Stay in Milan and enjoy the Lakes and Mountain regions of Italy and Switzerland with Cinque terra added too.

What’s Included:

• 2 transfers
• 6 nights hotel
• 6 breakfasts
• Wi-fi

What’s not Included:

• International flights to and from tour. Contact us for the best prices from your city
• Additional meals and drinks not indicated in Itinerary.
• Any internal country fees, taxes or permits
• Taxes, fees and charges not included in the itinerary.
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities

Day 1 – Arrive in Milan and transfer to your hotel, followed by Milan City Highlights Tour starting at 2:30 p.m. with da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’

Milan and Lake Como — the gems of northern Italy. Start with a sightseeing tour of Milan to see highlights like the Duomo, the La Scala opera house, the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II gallery, medieval Sforza Castle and Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ fresco painting.

Highlights

• Milan sightseeing tour and Lake Como cruise, a discounted 2-day combo
• See Milan’s highlights on a guided city tour, including Sforza Castle, the Duomo and the La Scala opera house
• Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper fresco painting up close!
• Take a day trip to the luxurious resort town of Como for a scenic Lake Como cruise
• Ride the funicular to Brunate for sweeping views of Como’s mountains and Mediterranean villas

What You Can Expect

Visit the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II gallery

Milan Sightseeing Tour

Take a half-day sightseeing tour of Milan on your first day. Departing at 2:30pm from central Milan, start with an awe-inspiring visit to the mural painting of The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed masterpiece, housed next to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church.

Then, dive into the history and culture of Milan, Italy’s most stylish city and one of the fashion capitals of the world. Shopping here takes on an almost religious significance, but theater and cinema also flourish in this fashionable city, as does a lively club scene and tempting restaurants and cafés where Giuseppe Verdi and other famous composers once dined.

Visit the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, medieval Sforza Castle and the breathtaking Duomo, one of the world’s largest and most striking Gothic cathedrals. You’ll also visit the world-renowned La Scala opera house (Teatro alla Scala). Your entrance ticket provides admission to the La Scala Theatre Museum (Museo Teatrale alla Scala), which you can revisit later for a longer period if you wish.

Day 2 – Lake Como Day Trip

The next day, venture to the famous resort town of Como for a scenic Lake Como cruise and panoramic funicular ride. This Milan Super Saver lets you combine two best-selling experiences at a discounted price!

Enjoy a day trip to Lake Como on your second day. Meet in central Milan at 9am and board the coach for a 1-hour drive to Como, where you’ll start with a guided tour of this luxurious resort town — a favorite vacation spot among celebrities.

Ride the funicular up to the town of Brunate, one of the best places to soak up a sweeping panorama of the snowcapped mountains and picturesque Mediterranean villas surrounding Como. You’ll then have free time for lunch (own expense) in Brunate before the highlight of your afternoon: a Lake Como cruise.

At the Como city center, board the boat and relax on a 1-hour cruise around the gorgeous lake surrounded by splendid villas, mansions and hotels, including Villa d’Este at Cernobbio, a luxurious hotel with tropical gardens.

You’ll have free time after your cruise to shop, sightsee and grab some coffee before heading back to Milan. Stop to visit the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio, a notable church built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, before arriving in Milan in the evening.

Day 3 – Lake Verona and Lake Garda Tour

Explore the beautiful town of Verona and lakeside towns lining Lake Garda on a scenic day trip from Milan. You’ll discover that Verona is one of Italy’s loveliest towns, a major stop on the Shakespearean tourist trail, and be charmed by the towns and landscapes of Lake Garda.

Highlights

• Day trip to Verona and Lake Garda from Milan
• Two-hour guided walking tour in Verona
• Admire Roman’s Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony
• Visit the pretty town of Sirmione on Lake Garda
• English-speaking tour leader

Verona is rich in archaeological sites, with a beautiful medieval center. The Roman arena, where concerts and operas are performed in summer, is the city’s grandest sight, but ‘Juliet’s balcony’ is the principal point of interest for lovers of Shakespeare. You’ll have free time to explore the narrow streets lined with impressive medieval and Renaissance buildings in Verona’s historic center.

