Discovery Italy

Day 1: OLD MILAN, NAVIGLIO GRANDE
Arrival at the airport, welcome by 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.

Late 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: SFORZESCO CASTLE, SEMPIONE PARK, ARENA, BRERA QUARTER, THE RENAISSANCE MILAN
Traditional ice cream tasting
The day begins with a tour of 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.
You are going to visit the castle and its museum and “immerse yourself in history” with the help of our Tour Leader.
You take afterwards a tour and a stroll in 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 can be found 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 clams.
An ice cream tasting in a famous old gelateria in Milan, is also on the schedule.

The afternoon continues with the Renaissance Milan visiting the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with the famous “Cenacolo Vinciano” where can be admired 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 art works of 1600 years of history.
The tour continues with 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.Late afternoon: Visit of Villa Reale’s garden, Corso Venezia, the bustling Corso Buenos Aires and the Fashion district 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”, in the elegant Via Vincenzo Monti or at Acero Rosso in Conciliazione area, a pizza restaurant where, at moderate prices, can be eaten meat or fish first and main courses, pizzas and typical Milanese desserts. The desserts Millefoglie or Meringata as well as a limoncello, a drink by strong flavor made by lemons…are a “must try”.

Day 3: THE OLD VERONA
Train journey towards the city of the eternal lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
Chech-in at 3*Hotel, lunch at “Trattoria Al Solito Posto” where you can enjoy the traditional cuisine. Do not miss as a desert an apple pie, tiramisu or chocolate salami, accompanied by a good wine from the hills of Verona: Pinot, Barbera or Sangiovese are strongly recommended

Afternoon: Your tour starts in the heart of the ancient Verona: from roman monuments, medieval castles and mansions to alleys and buildings that recall romantic and charming atmosphere of the two Shakespearian lovers and numerous churches through which emerge the gothic tracks.You visit the famous Arena Square, its impressive buildings, the heart of the city from Scaligeri period with Castelvecchio and the scenographic bridge. The picturesque Piazza delle Erbe, among towers and ancient buildings, the noble Piazza dei Signori, a symbol of the scaligero period.
Aperitif.

Evening: Dinner with traditional dishes such as gnocchi and the famous pastissada de caval at “Hostaria Vecchia Fontanina” in the heart of Verona near Piazza dei Signori and lively and colourful Piazza delle Erbe.
The evening ends with unforgettable views on the riverside at sunset with the first evening lights and live music in a bar.
You can choose to spend an unforgettable evening at Arena di Verona, the famous ancient theatre, in the magical atmosphere and evocative scenes of an opera performance... for example you can choose Verdi's Aida, Bizet's Carmen, Madame Butterfly by Puccini and many other famous opera performances.

Day 4: VERONA´S HISTORICAL CENTRE AND THE PLACES OF THE ETERNAL LOVERS: ROMEO AND JULIET
Wine tasting and gastronomic products
After a rich breakfast you start to discover the old part of Verona.You visit the old gothic-romanesque cathedral, Tintoretto´s paintings in the ancient Basilica of San Zeno, the church of Verona´s protector Saint and all the places of the legend of Romeo and Juliet.
Lunch in a local trattoria
Wine tasting at the Enoteca "Al Mascaron Sas" in Piazza San Zeno.

Afternoon: A walk around the city among shopping streets and famous antique markets

Evening: dinner in a historic restaurant to taste traditional dishes and then in a local trendy bar or a club.

Day 5: THE ANCIENT PADUA, THE HISTORIC TOWN, THE PLACES OF SAINT ANTONIO DI PADUA
Your morning starts with a train journey towards the beautiful city of Saint Antonio, Padua’s protector Saint.
Chech-in at 3* Hotel and you start discovering the old Padua:Duomo Cathedral, Palazzo della Ragione, Loggia del Consiglio, Palazzo del Capitano...are just a few of the monuments you discover in Padua.
Lunch in the historic part of the town

Afternoon: you are going to visit Basilica of San Antonio and Scrovegni Chapel to admire Giotto´s frescoes and then you can join a walk in the Botanical Garden with its thousand varieties of plants and exotic curiosities.

Evening: Dinner at “La Cantina del Guffo” in the historical part of Padua, where can be tasted for dinner a delicious “bruschetta”, cold cuts and cheeses, craft beers and wines from the hills of Padua.

Day 6: VENICE AND ITS WONDERS
Wine tasting in an old cellar
The tour continues to the city of gondolas and the labyrinths of channels. You discover the magic of Venice. Check in at Hotel *** and your adventure continues with many beauties: Grand Canal with its magnificent palaces, Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco with its magnificent view, the major theatres, antique glass shops, romantic streets, canals and baroque churches.
Lunch: traditional and delicious cuisine in the area of Santa Maria del Giglio.
Wine tasting in an ancient cellar

Afternoon: you continue beyond Accademia Bridge to visit other famous palaces and churches. The beautiful palaces on Canal Grande from Ca 'Pesaro a Ca' D'Oro, beautiful museums and churches and Scalzi Bridge… are just some of the wonders that you are going to visit in Venice.

Evening: Dinner filled with Venice´s aromas and flavours and magical atmosphere of Ponte dei Sospiri/ Bridge of Sighs

Day 7: MURANO ISLAND AND HEMINGWAY´S ISLAND: TORCELLO
In the romantic atmosphere of Venice, you begin your day with a trip to the island of Murano with its ancient art of glass working.
Lunch in a local trattoria

Afternoon: visit of Torcello, the oldest island in the venetian lagoon loved by Hemingway.

Evening: You can still be guests of Colombo’s cuisine in a restaurant in the historical part of Venice and then you have the chance to admire the beautiful night view from Rialto Bridge.
End of the program dinner