Lombardy and the Italian Riviera

Highlights:

• Majestic lakes and snow-capped mountains
• Charming towns, villas and gardens
• Chic resort towns and fishing villages
• Mouth-watering Ligurian cuisine
• Choice of accommodation
  

Day 1 - Arrive Lake Como
Welcome and private transfer to your iconic hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Villa d'Este, Deluxe Lake View (Platinum) or Grand Villa Serbelloni, Classic Park View (Gold)

Day 2 - Lake Como
A half-day private boat cruise on beautiful Lake Como. Lake Como is Europe's deepest lake and is surrounded by beautiful villas and gardens. Stop in the delightful village of Bellagio, an old retreat for the nobility of Lombardy, and visit the elegant Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo with its beautiful gardens. The beautiful villa was built at the end of the 17th century in a natural basin between the lake and the Dolomite Mountains. The gardens of Villa Carlotta are worth visiting throughout the year with seasonal attractions including old varieties of camellias, century old cedars and sequoias, huge plane trees, tropical plants, the rock garden, fern valley, the rhododendron wood, the bamboos garden and the wonderful lake views (B).
Villa d'Este, Deluxe Lake View (Platinum) or Grand Villa Serbelloni, Classic Park View (Gold)

Day 3 - Lake Como - Lugano - Lake Como
Travel along the lake and cross the border into Switzerland and the picturesque town of Lugano, delightfully situated on one of the smaller lakes. Visit the main sights including the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli and return to Lake Como (B).
Villa d'Este, Deluxe Lake View (Platinum) or Grand Villa Serbelloni, Classic Park View (Gold)

Day 4 - Lake Como - Milan
Soak up the slower pace on the smaller and less visited Lake Varese. Visit Villa Panza and its impressive contemporary art collection. Behind the simple façade of this 18th century building, lies a grand and complex interior. Inside you will be dazzled by its impressive contemporary art collection. Time for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Villa della Porta Bozzolo and its splendid garden. The day ends in the fashion capital of Milan (B).
Park Hyatt Milano, Park Deluxe (Platinum) or Hotel Principe di Savoia, Classic Premium (Gold)

Day 5 - Milan
Explore the delights of Milan including da Vinci's newly restored 'Last Supper', located in the refectory of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the colossal Gothic Cathedral and the Brera Gallery built for the Jesuits and considered Milan's most formidable art museum. See Michelangelo's sculptural masterpiece, Pietà, and some important works by Titian, Caravaggio, da Vinci and Botticelli (B).
Park Hyatt Milano, Park Deluxe (Platinum) or Hotel Principe di Savoia, Classic Premium (Gold)

Day 6 - Milan
Visit the Certosa di Pavia, one of the most extravagant monasteries in Europe. Commissioned by the Duke of Milan in 1396 as the family mausoleum, the church here was intended to resemble Milan's late-Gothic cathedral and the same architects and craftsmen worked on the building throughout its construction. Admire the monastery's fine terracotta decoration and charming geometric garden. Also visit the town of Pavia, once known as the city of a hundred towers in the Middle Ages. Today only a handful remain along with numerous Romanesque and Gothic churches that are tucked away in a web of narrow streets and cobbled squares. Return to Milan where the afternoon is at leisure (B).
Park Hyatt Milano, Park Deluxe (Platinum) or Hotel Principe di Savoia, Classic Premium (Gold)

Day 7 - Milan - Portofino
Travel down to the stunning Italian Riviera. Stop en route in Genoa, the region's capital and home town of Christopher Columbus. Begin with visits to the Church of Gesù, a baroque building built between 1589 and 1606 and the Duomo of San Lorenzo with its black and white Gothic façade. You will continue on to the Porta Soprana, the eastern gateway to the city, located next to one of various homes belonging to Christopher Columbus's family. After lunch it's just a short distance to Portofino (B).
Hotel Splendido, Double Seaview with Balcony (Platinum) or Splendido Mare Hotel, Double with Village View (Gold)

Day 8 - Design Your Day Portofino
Cinque Terre ('Five Lands') is built along the steep coastal cliffs of Liguria. At one time only accessible by sea, its vineyards and fishing villages are still strongly attached to their old customs and traditions. Today choose from: A full day private tour to the charming vineyards and fishing villages of the Cinque Terre; walking tour of the Cinque Terre; or explore the Portofino Peninsula (B).
Hotel Splendido, Double Seaview with Balcony (Platinum) or Splendido Mare Hotel, Double with Village View (Gold)

Day 9 - Depart Portofino
Transfer to Milan airport for departure flight (B).

& Moments
The Cinque Terre's coastal location and geology combine to make a unique dessert wine known as Sciacchetra. Join your guide in a local Enoteca and sample a refreshing glass of the local drop.

Pricing
As a guide, this 4 day suggested journey in Italy will cost from $11,680 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability