Culture and Cuisine - Arkansas Alumni Association

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NORTHERN ITALY
Culture and Cuisine
Northern Italy is a feast for the senses. The alpine lakes, low hills and moderate climate
make for perennially fertile fields and valleys; authentic Parmigiano cheese, prosciutto ham
and balsamic vinegar have been produced here at least since the Middle Ages. Yet northern
Italy has also inspired world-class art and music, from Shakespeare’s Verona and Stradivari’s
Cremona to the Giotto frescoes of Padua and the breathtaking da Vinci masterpiece in
Milan. Stimulate all of your senses as you experience this fantastic history-rich excursion by
boat, bus and on foot, complete with the most modern of comforts.
With quaint cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses, Bardolino rests on the shimmering
clear waters of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. The lake stretches through the foothills of the
Dolomite Mountains, where vineyards and orchards of olive and lemon trees thrive in the
Mediterranean climate. With Sirmione, Peschiera, Desenzano and Garda nearby, Bardolino
is just one of the magical towns that make for an unforgettable stay on the southern shores
of Lake Garda.
Parc Hotel Gritti OOOO
Just steps from the shores of Lake Garda and the center of charming Bardolino, the Parc
Hotel Gritti is a complete Italian lakes experience. An indoor pool, a spa and wellness
center, a solarium and a stunningly beautiful outdoor garden and pool area form a new
world of relaxation even among these pristine surroundings. Two casual lounges and four
restaurants provide a variety of dining options including buffet, Italian-style and fine
gourmet meals. Cozy, stylish guest rooms feature satellite TV, coffee maker, hair dryer,
mini-bar and safety deposit box.
October 11 - 19, 2013
9 days
3,199
From $
per person
International airfare is additional
Price is approximate, based on double occupancy
and subject to change.
PROGRAM INCLUDES
• 7 nights’ accommodations at the 4-star Parc Hotel Gritti or similar
• Daily breakfast (B), and 2 dinners (D)
• Extensive sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
• Special Go Next Welcome Gathering
• Professional tour guide
• Exclusive Go Next program manager
• Hotel taxes, hotel luggage handling and
related tipping
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
• Lake Garda cruise
• Padua and Brenta River cruise
• Parma ham and cheese tasting
• Cremona and dinner in Verona
• Milan and da Vinci’s The Last Supper
PRO13L_103111 6
Itinerary
DAY 1 DEPART FOR ITALY
DAY 2 MILAN/LAKE GARDA
Arrive in Milan, transfer to Lake Garda and check in at the Parc
Hotel Gritti in Bardolino. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 3 BARDOLINO – Included sightseeing
In this charming peninsula town, relax – your rural-tinged
day features a leisurely boat cruise on the crystal-clear waters
of Lake Garda. With the Dolomite Mountains as a backdrop,
rich landscapes blend gently with medieval castles and tranquil
villages. Stop in Gardone, home to stunning botanical gardens
and the lavish Il Vittoriale estate. Visit Isola del Garda, where
Italian and English-style gardens surround a fantastic early1900s Venetian neo-Gothic villa designed by Luigi Rovelli.
Make a quick stop in Salo, famous for its palaces and its past
as the capital of Mussolini’s Italian republic. And on a serenely
beautiful lake peninsula, unwind in Sirmione as Ezra Pound and
James Joyce once did; enjoy a traditional four-course meal with
wine at an Italian farmhouse restaurant. (B, D)
DAY 4 PADUA – Included sightseeing
One of northern Italy’s oldest cities, Padua features the
soaring pillars, domes, and Donatello artwork of the Basilica of
Sant’ Antonio. On your morning tour, visit the famous Cappella
degli Scrovegni with masterpiece 14th-century Giotto frescoes.
Cruise the Brenta River from Dolo to Oriago, and stop for
a visit at the art-filled Villa Widmann or the legendary Villa
Malcontent – each part of ancestral Italian lore. (B)
DAY 5 PARMA – Included sightseeing
Parma is known as the birthplace of Parmigiano cheese and
the famous prosciutto ham. See the fantastic architecture that
dates back to the 11th century and reflects the city’s status as
a center for European opera. Make a delicious entrée into the
surrounding hills and visit authentic Parmigiano cheese and
Parma ham factories – be sure to sample the product! On the
way back, give your palate another thrill at a balsamic vinegar
factory in Modena. (B)
B-Breakfast D-Dinner
DAY 6 VICENZA AND SOAVE
Day at leisure OR take an optional excursion to one of the
Veneto’s wealthiest cities, Vicenza, celebrated the world over for
its splendid architecture. Witness the work of Andrea Palladio,
one of the most influential architects in European history.
See his spectacular 16th-century renovation of the Town Hall,
and visit one of the world-renowned villas he designed. Continue
to the Soave wine region and stop at one of its Mansion house
wine cellars, complete with an exclusive wine tasting and evening
meal. (B)
DAY 7 CREMONA/VERONA – Included sightseeing
Music, culture and craftsmanship: this is Cremona, also known
as the “City of Violins.” This small town offers sights such as the
12th-century Cathedral of Cremona and the landmark Tarazzo
bell tower. Visit the historic 13th-century Town Hall for a small
concert at Sala Dei Violini, and admire priceless violins made in
Cremona since the days of the legendary Stradivari. Next, make
the short trip to romantic Verona – the setting for Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet. Here, the medieval walls and Gothic arches of
Castelvecchio are complemented by the ancient Roman Arena
and the vibrant Piazza delle Erbe. Enjoy an evening meal in one
of Verona’s distinctive restaurants. (B, D)
DAY 8 MILAN – Included sightseeing
Milan offers invigorating dashes of modern fashion and
historical genius. Explore this fabulous city with a stop at
the La Scala Opera House and museum, where you can see the
piano and other personal effects of the famed composer Verdi.
At the Renaissance-era convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie,
prepare for an unforgettable highlight: you’ll be admitted to
see the world-famous Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece The Last
Supper, which spreads across an entire wall of the refectory. (B)
DAY 9 RETURN HOME
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Itinerary, hotels, and sightseeing excursions are subject to change.
This map represents
approximate locations.
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