Discovery Italy

Day 1: OLD MILAN, NAVIGLIO GRANDE
Arrival in Milan and transfer to 3* 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.
You 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 the Archaeological site of the Dome Cathedral.
The tour continues then with Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, built in an eclectic style, typical of Milan’s 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.
The tour continues with the charming old Piazza Mercanti, the symbol of the city, created in medieval times, recalling the past.
You also visit the old Brera district, populated by artists and celebrities. You can 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: MILAN, THE SFORZESCO CASTLE, THE SEMPIONE PARK, THE BRERA QUARTER, THE RENAISSANCE MILAN
Traditional ice cream tasting
The day begins with Sforzesco Castle, a place of great culture that preserves many evidences of the lombard art.
The castle was built by Galeazzo II Visconti’s desire to build a fort. It was then restored from 1450 by Francesco Sforza.
You are going to visit the castle and its museum and immerse yourself in history.
You take afterwards a tour and a stroll in the Sempione Park that extends from the shoulders of the Castle to Milan’s Arena..
You head afterwards towards the old district of Brera, populated by artists and celebrities. Jamaica is a historical bar of Brera, where you can take an aperitif and a drink and for lunch you can find numerous restaurants and typical trattorias.
The Milanese cutlet with small tomatoes and lettuce is a “must-try” as well as the traditional Margherita pizza or spaghetti with tomato sauce or clamsYou also join an ice cream tasting in a famous old gelateria in Milan.
The afternoon continues in the sign of the Renaissance, visiting the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with its famous Cenacolo Vinciano and admire the famous painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.
The tour continues then towards the District Magenta with wonderful buildings and villas, beautiful examples from nineteenth-century and early twentieth century liberty style buildings…and many nice shops.
You continue then towards the ancient Basilica of Sant Ambrogio, queen and mother of all Lombard churches with its interior that includes works of art of 1600 years of history.
The Catholic Cloisters, originally belonging to the Benedictine Monastery St. Ambrose, the San Bernardino alle Monache church, the Renaissance Palace of Donato Bramante: Palombelli Palace and the Church of Santa Maria presso San Martiro….are your next stops.Late afternoon: you visit the Gardens of Villa Reale and Corso Venezia and then the bustling Corso Buenos Aires and the Fashion Quadriletto with the famous upscale shopping streets: Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia

Evening: Aperitif at "Victoria" bar, right behind Piazza Duomo and dinner by candlelight at "Old America", the elegant Via Vincenzo Monti or at "Acero Rosso" in Conciliazione area, a pizza restaurant where, at moderate prices, can be tasted delicious main fish or meat courses, pizzas and typical milanese desserts. The desserts Millefoglie or Meringata as well as limoncello, a drink by strong flavor made by lemons….are delicious

Day 3: MILANO - FRANCIACORTA: to explore the wine routes
We recommend you to travel by train towards Franciacorta, the hilly area located between Brescia and the southern part of Lake Iseo, a renowned area for the softness and beauty of the landscape and for the production of wines.
Its name comes from "francae curtes", a small community of Benedictine monks that obtained during the middle ages the piece of land against the commitment to reclaim and cultivate it in exchange for taxes exemption.
ROVATO - ERBUSCO 4.5 km of trekking
Wine tasting and local food Once in Rovato you start visiting the Cathedral of Rovato, the ancient noble buildings and the center of the village, then you walk through rolling hills, vineyards and green fields to Erbusco.
Here you are going to have lunch at the charming Restaurant La Mongolfiera dei Sodi, in the halls of an old country house and then you stop at the old winery cellar, Le Cantine
Bellavista for tasting a glass of sparkling Franciacorta immersed in the green romantic vineyards.
ERBUSCO - ADRO, 3 km trek
The journey then continues in your own pace toward Adro. Here you visit the small old town and the charming narrow streets.
From the tower of the village can be admire the beautiful vineyards of Franciacorta.
You also visit Madonna della Neve shrine and Museum of silk, hemp and flax, formerly widespread activity in the area.
ADRO - CAPRIOLO 3 km trekYou walk through the vineyards and then arrive at the village of Capriolo, collected on top of a hill.
You visit the Castle with its ancient walls, walk to discover the ancient noble villas such as Villa Evelina with its nineteenth-century ethnographic museum displaying tools and evidences of wine making tradition in the area.

