Magnificent Alpine Lakes of Northern Italy! Featuring 8 Luxurious Nights in Stresa on Lake Maggiore

march 28 - April 6, 2022 10 days / 8 nights

The stunning Lakes District is where Italy blends into the Alps — bursting with spectacular landscapes and art, with wines and food combined so delectably, that you surely won’t want to miss this breathtaking tour of Italy’s northernmost jewels!

Arrive in the astonishing city of Milan, then make your way to gorgeous Lake Maggiore and its beautiful lakeside town of Stresa, perched on the southern side of the Alps with spectacular views. This brilliantly crafted hub and spoke tour centralizes your stay in Stresa, allowing you to

experience the best of Northern Italy during your eight nights here - while unpacking just once! After exploring Maggiore’s exquisite “isolated” garden islands, venture out to enjoy Turin’s colossal marketplace and museums. Sample world-

class wines in the famed Gattinara vineyards and discover lovely Lake Orta, one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. See the great art treasures of Milan, and ride the eye-popping Centovalli Train to Locarno in Switzerland. See the incredible canals and bridges of Venice while admiring its iconic

masterworks, and round it all off in grand style with a full day at glamorous Lake Como, where celebrities hang out in their palatial summer residences. It’s finally time to experience all the priceless gems of Northern Italy you’ve always dreamt of seeing!

Itinerary March 28, 2022 ~ Your Journey Begins! Today you’ll board your overnight flight bound for Northern Italy!March 29, 2022 ~ Welcome to Beautiful Lake Maggiore! Upon arrival in Milan, you’ll be greeted by your tour escort and board your private motorcoach for a scenic drive to the shores of romantic Lake Maggiore. If your arrival time permits, you’ll visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a Catholic monastery perched on a rocky ridge of Lake Maggiore’s eastern shore. Declared a national monument in 1914, the monastery can be reached on foot down a long winding stairway, or by elevator. It was constructed in the 14th century, although the more recent frescos are from the 1800s. You’ll then cross the lake by ferry to reach your hotel in Stresa. After check-in, you’ll have time to unpack and refresh prior to your welcome dinner.Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (D)March 30, 2022 ~ The Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore After your hotel breakfast, you’ll reach the dock of Stresa, board a private motorboat and cross over to the family-owned Borromean Islands. You’ll drop anchor at Isola Bella where an immense Baroque palace sits carved out of the island’s base. Its grounds are packed with strikingly vibrant gardens of rare and tropical plants, and also formal parterres. Stendhal himself once wrote on the spirituality of the place, “these islands waken the emotions even more than St. Peter’s.” At midday, you’ll navigate to nearby Isola dei Pescatori for lunch on your own, and later to Isola Madre to stroll through its five interconnecting gardens set in fragrant woodlands, where you’ll discover an irresistible oasis of tranquility. In late afternoon, you’ll return to Stresa, perhaps for a stroll along the charming lakeside promenade, before dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/D)March 31, 2022 ~ Turin’s Museums and Porta Palazzo Market

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll board your motorcoach and travel out to Turin, located at the foot of the Alps. Turin was the first capital of Italy in the 19th century and features some outstanding architecture – best appreciated with a stroll through the center, pausing for coffee or hot chocolate. Meet your local guide and spend the day seeing its most famous museums - the Car Museum and the Shroud Museum - and strolling along the Napoleonic boulevards, colonnades, and grand squares, enjoying lunch on your own along the way. If you enjoy street markets, Turin has something very special for you, as the largest open-air food market in town is also the biggest one in Europe: Porta Palazzo. Browse through the meat, cheese and bread stands and taste local products at the farmers’ market. Later in the afternoon, you’ll ride back to Stresa for dinner at the hotel.Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/D)April 1, 2022 ~ Wines of Gattinara and Lovely Lake Orta After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll depart for the rolling hills of Piedmont at the foot of the lower Alps. Here you’ll spend your day exploring the vineyards of Gattinara on opposite banks of the Sesia River, which boast world-class wines under the prestigious DOCG label. In Gattinara, you’ll visit a wine cellar for an informative tasting of the town’s specialty. Traditionally made with Nebbiolo grapes and small additions of Vespolina and Bonardo di Gattinara, the wine has an orange-red color, violet aroma and harmonious yet lightly acidic taste. After lunch on your own, you’ll head to Lake Orta, a small gem often referred to as the “secret little sister” of Lakes Maggiore and Como. Described by the NY Times and The Guardian as a place of extraordinary beauty, it’s astonishing how few people - even Italians - know about this beautiful secret. After just a short boat ride from the jetty of Orta San Giulio, you’ll find yourself on San Giulio Island, housing an ancient basilica and 19th-century seminary. Dinner is on your own tonight back in Stresa.Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B)April 2, 2022 ~ Bustling Milan - from Leonardo to Armani

*** Please note that itineraries may be subject to change.

Call today to reserve your space!!! Reservations for “Lakes of Northern Italy!” are accepted on a first come/first served basis.

An initial $650.00 deposit is required to hold space on this tour. This deposit is fully refundable up to December 17, 2021. Final Payment is due in the TRIPS office on or before December 17, 2021.

Therefore, please make sure that payment is submitted to your club director at least 15 days prior to this date. 100% non-refundable as of December 17, 2021.

Contact Laurie Baker at (419) 521-2712 or email lbaker@mymechanics.comWe accept most major credit cards.

