Think of Milan and you think of fashion, good food and of course music. Our escorted short break offers a wonderful opportunity to take a closer look at this most vibrant of Italian cities, enjoy some fine music, art, excellent food and take in an opera performance at La Scala. We will be based at the charming, Rosa Grand Milano Hotel which has a location that is hard to beat in Milan, just a short stroll from the Duomo and perfectly situated for our visits to La Scala.
In addition to an evening performance at La Scala, we have also included two guided tours of Milan and a visit to the Medieval city of Cremona where during our tour we will visit a violin-making workshop which will provide a fascinating insight into the construction of violins.
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Rosa Grand Milano Hotel
Set in the heart of Milan, the Rosa Grand overlooks the historic Piazza Fontana, behind the city’s imposing Duomo Cathedral. Enviably located, the exclusive fashion district, the art collections of the Palazzo Reale and the Museo del Novecento are all within strolling distance. Nearby stands the world-famous La Scala opera house and the famous Galleria, home to historic cafés and chic boutiques of prestigious brands.
20th March Itinerary
Day 1 London to Milan, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the Rosa Grand Milano Hotel for a four night stay. Settle into your room before meeting for dinner at the hotel this evening. (D)
Day 2 Milan.
This morning we take a walking tour to discover more of this fascinating city. Visit the cathedral, which at 157 metres long is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Construction began in 1386 and took five centuries to complete. There will also be an option to take the stairs to the cathedral’s huge rooftop terrace, which affords spectacular views of the city and the cathedral’s roof sculptures. Later we will walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, designed in the 19th century and now home to a huge array of upscale shops and restaurants. We end at the Museum of La Scala which houses instruments including Franz Liszt’s grand piano as well as portraits of Guiseppe Verdi whose long career began here in 1839. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon to explore at your own pace before we meet for dinner tonight. (B, D)
Day 3 Castello Sforzesco, Pinaconteca di Brera & La Scala.
Following breakfast at the hotel enjoy a walking tour to two of the city’s highlights, Castello Sforzesco and the Pinacoteca di Brera. Originally built as a fortress in the 14th century, the iconic brick-red Castello Sforzesco became home to the powerful Sforza dynasty who ruled Renaissance Milan and oversaw the reconstruction of the building which had been seriously damaged between 1447 and 1450. The castle’s defences, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, were largely demolished during the period of Napoleonic rule, and the complex was transferred to civic use following the unification of Italy in the 19th century. A short walk brings us to the impressive Pinacoteca di Brera, home to over 400 works dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries by master painters such as Piero della Francesca, Raphael, and Caravaggio. After lunch the afternoon is free for independent exploration. Meet in the early evening for an aperitif and snacks before walking to the Teatro alla Scala for an opera performance of Puccini’s “La Boheme”. (B, L, D*)
Day 4 Cremona.
Following breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Cremona, a city rich in Medieval architecture and famous for its violin-making traditions which were added to the UNESCO list in 2012. Visit the impressive Violin Museum which takes visitors through Cremona's five-century history of violin making, introducing them to the great masters and their violins, including the famous Antonio Stradivari. Explore Cremona’s beautiful historic centre, including the Piazza Stradivari, the Piazza del Comune, Cathedral and the Torrazzo which at 112 metres is the tallest brick belfry in the world. Visit a modern violin-making workshop where a master luthier demonstrates all the stages in the construction of a violin in the classic Cremona method. Following a local lunch we will return to Milan for an afternoon and evening at leisure (B, L)
Day 5 Milan to London.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
15th March Itinerary
Day 1 London to Milan, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the Rosa Grand Milano Hotel for a four night stay. Settle into your room before meeting for dinner at the hotel this evening. (D)
Day 2 Milan.
This morning we take a walking tour to discover more of this fascinating city. Visit the cathedral, which at 157 metres long is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Construction began in 1386 and took five centuries to complete. There will also be an option to take the stairs to the cathedral’s huge rooftop terrace, which affords spectacular views of the city and the cathedral’s roof sculptures. Later we will walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, designed in the 19th century and now home to a huge array of upscale shops and restaurants. We end at the Museum of La Scala which houses instruments including Franz Liszt’s grand piano as well as portraits of Guiseppe Verdi whose long career began here in 1839. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon to explore at your own pace. Meet in the early evening for an aperitif and snacks before walking to the Teatro alla Scala for an opera performance of Puccini’s “La Boheme”. (B, D*)
Day 3 Castello Sforzesco, Pinaconteca di Brera & La Scala.
Following breakfast at the hotel enjoy a walking tour to two of the city’s highlights, Castello Sforzesco and the Pinacoteca di Brera. Originally built as a fortress in the 14th century, the iconic brick-red Castello Sforzesco became home to the powerful Sforza dynasty who ruled Renaissance Milan and oversaw the reconstruction of the building which had been seriously damaged between 1447 and 1450. The castle’s defences, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, were largely demolished during the period of Napoleonic rule, and the complex was transferred to civic use following the unification of Italy in the 19th century. A short walk brings us to the impressive Pinacoteca di Brera, home to over 400 works dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries by master painters such as Piero della Francesca, Raphael, and Caravaggio. After lunch the afternoon is left free for independent exploration before we meet for dinner tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Cremona.
Following breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Cremona, a city rich in Medieval architecture and famous for its violin-making traditions which were added to the UNESCO list in 2012. Visit the impressive Violin Museum which takes visitors through Cremona's five-century history of violin making, introducing them to the great masters and their violins, including the famous Antonio Stradivari. Explore Cremona’s beautiful historic centre, including the Piazza Stradivari, the Piazza del Comune, Cathedral and the Torrazzo which at 112 metres is the tallest brick belfry in the world. Visit a modern violin-making workshop where a master luthier demonstrates all the stages in the construction of a violin in the classic Cremona method. Following a local lunch we will return to Milan for an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 5 Milan to London.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
Dates and Prices
15th March Itinerary
Prices per person based on double occupancy| 15 to 19 March 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Price | |
| Deluxe Twin | £2995 | |
| Grand Deluxe Twin | £3095 | |
| Junior Suite | £3495 | |
| Deluxe Twin for sole use | £3395 | |
20th March Itinerary
| 20 to 24 March 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Price | |
| Deluxe Twin | Fully Booked | |
| Grand Deluxe Twin | Fully Booked | |
| Junior Suite | Fully Booked | |
| Deluxe Twin for sole use | Fully Booked | |
Tour Reference Code: LALASCALA
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel - Four nights hotel accommodation at the Rosa Grand Milano Hotel • Meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner, D*- Light pre-event buffet) • Wine, beer or soft drinks with each included lunch and dinner • Excursions as specified with local guide • Platea category tickets for La Boheme at La Scala • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Group Size: We are restricting the group to just 25 participants.
Rosa Grand Milano Hotel
Set in the heart of Milan, the Rosa Grand overlooks the historic Piazza Fontana, behind the city’s imposing Duomo Cathedral. Enviably located, the exclusive fashion district, the art collections of the Palazzo Reale and the Museo del Novecento are all within strolling distance. Nearby stands the world-famous La Scala opera house and the famous Galleria, home to historic cafés and chic boutiques of prestigious brands.
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Book with Confidence
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