|
An
Italian Primavera (Spring)
PRELIMINARY
ITINERARY
Escorted
by Isabella and Luigi Dusi
Friday,
13 June to Wednesday 25 June 2008
12
nights
Day
1. Arrival Malpensa Airport,
Milan - Asti
Friday,
June 13. Luigi and Isabella
will meet you at Malpensa Airport. Our first hotel is in Asti, in the
region of Piemonte, where we will stay for three nights.
Our rooms will not likely be ready at the time of your morning
arrival, so we’ll make the most of the morning and begin our
explorations of northern Italy. Our
route to Asti takes us past the “Monferrato”.
Moving
south past the rice paddies and isolated feudal farms of the Monferrato
and into the agricultural heart of Piemonte we’ll pause along the way to
absorb a little of the historical and artistic treasures of the region,
the small regional city of Casale Monferrato; an area rarely frequented by
visitors unless they come in search of gastronomic pleasures. The people of the Monferrato are among the most prosperous in
northern Italy and although largely an agricultural region, have developed
industries related to agricultural machinery.
In
the late morning we’ll reach our hotel which is in the heart of the town
of Asti. Time to unpack,
relax and then to explore Asti. There’ll be free time for you to meander
the town before we gather for our welcome dinner.
Overnight
*** Hotel Reale, Asti. Dinner with wines included.
Day
2. Market Day – Alba – Torino
Saturday,
June 14. You may be awakened this morning by the sounds of merchants
preparing for a day of trading; today is market day in Asti and the market
in the piazza opposite our hotel displays an amazing array of foods of
every type as well as home wares and clothing and textiles. You’ll have
time for an early morning walk through the market, and then we’ll gather
and travel to the town of Alba, where you can lunch and meander the
historical heart. Alba is
famous for the white diamond truffle, the tartufo bianco although at this
time of the year truffles are well out of season so you’ll need to
satisfy yourself with a lunch without truffles.
Now
it’s time to visit Torino, one of Italy’s less visited but beautiful
cities. You will spend the late afternoon in this remarkable city as it is
awakening after siesta. You may like to visit the chapel where the Shroud
of Turin in kept. Our visit will include a tour the Royal Palace of the
royal family of Savoia. Torino
is famous for cars and chocolates; in Torino you can indulge in a wicked
chocolate concoction at one of the elegant wood panelled 18th
century bars where tuxedo clad waiters are as delectable as the chocolate!
On
our return to Asti you will be free for the evening.
Overnight
***Hotel Reale, Asti.
Day
3. The Langhe – Barolo – Barbaresco
Sunday, June 15.
An arc of mountains sweeps around Piemonte’s borders with France
and Switzerland and the villages of The Langhe are perched on top of
undulating hills which were often the incentive, as well as the coveted
prize, for attempting the terrifying crossing of the Alps. The valleys of the Langhe are stunning, easily rivalling the
more famous Tuscan landscapes, the lifestyle is overwhelmingly rural and
the main passion is viticulture, closely followed by anything edible!
These tenacious hardworking folk lead an insulated life, yet are
only an hour or two from Turin, and although the wines they produce have
led to international acclaim and fame, there is nothing ostentatious and
very little glitz and gloss in The Langhe.
Our
day will be spent discovering villages of The Langhe as we explore the
great wines and splendid food of this famous region.
We’ll visit the village of Barolo and taste the wine Barolo right
where it is made. Enjoying a panoramic drive through the hills we’ll
lunch in a stunning location, discovering the delicious foods of the
valley served with a creative hand. And
in the late afternoon, a second village, a fabulous deconsecrated church
converted to, what else in this region famous for its wines, other than
the Barbaresco promotion and tasting rooms!
A day of learning; understanding the wines of Piemonte, the foods
of Barolo as well as the culture, villages and scenery of The Langhe!
Overnight
*** Hotel Reale, Asti. Lunch with wines included.
Day
4. Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
Monday, June 16. Today is a travel day. We
will not travel a long distance, but we’ll be making some wonderful
stops along the way, arriving at our destination in the early evening. We
depart Asti and travel to the north to one of the most divine of all the
Italian lakes, the secluded and magical Lake Orta.
In winter a thick blanket of snow crowning the surrounding
mountains is mirrored in the still waters of the lake. This lake is the
site of legends studded with fire spitting dragons and snakes, of beheaded
dukes, besieged queens and heroic acts of destiny, yet we shall find a
place of tranquillity and splendid beauty.
