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MILAN AND LAKE MAGGIORE - weekend

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Milan and the beauty of Lake Maggiore
…a cultural and gastronomic itinerary of “Bella and…Buona Italia”


Duration: 4 days e 3 nights
Accommodation: 3 nights in 3* Hotel or B&B with breakfast

Short description: the old Milan…Lake Maggiore and its shores… a small corner of paradise as it is often defined.
It is going to be an exciting and unforgettable journey ...living ancient and contemporary atmosphere…
You are going to admire the beauty of Milan and the picturesque Lake Maggiore with its beautiful shores.
You are going to cross suggestive small roads, green hills of olive groves and vineyard and taste local wines and culinary delicacies and live the atmosphere from the past in ancient villages...
Information:

  • Trip to Milan and Maggiore Lake
  • Closest airport: Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio
  • Period: all year round
  • Duration: 3 nights
  • Flights: to book separately from our site. You can find both scheduled standard flights and low cost flights. You receive booking assistance on request
  • Guided tour: on request


Price: 355 euro*
*The price may vary according to season
All prices include VAT
Breakfasts: all accomodation rates include a cooked or continental breakfast. Special dietary requirements need to be booked in advance

Included in the price:

  • Accommodation: 3 nights in centrally located 3* Hotel or B & B in double room with breakfast (supplement for single room)
  • Transfer to/from the airport
  • Welcome drink
  • 2 dinners in restaurants
  • 2 wine tasting and local gastronomic products
  • Telephone assistance
  • Free entrance to all museums and cultural events
  • Supplement: If you want to stay in 4* Hotel
HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LOMBARDY AND ITS LAKES
Description: Lombardy is the most populated region in Italy. It borders with Switzerland to the north, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions to the east, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont to the south west.
The territory is mostly flat and mountainous. The regional capital is Milan and the other provinces are Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Pavia, Sondrio and Varese.
Description Milan: Milan is the capital of Lombardy and the most populous city in Italy after Rome. Its strategic location make it an important communication center fostering as well the economic and financial development but also the political and cultural one.

The Lake District: Lombardy is famous for having the largest air-covered lake area including Lake Maggiore with the beautiful Borromean Islands; Como lake which includes the provinces of Como and Lecco that has on its shores characteristic beautiful villages such as Cernobbio and Menaggio Moltrasio; Garda lake which includes the spa town of Sirmione and other touristic resorts such as Desenzano, Iseo lake which includes the Franciacorta area, famous for its wines produced there.

Cuisine and Wine: Talking about a unique lombard culture cuisine is practically impossible because the different areas have been influenced by their neighboring regions and the people who have conquered them.
The recipes that are more reminiscent to Lombardy region are the famous "risotto alla milanese” made with rise and saffron broth or wiener schnitzel.
We also recommend the delicious pumpkin “ravioli” of Mantua and “pizzoccheri” of Valtellina. In Valtellina you can also find cured meats, dried beef. Among the desserts the most typical is certainly the Christmas cake, but also “colomba” eaten at Easter that has Lombard origins. Another specialty is the cake “sbrisolona” of Mantua.The Lombard wines are very varied and suited to different dishes. One of the most famous is Nebbiolo from Valtellina, but also those from Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese areas are delicious and well-known.

Cuisine and Wine in Milan: The most popular dishes of Milan are "risotto alla milanese” made with rice, meat broth and flavored with saffron," cutlets alla milanese”, breaded and fried veal cutlets. Among the main courses you can try the recipes based on tripe such as “busecca” but we also recommend the seafood dishes like pate of eel and pike braised in red wine. As a dessert we recommend the traditional Christmas cake “Panettone” that comes from Milan. The best red wines, in our opinion, are Barbera and Bonarda and among the best whites, Riesling and Pinot.


