Cinque Aquae
Italy’s Lake District
May 21 – 31, 2009
THE LAKES OF LOMBARDY
For many centuries, Italy has drawn those searching
for culture, romance and sensual pleasures. Few countries can compete
with its classical
origins, architecture, music, literary tradition, art, scenery, food
and wine. Yet Italy is not one single cultural identity, but rather
a plethora of distinctive regions and peoples. Visitors are often
surprised by the sheer diversity of dialects, cuisines, and craftsmanship.
One of the most beautiful regions is
Lombardy on Italy’s northern border
with Switzerland. The region has long been a target for invaders. Its position,
with travel through the Alps limited to a few narrow passes, made it both
valuable and vulnerable. It became strategically and militarily important,
but it was an economic goldmine too, with the majority of those passing to
or from Italy coming through the region. With medieval pilgrimages to Rome
(and that would mean thousands of foot travelers each year) there was a ready
supply of money to pay for bed, board, food and drink. Based on this foundation,
and with absolutely stunning scenery, Lombardy became, and remains
to this day, the country’s
preferred vacation spot.
Once you have taken your first glimpse of the
area, perhaps from an airline as you fly overhead, you will know why people
have flocked to Lombardy for
millennia. American novelist Henry James was famously enraptured by Italy,
but never more so than by the lakes. “One can’t describe the beauty
of the Italian lakes, nor would one try if one could,” he opined. John
Keats was only one of many English and German romantics who came here to take
draughts of what he called “the beaker of the warm south,” a welcome
inspiration after chilly London or Munich. And Italians are similarly inspired,
with Bellini, Rossini and Verdi among the composers who took lakeside homes,
the better to inspire their writing.
This tour allows you to drink deep of the
same inspiration. Each of the five lakes we visit has
its own
unique character.
Lake Como shines with magnificent
villas perched over the water like hundreds of jewel-encrusted pebbles at the
shore’s edge. Lake Lugano is all about the surrounding
mountains, with a waterfront promenade to take in the view from ground level
and a funicular
taking you to a spectacular overlook. Lake Garda is a sporty
vacation spot, home to many lovely resorts. Lake Maggiore offers
a historical glimpse of the region’s centuries-old traditions, and Lake
Orta is perhaps the loveliest of them all, a heavenly spot straight
out of a picture postcard.
A renowned philosopher once wrote, “A man who has not been to Italy is
always conscious of inferiority.” The miracle of Italy is that all its
treasures come packaged in a gorgeous country of majestic mountains, placid
lakes, idyllic islands, splendid cities and walled villages. Come with Toto
Tours to these Cinque Aquae (five waters). An ideal climate plus warm and gracious
people make this lovely region of Italy a perfect destination for the adventurer,
art lover, gourmand, and hedonist combined.
ITINERARY
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Depart for Milan, Italy
This is a travel day, with tour services beginning tomorrow in Italy.
Book a flight from you home city to the Milan International Airport
(use the code MXP when searching for flights online). Try to schedule
your flights to arrive in Milan early tomorrow
morning. If it is not possible to arrange an early morning arrival,
please consider leaving home one day early and arriving sometime today.
We have booked rooms at a centrally-located hotel, near the train station
for those who want to extend their stay in Milan before or after the
tour. The hotel is listed under the “Accommodation” section
at the end of this day-by-day itinerary, and the price is located at
the end of this page under “The Bottom Line.”
Friday, May 22, 2009
Milan to Como
Upon arrival, collect your luggage and go through
Customs. You will then catch a train right at the airport which will
take you to the town of
Como, changing trains
once along the way. The total time for the journey is about 1 hour
20 minutes. Our hotel in Como is just 820 feet (the distance of a city
block) from
Como Nord
Lago
railway
station.
We will send more information about the train schedules and how to
buy tickets as we get closer to departure.
Como has been Italy’s prestige
lake ever since the earliest days of the Roman Empire, when Pliny wrote
of the luxuriant beauty surrounding the villas
on the shore. Later the lake enraptured Verdi, Rossini, Bellini and Liszt,
while Shelley and Wordsworth were regular visitors. More recently, George Clooney
bought a villa on the lake at Laglio. We meet this evening to share a cocktail
and get acquainted, followed by a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overnight
at Hotel Albergo Terminus in Como. (Dinner included)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Lake Como Sightseeing
After breakfast, enjoy a full day guided tour, beginning with
a boat ride on Lake Como to Tremezzo, visiting Villa Carlotta. Built
in 1747,
the villa takes its name from Princess Carlotta of the Netherlands,
who received it as a wedding gift from her mother upon her marriage
to the Duke of Saxony-Meiningen in the 1850’s. She laid out the
magnificent gardens, while the palace itself is a neo-classical joy.
Then cross the lake by boat to Bellagio, and enjoy free time for lunch.
