Milan & Lake Como in Luxury

Itinerary

• Italy

  Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It's top attractions include; Rome (Colosseum, Vatican City, PIazza Navona, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains of Trevi, Spanish Steps), Florence (Duomo, Old City, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi), and Venice (Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, St. Marks Square). But there is much more to discover outside these heavily travelled spots.  Tuscany and Umbria with its wine, food and hilltowns (Sienna, San Gimignano, Orvietto, Spoleto), the dazzling Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento), Siciliy with its old words ways, the urbane Milan and nearby Lake Como, the Italian Riviera... and more.  One important piece of advice, the soul of Italy is in its small towns, so be sure to get outside the big cities and into the country. That is where you will find the magic.

• Milan

  Milan is the social and fashion capitol of Italy. There is nowhere better in the world for people watching and picking up fashion tips, as the most famous designers on the globe have their headquarters here. Milan also has the cultural treasures you'd expect of an Italian city. The Duomo is the world's third largest Catholic church; a fantastically ornate Gothic conception that sits in the centre of the city. Piazzas and art galleries boast sculptures and canvases from the most famous Italian artists of the Renaissance. And the reason many people flock to the city, is just a single painting - Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.

• Tremezzo

  Tremezzo is located on the western shore of Lake Como between Mezzegra to the south-west and Griante to the north-east, and about 20 km from Como. As well as the capoluogo of Tremezzo, the area of the commune includes the frazione Rogaro, birthplace of the architect Pietro Lingeri.Tremezzo is best known as a tourist resort—it was a favourite of Konrad Adenauer—and for its villas, of which the most famous is the Villa Carlotta with its much-admired gardens.We say that Tremezzo has two souls: one of the coast and the other of the mountain, both of great beauty and glamour, which gives tourists and visitors the opportunity to choose between lake and hills, with equally interesting itineraries.

• • Milan
  • Park Hyatt Milan

  Day 1: Milan

  Enjoy the private transfer with your own vehicle and English speaking driver from Milan to your hotel on Lake Como.

  A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other information that we think may be useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival.

  Explore the city by foot as you visit the great monuments of Milan, from the giant cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches in the world at 157m long, to Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance palace which combines a forbidding exterior with a delightful interior. No tour would be complete without a visit to the Neo-Classical opera house, known popularly as “La Scala”, opened in 1778 and now one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, and finally the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, a beautiful 15th century Renaissance convent, famous all over the world for the Cenacolo (Last Supper) by Leonardo da Vinci. (Entrance fees not included).

  Accommodation: Park Hyatt Milan (5*)

  This hotel is located in Milan, close to the Piazza del Duomo, the Teatro del Scala, and the Via Montenapoleone's designer stores. Park Hyatt Milano's guestrooms all have high-speed Internet access and desks; bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, bathrobes, and slippers. This hotel offers a business centre with onsite technical support and wireless Internet access; there are several fashion boutiques on site.

• • Da Vinci's Last Supper

  Day 2: Milan

  Your guide will meet you at your Milan hotel and take you to the Last Supper. (The visit to see the Last supper lasts 15 mins). Henry James called it ‘an illustrious invalid’ while Aldous Huxley called it ‘the saddest work of art in the world’. Neither were talking about the subject matter of one of the world’s most important and moving work of art, but about centuries of appalling neglect, which saw Leonardo’s Last Supper assume the condition of a fly-blown poster on a subway wall. You’ll find the painting in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. In a permanent process of restoration, due to its state of decay, first sight of it makes it clear exactly what James meant.

  Accommodation: Park Hyatt Milan (5*)
• • Manarola in Italy`s Cinque Terre

  Day 3: Milan

  Enjoy a full day (shared) boat and train tour in one of the most beautiful region in Italy (UNESCO Heritage). 'Cinque Terre' means 'five lands', and Italy's famous Cinque Terre are five perilously-perched villages strung along a short stretch of cliffs in Liguria, at the top left of Italy's boot. The Cinque Terre stretch of coastline is a National Park, and a Protected Marine Area, included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. After being placed on a list of sites at risk, the Park Authority began a longterm project to revitalise the farming practices behind the characteristic hillside terraces, many of which were falling into abandonment. It also aims at a sustainable level of tourism, maintaining the character and beauty of the region. Despite the number of tourists - which is at times overpowering - the schemes appear to be succeeding admirably. There is a real sense of local identity even in the most tourist-crammed little ‘piazze'. Restaurants, bars and accommodation all have an endearingly homespun air about them, as though when the locals saw tourists coming they found a few garden chairs to stick on their terrace, handpainted a sign and began serving customers.The Cinque Terre are (north to south): Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

  Accommodation: Park Hyatt Milan (5*)
• • Tremezzo
  • Grand Hotel Tremezzo

  Day 4: Milan - Como - Tremezzo

  Enjoy the private transfer with your own vehicle and English speaking driver from Milan to your hotel on Lake Como.

