Lombardy

Benvenuti (welcome in Italian)! Lombardy offers a wide range of landscapes from the majestic Alps along the Swiss border to Stelvio Natural Park (the largest in Italy) to the renowned Lake District and finally the plains, threaded by tributaries of the Po River, which flows from west to east along the southern part of the region.

About the Lombardy Region

Italy boasts more than fifty UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any country in the world. And within Italy, Lombardy is the richest region: containing ten of Italy’s total fifty. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit three of them: the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan with the Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco of “the Last Supper,” the Sacred Mount of Varese (part of the sacred mountains of Lombardy and Piedmont), and the Longobard monastic complex in Brescia.

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Other highlights of this unique tour through picturesque towns and tranquil countryside include: discovering the historic cities of Milan, Como, Varese and Brescia; visiting the quaint towns of Verbania and Bellagio; exploring two of the famed glacial lakes, Maggiore and Como; learning about Roman and Lombard civilizations while enjoying intimate stays at local agriturismi (usually a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism); and savoring local cheeses, wines, extra virgin olive oil while, honey absorbing the culture of Slow Food.
Slow Food is a non-profit organization founded in this area in 1986 that promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the motto of Slow Food International). Today, Slow Food includes upwards of 100,000 members in more than 150 countries.
The richest region of Italy, Lombardy is home to ten million people who contribute 20% to Italian GDP. The name derives from Lombard (or Longobard), a derivation of long beard, which refers to the Germanic tribe who conquered much of the peninsula at the beginning of the 6th century.

The region was settled at least as early as the second millennium BC, as evidenced by the well-preserved rock animal drawings left by the Camuni in the Valcamonica area. Later, Etruscans, Celtic-Gallic and Romans invaded and ruled the region until Charlemagne annexed it to his empire in 774.

Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Milan played an important role first in the Lombardy League, a league of the northern city states who formed a hegemony to resist the dominion of the Holy Roman Empire, and then in the noble dynasty of the Visconti for about two centuries, until it was conquered with the rest of northern Italy by the Habsburgs of Spain.

Later the Austrian Empire reigned until Napoleon’s time, introducing important economic and social measures to an area that was already thriving in trade and banking activities. Lombardy was finally incorporated in the Italian kingdom in 1861, and since then has been the economic engine of Italy and essential to the European economy in the fields of agriculture, credit, finance, fashion and manufacturing.

Likely you recognize or have tried some of Lombardy’s most famous recipes: ossobuco (beef shank), risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto), and polenta (corn meal). On this tour, you will savor these and many more, with lake fish (char and perch are very common here), and with cheese such as Bagoss (with saffron), one of the local Slow Food Presidia (worldwide initiatives to support quality production at risk of extinction), washed down with wines such as Sfursat of Valtellina made with local Nebbiolo grapes and the sparkling and elegant Franciacorta Spumante.

Lombardy, Milan and Lake District Tour

Dates & Pricing

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

DATES (7 days)
For dates, info and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE

Per person in double occupancy: from $3,390

Single Supplement: $540

For travel in 2021 and beyond, your tour is carbon neutral! In addition, we donate more than 1% of your trip price to food-literacy and environmental non-profits that share our values. (Details here)

Tour Highlights

Discover three UNESCO Sites: the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan housing the Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco of “the Last Supper,” the Sacred Mount of Varese, and the Longobard monastic complex in Brescia
Visits to local farms, agriturismi, wine, cheese, extra virgin olive oil and honey makers
Experience the authentic Mediterranean Diet mixed with the local traditional cuisine featuring fresh and seasonal ingredients and learn more about local recipes
Enjoy some of the best reds of Italy, such as Nebbiolo from Valtellina, Bonarda from Oltrepò Pavese and the white Franciacorta Spumante
Relax in unique, cozy agriturismi or 3- or 4-star hotels distinctively representing the local cultures and traditions
Delve into history, traditions and culture in this unique area in north of Italy
Explore the Italian lake district, and discover historical towns such as Milano, Como, Varese and Brescia

What's Included

6 nights of accommodation in 3- or 4-star hotels and agriturismi
6 breakfasts and 2 lunches
5 dinners with either a 3- or 4-course menu
Entry fees to UNESCO Sites of Longobard monastic complex in Brescia, of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco of “the Last Supper”
Entry fees for the Cathedral in Milan, for the Villa Taranto garden and for the Borromeo Palace on Lake Maggiore
1 cooking demo in an agriturismo
1 wine tasting and visit to local wine, extra virgin olive oil and honey maker
1 visit an tasting to a cheese maker
Comfortable transportation by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
Bilingual, professional Tour Leaders
One group transfer to Malpensa airport from last hotel
Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during the tour

What's Not Included

4 lunches and 1 dinner on your own
Alcoholic beverages at group dinners (including wine and spirits)
Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
Gratuities for your Tour Leader
Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, snacks, gifts