The inspiration for the hotel of the same name in Las Vegas, Bellagio
(bi-lacus in Latin) is a beautiful village that occupies a promontory
where the lake branches into two. We return by boat to Como for dinner
at local restaurant. Overnight in Como. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Excursion to Lake Lugano
After breakfast, we depart our hotel for an excursion to
Lugano, Switzerland, in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino.
The city, situated on the
lake of the same name between Monte Salvatore and Monte Bre, has
a lovely old town and a beautiful lakeside promenade. Shop for Swiss
specialties or take the funicular up Monte San Salvatore (not included)
for magnificent views of the surrounding area. In the late afternoon,
return to Como for a free evening. Overnight in Como. (Breakfast)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Verona and Sirmione on Lake Garda
After breakfast, we depart our hotel and transfer to Lake Garda,
via a guided city tour in Verona. Verona was a Roman colony, and
several
remains from that time are well-preserved, including the amphitheatre.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in Verona, was based on a
true story from the year 1302. The old town, built in a bend of the
river Adige, is full of historic buildings, attractive squares and
beautiful shops. Continue to Lake Garda, where we check in at our hotel
and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Continental in the
town of Sirmione. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lake Garda Sightseeing
Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes, and its shore
touches three regions. Three sides of the lake are surrounded by
mountains, including
the Dolomites to the north, while at the southern end are many resorts,
including Salo, where Benito Mussolini set up the Salo Republic in
1943, having been overthrown by the Italian people. We explore the
lower lake at a leisurely pace with a go-anywhere pass, visiting Desenzano,
Lasize, Bardolino and Garda to name a few possibilities. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Free Day on Lake Garda
After breakfast, you have the entire day free to explore Sirmione,
where our hotel is located. Sirmione is situated on a peninsula which
juts out from the southern shore of the lake, combining a medieval
old town with luxurious vegetation. You might consider visiting on
your own the Castello Scaligero, built in the 13th century, or the
remains of the villa of the Roman poet Catullus. Overnight again
in Sirmione. (Breakfast)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Stresa on Lake Maggiore
After breakfast, we depart Sirmione and transfer to the town
of Stresa along Lake Maggiore. Stresa is well positioned between
the lake and
Monte Mottarone, and is famed for its lush gardens and mild climate.
It soared in popularity following the construction of the Simplon tunnel
through the Alps in 1906, and Hemingway used the Grand Hotel des Iles
Borromées as a setting in A Farewell to Arms. Tonight
we dine at our hotel. Overnight at La Palma in Stresa. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lake Maggiore Sightseeing
Despite its name, Maggiore is not the largest lake in
Italy, but is certainly the most famous. Visit the Borromean islands
on the lake,
named after the family who owned the lake in the 15th century. A barren
rock until developed by Count Carlo III Borromeo in the 17th century,
Isola Bella was named after his wife Isabella, and was embellished
with grottoes, gardens and white peacocks. After touring the palace,
continue to the fisherman’s island, Isola dei Pescatori, and
enjoy free time for lunch before returning to Stresa. Overnight in
Stresa. (Breakfast)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Excursion to Lake Orta / Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, depart our hotel for an
excursion to Lake Orta. This lake, separated from Maggiore by the
5000 feet high Mottarone, is perhaps
the most beautiful of all the Italian lakes. After some time in the
town of Orta San Giulio, visit the island of the same name, just
328 yards long and 175 yards wide. See the basilica of San Giulio,
dating
from the 4th century, when San Giulio, a Christian preacher from
Greece, spread his cloak on the waters of the lake and floated across
to the
island. In the afternoon, we return to Stresa and enjoy free time
before our farewell dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Sunday, May 31, 2008
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Because of
the ready availability of rapid transit services to Milan and on to
the Malpensa airport, and the variety of departure times and options
available,
we have not organized a group departure from Stresa nor included the
cost in the tour price. The tour manager will assist you with your
travel plans, and can help to organize taxis or minivans for small
groups that wish to travel together.
Stresa is linked by
rail directly
to Milan Centrale railway station, where buses to the airport depart
regularly. The total time for the journey to the airport via train and bus
is about
2.5
hours.
Therefore, if you plan to fly home today, you should not book a flight
from Milan’s International Airport (MXP) which departs before 3pm. You
can choose to extend
your stay in Milan if you prefer. (Breakfast)
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click property name to read description)
Milan: UNA
Hotel Century (only for
those extending their stay before or after the tour)
Como: Hotel Albergo Terminus
Sirmione: Hotel Continental
Stresa: Hotel La Palma
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—U.S. and Canadian citizens
do not need visas for
entry into Italy, or any other country in the European Union. A valid
passport is all that is required.
Immunizations—No
immunizations are required, but we always recommend that your tetanus
booster is current.
Exit Requirements—There is no departure tax
currently required other than what is included with the cost of your
airline ticket.
