MILAN-CORTINA-VENICE LUXURY WINTER ADVENTURE PACKAGE (15-DAY)

In this morning's tour, we will cover two must-see highlights of Milan.  It's perfect for those on a tight schedule because it takes only four hours.   

Let's start with a visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Renaissance jewel where Leonardo collaborated with Donato Bramante, another artist of note. In the church, you can see Leonardo's Last Supper, a work of art that exemplifies perspective and realism.   

Afterward, head to the heart of the city and admire the Duomo, the city's grand cathedral. Built by the Visconti family in 1386, the cathedral was completed by Napoleon in 1805 and is today the third-largest church in the world. You can also explore the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world's first Art Nouveau arcades and one of the world's first glass vaulted shopping arcades. In Milan, the Galleria is considered 'the living room of the Milanese'. (4 hours, driver and guide)    

Important: Please note that your visit to see the ‘Last Supper’ is always subject to availability and it is not possible to confirm entry until one week prior to the date of the visit.  

Then, you can take a three-hour walking tour to discover the secrets of Milan's fashion world. Explore Milan's internationally renowned fashion district, the Quadrilatero della Moda - a district of style and elegance. The most stylish boutiques along Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga feature some of the world's most prestigious brand names. As part of your tour, your guide will also tell you about Piazza San Fedele and Via Manzoni, and explain the elegant architecture in the area. (3 hours, expert fashion guide and private transfers)   

Accommodation: Four Seasons / Park Hyatt  

Today you will travel to Lake Como by private vehicle where you will enjoy a 3-hour cruise on a luxury motorboat with a local guide. From the water, you can see the villa of the famous American actor George Clooney, who lives in Laglio.   

The boat will take you to Bellagio, where you can admire the lovely gardens of Villa Balbianello from the water. After a day of sightseeing, spend a couple of hours relaxing in the picturesque village of Bellagio. Here you can soak up the atmosphere as you stroll along the esplanade with outstanding views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then, come back to your private vehicle to return to Milan.     

Accommodation: Four Seasons / Park Hyatt  

Verona will host the closing ceremony of Milan Winter Games.   

In the morning, you are transported by private vehicle to your hotel in Verona. While en route, visit the sparkling area of Franciacorta, Italy's "champagne" district.    

This region has a long tradition of making still wines that dates to at least Virgil and Pliny the Elder, and is documented in the Brescia City Council books as "Franzacurta" as far back as 1277. It was Guido Berlucchi who introduced the "Franciacorta" brand in 1957 with a delicate white wine named Pinot di Franciacorta. In 1961, the vintage yielded 4,600 bottles of sparkling wine, also sold as Pinot di Franciacorta, thanks to an ambitious young winemaker working for Berlucchi named Franco Ziliani. You will be guided through the cellars of one of the wineries in the region, followed by a tasting of the wines.Following your tasting, enjoy lunch at your leisure before driving to your hotel in Verona.     

Accommodation: Due Torri Hotel (2 nights)  

Today, you are transferred to your hotel in Cortina by private vehicle. On the way, visit Bolzano, the Gateway to the Dolomites. Wander through the scenic Laubengasse and the charming historical center of this Alpine town under medieval arcades past Walther Square, the oldest part of the town with La Casa della Pesa, Piazza della Mostra, and the City Hall. Dine in the oldest tavern (payable locally). Then, head to the South Tyrolean Museum of Archaeology to see the fascinating exhibit dedicated to Ötzi, a 5,000-year-old mummy found buried in the ice in the nearby mountains. Through a small window in a specially constructed cold cell, visitors can view Ötzi, along with countless items of equipment and clothing that have been painstakingly restored. After your tour continues to your hotel in Cortina.   

Accommodation: Cristallo / Rosapetra Spa Resort (5 nights)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

As you travel through beautiful scenery and past rural villages towards Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee), you'll encounter a dramatic rocky valley basin dominated by the majestic Croda del Becco (Seekofel) Peak which beautifully reflects in the lake.    

Lake Braies is known as the Pearl of the Dolomite Lakes. After stopping for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, continue towards Brunico. Take the cable car up to the Kronplatz plateau. The Kronplatz, or Plan de Corones, is also known as the “panettone”. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view that stretches from the Dolomites (including Marmolada and Sassolungo) to the Rhaetian and Zillertal Alps. There is a restaurant in the hotel, entitled AlpiNN, run by the 3 starred chef Norbert Niederkofler. Alpinn's menu consists of simple, wholesome ingredients that cater to every taste while revealing the true flavors of the local mountain cuisine. From virtually anywhere in the restaurant, you can enjoy the splendid views at the venue.    

Then, visit MMM Corones, a mountaineering museum founded by Reinhold Messner that's housed inside a unique mountaintop structure designed by Zaha Hadid.     

Accommodation: Cristallo / Rosapetra Spa Resort                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

After breakfast, take a full-day tour and explore the valley and peaks of the Val Gardena, home to the town of Ortisei. Together with your guide, discover the art of woodcarving that has been practiced in Val Gardena for centuries. Visit the best woodcarvers and artists in the area with your local guide and discover their artistic handcrafts. Take a walk around the mountain resort of Ortisei and have lunch at a local restaurant (payable locally).  

                                                                                           Accommodation: Cristallo / Rosapetra Spa Resort  

Take a private tour of Floating City's most famous landmarks. Explore the history of Venetian political power in the Doge's Palace. This is a triumph of Gothic style that boasts lavish frescoes, elegant staircases, and intricate gold stuccowork that reveals its glory and opulence. Then, visit the stunning Byzantine-style St Mark's Basilica, which dates back to the 9th century AD. St Mark's treasures, such as the beautiful bronze horses, were acquired from the Crusades and Constantinople. Mosaics in the basilica would cover 1.5 football fields! Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of St Mark's Square and admire its 98.6-meter (323-foot) campanile and Paolo Uccello's clock tower. (4 hours, walking guide) 

There is a long-established Venetian tradition to take a break during the day (particularly at noon and before dinner). The Venetians head to their local wine bar, called a bacaro, where they enjoy an ombra (short glass of wine) and a variety of delicious Cicchetti, the Venetian equivalent of Spanish tapas. Early this evening, your guide takes you to a local haunt, where you can sample the local wine or "spritz" with an endless assortment of mouth-watering crostini (small bite-size slices of bread topped with various toppings). You shouldn't miss the Venetian style baccalà (salt cod pâté), spicy meatballs, fried vegetables, and marinated seafood. The bacari ritual is part of Venice's rhythm of life and a way for Venetians to catch up with friends, and once the Cicchetti action wraps up, the orchestras play until late on the main square.  (Up to 4 hours, Guardian Angel)    

Accommodation: Luna Baglioni Venice