Itinerary
June 10 You are met at Malpensa International Airport at 11:00 am and transferred by private coach to the Excelsior Barchetta Hotel on the Lake Como waterfront. This afternoon, relax at the hotel or explore the bustling waterfront. This evening, welcome drinks and dinner at our hotel, Hotel Barchetta, 4 star, 2 nights.
June 11 A day on Lake Como. A ferry takes us from our base at Como to the lovely and popular village of Bellagio. A beautifully located restaurant which offers one of the finest lunches on all of the lake. There will be plenty of time to explore the little hamlet of Bellagio, so be sure to take your camera and flat shoes. It’s hilly! The late afternoon and evening is at your leisure in very lively Como.
June 12 An early morning departure for Turin. En route, our important visit to the Alfa Romeo museum—the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo. The museum was reopened in 2015 to universal applause. You can choose to join our group, led by a guide, or roam the exhibits at will. Either way, you will be impressed. We also have the added benefit of a visit to the basement where there is an array of vintage cars not available for public showing. Later this afternoon, we arrive at our hotel encapsulated within the original Fiat factory. This evening, we have a run through the Piedmont countryside to a wonderful Michelin restaurant. NH Lingotto Hotel, 4 star, 2 nights
June 13 A more relaxing day. First a visit to the Museo dell ‘Automobile Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia’, one of the finest auto museums in all of Europe. It houses the largest collection of historic cars in Italy. Our hotel housed within the Fiat factory has access to the roof that was the test track for each newly built Fiat. This afternoon, you can walk around the track. Also housed on the roof is the fine art display of the Agnelli Art Gallery. This impressive collection was donated to the National Archives by the Agnelli brothers, who were the founders of Piaggi and saviors of Fiat after the war. This evening, we dine at our hotel.
June 14 An early departure from our hotel as today we are heading for Maranello. On arrival, we visit the Ferrari Galleria. This exhibit has grown both in size and quality over the last ten years and is well worth the visit. We have plenty of time to enjoy Maranello, the shops and the cafes. This afternoon, we have also set up the opportunity to have a test drive in a modern Ferrari, Dinner at a famous Maranello Ristorante. 4 star, 2 nights
June 15 A factory visit. Pagani, the embodiment of "supercars". The factory is small, clean and exudes class. Horatio Pagani still has his office at the factory and is often seen walking around and welcoming visitors. Following Pagani, we visit the home of Pavarotti, now turned into a fabulous museum. Today's lunch is always a highlight. In a small village just outside of Modena is a wonderful Trattoria run by Fabrizio and Cristina Menubie. This award winning restaurant has been on our "super" list for the last twenty-five years. Following lunch, we are met by the owner of one of the finest private car collections in Italy, all set in a stunning Medieval Palace.
June 16 Today, we make an early start for Brescia, and our first glimpse of the Mille Miglia. First we visit the town center where all the cars are registering and preparing for the afternoon ‘off’. At lunchtime, we head for the Mille Museum. All the entrants’ journey from the center and are staged here before the official start this afternoon. Here is the best opportunity to see all the cars and entrants. We’ll also be able to watch the cars as they head out on the Mille course amid enthusiastic support from the crowds lining the route. We are now heading for our final hotel on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Garda. Dinner this evening at our hotel. Park Hotel Casimiro 4 star, 4 nights
June 17 This morning, we head across Lake Garda to the eastern shore. Today’s visit is to the Alegrini Vineyards. This gorgeous setting is in the heart of the Valpolicella region. The once `tavern wine district’ has become a major renaissance for Italian wines. One of the leaders of this has been the Alegrini family. The vineyard surrounds a stunning 16th century medieval ‘palazio’. Our visit includes a wine tasting followed by an ‘Italian lunch’. Something to remember. The return to our hotel is by the lake ferry service. This crosses the lake and obligingly drops us right outside our hotel. Dinner is at your leisure.
June 18 Our hotel is situated alongside the small village and ferry terminal of San Felice. We suggest this is a great day to relax, as it’s been a busy few days. The hotel offers all the amenities of a resort hotel. However, you might also like to join Steve on a short ferry trip along the southeastern side of the lake. We cruise past the town of Salo and after a short while arrive at the quite classy town of Gardone Riviera. Here they have a little Jitney train that will run you up to the center of the village, which also boasts of a particularly good garden. The lake front and alongside the ferry terminal are several good restaurants for a late lunch and maybe an Aperol Spritz. We allow a couple of hours here before returning to our hotel. This evening is at your leisure.
June 19 This is our last day, which we have purposely left for your own preferences. Many, if previous years are a guide, will choose to relax and enjoy the hotel and amenities. By now, you will have an idea of the layout of the lake and its ferry system. Some of you may choose to spend a day on the lake and visit some of the further away villages. If you are still up for a great market, join Steve on a ferry, back across the lake to Garda. It has a huge market, the largest on the southern shores. It’s great to walk through the stalls, enjoy a coffee on the water’s edge, shop some more and then find a nice shady table for lunch. Steve will meet you back at the ferry for the mid-afternoon return. After a relaxing day, we hold our farewell dinner al fresco on the hotel’s terrace. A great meal, good wine, and great company on a beautiful lake setting. A fitting conclusion to another AROC Goes to Italy.
June 20 Following an early breakfast, our coach departs at 8:30am for Malpensa airport. Our anticipated arrival is 11:00-11:30am. Please take note of arrival and departure information in your folder. We do have an early departure van at 6:00am for those who have early flight schedules. Please see ‘special tour information’.
