Food Wine Culture Tours
216 Lindbergh Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701 USA

Toll free (866) 874-4219
Phone: (301) 663-9160

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Ligurian Riviera - Alpine Lakes

Ligurian Riviera with a Touch of Tuscany
Lago Maggiore & Como

July 9-20, 2010
Call For Pricing

Welcome to Italy’s Riviera de Levante, bejeweled by the Portofino Peninsula and the Tigullian Gulf and furrowed by the steep narrow hills and valleys of the of the rugged Cinque Terre, harboring ancient fishing villages, traditions and maritime cuisine. You will boat these azure waters, walk these villages and hills and discover a land, its gastronomy and wine previously unknown to you. After walking up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, atop the medieval walls of Lucca and in the marble quarries of Carrara in Tuscany we will journey on to the magnificent Italian Alpine lakes of Maggiore and Como. These lakes present a semi-tropical paradise sheltered by the Alps, seemingly so close they can be touched. We will step into Switzerland, onto gardened islands, the real Bellagio and the silk shops of Como. You will be romanced by Verona and Romeo and Juliet.

Package Includes:

• 10 days / 8 nights
• 4 nights in Santa Margherita Ligure in 4 * Hotel with pool
• 4 nights on Lago Maggiore in 3* Hotel
• Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
• View the Last Supper and the original Galleria in Milan
• Savor the fresh maritime cuisine of the Italian Riviera and the renowned Tuscan and Piemonte rivals relying on products of the land
• Boat the Gulf of Tigullio to Portofino known as Italy’s jewel and national treasure
• Walk the wild and beautiful Cinque Terre exploring ancient fishing villages
• Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, walk atop the medieval walls of Lucca, and touch the source of blinding white Italian marble at Carrara
• Visit Piemonte vineyards savoring the princely Barolo and Piedmontese gastronomy
• Cruise the alpine Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como with semi-tropical vegetation backdropped by the Alps
• Venture into Switzerland and the Ticino wine region
• Stroll the 17 century semi-tropical gardens and Lombard palace on the Borromean Islands and the streets of Bellagio (no not Las Vegas – the original)
• Visit Como, the center of the Italian silk industry and shop Italian fashions
• Transportation by private deluxe motor coach throughout with tour escort
• Stroll quaint narrow streets of old towns, visit Cathedrals, market places, museums and monuments, arts & antiquities, seaside, mountaintop and lakeside beauty
• All fees for the above included

ITINERARY

Day 1, Friday
PM Depart to Italy

Day 2, Saturday - Milan and the Last Supper
AM Arrive in Milan. Meet guide and motor coach. Tour the central piazza of Milan including the Cathedral and the Galleria, a 19th century glass roofed "mall" lined with cafes and shops connecting the piazza and La Scala, the world famous opera house. We will view Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper on our way south to the Italian Riviera and Santa Margherita Ligure where we will stay for 4 nights. We will have the afternoon free to rest prior to meeting for a welcome dinner together.

Day 3, Sunday - The Cinque Terre
We will train together to the southern end of the Cinque Terre before training and walking our way back north between the isolated fishing villages of Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. This rugged and beautiful coast invites physical activity punctuated by time in cafes and a picnic in the hills looking down at the sea. Hotel in Santa Margherita.

Day 4, Monday - Portofino
We will begin our day on the ferry to nearby Portofino, designated by Italy as a national treasure. It is beautiful as are the magnificent yachts anchored there! The afternoon is yours to walk the seaside forest or boat to other towns, such as San Frutuoso, on the Portofino peninsula or relax at the pool or on the beach in Santa Margherita Ligure. Dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel in Santa Margherita.

Day 5, Tuesday - Tuscany and the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Today, our coach will take us to Pisa, Lucca and Carrara in Tuscany. In Pisa, the Campus of the Miracles houses 4 of the finest buildings together anywhere – the Duomo, Baptistry, Cemetery and the famous Leaning Tower. It’s open and we will climb to the top! For lunch we will move on to nearby Lucca still enclosed by 3 miles of medieval walls. We will walk atop these walls and in the streets so full of atmosphere to gain the feel of Tuscany. We will close the day on our return to Santa Margherita with a stop at Carrara and the spectacular sights of the marble quarries open since Roman times. Hotel in Santa Margherita

Day 6, Wednesday - Piemonte Wine and Cuisine
Today we move to the Italian Alpine Lake District where we will centrally stay along the eastern shore of Lago Maggiore in Angera. On our way, we will stop for vineyard visits around Alba in Piemonte to savor the princely Barolo and partake of Piemontese gastronomy. This may be the food and wine highlight of your trip! Hotel in Angera.

Day 7, Thursday - Lago di Maggiore
This day will be spent on and around the southern Italian half of Lago Maggiore. We will lunch in Stresa and ferry to the Borromean Islands and their famous Lombard palace and gardens. We will enjoy lake views from mountaintops and vice versa as we cruise the lake. Hotel in Angera.

Day 8, Friday - Lago di Como
Today will see us coach to the city of Como and Lago di Como which also stretches north to Switzerland. Como is the center of the Italian silk industry. We will visit and shop as desired. We will take our coach and the lake ferry as far north as we desire, but we will be certain to ferry to Bellagio so that everybody will have a comparison of the original for Las Vegas. Hotel in Angera.

Day 9, Saturday - Verona - Romeo and Juliet
Today we will make a full-day excursion to Verona to experience the romance of the city of Romeo and Juliet. We will cap the day with a farewell dinner. Hotel in Angera.

Day 10, Sunday - Home
We will transfer to the Milan airport for our return trip home to the USA. We hope you enjoyed the trip!

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