Updated Tentative Itinerary

This is our tentative daily schedule at a glance. Our tour staff will make daily announcements with specifics and times during the trip. Note that our itinerary may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

Saturday, September 14          Verona, Italy / Lake Garda

Upon arrival in Verona, transfer to our country hotel east of Lake Garda (see Arriving & Meeting the group and hotel and staff contact details)

6:30 p.m. Enjoy a welcome reception at the bar and terrace followed by dinner in our hotel's Batchessa restaurant (if the weather allows, dinner may be served on the terrace).

Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais (R, D)

Sunday, September 15            Dusano / Sirmione

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s Batchessa restaurant.

8:30 a.m. Gather for a welcome orientation (and listening device distribution) and our first lecture by faculty leader Christophe Crombez “Italian Politics throughout The Ages” in the room Sala De Moreschi located on left hand side of the courtyard as you exit the main front door of the hotel, near the chapel.

Please bring with you each day - wear your waterproof hiking boots.rain gear, an extra layer, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water bottle or hydration pack and listening device.

Travel to the port of Lazise from where we take a private boat (approx. 40 mins) across Lake Garda to the tiny port at Dusano. This morning’s short walk around Rocca di Manerba National Park is an introduction to the lake. The walk is rocky underfoot but relatively short.

Options I & II: approx. 3 miles; +300 ft., -200 ft.

Enjoy a picnic lunch beside a small chapel. Then reboard our boat and travel to Sirmione (approx. 40 mins) to view the Scaliger Castle and the ruins of a 1st-century-B.C.E. Roman villa. Please have your listening devices available for this afternoon.

Options I & II: approx. 2 miles; city walking.

~6:00 p.m. Return to our hotel.

~7:30 p.m. This evening we enjoy dinner in the hotel's Batchessa restaurant.

Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais (B, L, D)

Monday, September 16           Malcesine

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

We drive to the north to the base of the Dolomites to begin our walk near the small lake of Ledro. Our routes follow the valley floor, tucked away at the base of a steep mountain which borders Austria, to the head of the river before turning down a side valley where we have another picnic lunch.

Option I: approx. 3.7 miles; +200 ft., -200 ft.
Option II: approx. 5.7 miles; 250 ft., -200 ft.

Our picnic lunch is in the heart of the mountains. This afternoon continue the walks down the valley.

Option I: approx. 2 miles; +70 ft., -100 ft.
Option II: approx. 4 miles; +100 ft., -150 ft.

~6:00 p.m. Return to our hotel.

~7:30 p.m. This evening we enjoy dinner in the hotel's Oseleta restaurant.

Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais (B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Tuesday, September 17           Lake Garda / Lake Iseo / Sulzano

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

7:30 a.m. Luggage out for collection (send anything you don't need for the walking today on to the next hotel).

8:20 a.m. we depart the hotel.

Today cross Lake Garda by ferry and opt for one of two walks. Our more rigorous full day walk (Option II) between Lake Garda and Lake Idro takes us through wild, mountainous landscapes. This route has a medium length descent followed by a long climb to a mountain pass.  Our gentler walk (Option I) leads through rocky mountain scenery and back toward Lake Garda.

Option I: approx. 4.4 miles
Option II: approx. 6 miles; +2200 ft., -600 ft.

After our different picnic lunches Option II descends very steeply on good tracks to the small village of San Martino, where we then ride on to Sulzano by coach. Option I descends on small paths and roads before we travel by road to Lake Iseo and our hotel in Sulzano, located across from Mont’Isola, Italy’s largest lake island.

Option I: approx. 2 miles; +600 ft., -800 ft.
Option II: approx. 3 miles;  -2000 ft.

~5:30 p.m. Return to our hotel.

~7:30 p.m. This evening we enjoy dinner in the hotel.

Hotel Rivalago (B, L, D)

Wednesday, September 18                   Monte Isola

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

8:45 a.m. Enjoy our 2nd lecture by faculty leader Christophe Crombez “The Rise of the Far-Right in Italy and the Rest of Europe” in the lounge area of the hotel.

Today take a short boat ride to Monte Isola (approx. 10 mins) and opt for a ride up the mountain by private minibus, followed by a short climb on small paths and tracks to the summit of the island and church of Madonna della Ceriola; we return on good paths and roads to the lakeside for lunch. Alternatively, choose a more strenuous and rocky climb to the sanctuary from the boat before descending to lunch via the same route.

Option I: approx. 5 miles; +500 ft., -1300 ft.
Option II: approx. 7 miles; +1300 ft., -1300 ft. 

