Tour: LVE - 2012 (LVE) - 2012 / 2013

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Itinerary

DAY 1Arrive in Milan, Italy

Time to rest or start exploring Milan, vibrant hub of Italy’s economic miracle. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (Dinner)

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping Center in Milan, Italy 
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DAY 2Milan–Soragna–Parma

In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the magnificent gothic DUOMO and the glass-domed GALLERIA. Also see the famous La Scala Opera House. On your way to Parma, world famous for its ham and parmesan cheese, stop at Soragna for a PARMESAN CHEESE TASTING. Later, for the food-lovers, an optional excursion to an original ham factory is available. (Breakfast)

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DAY 3Parma. Excursion to Modena and Maranello

This morning, your guided sightseeing will focus on the Romanesque cathedral, the bell tower, and the octagonal baptistry made of pink Verona marble. Next, enjoy a BALSAMIC VINEGAR TASTING near Modena, and learn all about this typical Italian product. Continue to nearby Maranello, birthplace of the Ferrari automobile, for an exciting visit to the FERRARI GALLERY. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (Breakfast)

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DAY 4Parma–Lucca

Enjoy a walk through the medieval town of Lucca with its ramparts and spend time in its pretty center. This evening you may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a local agriturismo to try out local specialties. (Breakfast)

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DAY 5Lucca–Boat Excursion to Cinque Terre–Santa Margherita Ligure

A scenic day! Drive to La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast and enjoy your excursion (including a BOAT RIDE, weather permitting) to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five medieval little villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From here, enjoy a TRAIN RIDE to Rapallo, then continue by coach to Santa Margherita Ligure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Village of Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy 
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The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.

DAY 6At Leisure in Santa Margherita Ligure

A full day to enjoy this beautiful seaside resort. You may wish to join an optional excursion to nearby Portofino, a small fishing village with brightly colored houses that became home to the “rich and famous.” (Breakfast)

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DAY 7Santa Margherita Ligure–Asti–Turin

Enter the Langhe area and arrive in Asti, known for its spumante and Barbera wines. Here, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Time afterwards in town, then visit a local NOUGAT CONFECTIONER (tours 0713-0824 visit the TAPESTRY MUSEUM instead) and savor a piece of hand-made torrone before continuing to Turin, capital of Piedmont and birthplace of the Fiat car. This evening you may wish to try out one of Turin’s restaurants. (Breakfast)

Stroll through the historic streets of Turin, Italy 
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DAY 8Turin

During your sightseeing with a Local Guide, admire the 548-feet-high Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin, and the Lingotto Fiera, the former Fiat factory that was transformed into an impressive multi-function center by architect Renzo Piano. Next, walk through the historic center and visit the CATHEDRAL that houses the Holy Shroud. (Breakfast)

Stroll through the historic streets of Turin, Italy 
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DAY 9Turin–Vercelli–Milan

This morning, visit a RICE FACTORY in Vercelli. Learn everything about its traditional products and enjoy a risotto lunch before returning to Milan. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner with wine at one of Milan’s fine restaurants to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping Center in Milan, Italy 
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DAY 10Milan–Lake Maggiore

You will be transferred to your hotel in Stresa at Lake Maggiore. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)

Lake Maggiore Lake Maggiore Cannero Riviera Stresa 
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DAY 11Lake Maggiore

Morning guided sightseeing includes a BOAT ride to ISOLA BELLA for a visit to its opulent PALACE and GARDENS. (Breakfast)

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Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore

Isola Bella


"Isola Bella. Beautiful Island. Rising out of the waters of Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, a gardener’s paradise awaits. When Count Carlo Borromeo decided to give his wife, Isabella, a gift back in 1632, he was thinking big. The expansive island villa and garden he planned for her are considered the epitome of Baroque-style architecture and garden design. With terraces built straight to the water’s edge, the island appears as if it is a floating flowering ship. Many of the rooms are of notable historical interest, like the Music Room, where Mussolini hosted the Stresa Conference in 1935 that should have ensured peace in Europe, and Napoleon’s Room, where he often stayed in the company of Giuseppina Beauharnais."
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DAY 12Lake Maggiore

Full day at leisure. Ask your Local Host for suggestions. (Breakfast)

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DAY 13Lake Maggiore

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa). (Breakfast)

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping Center in Milan, Italy 
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