Discovery Italy

Day 1: OLD MILAN, NAVIGLIO GRANDE by bike
Arrival to Milan, welcome by the Discover Italy Now Tour Leader 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.
Late afternoon: Together with your Tour Leader and your bike you start exploring the historical Milan: a guided tour of Piazza del Duomo, the magnificent Gothic-Lombard Cathedral with its beautiful terrace, the Baptistery of San Giovanni alla Fonti, the Archaeological site of the Dome Cathedral. continue with the visit to Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery built in an eclectic style typical of the second half of the nineteenth century Milan, 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 also visit the charming old Piazza Mercanti, the symbol of the city, created in medieval times, recalling the past.

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, SFORZESCO CASTLE, SEMPIONE PARK, BRERA QUARTER, RENAISSANCE MILAN by bike
Traditional ice cream tasting
The day begins with a bike tour towards Sforzesco Castle, a place of great culture that preserves many testimonies of the Lombard art, built by Galeazzo II Visconti’s wish to build a fort and then restored in 1450 by Francesco Sforza.
A tour and a stroll in Sempione Park that extends from the shoulders of the Castle to Milan’s Arena, is also on the schedule.
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 can be found numerous restaurants and typical trattorias. The Milanese cutlet with small tomatoes and lettuce is a “must-try” as well as a traditional Margherita pizza or spaghetti with tomato sauce or clamsIce cream tasting in a famous old gelateria in Milan.
The afternoon continues on the two wheels with Renaissance, visiting the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with the famous Cenacolo Vinciano and the famous painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.
The tour continues then towards the District Magenta with wonderful buildings and villas 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 historyCatholic Cloisters, originally belonging to the Benedictine Monastery St. Ambrose the San Bernardino alle Monache church, Renaissance Palace of Donato Bramante: Palombelli Palace andthe Church of Santa Maria presso San Martiro
Late afternoon: visit of: the Gardens of Villa Reale, Corso Venezia, 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 you can choose to eat at moderate prices meat or fish first and main courses, pizzas and typical Milanese desserts.
You absolutely have to taste Millefoglie or Meringata desserts as well as a limoncello, a drink by strong flavor made by lemons

Day 3: MILANO - FRANCIACORTA: to explore the wine routes
Wine and gastronomic products tasting
You travel by train (with the bike on the 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 its landscape and for the production of wines. Its name comes from "francae curtes", a small community of Benedictine monks that obtained in the middle ages the piece of land against the commitment to reclaim and cultivate it in exchange for exemption from taxes.
ROVATO-ERBUSCO 4.5 km by bike
Wine tasting and local food Once in Rovato you visit the Cathedral of Rovato, the ancient noble buildings and the center of the village.
Erbusco is the next destination, walking through rolling hills, vineyards and green fields.
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 by bike
The journey then continues biking in your own pace toward Adro. Here you visit the small old town, the charming narrow streets and admire from the village's tower the beautiful vineyards of Franciacorta.
A visit to Madonna della Neve shrine and the Museum of silk, hemp and flax, formerly widespread activity in the area…are also on the schedule
ADRO - CAPRIOLO 3 km by bike
You take your bike through vineyards and arrive at the village of Capriolo, collected on top of a hill.
You visit the Castle with its ancient walls.
The ancient noble villas such as Villa Evelina where you find a nineteenth-century ethnographic museum displaying tools and evidence of wine making tradition in the area…are another part of your itinerary.

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

Day 4: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS: CAPRIOLO – ISEO – SULZANO – MONTE ISOLA by bike
CAPRIOLO – ISEO (via Paratico and Clusane)
11 km by bike
11 km of green hills and ancient villages to reach Iseo
You are going to visit:
-the twelfth century cathedral
-Basilica Pieve di San Andrea
-Basilica Santa Maria della Neve
-Basilica Santa Maria del Mercato
-Oldofredi Castle.
You are going to be explained the history of the monuments that you visit and continue afterwards among colourful and vibrant market stalls in the main square if your journey brings you here on a Tuesday or Friday when the markets are open.
Lunch in a local trattoria
ISEO – SULZANO – MONTE ISOLA 6 km by bike
Once in Sulzano you embark on a boat and reach Monte Isola in a very short while. This is the largest island of the Italian lakes. Its center is located in the village of Peschiera Maraglio. Bike tour on the island and refreshments.

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

Day 5: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS by bike: SULZANO – TIMOLINE- PROVAGLIO
SULZANO – TIMOLINE 12 KM of biking (part of the Municipality of Corte Franca with fraction areas Timoline, Nigoline, Bonomelli, Colombaro, Borgonato)
Wine tasting and local food
After a rich breakfast you start biking again through Franciacorta crossing delightful and beautiful vineyards, the municipal building of Timoline, the imposing Palace of Baroni Monti della Corte, Via Sant Eufemia that comes up in between the vineyards and leads to Calogero Villa Towers.
In Timoline will be visited the lombard church of Santa Giulia and Cantina del Barone Pizzini, part of the big park of Villa Lana, with trees and statues. Local wines of Franciacorta are going to be tasted.at the Restaurant Santa Giulia.You continue biking 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 your next stop.

Evening: Timoline - PROVAGLIO ISEO 4 km by bike
Biking among unusual landscapes and 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 Middle Ages used to be 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 or Concaverde...

Day 6: FRANCIACORTA’S WINE ROADS: PROVAGLIO D´ISEO – RODENGO SAIANO – OME by bike
You continue to immerse yourself in ancient atmosphere while enjoying all the beautiful scenery from the saddle of your bicycle. Once in Rodengo Saiano, you bike to Abbazia di San Nicola that beside its great beauty, the place also houses a production of liqueurs made from herbs grown by the religious monks.Lunch at a local trattoriaYou take then a bike tour 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 by bike
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 in a local restaurant
OME - CAZZAGO SAN MARTINO 14 km by bikeCAZZAGO SAN MARTINO - ROVATO, 6.5 km by bike
In Rovato you visit Annunciata Abbey/ Abbazia dell’Annunciata with its beautiful ancient walls and the parish church.Evening: free Accommodation and Dinner in a Factory farm /Agriturismo