Imagna Valley

About this excursion

£1125 per person

Northern Italy is well known and much-visited thanks to its beautiful landscapes and stunning lakes that sit in the Lombardy region. However, despite the hordes of tourists that flock to the sparkling waters of Lake Como (and rightly so, for it is beautiful), it is surprisingly easy to get off the beaten track if you prefer to uncover a more authentic, hidden side of Italy’s Alpine north.

Stunningly scenic and gloriously green, the beautiful Imagna Valley is nestled in Lombardy just a few kilometres to the east of Lake Como’s shores. It feels like a rural and untouched oasis where you can really get under the skin of Italy.

This tour will offer a chance to discover something different; a tour to capture the essence of Italian life and a way of truly getting away from the crowds.

 Exploring the sights of northern Italy

One of the real benefits of the Imagna Valley (besides its idyllic, pastoral charm!) is its proximity to Lake Como. This isn’t a tour where you have to choose a remote region at the expense of being able to visit more well-known places or highlights: stunning Lake Como is just a short drive away and you can visit the gorgeous lakeside town of Varenna. Oozing with charm, the pretty pastel houses cling precipitously to the rock, creating a beautiful, postcard-worthy scene. From Varenna, we’ll take the boat to Bellagio, ‘the pearl of Lake Como’ and enjoy the scenery from the water.

A true taste of the Imagna Valley

The Imagna Valley is a wonderful place to explore the region’s gastronomy – indeed, getting to know the regional specialities is the key understanding life in the Imagna Valley. The cuisine is influenced by its Alpine location and abundance of cattle, and as such many unique and delicious cheeses are produced here such as the soft and creamy stracchino. A brilliant way to experience this craft is to visit to a cheesemaker – something we will do during our trip.

The defining dish of the Bergamo region is casoncelli, a particular shape of stuffed pasta. Casconcelli alla Bergamasca is a recipe typically made with an intriguing, sweet and savoury stuffing of pork sausage, beef, sultanas, and crumbled amaretti, which is then dressed in a sauce of sage butter & pancetta. Here we can enjoy a cooking class learning how to create handmade casoncelli.

You can also enjoy lunch at a delightfully authentic trattoria, serving dishes from the local tradition using produce from the valley, created with age-old recipes

Our Hotel – Miramonti

Epitomising the relaxed and tranquil ethos of this trip is the Hotel Miramonti. Located within the small hilltop village of Rota d’Imagna, there are a few shops, restaurants and a pretty 15^th century church close by. The hotel itself has the most wonderful views – its terrace cuts in the hillside and looks out over the rolling hills and stunning scenery of the surrounding valley. Lombardy has long been revered for its soothing thermal waters and the Imagna Valley is no exception. The Miramonti is an impressive spa hotel with immaculate and tasteful rooms, and brilliant facilities include an indoor pool that advances outside to make the most of the views. The outdoor terraces are staggered down the hillside, and at the bottom is a small woodland which is lovely for a short stroll. The heart of this hotel, however, is the lovely family that run it – they have real pride in their hotel and the region, and this comes through in their hospitality and the delicious cuisine in the hotel’s restaurant.

Holiday Highlights

• Half board accommodation
• Bergamo – a medieval hill town
• Sample local cheeses & wines in a tasting session
• Learn to make mouthwatering handmade pasta
• Lake Como, and the lakeside villages of Varenna and Bellagio

Itinerary

 Day 1

Our flight will depart for Italy where our coach and assistance will be waiting for us to transfer to the hotel. On arrival we can enjoy a welcoming glass of prosecco before dinner. Dinner will be at the hotel each evening.

 Day 2

This morning we enjoy a tasting of local cheese, due to its Alpine location and abundance of cattle, unique and delicious cheeses are produced here – such as the soft and creamy Stracchino. We will have the opportunity to taste 3 local cheeses along with a glass of local wine. After we return to our hotel where we will receive a special hands on cooking demonstration to show us how to make Casoncelli, a local pasta speciality. This will give us a new skill to show off to friends on our return to the UK!

 Day 3

This morning we set off for a full day excursion to Lake Como. Known for its jaw dropping beauty, the lake is lined by many charming little towns and villages. We will begin in Varenna, which features picturesque lanes and old fishermen’s houses before the short sailing across to Bellagio. Known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, the tiny streets are so pretty that there is a photo opportunity at every corner. Time will be at leisure here before we later return to the hotel.

 Day 4

Today we have the chance to explore the local area. Our first visit will be to the hamlet of Arnosto, which in spite of its size, is home to some beautiful buildings and great examples of rural architecture for the area. We will have a visit here to the village museum where we can see for ourselves the lives of the local people. Afterwards we will enjoy a truly special lunch in a traditional trattoria served with wine before returning to the hotel.

Day 5

Today is spent at leisure. Explore the small hilltop village of Rota d’Imagna, or take advantage of the hotel’s excellent spa and wellness facilities.

  Day 6

The ancient city of Bergamo awaits us today. Perched upon the top of a hill and surrounded by lush green valleys, Bergamo is a charming place to explore. Our one hour guided walking tour will take us around the narrow cobbled lanes of the old town in order to admire the historic pastel coloured buildings. We will also have time at leisure; perhaps to visit the 15th century Cappella Colleoni church or to enjoy a drink in one of the cafes on the Piazza Vecchia. The ancient city walls offer a wonderful walking spot and breathtaking views across the valley. En route to our hotel we will stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting of the delicious locally produced wine.

 Day 7

After checking out of the hotel, we will transfer back to the airport and begin on our journey home.

The exact order of excursions is subject to change and flight time dependent.

What’s Included

• Return flights from London to Milan (airports & times TBC)
• Return airport transfers in Italy with English speaking assistance each way*
• 6 nights half board accommodation at the Miramonti Hotel Resort & Spa, Rota d’Imagna
• Porterage on arrival & departure
• Welcome glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic drink on arrival day
• 3 course dinner with 4 choices per course, (vegetarian option is on request), choice to be made at dinner
• Tables of 2, 4 & 6 in the main restaurant for all meals
• Tea/coffee after dinner
• One speciality evening during your stay with live music & barbecue
• Use of the hotel’s wellness centre – pool, sauna, and turkish bath [massages excluded]
• Excursions with English speaking assistance, as detailed above in the itinerary, with the below inclusions:
  • Local cheese tasting experience – 3 cheeses with a glass of local wine
  • Cooking lesson at the hotel – how to make handmade Casoncelli (hand made pasta)
  • Return ferry/boat ticket on Lake Como between Varenna and Bellagio
  • Visit to the Arnosto Museum and lunch at a local Trattoria (set menu)
  • One hour guided walking tour of Bergamo
  • A tour and tasting at a local winery

Not Included

• Single supplement – as stated below
• City Tax – currently there is not a city tax to pay, should this change for 2022 this will become payable direct to the hotel in resort. We will advise you further in your travel pack documents.
• Gratuities

Deposit

A non-refundable £200 deposit will secure your place.

 Single Supplement

(This will be for a double or twin room for sole occupancy)

The supplement for the 1^st to 7^th single will be £102 per person for the duration of the tour.

The supplement for the 8^th – 13^th single will be £210 per person for the duration of the tour.

 Book early to get the best price single supplement or better still, share with a friend.

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