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Northern Italy at Leisure

Spend two days in fashionable Milan, cruise the Brenta and Venice Canals, admire the spectacular Dolomites and discover the Italian Lake District with its pearl: Como
Embrace the charm of Venice, the glorious Italian Alps and the sparkling Lake District on this wonderful 11-day vacation. Arrive in the fashion mecca of Milan where you visit the Duomo, the glass-domed Galleria and imposing Sforzesco Castle. On to Padua to visit St. Anthony’s Basilica, followed by a highlight visit to magnificent Palladio’s Villa. Then you board your private boat to cruise through the Brenta canals to your restaurant for dinner. In Venice, sightseeing with a local expert, and visits to St. Mark’s Square and Basilica and Doges’ Palace are included. Watch Venetian glass blowers at work, and then enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city. Next a spectacular scenic drive through the Italian Dolomites to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo and Bolzano. Continue to world-renowned Como for three nights. Enjoy an excursion to famous Lake Maggiore where you sail to Isola Bella to visit Boromeo Palace, and to Lake Lugano, across the border in Switzerland.
COMPLETE ITINERARY

11 days incl. air, or 10 days Milan/Milan

Day 1 (Wed.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Milan, Italy. (Thu.) Time to rest or to start exploring Milan, vibrant hub of Italy’s economic miracle. At 6 p.m. meet your tour director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 3 Milan. (Fri.) Sightseeing with your local guide starts in the pedestrian area with a visit to the magnificent GOTHIC CATHEDRAL. Continue through the glass-domed GALLERIA to the famous Scala Opera House, then a short walk to the imposing SFORZESCO CASTLE. Afternoon free. You may want to shop in Via Montenapoleone and Corso Vittorio Emanuele for some of the world’s greatest designer labels, visit the Brera Art Museum, or take in a unique view of the city from the roof of its cathedral.
Day 4 Milan-Brenta Canal Excursion-Venice. (Sat.) An easy morning drive via the lush plains of the Po River to Padua, city of St. Anthony the Hermit, for a visit to the majestic six-domed BASILICA. Highlight of the day is a visit to magnificent PALLADIO’S VILLA, built in the 18th century. Then board your private boat for an exciting cruise through the Brenta Canal passing through enchanting small villages before reaching your restaurant for an included dinner. After dinner continue to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe.
Day 5 Venice. (Sun.) Enter Venice in style by private boat for morning sightseeing with a local expert, featuring ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE, and the Bridge of Sighs. Also watch VENETIAN GLASS BLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish.
Day 6 Venice at Leisure. (Mon.) A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. Simply relax at your hotel, stroll around the narrow streets, visit the bell tower, or you may want to try a gondola ride.
Day 7 Venice-Dolomites. (Tue.) Enjoy a spectacularly scenic drive in the Italian Alps. Visit the jewel of the Dolomites: Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic ski resort. Stroll along its most famous street, Corso Italia; take pictures or simply admire the fascinating surroundings of this picturesque village. After a leisurely break, more mountain scenery as you continue to Bolzano.
Day 8 Dolomites-Como. (Wed.) Late morning departure for world-renowned Como, beautifully situated at the lake, where you will stay for the next three nights. (BB,D)
Day 9 Como. Lake District Excursion. (Thu.) A day dedicated to the most famous of the Italian lakes, Maggiore, with its constantly mild climate and luxuriant, exotic vegetation. Enjoy a boat ride to ISOLA BELLA, one of the last privately owned islands open to visitors, to admire the BORROMEO PALACE. Wander around the beautiful GARDENS and terraces, and visit the local market. Next the subtropical resort town of Lugano, in Swiss territory. Time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa, an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma, or a walk in the shade of Parco Ciani’s magnificent old trees. Mid-afternoon transfer back to Como.
Day 10 Como at Leisure. (Fri.) All day at leisure to relax or explore this beautiful city on your own. Have a stroll along the lake, visit the 14th-century cathedral, browse through the little shops, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful views. Your tour director will have suggestions for an optional farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation.
Day 11 (Sat.) Homebound flight. Morning transfer to Milan Malpensa or Linate Airports in time for flights leaving no earlier than 10 a.m. For land-only tour members, extra nights are available in Milan, not Como.