Elegance and Beauty

Starts in Venice – Ends in Milan (8 days - 3 nights in Verona / 4 nights in Milan)

ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE NOBLE FAMILIES WHO ONCE RULED THE OLD MUNICIPALITIES AND MADE THEM AUTHENTIC GEMS AS A SYMBOL OF THEIR WEALTH AND POWER, EXPERIENCE DAILY LIFE NOWADAYS IN THE SMALL ITALIAN TOWNS WHERE ARTS AND CRAFTS ROOTED IN OUR ANCIENT CULTURE STILL LIVE

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Day 1 – Venice – Padua
With its 3,000-year-old history, Padua is a diverse city boasting an extensive artistic and cultural heritage. It preserves a unique cycle of frescoes with unparalleled wall decorations, the most remarkable of which being the Cappella degli Scrovegni by Giotto. There is no place like Padua to learn about man’s achievements in the fields of science, technology, culture and innovation: Palazzo Bò - seat of one of Europe’s most ancient and illustrious universities, founded in 1222 – is home to the world’s oldest permanent anatomy theater and to Galileo Galilei’s desk and chair, from the days when he used to lecture here; the Botanical Garden, acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site; the Caffè Pedrocchi inaugurated in 1831 and nicknamed “Café without doors”, is the ideal place to have a Zabaione Stendhal dessert or a Spritz, a well-established Italian tradition, a time to meet friends in piazze and bars, in Padua
Day 2 – Sigurtà Park & Garden
Valeggio sul Mincio is home to the Sigurtà Park, its botanical garden and the magnificent views make it one of the world’s most beautiful parks. Not far is the Ponte Visconteo, an extraordinary fortified dam built in the village of Borghetto with imposing water that seem to rise out of the river. High on the hill stands the imposing, elegant, fairy tale Scaligero Castle. The trip to Valeggio will include also a visit to a winery with tasting of the local wines and lunch with the typical Tortellino di Valeggio, a layer of pasta as thin as silk, cut into shape, stuffed with a delicate filling and tied with a knot
Day 3 – Sirmione – Lake Garda - Verona
With its thermal springs, its mild climate and its Scaliger castle, Sirmione has cast a spell on writers of all times and nationalities. Its beauty has been made immortal through the words of writers the likes of Stendhal, Lawrence, Goethe and Latin poet Catullus, who in time forged strong bonds with this place. You will enjoy a nice view of Sirmione from on board a boat that will take you to Punta San Vigilio, the very tip of a long peninsula protruding into the lake where in the aftermath of the war, when Sir Winston Churchill withdrew from public life, he recovered in Sirmione painting the surrounding landscape right on the lake shore. Verona, surrounded by hills offering wonderful views of Romeo and Juliet’s town, is much more than Piazza Bra and the Arena, Piazza Erbe, and Piazza dei Signori. Do not miss the Roman Theater, the Ponte Pietra, the Castelvecchio fortress, the Ponte Scaligero, the historic churches of San Fermo and Sant' Anastasia, the Duomo and San Zeno. Enjoy the city when the crowds leave and to take strolls through its old streets in the relaxed atmosphere of the evening. Visit a mosaic maker’s workshop to admire a craftsman at work. In summertime, opera enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see an open-air performance in the stunning setting of the Arena
Day 4 – Mantua
A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site once ruled by the Gonzaga Family: Mantua, a town of indescribable beauty and a real art jewel. The town’s highlight is a visit to the Palazzo Ducale, the marvelous residence of the Gonzaga family, with its enormous spaces featuring beautifully frescoed rooms, collections of paintings and unique masterpieces, as well as Mantegna’s spectacular Camera degli Sposi. Also enjoy some Mantuan specialties like tortelli di zucca (pumpkin-filled pasta), the “menà” risotto, pike in sauce and the sbrisolona cake.
Day 5 – Cremona
Cremona is a town that has become synonymous with violins worldwide. Walk through the streets of this town with its charming medieval piazza lined with the Palazzo Comunale, the Torrazzo, the Battistero and the Cathedral. A trip to Cremona is not complete without a visit to the workshop of a violin maker, who will unravel the mysteries of violin making and let you appreciate the fascinating sound of this instrument. However, to understand the true spirit of Cremona you need to taste one of the culinary specialties of the Cremonese cuisine, in particular mostarda (pickled fruit with mustard) and torrone (nougat)
Day 6 – Monferrato
Visit the rice area located south-west of Milan where you will meet a farmer who will open for you the doors of his rice farm and tell you about the time when rice was a present for princes and when the songs of young girls pulling weeds filled the countryside. You will then reach the Monferrato hills and visit a winery where the owner will show you the vineyards, the cellars and tell you about how grapes are turned into excellent wine. Always wine rhymes with good cuisine based on fresh and typical local ingredients. You will be driven along a scenic route with sweet hills dotted with old churches and picturesque villages where you will stop to enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere
Day 7 – Lake Como
Explore the charming village of Varenna on Lake Como: take a stroll along the lake shore or through the small alleyways of the centre. Enjoy the local food products and do not miss the opportunity to buy the olive oil produced in the area. In the afternoon, reach Bellagio by boat admiring the lake’s unspoiled landscapes, its banks filled with luxuriant vegetation, sumptuous villas and small villages of rare beauty where tourism, history, art and nature combine harmoniously
Day 8 – Milan
Spend a pleasant time at covered market of S. Maria del Suffragio which has been recently revived thanks to the commitment of some well-known entrepreneurs in the field of culinary excellence. The market recently resumed the ancient function of a square as a place of exchange for products, experiences and culture, food and places. You will sit in a colorful space, with a casual atmosphere and modern design to sample fruit smoothies, vegetarian food, fresh fish, pizzas, cold cuts and cheese and natural ice cream