure and dinner arranged by Guests
DAY FIVE
Bellagio & Como – Brunate Funicular
- After a leisurely breakfast, a ferry experience on Lake Como to reach the lovely village of Bellagio
- Enjoy a lovely full day in the Bellagio exploring its picturesque beauty, the stunning views and its iconic buzz and elegance
- Lunch will be in a typical restaurant, followed by an afternoon at leisure to explore the tiny alleyways, shops and the Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo in the most charming and relaxed atmosphere
- Ferry back to Como for a bit of rest
- Late afternoon may feature a cable car ride from Como to Brunate for an evening at leisure and dinner arranged by Guests in the vibe of Brunate overlooking Lake Como
- Return to the Hotel in Como by funicular for a good night’s rest
DAY SIX
Lecco - Franciacorta Wine Experience - Verona – Piazza Erbe – Arena
Romeo & Giulietta
- After a leisurely breakfast and check-out, departure o reach Lecco on Lake Como’s South-Eastern end and by far the most famous and coveted branch of Lake Como known to Italians and in Italian Literature
- The neoclassical elegance of Lecco combined with its medieval fortifications and fascinating history will capture your attention
- Our next destination today will be a truly special experience as we pay a visit to the Franciacorta region, world renowned for its excellent sparkling wines
- Visit to a charming Franciacorta winery estate with a tasting and , possibly, lunch
- Then we head towards Verona, the town of Romeo & Giulietta of Shakespearean fame
- Leisurely walk with our Host through the elegant Piazza delle Erbe of the charming Verona Antica and Giulietta’s Balcony
- Evening in Verona’s charming centre followed by dinner arranged by Guests
DAY SEVEN
Palladian Villas – Verona
· After breakfast, departure for a day of architectural beauty and inspiration as we visit the monumental Palladian Villas of the Veneto region
· Our first destination will be the iconic Villa Almerico Capra, also known as La Rotonda, built atop a hill on the outskirts of Vicenza and the very inspiration for the White House
· Our next visit will feature the nearby Villa Valmarana Ai Nani with its beautifully landscaped Italian Garden and its stunning 1757 frescoes by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo, the absolute highest expression of 1700s painting
· After a typical lunch in the area, return to Verona
· Evening at leisure to explore Verona on your own, meet the locals and immerse yourself in the elegance of La Dolce Vita
DAY EIGHT
Lake Garda & Medieval Castles – Spa - Mantova
- After a leisurely breakfast and checking out, we will reach the shores of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake for a visit to the fascinating medieval town of Sirmione
- Perched at the top of a peninsula surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Lake Garda, Sirmione welcomes Guests with its millennia-old thermal baths its impressive Scaligero Castle dating back to 1338
- Time permtiing, a chance to enjoy Sirmione’s most famous Thermal Baths Spa for a session of pampering, wellness and relax
- After taking in the majestic views of Lake Garda and the Italian Alps, we set off to reach Mantova
- Check in at Hotel and evening at leisure with dinner arranged by Guests
DAY NINE
Mantova
- After breakfast, walking tour with your Host through the beauty of Mantova
- Your Host will introduce you to Piazza Sordello as we approach Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale, which host masterpieces painted by Renaissance artists Pisanello and Mantegna
· The interiors of the Renaissance Palaces are absolutely stunning and a spectacle for the eyes and heart
· Typical lunch in Mantova followed by an evening and dinner at leisure
DAY TEN
Transfer to Milan Aiport
- 10:00: After a leisurely breakfast, Private Transfer to Milan Linate Airport with ETA 12:15
- ....Arrivederci Italia!
...
Highlights & What's included
from €3950 eur*
- Guests: 4/ 7
- Starting point: Bergamo @ 10:00am on Day One (please contact us for arrangements)
- Ending point: Milan @12:30 on Day Ten (please contact us for arrangements)
- Fully escorted by our Tour Leader, Guides and Hosts
- Accommodation 10 days / 9 nights: SINGLE/DOUBLE EN-SUITE ROOM ACCOMMODATION (NO single room supplement!) in selected venues and Hotels that deliver a true feeling
for the town & area
- 3 nights in Bergamo
- 2 nights in Como
- 2 nights in Verona
- 2 nights in Mantova
- *Accommodation venue may vary from 4-Star Hotels and luxury upscale B&B’s to a dispersed hotel concept with the rooms scattered around Bergamo Alta.
- Hands-on Cookery Classes at our exclusive venues in Bergamo
- Foodie
Experiences:
- Markets
- Cheese Tastings
- Highly selected Wine Tastings & Winery visits
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Visit to several beautiful towns and locations with incredible views
- All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!
- All lunches and tastings included as per the program with selected wines
**Itinerary could be subject to slight modifications. All experiences are guaranteed!
Not included
- Flights
- Gratuities
A word on Tipping
At Italia Speciale our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus and, especially, feedback for our partners.
Should you feel the need to share a token of gratitude, ideally your Host should collect €95 eur in cash per guest to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners. Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.
Payment: Bank Transfer + bank charges | Credit Card: +3.5%
Italia Speciale - Leonardo De Flaviis
Stampa 