Departing at 7:15 am from the Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board on the bus to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest.

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on etruscan-roman origins, the city ourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further re ned during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magni cent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay in Florence.

After breakfast at your hotel you will head to Milan. Once there, you’ll have the day to explore this hectic city, world-known for fashion and design, before checking in at your hotel for some rest.

*From Venice to Milan, up to five people, the transfer will be by train.

Departure at 8:30 am from NH Touring in Milan to the Lake Orta, a small and charming lake situated in the north-eastern side of the region Piedmont. Stop in the beautiful village of Orta San Giulio for a short visit. Then, tour by boat to reach the island of San Giulio, just in front of the village: it is known as “ the Pearl of the Lake”, almost entirely occupied by the Monastery Mater Ecclesiae, famous for studies on antique books. After a short visit, you will take the ferry back to Orta and then leave by bus to Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, one of the largest Italian lakes. Wedged between the pre- alps, and of clear glacial origin, it is framed in its lower section by the soft hills of the region of Novara and – in the upper section – by high mountain peaks with perpetual snows. These features make possible an average temperature during all seasons, milder in winter than in the inner areas and cooled down in summer by the breezes that blow on the water’s surface changing the lake’s colour. Thanks to its mild climate, many species of owers and plants typical to the sub-tropical climate could adapt to the lake areas climate. Arrival in Stresa, an international tourist resort situated in a central but also panoramic and picturesque position along the lakeside roadway, just in front of the ‘Borromee’ islands. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the “Isola dei Pescatori” (Fishermen’s Island) by boat. The island, was named after the main activity that, over the centuries, has characterized this shermen town. Although only few families still maintain the original activity, the identity of the small community appears intact. Tourists are fascinated by its simple houses, the narrow lanes, the stone portals and the attractive underpasses. We will continue to the “Isola Bella” (The Beautiful Island), where you might opt for a visit of the Borromeo Palace with its magni cent gardens. Return to Stresa (free time for lunch, not included). At the and of the visit departure to Como. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY  6 – COMO > BELLAGIO > VARENNA > BERGAMO > BRESCIA