CLASSIC TOUR ITINERARY

Day One - Saturday (Rest and Relax Day)

Arrival: Milan/Voghera to Varzi.

You will be met by Jim at Milan’s Malpensa Airport at 1.00PM, or alternatively at the Voghera train station at 3.30PM. A well-appointed private, air-conditioned 9 seater vehicle will transfer you to "La Locanda", your Bed and Breakfast in Varzi, in time to enjoy your welcome drinks and unwind for the afternoon. In the evening we dine at Varzi's "Sotto i Portici", a delightful and intimate restaurant in the medieval heart of this charming town.

Day Two - Sunday (Fine Dining and Natural Beauty Day)

Bobbio – Medieval Town, Roman Bridge, Ancient Monastery, Beautiful Scenery.

Today begins with a scenic drive through the stunning countryside of the Staffora and Trebbia Valleys, in Southern Lombardy and Emilia Romagna respectively. After crossing the Monte Penice pass we head down to the charming medieval town of Bobbio, in the Emilia Romagna region. Lunch is in the town’s most elegant restaurant - "Il Piacentino", which is well known for its delicious anti pasti and "primi". Afterwards you get the chance to explore this little gem of a town. Two beautiful churches, a fourteen hundred year old monastery and a beautiful Roman Bridge that is full of character, are just some of the delights of Bobbio waiting to be discovered! In the evening you can simply unwind  at “La Locanda”, or take a leisurely passeggiata in the medieval town of Varzi, the home of Italy’s best Salame! Here you can also enjoy a gelato, a caffe, or a glass of wine (or two!) before retiring for the evening.

Day Three - Monday (Lake Como Day)

Lake Como – Menaggio, Bellagio and the Majesty of Italy’s most beautiful lake!

Today we visit Lake Como, one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe and a place described by the poet Percy Shelley, as ”surpassing in beauty everything I have ever seen hitherto”. Amongst the famous people to grace the shores of the lake, both past and present, are George Clooney, Gianni Versace and Pliny the Younger in the first century AD! Most of the day is spent in the Triangolo Lariano, or the central section of the lake in the towns of Menaggio and Bellaggio, where, after your ferry crossing, you can enjoy your pre-prepared picnic lunch in the gardens of Villa Melzi, beside the township of Bellagio overlooking the Lake. On our return to Varzi we take you for a delicious pizza at “Jerry’s”, Lynette and Jim’s favourite local pizzeria.

Day Four - Tuesday (Wining and Dining Day)

Walk/Winery Visit – Degustazione Lunch – visit to Medieval Town and Castle.

Today we spend the morning in the hills of the Oltrepo Pavese wine region, which is home to almost 500 producers and some very drinkable vino! On our leisurely drive to our degustazione lunch at L'Uvarara Enoteca, we stop for a coffee break and/or walk in the quaint township of Zavatarello, where an imposing, centuries old castle is perched right above the town. After our morning coffee/walk we head off for our degustazione lunch at "L'Uvarara Enoteca" in Santa Maria della Versa. Here we sample some delicious local wines in conjunction with local dishes prepared by the owner, Antonella, who is a veritable expert in local wine and produce. After lunch we visit a nearby artisan and family-run winery called Ca del Ge, which is located 300 metres above sea level and on the 45th parallel. The owner, Enzo Padroggi, is an extraordinary person and a passionate wine maker, whose pride and joy is his white dessert wine called "Passito", made from either Moscato or Croatina grapes. The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Five - Wednesday (Walk, Picnic and Pamper Day)

Abbey of San Alberto Di Butrio and Salice Terme/ Nazzano Optional Walk.

This morning we explore the Abbey of San Alberto di Butrio, a place that exudes spirituality and serenity. It is a medieval gem nestled in a green, lush landscape high in the hills above the Staffora Valley. The Abbey was built nearly a thousand years ago by the noble Malaspina family, for San Alberto, the cave-dwelling hermit-turned Saint who cured their mute son. There is also a most curious tomb located here that is said to have been a temporary resting place for the body of an English King!!

