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Experience 9 days some of Italy's most fascinating cities on this comprehensive tour. |
Highliths of the Tour
Milan - Milano is the country's economic engine room, home to Italy's stock market and business centres. This stylish city is also the world's design capital and rivals Paris as a leading fashion centre.
Venice - Venice is a dream shimmering on the waters, a city of painted palaces and serene churches. This unique urban masterpiece has canals instead of streets, boats instead of buses, and ornate bridges instead of subways. The immense wealth of the city was celebrated in art and architecture throughout the city. Over the last centuries, Venice (Venezia) switched its livelihood to a new trade: tourism.
Bologna - Known as Italy's gastronomic capital, Bologna gave Italy its tortellini and lasagna as well as Spaghetti Bolognese! Discover why Bologna has many nicknames: La Dotta (The Learned), for its ancient university, La Rossa (The Red) for the warm colors of its roofs and houses and La Grassa (The Fat) for the wonderful food!
Parma - Parma is a household name thanks to Parmigiano reggiano (good old Parmesan cheese) and Italy's best prosciutto, Parma ham. The local produce is unrivalled but don't be surprised if you almost miss a couple of meals trying to take in the many fine sights in this ancient home of dukes.
Trip Activities
Cultural and historic sites, city exploration, museums, castles, cathedrals, ruins. Italy Europe Tours arranges on request according to the groups's needs and specifications Sport or Music Performances, religious meetings and masses. Explore the rich and diverse history and culture of Milan, Venice, Bologna and Parma.
What we suggest to see
Milan Duomo, Piazza del Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre, Colonne di San Lorenzo, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Ambrosiana Library, Navigli District, Via della Spiga, Via Monte Napoleone, Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, Casa di Alessandro Manzoni, The Last Supper, Basilica di San Ambrosio and the shopper's paradise: Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle.
Venice San Marco's Square, San Marco's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the bridge of Sighs, St. Mary of the Friars, San Rocco, Palazzo Grasi, San Marc's Bell Tower, Academy Gallery, San Giorgio Maggiore, Ca' D'oro, Teatro La Fenice, Ca' Rezzonico, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Jewish Ghetto and Museum, Correr Civic Museum, Santa Maria della Salute, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the oldest glass factory in Venice.
Bologna Archaeological Museum, Basilica di San Domenico, Basilica di San Petronio, National Picture Gallery, Palazzo Comunale, San Giacomo Maggiore, Santo Stefano, Tower of the Asinelli.
Parma The Piazza Grande, Duomo di San Geminiano, Museo Bodoniano, The National Gallery of Parma, The National Archeological Museum and The Museum at Magnani Rocca Foundation.
Day by Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Departure from Home/Arrival in Milan Private coach transfer to the Milan Hotel. Check-in and time at leisure to explore the city.
Day 2 - Milan Walk the streets of Milan with your English speaking guide and discover many of the monuments and museums Milan has to see: the Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre and the shopper's paradise - Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle. This is a great way for new arrivals into Milan to get orientated with the city and begin exploring it's rich history and heritage.
Day 3 - Lake Garda/Verona/Venice This morning we make our way to the stunning beauty of the tiny lakeside town of Sirmione, "The Pearl of Garda Lake". Romans or Goths or Avars, or Venetians, all were touched by the charm of this beautiful island that juts out on Lake Garda. After spending some time enjoying the beauty of the area we continue on to Verona to walk a bit around this quaint town. Among the cities of the Venetia, it is second only to Venice for the interest of its monuments, and is especially notable for the quantity of its Roman remains. Family feuding produced the story of Romeo and Juliet. We continue to Venice to board on a private boat to your hotel.
Day 4 - VeniceWith our local guide the group will discover not only the major attractions, such as San Marco's Square, San Marco's Basilica, and the Doge's Palace, but we'll also get off the beaten path, or even off the path all together and into the water on a romantic gondola ride (link). A private glass bowing demonstration will be followed after the tour on Venice island.
Day 5 - Padova /Ravenna/Bologna After breakfast we depart Venice for the town of Padua, where we visit the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua and admire the Byzantine intricacies of St. Anthony's Basilica, and marvel at the Giotto frescoes in the great Scrovegni Chapel. Depart for Ravenna. Here we visit the Basilica of San Vitale, one of the marvels of Western Byzantium. We visit as well the tomb of Dante Alighieri. The greatest Italian poet and one of the most important writers of European literature, Dante is best known for the epic poem "Commedia". Arrival in Bologna, check-in and time at leisure to explore the city.
Day 6 - Bologna Today guided tour of the most important buildings in the city such as Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, The Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo and the famous Fountain of Neptune which dates back to the 16th century. Also visit of the Medieval Market and Loggia Dei Mercanti, The Anatomy Theatre (closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday), Basilica of San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Two Towers and the Complex of Santo Stefano.
Day 7 - Modena/Parma On the way to Parma we stop for visiting the city of Modena. We'll take some time to visit the Piazza Grande, where we admire the beautiful Duomo di San Geminiano. Of course, there will be time to shop for Modena's famous balsamic vinegar & prosciutto. Our final stop of the day is Parma, one of Italy's great art and music cities (Arturo Toscanini, was born here and Paganini is entombed here). But, perhaps Parma is most famous as the home of Parmesan cheese and wonderful hams.
Day 8 - Cremona/Piacenza/Milan After breakfast, we depart Parma for Cremona, Capital of violin masters (including Antonio Stradivarius). Today, some 50 violin masters are housed in workshops around the city. We take some time to admire the Torrazzo, the tallest bell tower in Italy and the Duomo, with its fa'ade of graceful curls and immense rose window. We'll have time to shop for the city's culinary specialty, "Torrone", a nougat made of almonds and honey. Boarding our motor coach we continue on to Piacenza and the Piazza Cavalli, where we admire two bronze horses, Cavalli masterpieces cast in the 1620's. Our final stop of the day is Milan.
Day 9 - Departure Today we transfer to the Milan airport to board our return flight home
ACCOMMODATION - 8 NTS
MOTORCOACH, TRAIN & PROFESSIONAL GUIDES
ADMISSIONS/VISITS/PANORAMIC TOURS
Milan: Guided tour to include Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre and the shopper's paradise - Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle.
Venice: Guided tour to include the Doge's palace (AD), St. Mark's Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Square.
Bologna: City tour to include Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, The Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo, the famous Fountain of Neptune, the Medieval Market, Loggia Dei Mercanti, The Anatomy Theatre, Basilica of San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Two Towers and the Complex of Santo Stefano.
Parma: City tour to include The Piazza Grande, Duomo di San Geminiano AD= Admissions
BREAKFAST/DINNERS Breakfast (9) at hotel each morning Meals based on 3 courses, drinks not included.
We do not include in this tour:
Milan: Link Excursions & Extra Services
Venice: Link Excursions & Extra Services
Bologna: Link Excursions & Extra Services
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