Family Adventure in Northern Italy

To Be Determined — Transfer from Airport

For your arrival in Milan, we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will also provide advice on taking a taxi, train or bus into the city, and also provide an estimate of the cost and time of the ride and train/bus journey to your hotel.

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Sforzesco Castle

The Sforzesco Castle is one of the most popular monuments in Milan. It has undergone various transformations over the centuries; it has been a defensive fortress, a military barracks, and a private residence. Today it is a center of cultural institutions and contains several specialized museums that hold important fragments of Milan's cultural and civic history. Located behind the castle is Parco Sempione, Milan's largest English style park, where you'll also find one of the best lookout towers in the city.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Brera District

Brera is the artistic heart of the city. Its tightly-packed together cobbled lanes and ancient buildings are a reminder that Milan was not always the modern metropolis that it is today. At the heart of the neighborhood, you'll find the Pinotecca di Brera (National Gallery), home to Italy's biggest collection of paintings of the 15th & 16th century. Indeed, Brera has been synonymous with art ever since the romantic artists of the 19th century turned the quarter into a hub of Bohemianism. Around the gallery you'll find some of the city's most fashionable boutique shops, and a host of trendy bars and restaurants, making it an area to be seen when the sun sets.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Guided Walk in Milan

Milan is the center of business and the capital of Italian fashion, but it also has an ancient heritage and a fascinating history; here you find some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art! Together with your guide, you’ll explore the magnificent Duomo, Galleria, Scala opera house, merchant square, financial district, food street, and Sforza Castle.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon — City Center

Milan's city center is by no means small, but it is conveniently compact, making it very easy to explore a multiple of attractions one after the other. It is also home to some of the city's blockbuster sights, with the magnificent Duomo sat right at its heart. From its large piazza, you can choose to explore its luxurious shopping scene, visit some of the city's world-class art, see Milan's famous Scala theatre or simply sit in one of the street side cafes and watch some of Milan's best-dressed citizens come and go.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Milan Cathedral

The Duomo of Milan is the last of Italy's great Gothic structures. Standing proud in the spacious Piazza del Duomo, this behemoth church is one of the world's largest Gothic cathedrals, and by far the most visited sights in Milan for tourists. Step inside and visit its interior before climbing up its stairs or riding the elevator to its terraces, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Milan cityscape and spires up close.  Note that entrance to the Duomo and Terraces are by paid admission only. During high season, we recommend purchasing advanced tickets to save you time in Milan.

Early Evening/Evening — The Navigli Canals

Although far from Italy's surrounding seas, Milan, much like Venice, was for many centuries a navigatable city due to an intricate system of canals. In their heyday, the Navigli canals formed a 100 mile (150 km) long network that connected the city with the rivers and lakes in the Lombardian region, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, the Ticino River and the Po River. Built between 1177 and 1257, the canals were primarily used for transporting goods, such as blocks of marble that were used to construct the city’s marvellous buildings. Today, little remains of its waterway history, but the first stretch of the Naviglio Grande can still be visited. It is now lined by canal-side cafes, making it one of the city's trendiest areas. The Navigli neighborhood as a whole was until recently a working-class district with a few rough edges, but now you'll find small boutique shops alongside popular pubs and excellent restaurants serving authentic Milanese cuisine. You'll also find plenty of outdoor bars perfect for a late afternoon aperitivo and numerous art studios and little galleries hidden amongst small courtyards and side streets. Sunset on the Naviglio is one of the most popular times to visit, therefore it may be wise to book a table ahead of time if you are planning on visiting in the summer seasons.

Early Morning to Mid-Day — Excursion to Lake Como

Often cited as the most picturesque lake in Europe, Lake Como has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries and it's easy to see why. Tucked away in the foothills of the northern Italian Alps, Lake Como is the perfect day trip destination from Milan, offering the perfect chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Discover some of the picturesque lakeside villages, take a thrilling boat ride across the lake, or explore the many grand villas and beautiful gardens.

10:50 AM — Taxi Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Milano Centrale station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also, consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option since the station has its own metro stop. If you are staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi for you and give you an estimate on cost. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app. Information on finding your departure platform is provided in the itinerary mobile app.

12:10 - 15:05 — Rail to Cinque Terre

Your 3-hour rail journey to Cinque Terre will cross the farmlands of the Lombardy and Emilia Romagna regions, and then turn onto the dramatic Ligurian coast. While much of the journey along the coast will be through tunnels, you will still see some spectacular scenery, especially once you reach the Cinque Terre. Depending on where you are staying, you may need to get off the train in the first town of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso, and then switch to the local train (the "Cinque Terre Express") that stops in each of the villages. Or you may continue on the same train all the way to La Spezia, on the southern end of the Cinque Terre.