DETAILED TOUR PROGRAM

Day 1: THE OLD MILAN, SFORZESCO CASTLE, BRERA DISTRICT, NAVIGLIO GRANDE
Traditional ice cream tasting
Arrival to Milan and transfer to 3* - 4*Hotel or B & B in air-conditioned buses. Refreshing welcome drink and free time to begin to immerse yourself in the fascinating atmosphere of Milan.
During late afternoon we recommend you to start exploring the historical Milan: a tour of Piazza del Duomo, the magnificent gothic-lombard Cathedral with its beautiful terraces, the Baptistery of San Giovanni alla Fonti and Cathedral’s Archaeological site. You are also going to visit Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery built in an eclectic style typical of the second half of the nineteenth century, a dear place to all milanese people and where can be found designer shops, bars and restaurants.
A typical macchiato coffee, a delicious cappuccino and a typical milanese cake must definitely be tasted during a stop in the Gallery.
You can then continue to the charming old Piazza Mercanti, the symbol of the city, created in medieval times, recalling the past.
A visit to Sforzesco Castle and the old Brera district, populated by artists and celebrities. ..are also on the schedule.
Ice cream tasting in a famous old gelateria in Milan.
Evening: Dinner at one of the oldest and charming trattoria in the suggestive atmosphere of the ancient vicolo dei Lavandai along Naviglio Grande. You live the enchanting atmosphere of the old canals of Milan and the wide variety of ancient lombard cuisine: you can choose among many delicious dishes such as “risotto alla Milanese”, cottoletta, mozzarella, tomato and basil with a glass of Barbera, Garda Cabernet or Franciacorta.

Day 2:
MILANO – SESTO CALENDE 57 km by train
Your morning begins with a journey by train to Sesto Calende, the charming village located at the southern area of Lake Maggiore.You visit the beautiful old Oratorio San Vincenzo, a wonderful place of worship from prehistoric times up to the present and the Abbey of San Donato.
Lunch at “La Biscia o Tre Re”, charming lakeside restaurant where you can immerse yourself in culinary delights.
SESTO CALENDE – ARONA 9 km by train
Tasting of local wines and local cheeses
You continue along the western shore of Lake Maggiore with its beautiful scenery and picturesque landscapes on a level path.You pass through beautiful scenery, castles, colorful flora and a culture rich in culinary history.
Once in Arona, you visit the beautiful old town, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Nascente, the ancient church dei Martiri and Colosso di San Carlo Borromeo, the statue overlooking Lake Maggiore.
You visit later the largest family of italian cheese refiners, the company “Luigi Guffanti” for an afternoon of delicious cheese tasting at the renowned cellar ... seasoning cheeses, flavors and delicious aromas accompanied by delicious local wines are in store for you
Evening: Stroll and relax by the lake and dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B & B or a Factory farm

Day 3: ARONA – STRESA 18 km by train or bus
Leaving Arona, a town surrounded by green hills, you continue by train or bus to Lesa, a village nestled in a small creek and then you continue in the direction of Stresa, the famous tourist resort of Lake Maggiore and Borromeo Gulf Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori.
Lunch in a lakeside trattoria tasting the culinary delicacies of the lake and then walk along the lakeside’s promenade lined with trees and full of liberty style hotels and prestigious villas that distinguish Stresa.
You embark then for a trip to the islands, visiting the “pearl” of Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella, located a few hundred meters from the shore, reachable in only a few minutes by boat.
You visit its great Baroque Palace from the seventeenth century, rich in history alongside a lush Italian garden, laid out on terraces, rich flowers and rare exotic plants.
You reach later Isola Madre, covered with a very interesting botanical garden and with beautiful boulevards that run along the riverbank and then Isola Pescatori with its picturesque village inhabited by fishermen and a spectacular tangle of picturesque lanes
Evening: Return from the tour itinerary.
We recommend you to continue by bus to the village of Vedasco of Stresa, where from a quiet and panoramic position the lake can be seen from above.
Dinner at “Osteria Vecchio Tram” that offers mediterranean cuisine.
Accommodation at 3* Hotel, B & B or Factory Farm

Day 4 :
Departure to the airport and your destination

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