Following
our walk through the village of Orta, we’ll cross the lake to the island
of San Giulio. The island is
named after Saint Giulio who arrived just 390 years after the birth of
Christ following his Master’s call
to evangelise the region and build a Basilica on this mysterious
island. But the ferrymen refused him passage to the island and stoned
the heretic saying:
“What
does that man with no fear of God want who dares to challenge the perils
that roam the cursed island”.
Saint
Giulio, inspired and patient, lay his shabby mantle on the water, stepped
on to it, and using his long staff, rowed to the island. We will board our ferry and alight on the shore of the island
of San Giulio, visiting the Basilica founded by San Giulio. The island was
the setting for the beheading in 588 of a Lombard Duke, and the siege of
Queen Willa, wife of King Berenger II, before he lost the Kingdom of Italy
in 962.
During
the 19th and early 20th century the charm of Lago Maggiore brought
international visitors to Stresa, which still retains much of the charm as
well as the splendid views of the lake and mountains.
Then as now, the elite Milanese stroll the shoreline past elegant
and grandiose architecture and visit the Borromea Isles. The beauty of the
Borromea Isles has continued to draw people who sense the unrestricted
freedom of the islands, the immense palace, and the exotic island gardens.
A
ten minute ferry ride will carry us to the Borromeo Islands on Lake
Maggiore for a visit to the palatial Borromeo Villa and sculptured gardens
which rise from the headland like the prow of a ship. Our day’s journey
will finish when we arrive at Lake Como, probably the most well known of
all the Italian lakes, where we will stay for three nights. This evening
we’ll gather for a dinner of lake cuisine.
Overnight
***Hotel Posta, Moltrasio, Dinner with wines included.
Day
5. Lake Como - Bellagio
Tuesday, June 17. This morning will be spent
visiting the town of Como discovering the history, culture and gastronomy.
While we are in Como you will have time to enjoy a morning promenade
around the shore, to shop for silks, to visit the cathedral and meander
inside the medieval walls which surround the historical centre. Como is a
centre for manufacturing, not only silk products, but also fabulous
Italian textiles. You’ll have time to have your lunch in Como, and then
we’ll return by ferry to our hotel.
In the afternoon we’ll take the scenic drive along the western
shore of Lake Como to the town of Tremezzo, where we’ll board a ferry
for the short ride to the legendary village of Bellagio which is situated
at the top of the lake where its two arms meet. Bellagio is well known as
a resort town boasting wonderful shops and caffè, but there are also
short to medium length walks to bring you to some fabulous scenic
locations. We’ll return to our hotel and you will be free for the
evening.
Overnight
***Hotel Posta, Moltrasio, Lake Como
Day
6. Milan
Wednesday, June 18. In Italy the saying goes
that the money is made in Milan and spent in Rome! The Milanese in the
region of Lombardia are well known for their business prowess. The
majority of Italy’s wealth, personal and collective, is generated from
this city. Your visit will include the marvellous Cathedral, a tour of La
Scala Opera Theatre and you will have free time to enjoy the shopping in
the covered Galleria and via Montenapoleone for which Milan is so famous.
Alternatively, you may chose to visit the Brera Gallery to view some of
Italy’s sublime art. We’ll return to our hotel in the evening and
gather for dinner in a local trattoria.
Overnight
***Hotel Posta, Moltrasio, Lake Como. Dinner
with wines included.
Day 7. Lake Garda – Sirmione - Vicenza
Thursday,
June 19.
We
leave Lombardia this morning and travel into the Veneto region. Lake
Garda is often overlooked while the northern lakes, Como and Maggiore, are
usually foremost in people’s minds.
Lake Garda is the largest of Italy’s lakes and standing on its
shore, one could almost mistake it as the inland sea from Jules Verne’s
Journey to the Centre of the Earth. It measures 52 kilometres in length, covers a total area of
370 square kilometres and its boundaries occupy three Italian regions;
to the west, Lombardy, to the east, the Veneto and to the north,
Trentino.
This
morning we’ll arrive at the lakeside village of Sirmione on the point of
a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Garda. We’ll cross the drawbridge
past the Scaligeri castle into the village. At the end of the peninsula
the ruins of the immense Roman Villa of the 1st century poet
Catulus awaits your discovery. Meandering through Sirmione, which is one
of the loveliest on the lake, will offer its own reward. Following a light
lunch in Sirmione, where the numerous pizzerie compete in production of
stunning pizzas, we’ll travel a little further east to the regional city
of Vicenza, birthplace of the great architect, Andrea Palladio.
Hotel
Giardini in Vicenza, where we’ll stay for the next three nights, is well
placed for our sojourn in the Veneto and once settled into our rooms
you’re welcome to join us for a familiarisation walk to the heart of
this delightful, architecturally superb regional city.
