Page 118 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

Itinerary nestled along Lake Como. There, we’ll stroll along a we’ll return to the station via cable car and catch
waterfront pedestrian path called the Walk of Lovers our train back to Tirano. This evening, we’ll enjoy a
and end our walk at a local gelateria, where we’ll enjoy Home-Hosted Dinner in the home of a local family.

DAY 1 • Depart U.S. an informative discussion on this regional treat. After B,L,D — Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar
Fly overnight from the U.S. to Milan, Italy. lunch on your own, we’ll continue on to Tirano. This

evening, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant for our DAY • Overland to Lake Iseo • Franciacorta

DAY 2 • Arrive Milan, Italy • Transfer to Lecco first taste of the local Valtellina delicacies. vineyard and winery tour
Upon arrival in Milan, we’ll transfer to Lecco, where B,D — Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar Depart Tirano and head to Lago d’Iseo, the least
we’ll meet members of your group, including those known of the Lombard lakes, and the Franciacorta

who took the Italian Riviera, Genoa & the Cinque Terre DAY 5 • Experience A Day in the Life in the wine region. Along the way, we may stop at a local
or New! The Swiss Alps: Lucerne, Bern & Zermatt pre- Valtellina Valley university to speak with students about nature
trip extensions. After an orientation walk in Tirano, we’ll experience preservation efforts. We’ll then continue on to a
Hotel NH Lecco Pontevecchio or similar our NEW A Day in the Life in the Valtellina Valley, winery in Franciacorta that is run by two sisters.
renowned for its natural beauty, wine, and regional We’ll begin with a hike around the property to

DAY 3 • Explore Milan • Controversial Topic: cuisine. First, we’ll visit a locally-owned goat cheese appreciate the lush hills of this bucolic region. Then,
Immigration in Italy with Iranian political producer, where we’ll observe the production process we’ll be welcomed at the winery by one of the sisters,
refugees Ayoub & Leyla and enjoy a tasting of this prized dairy product. learn about the ancient production process of these
After a Welcome Briefing, we’ll set off on a walking Then, we’ll head to San Rocco, where we’ll explore a sparkling wine varieties, and enjoy lunch along with
tour of riverside Lecco. Then, we’ll depart for Milan renovated water mill that grinds buckwheat to make a wine tasting. Later, we’ll depart for our hotel and
where we’ll also explore on foot—the highlight being pizzoccheri, the traditional pasta of the Valtellina have the afternoon at leisure. Dinner is at the hotel
the Duomo di Milano, Milan’s magnificent Gothic Valley. After that, we’ll stop by a family-run farm just this evening.
cathedral. After lunch, we’ll be joined by two Iranian outside of the small village of Teglio. Here, we’ll be B,L,D — Cocca Hotel Royal Thai Spa or similar
political refugees to learn about the Controversial welcomed by the owner who will share with us the
Topic of immigration in Italy, an increasingly urgent history of the property and lead our small group on
issue due to global political unrest and the strategic a short walk around the grounds. We’ll also have the
location of this southern European nation. Following opportunity to participate in daily farm chores before Watch this independent video to learn
our conversation, you’ll have some time to explore sitting down for a homemade lunch with the family, more about this adventure
on your own before heading back to Lecco. Our small which includes pizzoccheri.
group will gather tonight for a Welcome Dinner at a B,L — Hotel Centrale Tirano or similar
local restaurant.

B,L,D — Hotel NH Lecco Pontevecchio or similar DAY 6 • Bernina Red Train to Switzerland •
Home-Hosted Dinner

DAY 4 • Explore Orrido di Bellano • After breakfast, board the Bernina Red Train
Transfer to Tirano for a full-day excursion across the Alps and
Along the way to Tirano, we’ll visit Orrido di Bellano, into Switzerland. After crossing the border into
a waterfall and natural gorge where caves have been Switzerland, we’ll depart the train at Diavolezza
carved out by the water over the centuries. We’ll station to board a cable car that will take us to a
admire its beauty from footbridges attached to the scenic viewpoint, where we’ll have the opportunity to watch video
rocks before departing for Varenna, a fishing village explore the area and later have lunch. After our meal,

Meet the people who call northern Italy home

Italian Families in Tirano : During a NEW A Day in the Life of the Valtellina Valley
on Day 5, we’ll sit down to lunch with a local Italian family at their farm. And on
Day 6, we’ll feast on traditional northern Italian specialties in the home of a local
family in Tirano.

Vineyard Owner in Franciacorta : During our time in Franciacorta on Day
7, we’ll meet with a local vineyard owner whose family specializes in making
Franciacorta sparkling wine. After touring the vineyard, we’ll learn about the
hand-harvesting grape process and have an opportunity to sip this local favorite.

Ladin Locals :Numbering about 35,000, Ladins are a little-known ethnic minority
living in the foothills of Italy’s Dolomites. On Day 13, a Ladin-speaking local will
give us insights into Ladin culture while accompanying our small group on a hike
amidst the scenic beauty of the valleys of the Dolomites.

In the Ladin Valleys on Day 13, we may see Ladins in traditional dress.

118 Northern Italy: The Alps, Dolomites & Lombardy www.oattravel.com/itr2022

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