DAY 1 – MILANO
Milano is one of the most important cities in Italy. It is not only the capital of style and fashion and a lively city which several restaurants, pubs and discos for nightlife, but it is also known for its museums and wonderful monuments; for example the main square with the beautiful cathedral (the “Duomo”), the “Castello Sforzesco” with its huge “Parco Sempione”, the church of “Santa Maria delle Grazie” (with Leonardo’s painting “Last Supper”) and the Brera.
This features make Milano a city interested both in past and in the future.
Morning: transfer from Vaprio d’Adda to Milano and half day guided visit of the city (lunch not included).
Afternoon: free time for shopping or other individual activities. Return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight in 4* country hotel.
DAY 2 – MOUNTAIN BIKE IMBERSAGO
Alberto is a member of our staff, he’s the fond of cycling and he will be your reference for bike travels, simply by giving advice for the right equipment and by answering question also technical about our itinerary suggested and their level of difficulty.
The path we think to propose you is composed of cycle street and dirt track that don’t request any technical task, even if it is advised to have a minimum training in order to finish the trip.
Morning: start from Vaprio d’Adda, the first part of the path is very simple, we’ll arrive at Imbersago and will take Leonardo’s ferry boat in order to pass at the other shore of Adda river
Lunch at the restaurant on the shore of Adda river
Afternoon: depending on various conditions (weather and physical), we can decide to take again the ferry boat and come back along the same path of the morning or ride along the other shore which is more beautiful but also more difficult both from a physical and technical point of view.
DAY 3 – FRANCIACORTA
Franciacorta is a splendid region in the heart of Lombardy. Not far from Milan, it lays down on the Iseo Lake shores. Its cultural, historical and natural heritage is sprinkled in a wonderful verdant frame, on the gentle slopes of the ancient morainic hills that make Franciacorta an area worthy of discovering, tasting and breathing. Franciacorta tour aims to discover its famous wine cellars and the Franciacorta wine, highly renowned both in Italy and abroad, thanks to the perseverance and determination of its producers.
Transfer to Franciacorta and guided visit of a winery with its two underground cellar (one for wine-making and one for grapes maturation). A unique and charming landscape able to combine tradition, passion, knowledge and modernity. A fascinating journey, narrating the Franciacorta: an extraordinary wine, a single territory, a rigorous and successful method. Blindfolded tasting of wine.
Transfer in a second winery and lunch in a wonderful landscape.
After lunch free time to walk through the vineyards. Guided visit of wine cellar and then return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 – LAGO MAGGIORE
Lago Maggiore is one of the most beautiful Italian lakes and has enchanted the great Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here. It is believed to be the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name “Maggiore”, it is of glacial origin and its banks are in Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. The 11 islands, of which 8 are in Piemonte and 1 in Lombardia are among the many beauties of this lake. The fascinating archipelago of the Isole Borromee including Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori is set between Stresa and Verbania.
Transfer from Vaprio d’Adda to Stresa, the “Queen of Lago Maggiore”. Elegant internationally famous holiday resort, offers a unique variety and multiplicity of excursions such as Isole Borromeo. Ferry boat tour and guided visit of the three islands with their old villages, blooming gardens and famous baroque palace (lunch included).
At the and of the visits, return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 – MANTOVA
Mantova is a charming city, grown up under the influence of one of the most famous family in Italy, the Gonzaga. It’s well known for its architectural beauties, for example “Palazzo Te”, old dwelling of the master of the city (Gonzaga), the “Reggia di Gonzaga”, “Palazzo della Ragione” and “Palazzo del Podestà”; near these two ancient palaces stay the typical “Torre dell’Orologio”.
In the list of “things to do”, the wonderful Water Lift cannot miss: with a ferry boat we’ll pass from the high flow of Mincio river to the low flow of the Po river, using a system of sluices.
Morning: transfer from Vaprio d’Adda to Mantova. Ferry boat tour on Mincio and Po with the typical “Water Lift”. At the end of ferry boat tour, lunch in a local restaurant and free time for individual activities and return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 – VERONA
Verona is often associated to Shakespeare’s tragedy of Romeo and Giulietta, famous literal masterpiece all over the world. It has a charming city centre, a wonderful to see pedestrian area that finds its highest expression in Piazza Bra overawed by well known Arena, a roman amphitheater often used in summer for opera festival and concerts.
After breakfast transfer from Vaprio d’Adda to Verona. Half day guided tour of the city that includes the visit of the old town, including famous landmarks and lesser-known areas, with one or more pauses for wine tasting and typical products! Wine tasting with local specialties, will be a pleasant break from walking, an opportunity to get close to the rich culinary of our beautiful country and to fully appreciate the different sides of Verona. This original reinterpretation of the classic tours of food and wine of Verona has been designed for those who want to discover Verona at 360°. It combines history, art and flavours in a single tour that will allow you to fully appreciate the city and to experience a unique adventure! Verona will never have looked so spectacular!
After the tour with tasting, free time for shopping, enjoy the city or other individual activities. Return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 – BERGAMO
City of Bergamo is well known for its suddivision into two different areas: High City (reached bya funicolar) , the hystorical part surrounded by walls and, as its name suggests, situated in a higher position, and Low City, which can definied the economic and cultural heart of Bergamo. The peculiarity of Bergamo is its High City which is mainly a pedestrian area, for structure of its territory and the tight alleys and its squares.
In the morning transfer from Vaprio d’Adda to Bergamo and guided tour of the city (lunch included).
At the end of the visit, return to Vaprio d’Adda for dinner and overnight.
Summary: 7 days + 7 nights
What’s included:
– Private transfer for all activities in comfortable air-conditioned vans
– 7 nights in Hotel/B&B with breakfast
– 7 dinners in local restaurants
– 5 lunches in local restaurants (Imbersago, Franciacorta, Lago Maggiore, Mantova and Bergamo)
– Hal day guided visit of Milano
– Leonardo’s ferry boat to Imbersago
– Mountain Bike certified guide
– Guided visit of Franciacorta’s wine cellar
– Blindfolded tasting
– Ferry boat tour of Lago Maggiore
– Guided visit of Isole Borromee
– Ferry boat tour with “Water Lift” in Mantova
– Half day guided visit of Verona with taste of wine and local products
– Guided visits of Bergamo