Strong Emotions: Varese city and Sacro Monte (UNESCO Heritage site)

(2 days / 1 night - saturday/sunday)

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• 1st Day: Varese city - Palazzo Estense - Ville Ponti - Villa Panza’s gardens

Together with our travel specialist, a true connoisseur of local places and experiences, you will discover and experience the city of Varese, living like a local.

An exciting walk through the streets of the historic city-center, discovering its artistic and historical beauties, the wonderful gardens thanks to which Varese is known as the “Garden City”.
You will be fascinated by its prestigious buildings of various eras and styles, by the fully arcaded alleys, by the historic shops, by the secret courtyards and by the magnificence of its squares, the civic tower, the bell tower and the Baptistery.

Gourmet stop to taste a local specialty such as the authentic Buosino (coffee and chocolate-based drink) or Dolce Varese or Brutti e Buoni.

Lunch will be served in a famous restaurant where you will enjoy local cuisine.

In the afternoon we continue to Palazzo Estense erected between 1766 and 1771 at the behest of the Duke of Modena Francesco III d'Este who, having obtained the lordship of Varese from Maria Teresa of Austria, was eager to build his own summer-autumn residence. Thanks to its majesty and the fantastic Italian gardens that surround it, Palazzo Estense earned Varese the nickname of "Versailles of Milan", given to it by Stendhal.

Another short walk to reach Ville Ponti’s park: a botanical park of 56,000 square meters in English style with a structured path that allows the visitor to enter the historical places of the estate, to discover the tree species of greatest interest. Information panels help to recognize the specimens present, offering a scientific study and stimulating the curiosity of those who love walking in nature and enjoying its natural beauty. The park is the setting for the splendid Villa Andrea, the Villa Napoleonica and the stables, a complex that was the historic home of illustrious citizens of Varese.

Finally, a view of the park of the adjacent VILLA PANZA (FAI), an eighteenth-century villa that opens its windows to a magnificent Italian garden and houses a collection of contemporary American art among the best known in the world, as well as international exhibitions.

We could not miss the “Aperitivo-time” at the historic Caffè that saw the birth, on July 20, 1969, of the pink aperitif known as Apollo-11, which carries, in its taste and color, the uniqueness and positivity of man's landing on the moon, an event that has forever marked the history of humanity.

Dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight at Hotel.

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• 2nd Day: Sacro Monte di Varese - Villa Toeplitz

After Breakfast, always with our travel Specialist, we will reach the SACRO MONTE, a devotional complex consisting of 14 Chapels, the Sanctuary and the Crypt, erected between 1604 and 1698 and which since 2003 is part of the UNESCO world heritage sites. Along the way to reach the Via Sacra, you can see the numerous Art Nouveau villas built by the nobles in the early 1900s, which dot the slopes of the mountain.
You will walk along the Via Sacra (uphill of about 2km) to admire the 14 chapels that house valuable statues and frescoes. You reach the historic village of Santa Maria del Monte where, in addition to going through its narrow streets, you can enjoy a splendid view of the Lombard lakes and the Sky-line of nearby Milan.

Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant and after tasting the "Elixir al Borducan", the digestive based on oranges and herbs from the Sacro Monte mountains appreciated by people from Varese, we wil visit the Pogliaghi House-Museum. A real museum that the multifaceted artist - painter, sculptor, architect and set designer - (1857-1950) conceived as a home and laboratory-museum dedicated to the collection, study and exhibition of the fruit of his collecting passion. The building, designed by Pogliaghi himself, reflects the eclectic taste of the time and the owner's interest in all forms of art preserved in it.

When on duty, possibility to return to the starting point, aboard the Funicular (an Art Nouveau monorail inaugurated in 1911).
On the way back, stop at VILLA TOEPLITZ, a historic Villa that stands on the hill in a dominant position. You will visit its park which covers an area of about four hectares and is one of the most beautiful in Italy.

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Duration: 2 days / 1 night
When: from APRIL to OCTOBER only on Saturday (subject to availability)

Reservation required.
What is included: travel specialist at your side for the duration of the tour, entrances, gourmet stop 1st day, Apollo 11 Aperitivo, 2 typical lunches and 1 dinner (drinks not included), overnight stay in the hotel and breakfast (tourism tax non included).

NOT included: Transfers from / to Varese-Sacro Monte, take place by your own car or on board public transport whose ticket can be purchased on site.
On request it is possible to organize a private transfer service from / to Varese city or other places of origin

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Price per person:

• € 378,00 per person
• Extra charge for Single Room: € 30,00

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For families with children, price on request.

For private tours, price on request.

For large GROUPS, price on request.

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The availability is subject to confirmation. The tour operator will confirm you within 24/48 hours from booking. Therefore no charge will be made until you receive confirmation of the booking.

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