Itinerary

Day 1 – Milan

Our tour starts in Milan, the majestic capital of the region and principal financial, commercial and industrial center of Italy. Perhaps best known internationally for its fashion designers, this city is also celebrated for its monuments such as Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), the cathedral, and the UNESCO site the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper.” All of these we will visit during our stay.
Day 2 – Milan to Lake Maggiore

From Milan we travel to Lake Maggiore, our base for the next two days. En route, we’ll visit a farm and cheese maker, and enjoy a lunch of predominantly local products. In the afternoon, a picturesque ferry ride will take us partway to the small town of Verbania, on the Piedmontese side of the Lake Maggiore. Following a visit to an agriturismo (usually a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism) we will enjoy dinner replete with local flavors.
Day 3 – Around Lake Maggiore

The quiet atmosphere of life along the lake will accompany us for the entire day, starting in the beautiful gardens of Villa Taranto, famed for their rare botanical species. From here, we continue our explorations with a boat ride to Isola dei Pescatori (isle of the fishermen) and enjoy a lake fish lunch and stroll around this tiny pocket of lake culture.

In the afternoon, another boat takes us to Isola Bella and its Palazzo Borromeo, a fine example of Baroque architecture with its elegant Italian garden. Over four hundred years, with the muscle of a hundred men, the noble Borromeos transformed the barren island into an exquisite refuge. The descendants of this ancient family are still involved in its upkeep. Back in Verbania, you will have a chance to practice your “food” Italian at dinner, which is on your own tonight. If you like, we are happy to make suggestions.
Day 4 – Lake Maggiore to Lake Como

En route to our next agriturismo, we’ll stop by Varese to visit the UNESCO Site of the Sacred Mount and enjoy some downtime in this elegant town. By mid-afternoon we’ll reach our agriturismo near Lake Como and meet the local family who chose this place as the ideal location to raise their two kids, a dog and some sheep!

Before our dinner prepared by the couple who owns the agriturismo, we’ll enjoy a walk in the countryside, immersing ourselves in the tranquil atmosphere of the forest above Lake Como and working up our appetites!
Day 5 – Around Lake Como

Today enjoy another walk, this time along the lakeshore with views of Bellagio and the other quaint villages that adorn Como.

Recorded history of Lombardy dates back to settlements in the second millennium B.C. Later, Etruscans, Celtic-Gallic and Romans invaded and ruled the region. We’ll see threads of their history as we walk the town of Como and discover its impressively preserved, massive medieval walls, the cathedral, the ancient town hall, and other monuments.

Most likely at this point you will have tasted some of Lombardy’s most famous recipes: ossobuco (beef shank), risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto), and polenta (corn meal). Somewhat lesser known but certainly no less delicious are lake fish, such as char and perch, and assorted cheeses including Bagoss (with saffron), which is one of the region’s Slow Food Presidia (worldwide initiatives to support quality production methods that are at risk of extinction). If you like, wash these down with a sip of one of Lombardy’s famous wines: Sfursat of Valtellina made with Nebbiolo grapes, Bonarda or the sparkling and elegant Franciacorta Spumante.

The Slow Food Presidia of Bagoss cheese is a project of Slow Food International, a non-profit organization founded in the neighboring region of Piedmont in 1986. Slow Food promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the organization’s motto) and today includes upwards of 100,000 members in more than 150 countries.
Our time at the agriturismo near Lake Como will be topped off with a cooking demonstration followed by dinner, a robust experience to both learn and taste a local recipe. And, we’ll pair it with wines that you might not know yet, such as Lugana and Bardolino, from nearby Lake Garda.
Day 6 – Lake Como to Brescia Area

On our way to Brescia today, we’ll ferry to Bellagio for a chance to amble the streets of this exclusive and posh village. Many celebrities and Italian noble families have long chosen Bellagio as their vacation destination.

The name “Lombardy” derives from the “Longobard,” a derivation of “long beard” and reference to the Germanic tribe that conquered much of the peninsula in the beginning of the sixth century. We’ll learn about them on our visit of the monastic complex of Santa Giulia in Brescia. This wonderful UNESCO site houses an interactive museum, offering you a journey through Brescia’s history, art and spirituality all the way from prehistoric times to present day.

Beyond Santa Giulia, Brescia will quickly charm you with its elegant piazzas, porticoes and Roman remnants like the religious site of the Capitolium. We’ll be sure to visit all of these and allow ample time for relaxing, shopping or a leisurely lunch complete with local delicacies.

For our last night we’ll stay in another agriturismo that also makes wine, olive oil and honey. The area is famous for the Franciacorta wine, which, like champagne, is fermented in the bottle. This noble nectar uses similar grapes, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, creating one of the most elegant and refined sparkling wines of Italy.

Meeting our host family and savoring their cuisine will be a fitting finale for us after our magical experience in Lombardy. Our last dinner together will feature and celebrate many local food makers who are passionate about keeping their traditions alive and protecting the land through sustainable farming practices. We’re sure you won’t forget it! Buon viaggio! (Have a good trip!)
Day 7 – Milan Malpensa Airport

To request the itinerary as a PDF or to ask us any questions please contact us today!