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The Lakes & Private Villas of Northern Italy
10 day tour incl. air, (9 day tour)
This enchanting tour focuses on smaller medieval and Renaissance towns such
as Verona and Padua. Add to this the lovely Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como,
with private invitations to dine in some of this region's most beautiful and
famous villas. Enjoy the lakeside luxury at the celebrated Villa D'Este and
the peace of Asolo's rural countryside, along with the romance and magic of
Venice.
Spectacular Sightseeing:
Fashionable Milan
Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
Private afternoon tea in Villa Cicogna Mozzoni
A private cruise on Lake Como
Romantic Bellagio
A private lunch with Contessa Agliardi
Romeo and Juliet's Verona
Exclusive garden-view rooms at Villa Cipriani, Asolo
A private tour of the Jacopo Poli Grappa Distillery
The Palladian Villas
A private visit of Villa Rotanda
University town of Padua
A gondola ride in Venice.
Included Tour Features:
Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary (5 star and above)
Meals as indicated in itinerary
Private round-trip airport transfers
All sightseeing as show, including entrance fees
Services of a professional guide
Traveling Bell Boy service
Porterage of 2 bags per person all gratuities except to tour guide
Tour limited to 24 passengers
Local guide only with car & driver on post-tour Rome extension
Not included: personal expenses such as laundry; travel insurance; excess
baggage
fees; communication charges; cost of obtaining passports or visas; meals, beverages
or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; international and internal airfares;
airport departure taxes; gratuities to your Guide.
Departures & Prices: 2003 Tour Season
Dates: May 31 - June 29
September
6 & 20
Land price is tour only - Air price is the tour and airfare together
Tour only $6,990 Single Supplement $1,750
Optional post-tour Venice extension: Tour only $1,690 Single Supplement
$1,085
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: USA or Canada - Milan, Italy
Board your overnight flight to Milan.
Day 2: Milan
You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where the day is at
leisure. You may participate in a walking tour this afternoon. This evening,
meet fellow travelers for drinks followed by a welcome dinner.
Grand Hotel et de Milan D
Day 3: Milan - Lake Maggiore - Lake Como
Transferring to the lake district, we board a boat for the Borromean Islands,
celebrated for their baroque palaces and magnificent gardens. We visit Isola
Bella, and the delightful fishermen's island of Isola dei Pescatori. Later,
drive to Villa Cicogna Mozzoni where we enjoy a guided tour and afternoon tea
with Contessa Mozzoni before checking into our prestigious Lake Como hotel,
enjoying dinner ΰ la carte.
Villa D'Este B,L,D
Day 4: Lake Como
A lovely, leisurely day in which to enjoy our magnificent lakeside hotel and
its superb facilities, including three swimming pools, a fully equipped gym
and tennis courts; or perhaps enjoy a short excursion up the lake to the exquisitely
beautiful, 16th-century Villa Balbianello. Villa D'Este B
Day 5: Lake Como - Bergamo - Villa Agliardi - Lake Garda
This morning we drive to Bergamo, birthplace of the operatic composer Donizetti.
We stroll through the delightful old town with its 16th-century Venetian ramparts,
view the fine medieval and Renaissance buildings, and visit the Accademia Carrara,
one of Italy's finest art collections. We are then invited to lunch with Contessa
Agliardi in her beautiful country retreat before continuing to Lake Garda and
our beautiful lakeside hotel, where we dine this evening.
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli B,L,D
Day 6: Verona
On a walking tour of this historic city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet,
we see the great Roman arena, the Piazza della Erbe marketplace and the courtyard
of Juliet's house. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli B
Day 7: Lake Garda - Vicenza - Asolo
We drive to Vicenza, home of the great architect Andrea Palladio, and see some
fine examples of his work including the adornment of the Basilica and the remarkable
Teatro Olympico. We enjoy a private visit of Villa Rotonda, Palladio's most
celebrated building, before driving into the foothills of the Dolomites to garden-view
rooms at our hotel. This evening we dine ΰ la carte on the terrace.
Hotel Villa Cipriani B,D
Day 8: Asolo
We spend a relaxing day at our hotel. Alternatively we may visit Palladio's
nearby Villa di Maser and its Veronese frescoes, followed by a private tour
of the Jacopo Poli Grappa distillery, which has produced Italy's most renowned
"eau de vie" since the 19th century. Dinner is ΰ la carte in the hotel.
Hotel Villa Cipriani B,D
Day 9: Asolo - Padua -Venice
A short drive brings us to the ancient university town of Padua, where Galileo
taught physics 400 years ago. We visit the cathedral and Scrovegni Chapel, housing
the beautiful fresco-cycle painted by Giotto. Venice is just a short distance
away, and we arrive in time for a romantic gondola ride followed by a farewell
dinner.
Hotel Gritti Palace B,D
Day 10: Venice - USA or Canada
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a homebound flight, or extend
your stay in Venice. B
OPTIONAL POST-TOUR VENICE EXTENSION
Day 10: Venice
After a leisurely morning, you are met at your hotel by a local English-speaking
guide and taken for a walking tour of Venice. Your tour includes the Palazzo
Ducale, otherwise known as the Doges' Palace, which was the seat of the government
and home to the Doges from the 12th century. It also includes St. Mark's Square
and the Basilica. The rest of the day is at leisure. Hotel Gritti
Palace B
Day 11: Burano and Murano
Enjoy an excursion this morning to the Lagoon Islands of Burano, noted for its
lace-making, and Murano,the center of Venice's famous glass-making industry.
The balance of your day is free.
Hotel Gritti Palace B
Day 12: Venice
This morning you discover the "hidden Venice" that tourists
don't often see. This tour circles around St. MarkΉs Square and includes the
church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and San Zaccaria. After your tour,return
to the hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure.Hotel Gritti Palace
B
Day 13: Venice - USA or Canada
This morning after breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your
transatlantic flight. B
| OPTIONAL VENICE EXTENSION |
| Price Per Person/Double Occupancy |
$ 1,690 |
| Single Supplement |
$ 1,085 |
| THE LAKES AND PRIVATE VILLAS OF NORTHERN ITALY |
| Price Per Person/Double Occupancy |
$ 6,990 |
| Single Supplement |
$ 1,750 |
All departures guaranteed and are limited to 24 passengers.
* - Accommodations in the Lake Garda region are at Palazzo Arzaga on this departure.
|
