Discovery Italy

Day 1: THE OLD MILAN, SFORZESCO CASTLE, BRERA DISTRICT, NAVIGLIO GRANDE
Traditional ice cream tasting
Arrival at the airport, welcome by the Discover Italy Now Tour Leader 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.

Afternoon: Together with your Tour Leader you start exploring the historical Milan: a guided tour of Piazza del Duomo, the magnificent Gothic-Lombard Cathedral with its beautiful terraces, the Baptistery of San Giovanni alla Fonti and the Archaeological site of the Dome Cathedral. You will be told the history of the visited monuments.
You continue then towards 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 visit then the charming old Piazza Mercanti, the symbol of the city, created in medieval times.
You also visit the Sforzesco Castle and the old Brera district, populated by artists and celebrities. You also join an 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 immerse yourself in 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 south of Lake Maggiore.
You visit together with the tour leader the beautiful old Oratorio San Vincenzo, a wonderful place of worship since prehistoric times and the Abbey of San Donato.
Lunch at “La Biscia o Tre Re”, a charming lakeside restaurant where you can immerse yourself in culinary delights

Afternoon: SESTO CALENDE – ARONA 9 km by train
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 also 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 will be 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 the Borromeo Gulf Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori.
Lunch in a lakeside trattoria, tasting culinary delicacies of the lake and then walk along the promenade of the lake, lined with trees and full of liberty style hotels and prestigious villas that distinguish Stresa.
You embarked 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.
Later you reach Isola Madre, covered with a very interesting botanical garden and with beautiful boulevards that run along the rivershore.
Isola Pescatori with its picturesque village inhabited by fishermen and the spectacular tangle of picturesque lanes…is also on the itinerary schedule.

Evening: Return from the trekking itinerary and the tour continues 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 in 3* Hotel, B & B or Factory Farm/ Agriturismo

Day 4: STRESA - MOTTARONE 20 km by cableway
After a rich breakfast you take the cable car leading from Stresa Lido to Mottarone.
You cross the scenic Botanical Garden and enjoy a breathtaking view: the gulf will be beneath you.
Once climbed to the top, you have the chance to enjoy a beautiful scenic view, considering that the view is at 360 degrees.lunch with sandwiches

MOTTARONE - BAVENO 28 km by train or bus
You travel towards Baveno through forests, soft hills and breathtaking viewsIn Baveno you stop for a while for refreshments and a quick visit of the old town and then by ferry heading towards Verbania.

Evening: Accommodation in 3* Hotel , B & B or farm factory

Day 5: VERBANIA
The morning starts with a guided tour to discover the charm of the nineteenth-century villas: Villa S. Remigio, Villa Giulia and Villa Taranto, the beautiful scenery of flowers and the beautiful lakeside, Piazza Castello and Piazza San Vittore.
Lunch in a local trattoria

Evening:
VERBANIA - INTRA 3.5 kilometers by bus or train
your journey towards Intra where you take the boat and reach the opposite shore of Lake Maggiore, Laveno.
INTRA - LAVENO by boat
Dinner in Trattoria tasting the best lake dishes

Day 6: Morning: LAVENO - ISPRA 15 km by bus or train
Wine and local products tasting
The day begins with a lakeside walk among stunning sceneries and hills towards Ispra, making a quick stop at the monastic complex of Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso on the beautiful cliff. This is almost a balcony to the Borromee islands.
Once in Ispra you are going to have lunch and visit the historical center.
Enoteca Forni located in Via Piave is going also to be visited for wine tasting.
Afternoon: ISPRA - ANGERA 5.5 km by bus or train a bus or train route, enjoying the wonderful smells of the area, you reach Angera and visit the Rock of Angera that with its tower and its laces is a evidence of old battles and old times.
The Doll Museum, with its beautiful collection belonging to the old Borromeo family, is also on the itinerary schedule.

Evening: Dinner in a restaurant that offers typical dishes of the lake
Accommodation in 3* Hotel , B & B or farm factory

Day 7: ANGERA – SESTO CALENDE 9 km by train or bus
Wine and local products tasting
You cover the last part of your journey along the beautiful shores of Lake Maggiore.
You are going to spend the day at the farm factory “La Fattoria”, surrounded by green and among animals.
Lunch with typical products of a farm factory.

Evening: Walk along the lakeside, accommodation in 3* Hotel, B & B or Farm factory
End of the itinerary