Lunch will be enjoyed at the beautiful home of Jim and Lynette'e good friends Oliviero and Adelaide Masi. This has been a major highlight of prior guests' tour experiences. Guests will experience the delectable tastes of Adelaide's home cooking, and will also be able to peruse and purchase a range of artwork produced by Oliviero and Adelaide. Oliviero is a long standing professional artist who has exhibited his work internationally for over 30 years.

After lunch guests will have the opportunity to visit to the nearby town of Salice Terme, which is historically famous for its thermal springs and health spas. Over the years it has been frequented by luminaries such as Julius Caesar, who rested and bathed here on his way back from battle in Gaul. Here you can be pampered in the health center, or enjoy the benefits of its healthy sulphurous water. Nearby, there is also an excellent outdoor pool where you can choose to relax on deck lounges or enjoy a cool dip (open June to August only). If you don’t want to be pampered, or have a swim at Salice Terme, you can choose to take a delightful walk in the surrounding countryside or enjoy a wine tasting at a nearby cellar door.

The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the local pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Six - Thursday (Classic Architecture Day)

Vigevano – Certosa di Pavia – Pavia

We begin our sixth day in Vigevano, a small city well known throughout Italy and the world as a centre for shoe-making excellence, and for having one of the most beautiful Renaissance piazzas in all of Italy - the Piazza Ducale. We stroll the streets of the old part of the city, and then spend our free lunch dining “al fresco” in the Piazza. After lunch we head to another hidden gem of Italy, the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning fourteenth Century monastery hidden deep in the countryside between the cities of Milan and Pavia. Later that afternoon we move on to the classy university city of Pavia, once the capital of Lombardy, which is located on the banks of the Ticino river. We dine together here at one of Pavia’s traditional restaurants for an evening’s sample of the local fare and then return to La Locanda for a good night’s sleep after a busy day!

Day Seven - Friday (Market and Shopping Extravaganza Day!)

Varzi – Piemonte (Serravalle, Gavi and San Sebastiano Curone)

Day seven is a day that allows guests to start off by relaxing and unwinding in the sleepy medieval town of Varzi. In the morning we visit Varzi’s local market and have the opportunity to see the delicious produce on offer, along with an interesting assortment of other wares. The market or "mercato" was traditionally a cattle and produce market, and cattle farmers from the surrounding hills would congregate once a week, not only to trade in their produce, but also to meet with their friends and fellow farmers. Today, even though the cattle are no longer there, one can still imagine what it may have been like, as older townsfolk gather and converse in their local dialects amidst the market’s shoppers.

After experiencing "il mercato di Varzi", you will be taken to another world altogether - a contemporary designer shopping village in nearby Serravalle della Scrivia. At Serravalle you can literally “shop till you drop” in an outlet containing a magnificent array of famous Italian brands, including of course the iconic Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. Here you will also pleasingly find that these brands have much smaller price tags than elsewhere. Before this though, we will explore a centuries old Piemonte wine cellar that houses international award-winning wines and enjoy lunch at their delightful restaurant "Il Gallo". The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the local pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Eight - Saturday (Fashion and Style Day)

Milan – Ra Canva da Berto

Today we have a free day in Milan, the capital of the region of Lombardy and arguably the fashion capital of the world! After being dropped off in the morning guests will have the whole day to explore the varied and interesting sights of this unique city. Several interesting itineraries will also be available to guests, depending on whether one is keen on shopping, art or food. Regardless of your desires we will help you to make the most out of your day! A day of walking around Milan and building up an appetite will also come in handy, as in the evening we will be eating our farewell dinner at "Ra Canva da Berto", an Agriturismo* close to Varzi that is well known for its lively atmosphere and scrumptious  home-cooked food. Buon Appetito!

Day Nine - Sunday (Farewell Day)

Departure for Milan Malpensa Airport and Voghera train station - End of Tour

Today we say farewell to the lush rolling hills of Southern Lombardy’s Staffora Valley. After breakfast, you will be taken either to Milan’s Malpensa Airport, or the train station at Voghera. Alternatively you can make your own arrangements for your onward journey.

Legend for Meals provided

breakfast | lunch | dinner

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Let us know that you are interested, and we'll keep you up to date on commencement dates and how to book.

To send a comment, use our Contact form.

*Please note: An "Agriturismo" is a farm-stay type of establishment that mainly focuses on providing accommodation and/or dining experiences in a style typical of the traditions of the local area.