Meeting Point:
Milan Malpensa Airport 11.30am: direct flights from NYC, TLV & LON

From the airport we go straight to Stresa on Lake Maggiore where we’ll embark on a tour of the lake. We’ll visit the villa and magnificent gardens on Isola Bella, the “beautiful island”, and as much else as time allows. Lunch on the adjacent Fisherman’s island will keep us going until we reach our gorgeous hotel in time for dinner.

We’ll head to Sirmione this morning with its beautiful Roman Villa followed by a pizza lunch in the only kosher restaurant in the region.

After lunch, we’ll head for Verona where we’ll visit the highlights of this gorgeous city – the Arena famous for Opera, Romeo and Juliet’s balcony and the still active shul, maintained largely by the income generated from tourism…… and do it all by Segway!!!

We’ll do what we always do: eat, pray, walk, relax and, for those who wish, enjoy a relaxing massage treatment or two (halachic sources provided on request!!)

We have lovely Mantova firmly in our sights today, where, among the monumental buildings, the beautiful but ultimately sad synagogue awaits our visit as do the couple who run the tiny community.

Hearing their story brings tears to the eyes, but it’s the story of the glory that was Italian Jewry.

After lunch, we’ll head to Lake Garda region, take bicycles and cycle for an hour or so along the cycle paths on the banks of the river, ending at most picturesque village of Borghetto, famous for its water mills and ancient bridges. Here we’ll make a refreshment stop in a café surrounded by flowing rivers before returning to the hotel to give you a chance to freshen up before dinner. Anyone for a spa treatment??

The last of the Italian Lakes we visit is Lake Como. The hike along the lake is not hard and absolutely gorgeous. After our picnic lunch we have a short crossing by ferry to Bellagio, the fanous town surrounded by the lake on two sides - not to be missed.

A visit in the town of Bergamo will complete a very full day before heading back to the hotel for dinner 

Departure day - home... or to Naples by air for the next segment of our italy adventure...