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Bravo & Lakes Treasures

Break available: March - October 6 days Highlights

Milan is one of the few cities that can boast of having such a world famous ; . Designed by , ● Attend the Number 1 Opera House in the World, La Scala in La Scala opened its doors on the 03 August 1778 and has been the best seats in the house enriching the world with its fantastic operatic masterpieces since. ● Tour of the beautiful Borromee Islands including Isola Madre Lake Maggiore combined with a view to the Borromee Islands is and Isola Bella, with the sweeping views and stunning the place to be for a tranquil retreat away from the city. Italian gardens Short Breaks are a legally authorised trading body who are ● Lake View Balcony Room overlooking the tranquil lake officially permitted to sell tickets for La Scala Opera House in ● 4 Star hotel within 5 mins walk from the and La Scala . Many ticket only web sites are not legally authorised to do so. We will always guarantee your seats and ticket level as soon as the tickets are on sale (around 6 months prior). Why Italian Short Breaks?

Day by Day Itinerary Day 1 Fly to Milan and Private Airport Transfer to your hotel

Fly to Milan and take your private airport transfer to your central 4 star hotel.

All of the hotels we use are 4 star and centrally located so you can easily access the main sights including the duomo and La Scala Opera House.

Your airport transfers are private to you, we do not believe in waiting on group transfers.

Rest of day at leisure to explore.

page 1/9 Day 2 Day at Leisure and Attend La Scala Opera

page 2/9 Day at leisure to explore Milan.

You could head to the castle for the museums, take in the art in the art gallery or wander round Milan’s most well known sight; the duomo. Spend some time on the roof enjoying the views over the city.

Alternatively why not add in one of our Optional Extras. Our Private Guided Duomo with Rooftop and viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper fresco, is our recommendation. See Optional Extras below for more information.

When to book your Milan holiday?

This evening attend your opera evening in the very best seats in the house.

La Scala 2020 (*Marked dates are matinee performances taking place at 2.30pm instead of in the evening. Please note there are no or ballets being performed in August)

OPERAS:

MARCH 2020: (Rossini) – 13, 15* Salome (Strauss) – 14, 21, 27

APRIL 2020: Pelléas et Mélisande (Debussy) – 07, 14, 18, 21, 24

MAY 2020: Tannhauser () – 03*, 10*, 24 L’amore dei tre re (Montemezzi) – 23, 29

JUNE 2020: L’amore dei tre re (Montemezzi) – 04 (Colautti) – 13, 25, 30 Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi) – 26

JULY 2020: Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi) – 10, 16 La Traviata (Verdi)- 14

SEPTEMBER 2020: (Rossini) – 03, 08, 10, 12, 25

OCTOBER 2020: Semele (Handel) – 23, 26, 30 Erwartung – Intolleranza 1960 (Schoenberg) – 31

BALLETS: APRIL – Madina – 02, 16 MAY – Romeo & Juliet – 06, 08, 09, 13, 15, Prometeo – 30 JUNE – Prometeo – 14*, 21, Il Lago dei Cigni – 27* JULY – Il Lago dei Cigni – 04, 09 SEPTEMBER – La Dame aux Camelias – 19, 30 OCTOBER – Lo Schiaccianoci – 13, 14, 15, 20 A la Carte Optional Extras

Milan - Private Guided Duomo with Rooftop

page 3/9 Today your private guide will meet you for your tour of the Duomo. This gothic building was built in the 5th century and took almost six further centuries to complete. The tour is not complete without a trip onto the rooftop, allowing beautiful views across the city. The roof can be accessed either by lift or stairs.

Price per person: From £115

Milan - Private Guided Duomo with Rooftop and Last Supper Tour

Today your private guide will meet you and take you for a tour of the Duomo. This gothic building was built in the 5th century and took almost six further centuries to complete. The tour is not complete without a trip onto the rooftop, allowing beautiful views across the city.

Move on to Santa Maria della Grazie, the church that houses the world famous Leonardo di Vinci’s Last Supper painting. This mural painting has narrowly avoided two main disasters – the first the paint badly fading so the figures became unrecognisable, the second almost being destroyed during the bombing of World War II. This enigmatic painting has led to speculation that it is Mary and not John sitting to Jesus’ right.

Price Per Person: From £140

Day 3 Private Transfer to Lake Maggiore and your hotel

Private transfer to your 4 star Lake Maggiore hotel.

Set in Verbania where the crystalline waters of the lake flow on two sides of the hotel, creating a beautiful relaxing setting, where your stresses will melt away.

Verbania has been rated the second best destination in Italy for its healthy living. A stay here and you will see why!

Rest of day at leisure.

page 4/9 page 5/9 Day 4 Borromee Islands Day Tour

Wander to the pier for your island hop experience surrounded by majestic Alps and beautiful scenic gardens. You will take the public panoramic boat cruise on the lake, enjoying fresh crystalline waters.

