Italy - Switzerland Montecarlo

Visiting:

Parma, Milan, Stresa, Borromee Island, Orta, Genova,

Zermatt, Monaco, Montecarlo, Noli, Laigueglia, Nizza,

Lugano, Bellinzona, Vicenza, Arona....

Start your dream holiday by setting foot in Milan where you will be transferred to a very comfortable hotel in Parma. Familiarise yourself with the beauty this town has to offer, with the overwhelming Duomo and Battistero, one of a kind in pink marble. Of almost equal importance, are the churches of  Santa Maria and San Giovanni Evangelista.  Sip a delicious coffee and snack on a local sweet at the majestic Piazza Garibaldi. Learn how Parma ham and the Parmigiano cheese are produced when visiting the factory which produces such delicatessen.

Travel on to Vincenza and get lost in the amazing architecture of the Basilica Palladiana, a renaissance building and the Torre Bissara located in the heart of Piazza Dei Signori, a town square also popular for two majestic palaces – the Palazzo del Capitaniato and the Palazzo del Monte di Pieta.   Proceed to yet another palace in another square, that of Palazzo Chiercati in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti and see if you can fit all the columns in one photo. Same square, another architectural work of Andrea Palladio, this time the Teatro Olimpico, another witness building of the Palladio’s Renaissance masterpieces.

Enjoy a day trip to Milan, Lombardy’s capital, to discover the highlights of this metropolitan city.  Look forward to see at close proximity the grand Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century structure built by Francesco Sforza and Milan’s Opera house – Teatro La Scala.  Proceed to Piazza del Duomo, hosting the most impressive building of Milan, the famous Duomo, the largest cathedral in the world which took almost six centuries to finish. Shop till you drop at Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele II, another major landmark of Milan and the world’s oldest shopping complex.

Another day, another adventure.  This time, take a boat trip and hop on three beautiful islands – Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. Wonder at the natural beauty each has to offer and enjoy a fresh local dish while you fish for a typical local souvenir.

Take advantage of a local market in Arona and do your shopping at bargain prices. From Arona to  Orta, featuring two landmarks of enormous popularity – the Holy Mountain and Lake Orta. Admire the catholic complex full of frescoes and statues depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Roam around the medieval streets of this quaint town and spot the island of San Giulio and why not, visit it by taking a short boat ride.

Learn about Genoa, the city with a long history of trade and walk through the twisting street maze to understand the way of life of the locals.  Sit down for a quick coffee at Piazza Ferrari and marvel at the surrounding public buildings, including the Teatro Carlo. Experience a close encounter with sharks, barracudas and penguins when you gain entrance to Genoa Aquarium.

Add more to your list of Italian villages in the region of Liguria when you visit Alassio, Laigueglia and Noli. Your first stop will be at Laigueglia, often nicknamed the Saint Tropez of Italy. Your jaw will drop at the beauty of the main square overlooking the bay. Spend time dicovering the promenade, the Small Harbour and the Watchtower  of Alassio, whereas Noli, another treasurable pearl will offer more towers, a castle and the Church of St. Peter.

Leave Italy behind you and take out your camera to take shots of the Swiss Alps. Use  different means of transport and catch a train for a short ride to the village of  Zermatt. Enrich today’s adventure by riding a cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy the scenery beneath you and inhale fresh air into your lungs.

Discover more of Switzerland, this time by visiting Lugano, the town of parks and flowers and Bellinzona, well known for its three medieval castles, one of which, Castelgrande, you will have the opportunity to set foot on.  Mix natural beauty with historical buildings and spacious squares and spend a day to remember.

Italy and Switzerland provided you with relaxation, natural scenery and city life. Add more to your experience by moving on to the French Riviera where you visit Monaco and Monte Carlo.  What’s waiting for you in Monaco and Montecarlo? Easy to guess, you will travel to the cities’ highlights such as St. Martin’s Gardens, Monaco’s Cathedral, Prince’s Palace, Chapelle de la Paix, Rampa de la Mayor, the Casino and the Caroline Pedestrian Mall. And because this was not enough, you will also spend time in the narrow streets of Eze, the hilltop town enjoying specatular views of the Mediterranean. Located in this destination is the Gallimard factory which you will visit.  Feel free to buy well known perfumes at very reasonable prices.