To Be Determined — Transfer from Rail Station

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Monterosso

The northernmost village, Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five towns in Cinque Terre. Situated in the centre of a small natural gulf, it is also the most populated village of the Cinque Terre. During your visit, explore this quaint old-world town with its crooked lanes, churches, viewpoints and beaches. If you are looking to take a swim or just relax by the water, keep in mind that Monterosso also has the best and largest beach in Cinque Terre. Monterosso is easily reached by taking the Cinque Terre Express train, or if you are feeling more adventurous, by hiking up the coast.

Early Morning to Mid-Day — Day Hike

The five Cinque Terre towns are connected by numerous trails. After the devastating floods that hit Cinque Terre in 2011, many of the trails have been closed for reconstruction due to landslides. However, 2 sections of its Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Trail” remain open. On this 5 mile (8 km) hike, you'll enjoy one of Cinque Terre's most rugged and wild coastal trails with rewarding views, hiking between Monterosso and Corniglia. The village of Vernazza is located roughly halfway between Monterosso and Corniglia, meaning it is a great place to take a break, or a good stopping point in case you don't want to do the full hike.  The hike is graded as "Medium" difficulty, featuring numerous steep staircases, uneven pathways, and steep inclines. The route starting in Monterosso and trekking onwards to Vernazza and Corniglia is the easiest way to do the hike, but you can also choose to do the hike in reverse. All three villages along the way are served by the Cinque Terre Express train.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Corniglia

Located on top of a 100-meter promontory, Corniglia is the highest of the five villages and is surrounded by a sea of olive trees and vineyards. Corniglia is the only village not to be sat on the water, and it is the least visited town in Cinque Terre, making it the perfect option for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy a spot of peace and quiet amongst its shaded lanes.  Due to its location on top of the hill, Corniglia's train station isn't located in the heart of the town like the other 4 towns in Cinque Terre. Instead, you have to take a local shuttle to the top or if you are brave enough, you can tackle the “Lardarina”, a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 382 steps! Roughly a 20 minute walk uphill. The route by stairs is very clearly marked from the train station. Begin walking down the main street called Via Fieschi and you'll immediately notice three things; fewer tourists, the scent of lemons, and multiple gelato shops! Souvenir shops adorn their doors and outdoor baskets with locally-grown lemon products, such as hand-made soups. A great way to keep the whole family happy is the Granita Limone, a slushy like cold frozen drink which can be eaten like ice cream or with a warm brioche (bread).

Morning to Afternoon — Manarola

Manarola is perhaps the favorite town for tourists in the Cinque Terre National Park. It is the oldest of the five towns and its colourful houses that contrast with the vivid green of the hillside it is perched on has made it a haven for photographers. The quaint town has a long tradition of producing wine and olive oil which come from the terraces on the hills above, making Manarola a good choice for foodies or those looking for an extra special culinary meal in Cinque Terre.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Vernazza

The loveliest of Cinque Terre's five villages, with its colorful houses perched precariously on rugged cliffs overhanging the sea, Vernazza is located behind the only natural harbor on this rocky coast. Explore the town's narrow lanes with its iconic tall pastel-hued houses, its medieval bastions and the ruins of its watchtower, and discover the best viewpoints and hidden beaches!

To Be Determined — Transfer to Rail Station

12:55 - 15:53, 16:15 - 17:15 — Train to Malpensa Airport

The nearest airport to Cinque Terre is the Pisa Airport. Unless staying in La Spezia on the southern end of the Cinque Terre, you'll first need to get there by taking a local train (the "Cinque Terre Express") that picks up in each of the small towns along the Cinque Terre, such as Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From La Spezia Central Station, it is only about one hour to the Pisa Central Station, which is connected to the Pisa Airport in just 5 minutes by the 'PisaMover', which is an airport-style shuttle train.   You may have difficulty finding a good flight from Pisa though. In that case, you should look to Milan, which has 3 large airports, Malpensa, Bergamo and Linate. The total travel time to any of these airports from Cinque Terre will be over 4 hours though. Unless staying in La Spezia (which is directly connected to Milan), the first step will be to take the local train to Monterosso, on the northern end of the Cinque Terre. From there you can take the direct InterCity train to Milano Centrale (Milan's Central Station). From the station, the best way to reach Malpensa Airport is via the Malpensa Express Train, whereas you can take a direct shuttle bus to Bergamo or Linato airports. One other option to consider is flying out of the Florence Airport, which is connected to the city's train station by a direct tram line.