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Italy does seem to possess "the fatal gift of beauty," as Lord Byron put it,
and nowhere more than in Lombardia, where long, jewel-blue lakes reach deep into the snow-capped
Alps. One of the most dramatic Italian lakes in Como, whose grand Belle Epoque hotels and
romantic villas with lakefront promenades lend it a vestigial 19th century elegance. On small Lake
Orta we find a haven of dreamy bucolic serenity, especially in the traffic-free lakeside town of
Orta San Guilio, with its 17th century homes built around a fine palazzo. Ancient footpaths let us
indulge in gentle hikes, some among wistful villas where overflowing Mediterranean gardens bloom
in view of snowy peaks. Other walks take us to shepherds' huts in mountain pasturelands. Enticing
northern Italian cuisine delights our palates on this journey, and we can complement our delicious
regional cuisine such as ossobuco and polenta with tangy red Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
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Itinerary/Days
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Details
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1: Milan / Bellagio on Lake Como
2 - 4: Bellagio / Varenna / Mount San Primo
5 - 7: Lago d'Orta / Orta San Giulio
8: Depart for US
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8-day easy to moderate hiking and cultural adventure
Como, Maggiore, and Orta: the enchanting lakes of northern Italy
Superb hiking, colorful villages, stunning scenery, outstanding wine and cuisine
Daily hiking of 4-8 miles (2-5 hours); maximum elevation 4,500'
Lodging: charming luxury hotels
All meals except 3 dinners (free to maximize your dining opportunities)
Meeting / Departure point: Milan
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1: Milan / Bellagio on Lake Como
We meet in Milan and drive to Lake Como, where the Alps rise like a wall at the
lake's north end.
2 - 4: Bellagio / Varenna / Mount San Primo
We explore the hill village of Brunate, with its views of Como's blue waters edged
by plunging mountains, and we walk from the medieval town of Varenna tot he source
of the Fiume Latte, or Milk River. On Day 4 we hike ridge trails across Mount San Primo,
the highest mountain in the area, for a delicious lunch of polenta uncia, made
with local cheese, at an alpine farm.
5 - 7: Lago d'Orta / Orta San Giulio
We visit the renowned palace of the Borromeo family, with its ten-tiered terraced garden,
then head over the mountains to Lago d'Orta and the enchanting villages of Orta San Giulio.
One of our walks takes us up to a shepherd's mountain hut where we can sample freshly-made
goat cheese and then indulge in a farm lunch at an alpine inn run by the 4th generation of
the Spadacinni family.
8: Depart for US
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Departure Dates
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1: May 25 - Jun 1
2: Jul 13 - 20
3: Sept 1 - 8
4: Sept 21 - 28
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| COST |
Land Cost
cost/per person, based on double occupancy |
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| Cost |
4 - 10 members |
11 - 15 members |
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$2795 |
$2495 |
| Single supplement: $350 |
| Forced single: $200 |
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