Evening: Accommodation in a Farm House where you dine in and taste the local specialties. Absolutely to be tasted are all polenta dishes and the local lake fish accompanied by a glass of Franciacorta wine. Even the cheese produced in this area is excellent: taleggio, formagelle and robiole.

Day 4: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS
CAPRIOLO – ISEO – SULZANO – MONTE ISOLA by train/bus or on foot on a trekking route
CAPRIOLO – ISEO (via Paratico and Clusane) 11 km by Treno Blu of the Ferrovia Basso Sebino.
km of green hills and ancient villages to reach IseoYou are going to visit the twelfth century cathedral, Basilica Pieve di San Andrea, Santa Maria della Neve, Santa Maria del Mercato and the Oldofredi Castle.
If your tour brings you here on a Tuesday or a Friday, you have the chance to experience the colourful and vibrant market stalls in the main square
Lunch in a local trattoria
ISEO – SULZANO – MONTE ISOLA 6 km of trekking
Once in Sulzano you embark on a boat and in a very short while you get to Monte Isola, the largest island of the Italian lakes. Its center is located in the village of Peschiera Maraglio. Guided island walks and refreshments.

Evening: Return by boat to Sulzano.
Accommodation, dinner and relax surrounded by the green area with a wonderful panoramic view on Lake Iseo at Agriturismo Cà del Lago in Via Martignano in Sulzano

Day 5: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS
SULZANO – TIMOLINE- PROVAGLIO
SULZANO – TIMOLINE 12 KM ( part of the Municipality of Corte Franca with fractions areas Timoline, Nigoline, Bonomelli, Colombaro, Borgonato) 12 KM of trekking
Wine tasting and local gourmet
After a rich breakfast you start walking again through Franciacorta crossing delightful and beautiful vineyards, the municipal building of Timoline, the imposing Palace of Baroni Monti della Corte and Via Sant Eufemia that comes up in between the vineyards and leads to Calogero Villa Towers.In Timoline is going to be visited the Lombard church of Santa Giulia and Cantina del Barone Pizzini, part of the big park of Villa Lana, with beautiful trees and statues. You can taste here local wines of Franciacorta.
Lunch at the Restaurant "Santa Giulia".You continue walking towards Borgonato, well known for its sparkling wines.
The Factory Farm of Berlucchi brothers, located in thirteenth century buildings with a basement decorated with frescoes inspired by the world of wine, is going to be visited.

Evening:
TIMOLINE - PROVAGLIO ISEO 4 km trek
Trek among unusual landscapes of moorland, nature reserves that house and protect many species of birds.
If you have some time over you visit the Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa built by Cluniac monks who arrived in 1083 to cultivate the land. The building is built on the site where in roman times used to be a temple of the God Mitra and during the Middle Ages was a place of shelter for the needy travelers.
Accommodation, dinner and relax at one of the following B & B in Provaglio Iseo: Angolo Verde, La Badia, Acero Rosso o Concaverde

Day 6: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS:
PROVAGLIO D´ISEO – RODENGO SAIANO – OME by train or on foot
You continue to immerse yourself in ancient atmosphere, enjoying all the beautiful scenery from the train/bus. Once in Rodengo Saiano, you walk to Abbazia di San Nicola that in addition to its great beauty also houses a production of liqueurs made of herbs cultivated by the religious monks.Lunch at a local trattoriaYou are going to have then a walk towards Cisterna Cloister and the surroundings of Rodengo visiting some important residences that witness the splendor of the aristocracy of Brescia. These include: Villa Masperoni, Villa Paolina, Villa Molinari and Villa Fenaroli

RODENGO SAIANO - OME 3.5 km trekking
Accommodation and dinner at Agriturismo La Fiorita in Ome

Day 7: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS:
OME – CAZZAGO SAN MARTINO – ROVATO
dedicated to body treatments and thermal baths at Terme di Ome Spa.Lunch at a local restaurant
OME - CAZZAGO SAN MARTINO 14 km by the Blue Train
CAZZAGO SAN MARTINO - ROVATO, 6.5 km trekking
In Rovato you visit the Annunciata Abbey/ Abbazia dell’Annunciata with its beautiful ancient walls and the parish church.

Evening: free Accommodation and Dinner in a Factory farm