Varenna , Lake Como
SEE PASTEBOARD WESTERN EUROPE
4 REGION
Grape harvesting in the Dolomites Family farm , Valtellina Valley
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Fly overnight to Milan , Italy .
DAY 2 • Milan , Italy • Lecco Arrive in Milan and transfer to Lecco , where we ’ ll meet members of your group , including those who took the Italian Riviera , Genoa & the Cinque Terre or The Swiss Alps : Lucerne , Bern & Zermatt pre-trip extensions .
Hotel NH Lecco Pontevecchio or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Lecco Set off on a walking tour of riverside Lecco . Home to just under 50,000 inhabitants , Lecco sits about 30 miles north of Milan on the peaceful , gently winding shoreline where Lake Como flows into the Adda River . Lecco features architectural landmarks such as the Torre Viscontea , a 14th-century medieval tower , as well as the Teatro della Società , a neoclassical work of art . After , you ’ ll have some time to explore on your own . We ’ ll gather tonight for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant .
Meals : B , D | Hotel NH Lecco Pontevecchio
DAY 4 • Explore Milan Enjoy a guided tour of Milan this morning . Our discoveries include a stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , which connects both the Teatro La Scala and the Duomo di Milano , Milan ’ s striking Gothic cathedral . One of the world ’ s largest churches ( it can seat 10,000 ), the white-marble Duomo covers an entire city block and has some 3,200 statues and 135 spires adorning its extravagant façade — more than any other building in the world . We ’ ll cap off our day with a visit
to the Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano — the home of Da Vinci ’ s world-famous mural “ The Last Supper .”
Meals : B , D | Hotel NH Lecco Pontevecchio
DAY 5 • Varenna • Tirano Visit Varenna , a fishing village nestled along the shores of Lake Como . Here , we ’ ll stroll along the Walk of Lovers , a pedestrian footpath renowned for its views of the lake , village , and surrounding mountains . After some free time to explore , we ’ ll drive to Tirano , where we ’ ll have dinner at a local restaurant .
Meals : B , L | Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar
DAY 6 • A Day in the Life in the Valtellina Valley Experience A Day in the Life in the Valtellina Valley . You may visit a locally-owned goat cheese producer for a tasting , explore a San Rocco water mill that grinds buckwheat for pasta , or participate in daily chores of a family-run farm before sitting down for a homemade lunch .
Meals : B , L | Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar
DAY 7 • Bernina Express Train to Switzerland • Home-Hosted Dinner
We set off today for a full-day excursion across the Alps and into Switzerland . We ’ ll board the local Bernina Express Train , one of the few rail journeys designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Bernina Express Train is not just the world ’ s highest Alpine crossing ( reaching an altitude of 7,400 feet ), but also the steepest , with gradients up to 7 %. At Diavolezza station , we ’ ll get off the train and ride a cable car up to a scenic viewpoint . Later , enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner in the home of a local family in Tirano .
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar
DAY 8 • Lake Iseo • Franciacorta vineyard tour Head to Lake Iseo , a lake in the Franciacorta wine region , to visit a local winery run by two sisters . We ’ ll hike the property ’ s lush hills before learning about the ancient production process of sparkling wine . After , we ’ ll enjoy lunch and a wine tasting .
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Villa Kinzika or similar
DAY 9 • Lake Iseo • Montisola • Optional Brescia tour
Most of the day is yours to explore on your own . You may join our optional tour to the village of Brescia to visit an artisanal market and Roman ruins . Later this afternoon , you ’ ll have the option to visit Montisola , a small town in the Franciacorta hills .
Meals : B | Hotel Villa Kinzika or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 7 , cross the Alps into Switzerland aboard the Bernina Express Train to witness magnificent mountain scenery
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / itr 113