Lecco, Lombardy
WESTERN EUROPE
The Dolomites Valsugana
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Fly overnight to Milan, Italy.
DAY 2 • Arrive in 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.
Griso Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Lecco Set off on a walking tour of riverside Lecco, situated 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 | Griso Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • 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. Then, visit one of the world’ s largest churches( it can seat 10,000), the white-marble Duomo covers an entire city block and has over 3,200 statues.
Meals: B, D | Griso Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Colico • Tirano Visit Colico, a village nestled along the shores of Lake Como. Here, we’ ll take a guided tour of Forte Nord Montecchio then hike to Colico’ s town center for lunch. After some free time to explore, we’ ll transfer 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. We’ ll then 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 Lago d’ 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 137