In the afternoon take one of two short lakeside walks back to the ferry port to return to our hotel.

Option I: approx. 2 miles; +10 ft., -10 ft.
Option II: approx. 3 miles; +200 ft., -200 ft. 

~4:30 p.m. Return to our hotel.

~7:30 p.m. This evening return to Monte Isola for dinner in a local restaurant, La Foresta (it is a 10 min boat ride to/from the restaurant).

Hotel Rivalago (B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Thursday, September 19         Sulzano / Bergamo / Bellagio

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

9:00 a.m. (or just before) Please place luggage (anything you done need for the day) outside doors for collection. 

9:00 a.m. We depart the hotel and walk a shrot distance to the bus. We drive towards Lake Como today, stopping at Bergamo en route. Today is city walking only. We spend the morning discovering the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage—most notably two Renaissance-era masterpieces: the Colleoni Chapel and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. You will need your headsets for the city tour.

City Walking approx 2 miles

After lunch, in the heart of the old city of Bergamo, continue by road to Bellagio and our lakeside hotel.

~5:30 p.m. Arrive our hotel and check in.

~7:15 p.m.  We depart the hotel by boat for to dine at a local restaurant.

Villa Serbelloni (B, L, D)

Friday, September 20               Lake Como

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

8:30 a.m. Enjoy our third lecture by faculty leader Christophe Crombez “Independence Movements in Italy and the Rest of Europe” in the meeting room of the hotel near Reception.

Today choose from two options to traverse the stunning scenery high above majestic Lake Como. Stop for a picnic lunch before opting for a longer descent back to Bellagio or a shorter walk and a return by road, allowing free time to explore this charming town. 

Option I: approx. 4.5 miles; +400 ft., -1250 ft.
Option II: approx. 5 miles; +1100 ft., -2050 ft. 

In the afternoon take one of two short lakeside walks back to the ferry port to return to our hotel.

Option I: approx. 2 miles; +180 ft., -130 ft.
Option II: approx. 3 miles; +150 ft., -1300 ft. 

~3:30 p.m. Return to the hotel Option I and ~5:30 p.m. Option II.

This evening we dine independently, and you may choose to sample one of Bellagio’s fine restaurants.  In addition to the list of restaurant recommendations provided, our hotel concierge can offer other suggestions.

Villa Serbelloni (B, L) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Saturday, September 21          Menaggio / Lake Piano / Lake Maggiore / Stresa

Remember to bring your passport on your person today because we travel through Switzerland and it may be required. We also ask you not to lock your luggage sent on to the next hotel because there is a chance the luggage vehicle be stopped and the officials may ask to inspect the bags.

7:30 a.m. Place outside your door any items you want to send ahead to the next hotel (be sure they are labled and unlocked for today's transit).

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

8:20 a.m. We depart the hotel on foot and walk to the ferry.  We sail northwest from Bellagio to Menaggio on Lake Como’s western shore. Walk west from Codogna towards Lake Lugano. We will disembark the ferry and re-board our bus for a short ride to the start of our walk.

Our waslking rout floows a road and then paths. There will be a section of rocky descent (approx. 300 yards) so walking sticks, if you use them, are advised.

Options I and II walk together: approx. 4.25 miles; +500 ft., -1075 ft.

Enjoy our final picnic lunch along the way on the shores of Lago Piano.

This afternoon, we drive from Lago Piano to Laveno-Mombello on Lake Maggiore and cross by ferry to the west side of the lake to reach our hotel in Stresa.

~5:45 p.m. Arrive the hotel and check in.

~7:20 p.m. We depart the hotel to have dinner in a local restaurant, Lo Stornello (it is approx. 10 min walk). The streets are well-lit however we recommend wearing comfortable flatsoled shoes.

Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées (B, L, D)

Sunday, September 22            Mottarone Mountain / Armeno

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant on the ground floor.

9:00 a.m. We depart on our drive to the top of the great Mottarone mountain massif that looms between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore to take in the splendid vistas. Then together we all walk south to our picnic lunch at a little farm above Lake Orta.

Option I: approx. 5 miles; +150 ft., -1030 ft.

Option II: approx. 6.5 miles; +150 ft., -1670 ft.

This afternoon choose to take a short walk of around 1.5 miles that leads down a small road to our coach to return to our hotel. Alternatively continue our hike down to Armeno and return by bus to Stresa.

Option I: approx. 1.5 miles; -400 ft.
Option II: approx. 5 miles; +425 ft., -950 ft.

