THE ATMOSPHERE OF LAKE COMO AND THE FASHION IN MILAN 5 days- 4 nts

Lake Como, also known as "Lario", is the deepest in Italy, 410 meters, and one of the deepest in Europe. With its big water mass it has a strong influence on the climate, gifting to the centre of the lake area a weather similar to the Liguria Coast region. Laurels and olive trees grow well, and the numerous gardens host palms and tropical trees. In this area the green-houses are numerous. Como province adds to all this an original and fascinating artistic asset in which three main trends may easily outlined. The first one, more garish, is formed by the Lake Como Villas, unique in the world both for their architectural and landscape value and the numerous treasures that they contain. The second, more hidden and cultured, is formed by the incredible concentration in this territory of Romanesque churches, that testify a brilliant and flourishing Middle-Age. The third asset, more evocative and intriguing, is formed by many military fortresses of different ages, with their own asset of anecdotes and legends, that testify a turbulent and adventurous past.

1° day: Arrival to your Hotel on Lake Como in the late afternoon. Welcome drink, dinner and overnight stay.

2° day: LAKE COMO : Breakfast. Full-day excursion to the discovery of the Lake with a local guide. Visit of Como, S. Abbondio Church, a masterpiece of Lombardy Roman style, the Dome, the Broletto. Private boat then from Como to Bellagio, coasting the lake and admiring its nature and villas. Stop in Bellagio for free lunch and in the afternoon boat to Cadenabbia, where you can visit Villa Carlotta and its park. Dinner and overnight stay.

3° day: MILAN : Breakfast. In the morning departure to Milan, visit with an official guide: the Dome and its spires, the Sforza Castle, the Scala Theatre, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the shopping and the fashion…free lunch and in the afternoon visit of Bergamo with its “higher town”…, with the Dome, the Cappella Colleoni, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Baptistery..visit with a local guide. Dinner and overnight stay.

4° day: LAKE MAGGIORE : Breakfast. Full-day excursion to the Borromean Islands: private boat from Stresa to Isola Bella with its baroque garden and its palace, the Charming Isola Pescatori, the Isola Madre, the farest and the most suggestive for its silence. Free time in Stresa and way back to your Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

5° day: LAKE ORTA : Breakfast. In the morning excursion to Lake Orta and San Giulio Island, that you will reach by boat. Free lunch and departure.