The beautiful lakeside towns around Lago di Garda have charmed foreign visitors for centuries. The area was a summer resort area for the ancient Romans, and in Sirmione and Desenzano you can visit the ruins and mosaics that record their presence.

The pretty town of Sirmione is on the southern shore of Lake Garda, perched on the end of a long promontory. Sirmione’s beautiful setting was praised by the Roman poet Catullus. The town’s narrow medieval streets bustle with color and life, and its most striking feature is the moated castle, Rocca Scaligera. Take a wander through a ruined Roman villa and admire archaeological finds – including a charming carving of rabbits in the small museum.

Day 4 – Bernini Express Train to Switzerland from Milan

Take a ride on the Bernina Express, Switzerland’s alpine delight. This train journey takes you along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site – through the Bernina Pass to the exclusive resort of St Moritz at the ‘Top of the World.’ Enjoy a round-trip scenic coach trip and ride a bright red rail car, passing unrivaled landscapes amid the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps, including time to spend in charming Tirano and St Mortiz.

Highlights

• Rail tour from Milan aboard the Bernina Express
• Take a scenic coach tour to Tirano, located at the foothills of the Swiss Alps
• Travel by train through the Bernina Pass to elegant St Moritz
• Marvel at the stunning alpine scenery, including glacial lakes
• Enjoy free time to explore Tirano and St Moritz
• Hear insights about the region from your professional guide

What You Can Expect

Bernina Express Rail Tour to the Swiss Alps from Milan

What better way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Switzerland and the Alps year-round than a ride on the Bernina Express? Known as the ‘Little Red Train,’ the Bernina Express was built more than 100 years ago to scale the majestic mountain landscapes of the Swiss Alps. This historical feat of engineering still climbs up the 7,330-foot (2,235-meter) high Bernina Pass along a UNESCO World Heritage-listed route.

Depart by comfortable coach from Milan at 7am and enjoy a scenic bus tour to the Swiss town of Tirano, situated at the foothills of the Alps. Pass mountain streams and forested hills against a backdrop of steep, snow-capped peaks. When you arrive in Tirano at approximately 10:30am, you’ll have free time to explore before boarding the train.

Your rail journey starts amid the palms and oleanders of northern Italy, taking you over the spiraling viaduct at Brusio and through the Bernina Pass into Engadin, arriving in St Moritz 2.5 hours later. Along the way you’ll pass wild gorges and icy glaciers, cross soaring bridges and shoot through loop tunnels.

This north-south alpine crossing offers eye-catching vistas of stunning scenery from your rail car. Capture photographic views of the Alps and its glacial lakes, and look out your window to watch the bright red train curve against a snow-speckled landscape (if traveling in winter). You’ll see impressive alpine valleys, lakes and waterfalls at almost every turn!

When you arrive at the exclusive resort of St Moritz, disembark and spend about 1.5 hours in town. Flanking the shore of a beautiful lake in the middle of the Upper Engadin, St Mortiz offers an array of attractions and is famous for its winter sports as well as polo, golf, cricket and tennis. Set out on foot to discover the town’s elegance, perhaps stopping for lunch (own expense) or visiting a chocolatier before departing by coach at 4:30pm and arriving in Milan around 7:30pm.

Day 5 – Cinque Terre Tour
Discover beautiful Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s most scenic secrets, on a day trip from Milan! Meaning ‘five lands,’ these five lovely fishing villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – comprise Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll enjoy a scenic drive, boat trip and train trip to several of these charming towns, strung along the cliffs bordering the Ligurian Sea and linked by numerous walking paths like the Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane).