~4:30 p.m. Return to the hotel

This evening we dine independently.  In addition to the list of restaurant recommendations provided, our hotel concierge can offer other suggestions.

Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées (B, L)

Monday, September 23           Borromean Islands

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

9:00 a.m. Enjoy our fourth and final lecture by faculty leader Christophe Crombez “The Future of the European Union” in the meeting room "Sala Gritti" located on the ground floor by the piano (and opposite the Hemingway Bar).We will have a short amount of time after the lecture for you to go to your room, use the facilities and pick up what you need for the day. 

Please remember to bring your headsets for our touring today. Please note the forecast shows rain and therefore a raincoat may be useful today as we are touring gardens as well as inside the Palazzo.

We spend today on the magnificent Borromean Islands. We start with discovering the grand Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella.

Lunch is at a local restaurant "La Pescheria" on Isola Pescatori. This afternoon continue our exploration of the islands with a visit to Isola Madre with its superb botanical gardens and beautiful villa or you may choose to return to the hotel for some free time. 

~4:30 p.m. Return to the hotel.

~6:30 p.m. Gather for a farewell reception followed by dinner in the Magnolia room in our hotel (located on the ground floor off the hallway which lleads to the breakfast room).

Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées (B, L, D)

Tuesday, September 24           Stresa / Milan / Home

There are two group transfers from the Grand Hotel de Îles des Borromées to the Milan international airport (MXP) for those who previously indicated their plans to do so to Stanford’s office.

Transer 1

5:30 a.m. Place luggage outside your door for collection.

6:00 a.m. Depart the hotel and arrive at Milan’s international airport (MXP) at approximately 7:00 a.m.

[Bowmanx2, Crombez, Hu, Malozemoff, Sanford, Casperson, Watson]

7:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins in the hotel’s restaurant.

Transfer 2

7:15 a.m. Place luggage outside your door for collection.

8:00 a.m. Depart the hotel and arrive at Milan’s international airport (MXP) at approximately 9:15 a.m.

[Hardingx2, Goldfarb, Grady, Oglesby, Swanson, Wilson, Powell, Taylorx2, Monroy, Aguilera, Walker, Stephens, Littlewood]

Independent departures Ferries, Cunningham/Clow, Riordan.

11:00 a.m. Check-out time from the Grand Hotel de Îles des Borromées.

(B)

A typical day’s activities begin with a full breakfast. We may have a lecture before setting out at around 9:00 a.m. or a little later for our day's walk, armed with rain gear, an extra layer (sweater or wrap), sunscreen, sunglasses, water, hat, listening device and your waterproof hiking boots. We will stop along the way to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch prepared for us by our staff. After lunch, we are off again on the afternoon segment of our walk. On arrival at our hotel, we have time for a shower and some rest before dinner. Dinners in Italy are usually served around 7:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. 

While this program is called a Walk, several of the days might be described by some participants as hikes rather than walks. All such terms are very subjective: a walk to one person may seem like a hike to another. The walks are of varying distance and level of difficulty. The average day’s excursion is about 6 or 7 miles, and you should commit to walking with the group for the entire day as there is usually no support vehicle or opportunity to otherwise deviate from the excursion.

The Italian Lakes region is mountainous and the trails we use reflect this. There is often quite a lot of altitude gain and loss. The trails vary in type and include farm tracks that wind among vineyards, pastureland and shaded woodland, as well as smaller mountain paths that can be uneven, rocky, muddy or wet. You must be able to navigate rocky paths and exposed roots without assistance.

You will need to bring a light day pack for your raingear, sunscreen and refillable water bottle and/or bladder.

As noted on this Walk we’re offering two walk options for many of the countryside walking days. All walks are led by experienced leaders.

Option I offers relatively straightforward walks of between 4 and 8 miles (approx. 2.5 to 4 hours) over varied terrain that allows walkers time to enjoy the scenery. These walks include moderate amounts of uphill and downhill walking with altitude gains and descents of up to 1,000 feet. The walks cover a variety of trails, such as dirt tracks and mountain paths.

Option II provides longer, more strenuous walks of between 6 and 13 miles (approx. 3.5 to 6 hours) that allow more adventurous walkers to cover more terrain of the wilder parts of the countryside. These walking trails can be rugged, rocky and steep, with altitude gains of up to 1,000 OR 2,000 feet and descents of 1,800 OR 2,500 feet. It will not be possible for walkers on the longer walks to visit or spend as much time at some of the sites on our itinerary as those taking Option I.

Meals included in the program are indicated next to the hotel name with the following designations:
B = Breakfast     L = Lunch   D = Dinner   R = Reception