Vita Italian Tours specializing in small groups personally guided tours through Central Italy Tour 3 Dolomites Tour detailed description and itinerary

Tour inclusions
.All land travel in air conditioned mini buses

.Accommodation for 8 nights in 3/4 star hotels in Milano/ Bellagio/Riva del Garda, in mountain chalet in San Vito di Cadore and in a villa in Dolo/ Venice

.8 breakfasts

.8 dinners

.5 lunches (the meals include special lunches and dinners in traditional local restaurants as detailed in the itinerary)

.Admission to Villa Pisani in Dolo

.Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary

.Personally guided tours to all the towns mentioned in the tour

.All chairlift rides included in the itinerary

.The services of the tour leader throughout the tour

Tour does not include
.Airfares

.Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you take travel insurance during your travels)

.Admission fees to places other than those specifically itemised in the itinerary

.Meals on tour except when specifically mentioned in the itinerary

.Drinks outside normal meal times or additional wine in restaurants

.Personal transport costs, phone calls and other personal needs

Tour Cost (back to top)
The cost of the of the tour is AUD $3,760 per person in twin share accommodation.
A deposit of AUD $400 is required to reserve a place on the tour which is not refundable unless the tour is cancelled.
Limited single supplements are available at an additional cost of AUD $510.
The full balance is due 60 days before departure.
The tour is costed on a minimum of 6 people travelling on the tour with the maximum number of 14 people.

We recommend that you read carefully the conditions applying to Vita Italian Tours

Additional Information (back to top)
The weather: it is the height of summer and it can get quite warm and humid in Milano, Venice and on the lakes. For this part of the trip we recommend light, comfortable clothing. You will be staying in comfortable accommodation with air conditioning. On the mountains, the weather can be warm during the day with cool nights. Again we recommend suitable clothing with a light wind/rain jacket. It is mountainous country and you can expect to be very hilly and in some parts the gradients can be quite steep. It is not a hiking tour; however, some walking is required. You should expect to stroll for several hours with many breaks for sightseeing, coffee and a taste of the local produce. The program appears to be full, however it is mixed with long restful lunches and leisure time for your enjoyment and comfort.

If you need to, you can always take time off from the organised program.

Tour 3 - The Northern Lakes and Dolomites Tour
8 July - 16 July 2010 (9 days/8 nights) AUD $3,760 This tour is designed for small groups to enjoy and experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Lago di Como, Lago di Garda and the Dolomites welcome visitors to an oasis of peace and tranquillity in an unspoilt environment. These areas are rich in ancient culture and tradition and dotted with beautiful villages; all with their own special charm and unmatched hospitality. The tour starts in Milano: the economic heart of Italy, where the group will enjoy a guided evening tour of the centre of Milano. Next morning we travel to Italy’s most beautiful lake: Lago di Como. Our stay will be in the picturesque town of Bellagio. A special ferry ride will take the group on a scenic ride around the lake, frequently stopping to enjoy the romantic settings of Menaggio, Tremezzo and Cernobbio. Then we set off to Lago di Garda before the scenic spectacle of the La Grande Strada delle Dolomiti. Mario and Viny will give you the opportunity to experience this very special part of Italy. There will be daily strolls with many stops at mountain retreats which provide wonderful eating delights together with unparalleled views. The tour ends in a Venetian villa in Dolo, near Venice. book this tour
Detailed Itinerary (back to top) Day 1 Milano (D) Your tour leaders, Mario and Viny, will meet you at the hotel in the centre of Milano at 4.00 pm. Introductions and a small talk on the tour will precede an evening walk of the city. Milano is Italy's economic centre and design capital of the world. Highlights will include: the impressive Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal palace and the shoppers' paradise Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele. It will follow a special dinner in a traditional restaurant. Day 2 Milano/Lago di Como/Bellagio (BLD) After breakfast we make our way to the wonderful Lago di Como. Our two days on the lake will be in a hotel with lake views in Bellagio. The afternoon will be spent strolling and relaxing in a truly magnificent setting. Also there will be special visits to the famous gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni. Dinner at a local restaurant in Bellagio. Day 3 Bellagio/Como/Brunate (BLD) Our second day on the lake will be a special experience. We will take a slow boat and meander from village to village on the shores of the lake. Our destination is the city of Como where we will take a ride on one of the steepest railway trains in the world to the village of Brunate. We will have lunch at Brunate where we will enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains and the lake. A quick passeggiata around the city centre of Como before we take the hydrofoil back to Bellagio. Dinner in a restaurant in Bellagio. Day 4 Bellagio/Riva del Garda (BD) After breakfast we make our way to Lago di Garda: the largest of all Italian lakes and famous for its tranquillity and breathtaking scenery. On our morning drive, we will pass and stop at some of the lake’s delightful towns which are surrounded by lush groves of olives, vines and citrus trees. The day ends in Riva del Garda. A special dinner will be in a traditional restaurant on the beautiful lakeside promenade. Day 5 Riva del Garda/Dolomites Road/San Vito di Cadore (BLD) Today we slowly make our way to “La Grande Strada delle Dolomiti” which links Bolzano with Cortina D’Ampezzo. It is 100 kms of some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Gorges, waterfalls, glaciers, high passes, thick forests and incredible mountains characterise the whole of the journey. Our stay in the Dolomites is close to Cortina in San Vito di Cadore. Dinner in a local restaurant. Day 6 San Vito di Cadore/Cortina D'Ampezzo (BLD) After breakfast we continue to experience the scenic spectacle of the Dolomites. A quick ride to Cortina where we will catch the Faloria cable car and have lunch at the Rifugio Tondi at 2327m. The afternoon will be spent making our way back to Cortina where you are free to wander through this beautiful mountain village. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant in San Vito. Day 7 San Vito di Cadore/Passo di Giaù (BLD) Today we discover one of the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites. A short trip in the van through Cortina to Pocol to view the unique valley below which is surrounded by three mountain passes. On to Passo di Giaù: a personal favourite for many visitors in the Dolomites. We will enjoy apple strudel and coffee at the rifugio surrounded by lush green meadows and panoramic mountain scenery. Then a short ride towards Passo Falzarego in the Cinque Torri area. We take a chairlift to the Scoiattoli Rifugio for lunch, after which, we visit the Great War open air museum. Dinner in a local pizzeria in San Vito. Day 8 San Vito di Cadore/Venice/Dolo (BD) Today, after our final breakfast in the Dolomites, we slowly make our way down to Venice. As we descend passing many beautiful mountain villages, there are opportunities to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains and valleys carved out by the receding glaciers. Our final night’s accommodation will be in a charming Venetian villa in Dolo. The afternoon is spent visiting the famous “Villa Pisani” in Dolo. Dinner at the restaurant attached to the Villa. Day 9 Dolo/Venice (B) The tour ends after breakfast. Arrangements can be made for transportation back to Venice.

( B ) breakfast ( L ) lunch ( D ) dinner

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