What You Can Expect

Explore beautiful Cinque Terre

Departing Milan by comfortable coach, enjoy a scenic drive with onboard commentary until you arrive at Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of the Poets) on the Italian Riviera. Visit the characteristic village of Portovenere, located in the province of La Spezia on the Ligurian coast and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Cinque Terre. Your guide will share information about the area and its terraced landscape where these charming villages have been built over the centuries on rugged cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.

From here, take a boat trip to Monterosso al Mare, the biggest of the ‘five lands’ of Cinque Terre. You’ll have free time to explore the village – divided by a pedestrian tunnel into the old town and new town – and walk along Monterosso’s beach that runs along most of the coastline. Enjoy fantastic views of the coast and settle in at one of the many venues for a tasty lunch (own expense).

Afterward, you’ll board a train for Manarola to begin a gentle 20-minute stroll along Via dell’Amore – translated as Lover’s Lane or Pathway of Love. This scenic coastal path to Riomaggiore boasts romantic vistas over the sea, and gets its name from the padlocks placed by Italian lovers there to declare their devotion.

When you reach Riomaggiore on foot, you’ll have free time to spend in Cinque Terre’s fifth and most southern village, perhaps venturing down by the wharf where fishing boats line the shore or sampling locally produced wine from the town’s historical vineyards. Walk along Via Colombo, Riomaggiore’s main street, where many of the town’s restaurants, bars and shops can be found.

Your guide will accompany you on the final leg of your scenic day trip, returning by train to the town of La Spezia, where your coach will be waiting to take you back to Milan.

Please note: Due to a landslide the famous path “Via dell’Amore” is still closed and for security reasons it will remain closed until at least 2015 ; during our tour we will be visiting instead Vernazza, one of the other villages of Cinque Terre, until further notice.

Day 6 – On Your Own to Explore or Choose from one of the following day trips (at an additional cost):

Venice:

Visit the breathtaking city of Venice on an action-packed day trip from Milan, and see the city’s top sights with a local guide! On a walking tour, discover must-see Venetian landmarks such as St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge, while learning about their history. After wandering through St Mark’s Square and alongside the Grand Canal, visit a prestigious glass-making workshop to see a demonstration by a local craftsperson. Before returning to Milan, enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride at your own expense or simply enjoy some free time.

Highlights

• Day trip to Venice from Milan with a local guide
• Explore Venice on a walking tour and learn about its history and beautiful landmarks
• Stroll along Riva degli Schiavoni, through St Mark’s Square and alongside the Grand Canal
• See top Venice attractions including St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge
• Visit a glass-making workshop to see a local craftsperson at work
• Enjoy a gondola ride around the Venetian lagoon, if you wish

What You Can Expect

See Rialto Bridge on a Venice Day Trip!

Meet your host in central Milan, and then leave the city by air-conditioned coach. Relax on the journey east and, after roughly 2.5 hours on the road, arrive in Venice. Hop out of your coach to meet your local guide, and then set off on your 2-hour walking tour. Stroll along Riva degli Schiavoni, the city’s paved promenade, and then pass the Bridge of Sighs that connects a prison to Doge’s Palace. Hear tales of the doges who once ruled Venice from the imposing building as you amble into St Mark’s Square.

Following your guide, weave around the throngs of street musicians, visitors, locals and pigeons who converge on the square, and stop for photos in front of its many monuments. Strike a pose by St Mark’s Basilica with its beautiful Byzantine façade, and gaze up at its bell tower with its distinctive green-and-gold peak. See Libreria Sansoviniana (the city library) and the clock tower, and then wander across to Rialto Bridge. Continue alongside the Grand Canal, and admire the elegant architecture of the grand mansions that line its banks.

In addition to Venice’s big-name sights, your walking tour also takes in some city gems that many visitors miss. Discover the calli, a labyrinthine web of narrow Venetian streets and canals, and learn about life in the city as a local.

After a break for lunch (own expense), visit a glass-making workshop near St Mark’s Square to see a skilled craftsperson creating glass vases. Browse the wares in the onsite shop after watching the demonstration and perhaps shop for well-crafted souvenirs to take home.

