May 20, 2024 | Fly from USA to Milan

This day will be spent on the plane traveling to Italy.

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May 21 | Arrival in Milan
After checking in at our hotel in the center of Milan, we will have some time to explore some of the city’s most interesting monuments and districts, like Duomo, La Scala theater, Castello Sforzesco, Brera, Navigli, Porta Nuova. (D)

Dish of the day: Risotto milanese con ossobuco.

Wine of the day: Pinot Nero Oltrepo Pavese

 

May 22 | Bergamo and Franciacorta
In the morning, we take a local train to the city of Bergamo. Perched upon a hill and surrounded by walls, Bergamo is one of Italy’s most stunning medieval cities.

From Bergamo, a private van will take us to the heart of the Franciacorta region. Franciacorta is where Italy’s most prestigious sparkling white wines are produced. We will of course do a winery tour there and taste some of the best Franciacorta “spumante”.

In the afternoon, we will return to Milan to visit more of the city.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Casoncelli alla bergamasca

Wine of the day: Franciacorta Brut

 

May 23 | Turin
In the morning, we take a high-speed train that, in about one hour, will take us to Turin. What was once the first capital of Italy, later became a major industrial hub, thanks to the FIAT factory, and is now a relaxed and elegant city.

Highlights of the visit will include the Royal Palace, the cathedral, the verdant Parco del Valentino, along the river Po, and the Automobile Museum.

Weather permitting, we’ll walk up a hill to photograph a great view of the city, with the sun setting behind the Alps that surround it.

We will return to Milan at night.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Ravioli del plin

Wine of the day: Barolo delle Langhe

 

May 24 | Lake Como
In the morning, we take a local train to the city of Como, on the shores of the eponymous lake. From there, we take a boat that will take us to some beautiful towns along the shore, like Lenno, with its beautiful Villa del Balbianello (a FAI Heritage site), Bellagio, and Varenna.

In the evening, we return to Milan by train from Varenna.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Pizzoccheri

Wine of the day: Sforzato della Valtellina

 

May 25 | Verona
After spending some more time in Milan, in the afternoon we take a train to Verona, which will be our base for the next three nights. We will spend the rest of the day visiting the city of Romeo and Juliet and its many Roman and medieval monuments, including the famous Arena.
At sunset, we will enjoy a view of the city from a hill across the Adige River.  (B, L, D) 

Dish of the day: Lesso e pearà

Wine of the day: Amarone della Valpolicella

 

May 26 | Vicenza and Padua
In the morning, we do a quick train transfer to the city of Vicenza, which has many interesting monuments to visit, starting with the Basilica Palladiana, designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio, and the Teatro Olimpico.
From Vicenza, another short train ride takes us to Padua, a major religious center in the Middle Ages that boasts monuments like the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, the Palazzo della Ragione, and the Cappella degli Scrovegni, with its frescoes painted by Giotto.
We will return to Verona in the evening.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Baccalà alla vicentina

Wine of the day: Colli Euganei Rosso

 

May 27 | Lake Garda
The day will be dedicated to exploring the Lake Garda area. Garda is the largest Italian lake, with a coastline dotted by spectacular towns. It is also blessed with mild climate the whole year round.
We will start our exploration from Desenzano, which we will reach with a short train ride from Verona. From there, we will be touching locations like Sirmione, an ancient Roman city that was once the home of Latin poet Catullus, and Gardone, where another Italian poet and writer, Gabriele D’Annunzio, built his mansion.
In the evening, we will return to Verona.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Risotto con la tinca.

Wine of the day: Bardolino

 

May 28 - May 30 | Cortina d’Ampezzo
Right after breakfast, we board our private van for the drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo (about 3 hours).
After lunch and check-in at the hotel, the afternoon will be occupied with a tour of Lakes Misurina and Antorno and an excursion to the Tre Cime. The latter requires a 1-hour hike that is along an easy unpaved road for the first part but climbs sensibly near the end. Doable for people who have no problems walking, but keep in mind we're at altitude (about 2,400m or app. 8,000 feet) so air is thinner and those who have breathing issues might find it difficult.
The following day we'll visit locations such as Cinque Torri, Passo Falzarego, Lake Limides, Colle Santa Lucia, Passo Giau.  We may do a sunset shoot at Passo Giau, which will require walking up a small, but steep grassy hill (10-15 minutes).  Short walks on easy terrain might be required at some locations.
The following morning, we will do a sunrise photo shoot at Lake Federa or some other location, depending on weather conditions. We will leave the program for the rest of the day open, in order to possibly visit locations that we skipped because of bad weather or lack of time.
On the last day, we will do another sunrise session in a location like Misurina, Passo Giau, Cinque Torri, or some other. After breakfast and checkout, we will transfer from Cortina to Val Gardena, visiting Lake Dobbiaco and Lake Braies along the way.
In the afternoon we will drive to Val di Funes and do a sunset shoot at Santa Maddalena, which involves an easy 15 minutes' walk along a road to reach a viewpoint. 
We will stay in Ortisei or Santa Cristina.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day(s): Casunziei

Wine of the day(s): Croda Rossa

 

May 31 - Jun 1 | Val Gardena
In the early morning, we will drive to Alpe di Siusi, where we will photograph the sunrise. Visiting the Alpe will require some walking on roads or easy trails.  We will have breakfast on the road and then drive to other locations, like Lake Carezza or Baita Segantini. 
In the afternoon, we will use the cableway to reach the Seceda ridge, which affords amazing 360° views over the surrounding valleys and mountain groups.
Again, we will keep the program for the last day open, but it might include excursions to Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Pordoi and Val Badia. A good spot for sunset could be the church of St. Jakob in Ortisei,
This will also be a day to relax a bit more and review images taken during the previous day, in anticipation of the long transfer that awaits us tomorrow.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day(s): Canederli

Wine of the day(s): Traminer

 

June 2 | Return to Milan
On this day, we might consider another sunrise shoot in a nearby location, if we feel like it.
After breakfast and checkout, we drive back to Verona (2.5 hours) where we return our van and board a fast train back to Milan (1.5 hours) where we will spend our final night.  (B, L, D)

Dish of the day: Cotoletta milanese

Wine of the day: Rosso San Colombano

 

June 3 | Flights back home

Please note that this is subject to change, depending on weather conditions.  The weather in the mountains is always unpredictable, so we'll have to be flexible and ready to change our itinerary at the last minute.