Overnight
***Hotel Giardini, Vicenza. Lunch
with wine included
Day
8. Venice – a maritime city
Friday,
June 20. We have the whole
day in Venice, seeking to understand this amazing city upon the water. It
is common, and easy, to be confused by the crowds, confounded by the tacky
tourist stalls, distracted by the glass, disturbed at the price of a
coffee or the colour of the water. People may say: “Don’t bother to go
to Venice, it’s this, or its that…” but Venice is everything….and
to miss it is to miss something incredible. Despite the sheer novelty of
its improbable self, Venice survives, and continues to attract visitors
who adore the history as well as its thousands of beckoning shops. But
even with just a day at our disposal, with a little thoughtfulness, and a
little time talking with Isabella, understanding what it is really all
about, you will come away with an enduring impression of one of the
world’s most unique, bizarre and fabulous cities.
A
walking tour will take us past the Palace of the Doge, Piazza San Marco,
St Mark’s Basilica and Bell tower, and to the Rialto bridge. You can set
your own itinerary if you prefer. The day will be at leisure because the
most pleasurable way to experience Venice, once you understand her very
nature, is simply to wander in and out the narrow alleys, over the bridges,
finding small piazzas and out of the way tranquil corners to explore on
your own. But, in the end, all roads lead back to Piazza San Marco where
we’ll meet before returning by train to our hotel.
Tonight
is the opening night of the opera season at Verona. Your tour itinerary
and costs include booked seats in the Opera Arena for TOMORROW night’s
performance of Tosca. The
Arena opera season, since its origin, has always opened and closed with
one particular opera, AIDA! You
have the OPTION of attending the opening night and a spectacular
performance of Aida. Booked
tickets to the opening night sell out quickly and while we cannot
guarantee availability we will do our very best to secure booked seats if
you wish to attend the opening night of Aida, as well as our programmed
performance tomorrow of Tosca. Please advise your hosts at the time of
booking your tour, Luigi and Isabella Dusi, if you require booked seats
for Aida this evening, which is an optional night at the opera. (The
additional cost for this optional performance of Aida is expected to be
Euro 130.00 per person which includes a booked seat and your transport to
and from our hotel in Vicenza to Verona.)
Overnight
***Hotel Giardini, Vicenza.
Day
9. Vicenza – Padova –
Verona - Opera
Saturday, June 21.
We’ll spend our morning in Padova where the colourful market is
underway, second only to Palermo in variety of produce. The market
meanders through a medieval palace threaded with tiny shops displaying
enormous cheeses, rows of prosciutto, gleaming fruit and vegetables, huge
cuts of meat, rabbits and offal, and all manner of cooking ingredients. Don’t forget to have morning caffè at Caffè Petrocchi,
hotbed of political strife in years past, and still a haven for
intellectuals today.
Between
the 16th and 18th Centuries, hundreds of buildings designed by the most
famous architects of the time were constructed in the Veneto.
Many were designed by Andrea Palladio while others were obviously
influenced by his designs. During
our day we’ll visit one of Andrea Palladio’s architectural marvels,
the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza.
In
the late afternoon we travel a short distance to the city of Verona.
Verona, a city of elegance and refinement, is the second largest
city of the Veneto. This evening we’ll meet in Piazza Bra at the Arena
Amphitheatre built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Flavius in the
1st Century AD for the most exciting calendar event in Verona each year;
opera under the stars, tonight Giuseppe Verdi’s TOSCA! Your tour
includes pre booked seats.
Late
night return to our hotel in Vicenza.
Overnight
***Hotel Giardini, Vicenza.
Day
10. Firenze – Monte San Savino
Sunday,
June 22. We leave the Veneto
this morning and make our way south into Tuscany to the medieval village
of Monte San Savino and our hotel in the historic centre where we will
stay for the final three nights of our tour.
Before arriving at our hotel, we’ll pause and include a visit to
Florence; this
will be the first of our two visits to Florence - our next visit, on
Tuesday 24th, will allow you free time to follow your own interests, visit
the markets, and shop for that unique piece of gold!
Today
will help you reach an understanding of what happened in this city all
those centuries ago which led to an incredible flowering of man’s
ability and which has affected the way we live in the modern world today.
Florence is far more than paintings, statues and architecture –
during our first visit we’ll seek to discover what the Renaissance
really means. Today’s visit
includes a booking to view
Michelangelo’s haunting sculptures of the Prisoners, and the awesome
beauty of the majestic “David” in the Galleria Academia. On our next
visit on Tuesday 24th we will have a booked appointment to visit the
Uffizi and a selection of works by masters such as Giotto, Cimabue, Piero
della Francesca, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. We
complete our first visit to Florence in the early afternoon and make our
way to Monte San Savino, our home for the next three nights. Those folk
who have already spent time in Florence will be able to set their own
itinerary for the day.
