Description:

ITINERARY

Day 1 MILAN, ITALY - COMO.
After arrival transfer to your hotel in Como. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 COMO. LAKE DISTRICT EXCURSION.
A day dedicated to the most famous of the Italian lakes, Maggiore, with its mild climate and luxuriant, exotic vegetation. Enjoy a boat ride to ISOLA BELLA, one of the last privately owned islands open to visitors, to admire BORROMEO PALACE. Wander around the beautiful GARDENS and terraces, and visit the local market. Next, travel to the subtropical resort town of Lugano in Swiss territory. Time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa, an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma, or a walk in the shade of Parco Ciani's magnificent old trees. Mid-afternoon transfer back to Como. (B)

Day 3 AT LEISURE IN COMO.
All day at leisure to relax or explore this beautiful resort on your own. Take a stroll along the lake, visit the 14th-century cathedral, browse through the little shops, or just sit on one of the lakeside terraces and enjoy the beautiful views. (B)

Day 4 COMO - DOLOMITES.
Leave the Lake District and drive into the Alpine region of South Tyrol, part of Austria until the end of World War I and where German is still spoken. Stay two nights in charming Bolzano. (B,D)

Day 5 DOLOMITES.
Today's orientation features Piazza del Duomo, the food market, and the beautiful main street with its arcades. You may wish to join an exciting optional excursion to the pretty town of Merano and one of Tyrol's most famous castles. (B)

Day 6 DOLOMITES - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - VENICE.
Enjoy a spectacularly scenic drive in the Italian Alps. Visit the jewel of the Dolomites: Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Olympic ski resort. Enjoy an orientation of this picturesque town before continuing to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (B)

Day 7 VENICE.
Meet your Local Guide for morning sightseeing, featuring ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish. Perhaps a gondola ride? (B)

Day 8 AT LEISURE IN VENICE.
A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. Simply relax at your hotel, stroll around the narrow streets, visit the bell tower, or you may want to join an optional lagoon cruise with lunch on the charming island of Burano. (B)

Day 9 VENICE - MILAN.
An easy drive takes you to the commercial capital of Italy - Milan. Your afternoon walking sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in the pedestrian area with a visit to the magnificent gothic DUOMO. Continue through the glass-domed GALLERIA to the famous La Scala Opera House, then a short walk to the imposing SFORZESCO CASTLE. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B)

Day 10 MILAN.
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• Coach tour as shown in above itinerary
• Sightseeing as shown in itinerary
• Meals (if applicable) are shown in itinerary