Last, but not least, why not finish your day in Venice with an optional 30-minute gondola ride around the Venetian lagoon? The ride by flat-bottomed gondola is considered a must-do Venice experience, and takes in several atmospheric side canals as well as a stretch of the Grand Canal. Alternatively, use the time to wander around the Venice streets at leisure.

Return to your coach at the prearranged time, and travel back to the start point in Milan where your tour finishes.

OR

Genoa/Portofino

See the best of the Italian Riviera on your Genoa and Portofino full-day trip from Milan! After a guided walking tour of Genoa, explore the best bits of these contrasting coastal towns at your leisure. Combine maritime history at Genoa with glamorous Portofino seaside scenery on this memorable day trip from Milan!

Highlights

• Full-day trip to Genoa and Portofino from Milan
• 2-hour Genoa walking tour with your knowledgeable guide
• Roundtrip boat ride from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino
• See Portofino at your own pace, and enjoy its stunning Mediterranean scenery and chic ambience
• Transport by air-conditioned, luxury coach

What You Can Expect

Portofino

Leave Milan early in the morning and enjoy a comfortable two-hour drive by luxury coach to the coastal town of Genoa (known in Italian as Genova), approximately two hours south of Milan. As the birthplace of Sir Christopher Columbus, Genoa has an interesting history, and you’ll learn all about the city’s intriguing past during a two-hour guided walking tour. Known locally as ‘La Superba’ (the ‘Superb One’), Genoa boasts a rich maritime history and countless landmarks!

After your Genoa walking tour, spend some time exploring independently. Your guide can offer recommendations for a relaxing lunch (own expense) or you can decide to check out more Genoa attractions. Some of the fascinating sites you could visit include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, Piazza de Ferrari and the Palace of the Doges.

In the afternoon, continue to Santa Margherita Ligure, just southeast of Genoa. This beautiful, old-fashioned seaside town sits on a part of the coast known as the Dolphin Gulf, named for the schools of dolphins often seen in the area. Here, take a scenic boat ride across the gulf to the fishing village of Portofino.

Spend approximately two hours exploring Portofino at your leisure, and discover the beauty of this small resort featuring a stunning harbor and pastel-colored waterfront houses. Favored as a holiday destination by Italy’s rich and famous, Portofino is the ideal place to people spot or simply soak up the scenery. Head to Castello Brown, the city’s 16th-century castle. If you visit on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with views across the Mediterranean Sea of the lush mountains of Corsica.

Day 7 – Transfer to Airport or Train
 
ADD ON….
Casa Ombuto, Torre del Tartufo and Bellorcia cooking classes

We have our clients stay in double bedroom with its own private bathroom in either Casa Ombuto, Torre del Tartufo or Bellorcia which are all luxury villas with spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

For the full week Italian course the price includes 4 elaborate hands on cooking classes it also includes 4 elaborate hands on cooking lessons that covers not only the Italian kitchen, but also the kitchens of other Mediterranean countries (Spain, France and North Africa). For the Mediterranean course there are two extra morning sessions of about 2 hours, one specializing in Pastries and breads and the second a special Spanish Lunch.

For all courses the guests dine together at the end of the lesson and enjoy what they have prepared (Superb Tuscan wines is included!). The price also includes a full day culinary excursion to the Arezzo area if the guests are staying in Casa Ombuto which includes a visit to a Pecorino cheese farm, a wine estate, olive oil farm and lunch and a visit to Anghiari and a famous textile factory and also time for sightseeing in the beautiful city of Arezzo. If they choose either Torre del Tartufo or Bellorcia the structure of the excursion is the same, it’s just in another area.

In their free time the guests can make use of all the facilities of the villa they chose or explore the surrounding area.

Price $5,650.00 US per person all together for the 2 tours

We also offer a three day course the program is the same except it includes two lessons instead of 4.
Breakfast and a light lunch is also included.
Please enquire for pricing for our 3 day course.