Overnight
***Hotel Logge di Mercanti, Monte San Savino.
Dinner
with wine included
Day
11. Assisi - Perugia
Monday,
June 23. A
leisurely start this morning to firstly discover the simple life in our
medieval village. Later this
morning we’ll drive to the most reverent of
towns in Umbria: Assisi - and
the breathtaking Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Assisi was not
always so reverent, in fact, the people were so continually feuding with
their hated neighbours, the Perugians, whose town is visible across the
hills, that for hundreds of years nobody ventured out at night, and the
stones of the street were red from the incessant bloodshed. A wicked
history makes the story of Saint Francis of Assisi the more remarkable –
this humble man preached love and poverty in a climate of hatred and
murder. We’ll walk through Assisi and allow you time to follow your own
interests and to lunch.
After
lunch and before returning to our Tuscan village we’ll pause to visit
Perugia. We’ll visit monuments such as the Rocca Paolino, a massive
fortress built by the Pope on top of the homes and palaces of the dreaded
Baglioni family who ruled Perugia with the sword in the 1200’s. The
Perugians of ancient times were a war mongering and bloodthirsty lot -
despised and feared by neighbouring towns like Assisi and Spoleto against
whom they waged continual terrifying battles. The notable deaths of no
less than three popes took place here - two by poison!
Finally the Perugians were crushed under the Papal heel in 1538 but
three centuries on they were still rebelling. None
of this is evident today, and Perugia is a civilised city and
architecturally it is one of the most interesting in all of Italy.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Perugia is also famous for its
chocolates and sweet pastries, so there will be delicious sweet treats on
offer.
Overnight
***Hotel Logge di Mercanti, Monte San Savino.
Day
12. Greve in Chianti – Florence
Tuesday,
June 24. Five small villages
make up the region of Chianti, famous for fine olive oil, and fine wine.
We will be investigating the prized wine Chianti Classico, not the
Chianti which found itself in straw covered flasks all over the world –
a young and often rugged red. Armed
with the new-found knowledge of tasting techniques we developed in
Piemonte tasting Barolo and Barbaresco, you’ll now be quite at home
tasting Chianti Classico in an extraordinary, innovative cantina in the
village of Greve in Chianti. As
well, you can investigate Chianti’s Extra Virgin olive oil, tasting as
many as ten varieties of Tuscan olive oils in the very same cantina,
learning the techniques to taste this golden-green liquid.
The
Chianti villages are famous for stunning pork butchers who raise, cure and
sell their own products to only the best restaurants in Italy.
Our day will include a visit to a butcher well deserving of all the
accolades heaped upon him and located in the piazza of Greve in Chianti.
The
remainder of the day will be entirely dedicated to our second Florence
visit. If after our first visit you remained under the impression that the
‘renaissance’ meant sculpture, or art, or architecture, then you may
have missed the whole point. We
need to think deeply about what the renaissance actually means and to
understand how it affects us and the world we live in. Your second day in
Florence includes a pre booked entry to the Uffizi Gallery to view the
work of masters such as Giotto, Cimabue, Piero della Francesca, Botticelli
and Michelangelo. Isabella
will lead you from one art work to another, relieving you of the
frustration of viewing thousands of pieces of art without locating the
masterpieces in order to understand what the renaissance really means. You
will then be free to enjoy Florence for the rest of the day.
We’ll
return to our hotel in the late afternoon and prepare for our farewell
dinner.
Overnight
***Hotel Logge di Mercanti, Monte San Savino. Farewell
dinner with wines included
Day
13. Departure
Wednesday,
June 25. Following an early
breakfast we will board our coach and travel to Leonardo da Vinci, Airport,
Rome. Our expected time of arrival is 1330 pm. Please note that your tour
hosts have no control over and take no responsibility for missed flights
or failed travel connections for any reason whatsoever, including delays
caused by traffic, weather, ticketing, customs or any other cause on the
final day of the tour. You
are advised to leave an adequate margin for flight and/or train
connections. If the expected Fiumicino Rome airport arrival time of 1330
does not coincide with your on-going personal travel plans, you will need
to make your own departure arrangements from Monte San Savino, at your
expense. If you are staying
in Rome following the tour, your tour hosts Isabella and Luigi will be
happy to help, offer advice, recommend accommodation, etc for Rome.
Various train connections are also available from Monte San Savino.
