Northern Italy’s Highlights & Cinque Terre with Lake Maggiore 2012

Tours | Globus family of brands | Europe | Italy | Milan

Itinerary:

Day	Description	View All +
Day 1	Arrive in Milan, Italy Time to rest or start exploring Milan, vibrant hub of Italy’s economic miracle. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)	View Details +
Day 2	Milan–Soragna–Parma In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the magnificent gothic DUOMO and the glass-domed GALLERIA. Also see the famous La Scala Opera House. On your way to Parma, world famous for its ham and parmesan cheese, stop at Soragna for a PARMESAN CHEESE TASTING. Later, for the food-lovers, an optional excursion to an original ham factory is available. (B)	View Details +
Day 3	Parma Excursion to Modena and Maranello. This morning, your guided sightseeing will focus on the Romanesque cathedral, the bell tower, and the octagonal baptistry made of pink Verona marble. Next, enjoy a BALSAMIC VINEGAR TASTING near Modena, and learn all about this typical Italian product. Continue to nearby Maranello, birthplace of the Ferrari automobile, for an exciting visit to the FERRARI GALLERY. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)	View Details +
Day 4	Parma–Lucca Enjoy a walk through the medieval town of Lucca with its ramparts and spend time in its pretty center. This evening you may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a local agriturismo to try out local specialties. (B)	View Details +
Day 5	Lucca–Boat Excursion to Cinque Terre–Santa Margherita Ligure A scenic day! Drive to La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast and enjoy your excursion (including a BOAT RIDE, weather permitting) to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five medieval little villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From here, enjoy a TRAIN RIDE to Rapallo, then continue by coach to Santa Margherita Ligure. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 6	At Leisure in Santa Margherita Ligure A full day to enjoy this beautiful seaside resort. You may wish to join an optional excursion to nearby Portofino, a small fishing village with brightly colored houses that became home to the “rich and famous.” (B)	View Details +
Day 7	Santa Margherita Ligure–Asti–Turin Enter the Langhe area and arrive in Asti, known for its spumante and Barbera wines. Here, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Time afterwards in town, then visit a local NOUGAT CONFECTIONER (tours 0713-0824 visit the TAPESTRY MUSEUM instead) and savor a piece of hand-made torrone before continuing to Turin, capital of Piedmont and birthplace of the Fiat car. This evening you may wish to try out one of Turin’s restaurants. (B)	View Details +
Day 8	Turin During your sightseeing with a Local Guide, admire the 548-feet-high Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin, and the Lingotto Fiera, the former Fiat factory that was transformed into an impressive multi-function center by architect Renzo Piano. Next, walk through the historic center and visit the CATHEDRAL that houses the Holy Shroud. (B)	View Details +
Day 9	Turin–Vercelli–Milan This morning, visit a RICE FACTORY in Vercelli. Learn everything about its traditional products and enjoy a risotto lunch before returning to Milan. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner with wine at one of Milan’s fine restaurants to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B,L,D)	View Details +
Day 10	Milan–Lake Maggiore You will be transferred to your hotel in Stresa at Lake Maggiore. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)	View Details +
Day 11	Lake Maggiore Morning guided sightseeing includes a BOAT ride to ISOLA BELLA for a visit to its opulent PALACE and GARDENS. (B)	View Details +
Day 12	Lake Maggiore Full day at leisure. Ask your Local Host for suggestions. (B)	View Details +
Day 13	Lake Maggiore Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa). (B)	View Details +

Highlights: MilanWelcome dinner; guided walking tour, visit the Duomo and Galleria; farewell dinner at a local restaurantSoragnaParmesan cheese tastingParmaGuided sightseeingModenaBalsamic vinegar tastingMaranelloVisit the Ferrari GalleryLuccaOrientationCinque Terre ExcursionBy boat and trainAstiWine tasting; visit a local nougat confectioner (Departures July 12-August 23 visit the Tapestry Museum instead)TurinGuided sightseeing, admire the Mole Antonelliana, walk through the historic center, and visit the cathedral that houses the Holy ShroudVercelliVisit a rice factory and enjoy a risotto lunchMilan-Lake Maggiore By coachLake Maggiore Guided visit to the Palace and Gardens of Isola BellaHeadsets throughout the tourNotes: PRICE DETAILS: Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $631Triple room reduction per person: $101Extra nights per person in Milan:in single room $105, in twin room $63, in triple room $60Extra nights per person Lake Maggiore:in single room $222, in twin room $146, in triple room $126What's Included: MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 1 special lunch (L) in Vercelli; 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner and a special farewell dinner with wine in MilanHOTELS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 1 special lunch (L) in Vercelli; 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner and a special farewell dinner with wine in Milan