SUGGESTED VIEWING / NETFLIX
Como: The Luzhin Defence (2000)—Emily
Watson / A Month By the Lake (1995)—Vanessa Redgrave
Sirmione: Miss Arizona (1987)—Marcello Mastroianni
Stresa: La Stanza del
Vescovo (or The Bishop’s Bedroom, 1977)—Ugo
Tognazzi
WHAT TO BRING
Temperatures in the areas visited could range between
50 degrees F during the night to the mid-70s during the day. Pack
light and try to limit yourself to two small suitcases. Pack medications
in a carry-on just in case your bags don’t arrive when you
do. We suggest leaving expensive jewelry at home!
Suggested Packing
List:
____ Passport
____ Lightweight slacks for city sightseeing and evening meals
____ Shorts for hiking
or excursions on warm days
____ Socks and underwear for one week (laundry
service readily available at all hotels)
____ Light sweater and windbreaker
____ Rain jacket for misty or stormy
days.
____ Comfortable walking / hiking shoes
____ Daypack or fanny pack
____ T-shirts / polo shirts / short-sleeved
shirts (5 - 6)
____ Casual long-sleeved shirts (4 - 5)
____ Sleepwear (optional)
____ Water Bottle for hikes and tours (optional, as bottled water
is readily available everywhere)
____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses
/ sun hat
____ Personal toiletries
____ Swimsuit
____ Camera, extra batteries & plenty of film or
digital memory
____ A good book
MONEY MATTERS
Italy uses the standardized European currency, the
Euro (EUR). As of October 1, 2008, the interbank exchange rate was about €1.43
to U.S. $1. Bank debit cards, Visa & Mastercard work for Euro cash
withdrawals in most ATMs, which are widely available throughout the
country. It is wise to carry some cash with you, however, in case
you get caught in a situation where an ATM is not available.
Tipping—You
are not expected to tip on top of restaurant service charges, but
it is common to leave a small amount (perhaps €1)
per person. If there is no service charge you might consider leaving
a 10% tip, but this is by no means obligatory. You should leave your
spare change as a tip at bars and clubs. For taxi drivers, always round
up the fare to include a little something extra as gratuity. We will
present collective tips to guides and drivers throughout the tour.
To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link
above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form,
then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $600 deposit check. You
also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard.
The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by March 2,
2009). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both
the form
and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form
of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($600 maximum can be charged
per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours,
1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto
Tours, Ltd.
LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent
to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole
or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness,
medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person
from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline
any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become
necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum
of 10 participants. Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation
or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets
purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.
We strongly
encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in
Italy! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt
of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the
bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a
phone call to Toto Tours.
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated
from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even
encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified
by certain traits. They are:
- fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate
the positive;
- good natured realists who are willing to accept situations
as they exist;
- undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad
weather;
- willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take
for granted;
- eager to try new things & test limits;
- punctual;
- not whiners!
Join Toto Tours for this exciting adventure in the stunning Italian
Lakes regions. If you have any questions, please call us toll-free
at: 800-565-1241.
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $3,995 double occupancy
Private Room: $600 extra, if available.
(Paying a single supplement is not required. Toto Tours will try to
match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to
share a room. If this is not possible, a single supplement will be
applied to your reservation before the final payment date.)
Twin Sole Use (TSU) Supplement: $1,200
extra, if available. Private rooms for single occupancy in Europe are
often much smaller than rooms
intended for
occupancy by two people. If you wish to have a private room, and guarantee
that you have a room that is the same size as those occupied by two
people, it is necessary to pay the “Twin Sole Use” (TSU)
supplement. This supplement is added to the double occupancy rate,
for a total tour price of $5,195.
Lake View Supplement: $300 per person, applicable to each
of the booking categories above. Payment of this supplement will guarantee
that you have a room with a lake view at all our hotels.
Deposit: $600 (Due at time of registration
for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)
Remaining Balance: $3,395 double / $3,995
single / $4,595 TSU
(Assumes $600 deposit has already been made. Add $300 to each category for
Lake View.)
Remaining Balance Due: March
2,
2009
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)
Included: Nine nights hotel accommodations;
all ground transportation; meals and activities as described in the
itinerary, beginning in Como and ending in Stresa; fully guided and
escorted tour.
Not Included: Round-trip air transportation
to Milan, Italy; round-trip train transportation from Milan to Como
and returning from Stresa; meals and activities not specifically included
in the itinerary; insurance; all alcoholic beverages; soft drinks;
bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; any other expenses
of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.
Optional Milan Extension: We can extend your stay with
a group booking at a centrally-located hotel in Milan both before and
after the tour. The UNA Hotel Century is situated very near the main
railway station in Milan, from which the Malpensa airport bus arrives
and departs, and also where the Como and Stresa trains depart and arrive.
Your tour guide will meet those who stay at this hotel on the day the
tour begins and accompany you to Como, and will also accompany those
who choose to stay on in Milan from Stresa at the end of the tour.
Please indicate the number of nights you wish to reserve before and
after the tour on your reservation form.
Price: $175 per person, per
night, double occupancy / $300 per night in private twin room
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend you purchase travel insurance with Travel Guard to
cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow
the link below or call us for more information.
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