Your
Hosts in Italy: Luigi and
Isabella Dusi, your English and Italian speaking hosts, are your personal
tour hosts. Luigi is Italian by birth but grew up in Australia,
transferring to his homeland in 1994. His special interests include the
viticulture of Italy. Isabella grew up in Australia, and following their
transfer to Italy, has strengthened her interest in the history,
architecture and art of Italy. Isabella’s books
about the village of Montalcino, “Vanilla Beans & Brodo”
and “Bel Vino” are essential reading for those who seek to understand
Italy and Italians. You will find Isabella and Luigi to be informed and
friendly hosts who share their knowledge and time beyond your expectations.
Isabella’s informal walks and talks explaining history and traditions of
towns and villages is always a highlight.
TOUR
INCLUSIONS
12
nights accommodation: 3 nights ***Hotel Reale, Asti in Piemonte;
3 nights ***s Hotel Posta at Moltrasio on the shores of Lake Como
in Lombardia;
3 nights ***Hotel Giardini, Vicenza in Veneto;
3 nights ***s Hotel Logge di Mercanti, Monte San Savino in Tuscany.
Includes buffet breakfast each morning. Single supplements are available
but limited. Hotels have YET TO BE confirmed.
A finalised Hotel Schedule will be available with the final tour
itinerary
7
Meals, (lunch or dinner) as set out on the itinerary. Each meal includes
regional wines/water. There is no reimbursement for wines not consumed.
Meals not specifically listed as included on the itinerary are at your own
expense.
SPECIAL
EVENTS: Admission and costs (with the exception of performances being
cancelled, altered or re-scheduled by the organizing authorities and
beyond any control of the tour operator) to :-
Opera
under the Stars at Verona. The Opera schedule at the time of our visit is
Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. Please note that the performance is at the
discretion of and under the control of the Verona Opera Board. There is no
refund for non- attendance, nor for cancelled performances. Tickets to the
opera are purchased many months in advance.
Entry
fees for all visits and tastings as confirmed on the itinerary are
included. There is no refund if you choose not to attend any performance
or event.
All
transport costs including local buses or trains when and if required to
effect the above itinerary are included. There are no “extra” costs
involved as your tour, as set out on the itinerary, is fully inclusive.
One
pick up at Malpensa airport, Milan, on the morning of the tour
commencement. Travel throughout by air conditioned touring coach. One
transfer to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Fiumicino, Rome, on the final
morning of the tour. Your booking agent is aware of the specific and only
times for pick up and return to airports. It is your responsibility to
ensure your travel plans coincide with tour pick up and departure times.
If your private travel plans or flight connections mean you are unable to
take advantage of airport pick up and return services please make your own
private arrangements which must be at your own expense and co-ordinated
with your tour hosts.
Your hosts take no responsibility for missed flights due to traffic
problems, inclement weather or for any other reason on the final day of
the tour.
Porterage:
Boutique ***hotels do not maintain permanent porters. Please note that
your hosts endeavour to arrange baggage delivery from coach to your room,
and vice versa, but you may be required to handle your baggage from hotel
foyer to room and reverse if porter staff is not available on our arrival
or departure. It is essential that your baggage is on wheels and
manageable, clearly labelled with a printed and visible (not
covered) name tag. If you are unable to manage your baggage please advise
your tour hosts.
Your hand baggage remains your responsibility at all times.
TOUR
PRICE: Euro 3100,00 per person, twin share, land only
Single Supplement Euro 380,00
EXCLUSIONS,
OPTIONAL OPERA and INSURANCE
OPTIONAL
Opera Performance of Aida – Friday, June 20.
Your tour hosts will be happy to book seats if you wish to take up
the option of attending this additional Opera performance.
Seats book out quickly for opening night so your earliest possible
commitment to this additional booking is essential.
While your hosts cannot guarantee availability they will do their
very best to confirm your seats. At
the time of preparing this itinerary the per person cost (including
transport Vicenza to Verona and return) is expected to be Euro 130,00 per
person.
Travel
Insurance – please note personal travel insurance is mandatory on
all tours and it is essential for you to insure your travel and tour
holiday at the time you make your booking in case of cancellation due to
sickness or any other cause whatsoever. It is your responsibility to
ensure you have adequate insurance and your attendance on tour will only
be confirmed once you have signed and returned the Tour Operators
Booking Form and Terms & Conditions to your booking agent. Visas
and passports, meals other than those specifically included on itinerary,
personal expenses, excess baggage, telephone, laundry, bar fridge, etc.
and your own optional excursions and visits are all at your expense.
Project
Travel International retains the right to make practical itinerary
alterations deemed necessary or for reasons outside their control. Any
such alterations are generally of a minor nature, however you are assured
of an equal quality tour in both value and content.
|