  Take in the scenery of Lake Como and explore the many quaint lakeside villages and towns as you explore by public boat.

  You will be able to buy a day pass for between 1-8 trips, and these range from 5 euro up to 22 euro per person (paybale locally).

  Accommodation: Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace (5*)

  The Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace was built in 1910, this historic palatial Grand Hotel is one of the oldest luxury Hotels on Lake Como. Liberty-style, directly facing the Lake (panoramic road to be crossed), the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is directly adjacent to Villa Carlotta and its botanical Gardens. It's a 10-minute drive from the Golf Club of Menaggio and Cadenabbia, 1-hour drive from the Milan Malpensa International airport. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo features 92 rooms and two luxurious Suites, brand new spa, two restaurants, three bars, two outdoor pools including one floating above the Lake, private beach and Solarium, tennis, fitness club with sauna.

• • View on Lake Lugano and Monte San Salvatore

  Day 5: Como - Tremezzo

  Enjoy a 6-hour private excursion into the border town of Lugano, Switzerland. Enjoy the freedom and flexiblity of having your own vehicle and driver. Lugano is the biggest city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. However, it is not the cantonal capital. (The capital is Bellinzona). It lies on Lake Lugano, and is surrounded by mountains, including Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore and the Sighignola. The Italian border lies about 8 km (5 miles) from the centre of town – the suburb of Gandria, now officially part of the city, stretches right up to the frontier. The Mendrisiotto and Lower Ceresio is a small triangular shaped region which borders on Italy to the south and is a short distance from Lugano, Lake Maggiore, Como and Varese. Those who have the chance to discover this generous land in more depth will find a corner of paradise between enchanting landscapes, sparkling hills and green heights painted by nature’s colours, which change constantly. Between oaks, firs and birches are oases of peace with a totally soothing calm. Your driver will take you across the border back to your Como hotel.

  Accommodation: Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace (5*)

• Day 6: Como

  Depart at anytime today

  Enjoy a private airport transfer to or from Milan Malpensa airport with your own vehicle and English speaking driver.

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Local Pastimes

  Italian coffee rituals are often baffling to the uninitiated. Espresso coffee is very small and very strong. It is usually consumed in one or two gulps while standing at the bar. Italians will spend three hours eating a meal and then refuse the restaurant's coffee (which is always served at the end of the meal after dessert) because they want to drink it in a particular bar. If you ask for a Caffe you will get espresso, whereas a Caffe Americano will be a "long" espresso.  Caffe Latte is the true version of what we have colloquialized as a "Latte", but be careful not to order a "Latte" as you will receive simply a delicious glass of steaming milk.

• • Park Hyatt Milan

  Park Hyatt Milan (5*)

  This hotel is located in Milan, close to the Piazza del Duomo, the Teatro del Scala, and the Via Montenapoleone's designer stores. Park Hyatt Milano's guestrooms all have high-speed Internet access and desks; bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, bathrobes, and slippers. This hotel offers a business centre with onsite technical support and wireless Internet access; there are several fashion boutiques on site.

  • More information
• • Grand Hotel Tremezzo

  Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace (5*)

  The Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace was built in 1910, this historic palatial Grand Hotel is one of the oldest luxury Hotels on Lake Como. Liberty-style, directly facing the Lake (panoramic road to be crossed), the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is directly adjacent to Villa Carlotta and its botanical Gardens. It's a 10-minute drive from the Golf Club of Menaggio and Cadenabbia, 1-hour drive from the Milan Malpensa International airport. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo features 92 rooms and two luxurious Suites, brand new spa, two restaurants, three bars, two outdoor pools including one floating above the Lake, private beach and Solarium, tennis, fitness club with sauna.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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