LAKE COMO, DOLOMITES & VENICE AT LEISURE
Day 1 - (Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 - Arrival in Milan, Italy - Como. (Fri.) For air-inclusive travelers: included transfers to Como from Milan Malpensa Airport. For land-only travelers: transfers available to Como, ask your travel agent for details. Time to rest or start exploring Como, beautifully situated at the lake. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) Day 3 - Como. Lake District Excursion. (Sat.) A day dedicated to the most famous of the Italian lakes, Maggiore, with its 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 BORROMEO PALACE. Wander around the beautiful GARDENS and terraces, and visit the local market. Next, travel to 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. (BB) Day 4 - At Leisure in Como. (Sun.) All day at leisure to relax or explore this beautiful resort on your own. Take a stroll along the lake, visit the 14th-century cathedral, browse through the little shops, or just sit on one of the lakeside terraces and enjoy the beautiful views. (BB) Day 5 - Como - Dolomites. (Mon.) Leave the Lake District and drive into the Alpine region of South Tyrol, part of Austria until the end of World War I and where German is still spoken. Stay two nights in charming Bolzano. (BB,D) Day 6 - Dolomites. (Tue.) Today's orientation features Piazza del Duomo, the food market, and the beautiful main street with its arcades. You may wish to join an exciting optional excursion to the pretty town of Merano and one of Tyrol's most famous castles. (BB) Day 7 - Dolomites - Cortina - Venice. (Wed.) Enjoy a spectacularly scenic drive in the Italian Alps. Visit the jewel of the Dolomites: Cortina d - Ampezzo, the Olympic ski resort. Enjoy an orientation of this picturesque town before continuing to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (BB) Day 8 - Venice. (Thu.) Meet your Local Guide for morning sightseeing, featuring ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES" PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish. Perhaps a gondola ride" (BB) Day 9 - At Leisure in Venice. (Fri.) 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 join an optional lagoon cruise with lunch on the charming island of Burano. (BB) Day 10 - Venice - Milan. (Sat.) An easy drive takes you to the commercial capital of Italy - Milan. Afternoon sightseeing with your Local Guide starts in the pedestrian area with a visit to the magnificent gothic DUOMO. Continue through the glass-domed GALLERIA to the famous Scala Opera House, then a short walk to the imposing SFORZESCO CASTLE. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (BB) Day 11 - (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