In the course of the visit, you will visit and have time to visit both Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Isola Bella has sweeping views over the lake while you take in the gardens and palace. Then move onto Isola Madre, before arriving back on the mainland. Do not leave your camera behind – the views are breathtaking!

Evening at leisure.

Day 5 Day at Leisure

Day at leisure to explore, enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel, go for a swim, or alternatively add in one of our Optional Extras. A la Carte Optional Extras

Lake Maggiore - Santa Caterina Monastery Tour

Be taken by boat over the lake to Santa Caterina Monastery. Built into the stone wall edge, overhanging the lake, is this charming monastery.

Tradition has it that the monastery was founded by Alberto Besozzi, who having survived a storm in his boat on the lake, decided to build the monastery as a offering to give thanks. Not content with this, Besozzi also ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to St Catherine of Egypt, which can be viewed in the lower part of the church.

Please note the steps up to the monastery are quite steep.

Price per person: From £80 for a private boat (based on 2 people) Price per person: From £15 for a shared boat

page 6/9 Lake Maggiore - Grand Majestic Hotel Spa

Enjoy the hotel’s Wellness Centre with heated indoor swimming pool, floor to ceiling glass windows looking out on beautiful gardens and the lake. There is a sauna and a wide array of spa services including facial, anti age, body and sensory treatments, along with massages and waxing. Packages are available for him and her.

Price per person: From £55 (Depends on spa treatment)

Day 6 At Leisure until Private Airport Transfer for flight home

At leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your flight home after your Milan and Lake Maggiore Short Break.

Alternatively, if you have a few more days at leisure, why not extend your trip to take in a few days in Florence. With Santa Croce Church, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery all an easy train ride away, you can really feel like you have made the most of your Italian Grand Tour!

Where You'll Stay Hotel de la Ville (SINA) - Milan (4 Star) The hotel's restaurant, "L'Opéra", is open late at night, and is the ideal setting for an after theatre meal.

And, as in any aristocratic home, the rooms and suites all have their own distinct personality thanks to the use of different fabrics and decor, the fine furnishings and the marble bathroom.

page 7/9 Grand Hotel Rosa - Milan True style doesn’t need to shout and our Superior rooms offer refined elegance for your vacation in Milan. You’ll find light, spacious interiors, warm cherry wood furniture and soft fabrics as well as a sumptuous double bed and Italian marble bathroom.

Carlton Baglioni - Milan (5 Star) It directly overlooks , the most celebrated shopping street in the city. Via Montenapoleone, the cathedral and the famous La Scala theatre are situated a short distance away.

The Baretto al Baglioni is one of the most famous restaurants in Milan and the perfect meeting place for the Italian and international Jet Set. Ideal for your special occasion.

Grand Hotel Majestic - Lake Maggiore (4 Star) The hotel is surrounded by beautiful impeccable gardens and is immersed in peace, tranquility and silence. Its privileged position affords it, from almost every angle, breathtaking views of the splendid Borromeo Islands, the mountains and Lake.

There are two restaurants: the Beola, with panoramic windows overlooking the Lake, and The Porch restaurant in the garden overlooking the Lake.

Hotel La Palma - Lake Maggiore (4 Star) Enjoy a drink from the terrace with beautiful views of Stresa and the Borromee Islands.

All bedrooms have air conditioning, a Jacuzzi and are designed for comfort and entertainment.

All rooms have balconies or a terrace.

Villa & Palazzo Aminta - Lake Maggiore (5 Star)

page 8/9 You can take breathtaking trips through the mountains and lakes, romantic dinners in the refined Restaurant “I Mori” and even a spa.

All rooms have a balcony with views reaching over Lake Maggiore and the Borromee Islands. The rooms are decorated with frescoes, and the bathrooms have a marble bath with Jacuzzi.

Testimonials From start to finish our experience with Italian Short Breaks was first class.They organised a four night break on Lake Maggiore, followed by a day in Milan and a night at La Scala to see with THE Rigoletto, the one and only , for which we had 5th row stall seats. The Hotels were excellent and the transfers went like clockwork. Our driver from Milan to Malpensa airport, sadly on our way home was very entertaining and informative. We would definitely use Italian Short Breaks again and would highly recommend their service. Gill

An excellent trip - we were so well looked after. The opera at La Scala was superb - the best Rigoletto we have ever seen. The Hotel de La Ville was excellent and Milan was really lovely. Lake Maggiore was just beautiful and the room on the 6th floor of the Hotel La Palma was really first class. The drivers who took us were really excellent: courteous and caring and always on time. All in all, you provided us with an unforgettable holiday. Thank you! John

Price Per Person: From £1,795

What's Included?

● 5 nights accommodation with breakfast (Hotel de la Ville – Milan), (Grand Hotel Majestic – Lake Maggiore ● Activities as described ● Flights from the UK (includes 1 hold bag per person)

Departure airports: Dublin Edinburgh Gatwick Heathrow Leeds London City Luton Manchester Stansted

Our international clients are welcome to book their own flights.

© 2018 Weekend a la Carte

For Expert Advice Call 01722 445900

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