Globus Tours: Northern Italy at Leisure
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Lake Como, Dolomites & Venice at Leisure |
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| Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Dolomites, Cortina D'Ampezzo, Venice, Milan | ||
10 Days Milan to Milan |
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INCLUDED FEATURES... SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS COMO: Welcome dinner; excursion to Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, Switzerland LAKE MAGGIORE: Boat cruise to Isola Bella; visit Borromeo Palace and Gardens LAKE LUGANO: Afternoon stop in Lugano, Switzerland DOLOMITES: Orientation of Bolzano CORTINA D'AMPEZZO: Lunch stop VENICE: Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets; visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration
INCLUDED MEALS 9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB); 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Como and a farewell dinner in Milan. QUALITY HOTELS MILAN: Jolly Touring (F) VENICE: Sant’Elena (F) DOLOMITES: Parkhotel Laurin (SF) at Bolzano, COMO: Palace (SF)
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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, 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 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 the 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. Stroll along its most famous street, Corso Italia, take pictures, or simply admire the fascinating surroundings of this picturesque village. After a leisurely break, continue to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (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. Contine through the glass-domed GALLERIA to the famous Scala Opera house, then a short walk to the imposing SFORZESCO CASTLE. Tonight a farewell dinner has been prepared at your hotel to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (BB,D) Day 11: (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
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