Make checks payable to Mechanics Bank/The Good Life c/o Laurie Baker 2 South Main Street Mansfield, OH 44902Passport Name: ________________________ DOB: ______________Compliant DL: ________________ Ohio effective on October 1, 2020

Inclusions • Roundtrip airport transfers including gratuities• Roundtrip int’l airfare to Milan, Italy (checked baggage fees not included)• Private, deluxe motor coach throughout the itinerary with an English

speaking tour escort• 8 nights hotel accommodations in Stresa on Lake Maggiore• Italian style continental buffet breakfasts daily at your hotel• 5 table d’hote 3-course dinners at your hotel• 1 dinner en route from Venice to Stresa• 1 lunch at a local restaurant in Locarno, Switzerland• Wine, water and coffee included with all dinners• All sightseeing and admissions described in the itinerary including the

Borromean Islands, Turin museums, Gattinara winery, Lake Orta, Armani Silos Museum, Centovalli Train, Lake Como, Villa Carlotta and more

• Excursions to Turin, Milan, Venice and Locarno, Switzerland• Porterage of 1 full size suitcase, per person• All taxes and government fees• Passports are required for this tour!

After breakfast, you’ll travel through the scenic Lakes District to arrive in the bustling cosmopolitan city of Milan. Enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of the city, viewing its most important monuments, including La Scala Theatre, the Duomo, the Galleria … and Leonardo’s Last Supper, his great masterpiece. One of only about six finished works during his time in Milan, the painting’s smoky shading creates incredible depth. Your guide will offer some rich commentary on the history of this great work, and its recent and arduous 20-year restoration. After lunch on your own, you’ll visit the city’s most recent symbol of Italian art, the brand new Armani Silos Museum. Giorgio Armani’s own exhibit displays his works of art dedicated to his fashion designs of the last 40 years. You’ll then travel back to Stresa to enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/D)April 3, 2022 ~ The Centovalli Train to Locarno, Switzerland! After your hotel breakfast, don’t forget to bring your passport before leaving for Domodossola at the foot of the Simplon Pass, deep in a famous Alpine valley, where you’ll board the Centovalli Train. The almost-40-mile narrow gauge railway crosses the impressive heights of viaducts, going down deep ravines and along thundering waterfalls, through sunlit chestnut forests and fertile vineyards, taking you on hairpin bends and deep tunnels. You’ll ride straight through the Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) region, from Domodossola, Italy to Locarno, Switzerland, in just two hours. The scenery allows you to view the wild Melezza River as well as numerous densely forested valleys strewn with jagged rocks. You'll have some time to stroll through the ancient downtown district in Locarno, around the Piazza Grande, and enjoy a group lunch. Late in the afternoon you’ll ride back to Stresa.Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/L)April 4, 2022 ~ High Speed Train to Magical Venice

This morning after an early breakfast, you’ll head to Venice via high speed train from Milan. When you reach the Lagoon, you’ll meet your local guide for a walking tour of this amazing city. You’ll visit St. Mark’s Basilica, constructed from the plundered marble of conquered cities by the Venetian Empire, and see the famed Doge’s Palace. You might then choose to enjoy an optional gondola ride through the canals. After lunch on your own, you can spend your afternoon at leisure or pursue your personal interests in culture, art, or history, before your train back to Milan and coach transfer to Stresa, with your dinner en-route. Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/D)April 5, 2022 ~ Stunning Lake Como in Depth After breakfast, rest your arms and legs with today’s excursion to Lake Como. The lush green shores of Como have drawn people from all over since the ancient Roman Empire. Ringed by snowcapped Alps and trees of lemon and pomegranate, this romantic lake is the perfect retreat from everyday life. Your first stop is in downtown Como for a brief orientation tour of this charming lakeside resort, before some time for shopping. Strolling the main promenade, you’ll pass a long row of elegant boutiques and shops filled with stylish clothing and artisan crafts from the region. After lunch on your own, head to neighboring Cadenabbia for a tour of 18th-century Villa Carlotta, perhaps the most beautiful villa on Lake Como’s shoreline. Its magnificent park and gardens are only a prelude to the vast neoclassical art treasures found inside. Later you’ll return to Stresa to enjoy your farewell dinner.Overnight: Stresa - Hotel Regina Palace (B/D)April 6, 2022 ~ Arrivederci! Breakfast is served prior to your departure to Milan airport for your flight back to the USA. Joyful memories of your Lakes of Northern Italy tour will stay happily with you for a lifetime! (B)

The taxes, fuel surcharges, and other fees imposed by airlines and cruise lines have been included in the cost of your tour as of printing on March 22, 2021. Any increases in these fees or baggage fees imposed by any air carriers or cruise lines are the responsibility of the individual passenger. TRIPS makes arrangements with airlines, hotels and other independent parties to provide travel services

you purchase. We do not own or operate any of the accommodation, transport or other facilities used in connection with our programs. We therefore cannot accept liability for negligence of the staff of these organizations. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. TRIPS is not liable in the event of any failure by any person or company to render any

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consequences resulting therefrom, and such expenses are to be borne by the traveler. Specific airline Conditions of Carriage will apply. These conditions are the subject of International Agreements and may limit or exclude liability. The participant waives any claim against TRIPS for any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, due to any act or negligence of any airlines, surface transportation companies, hotels or any person rendering any of the services or accommodations included. TRIPS cannot be held responsible for any claims, losses, damages for delay of baggage or other properties, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset and disappointment, distress or frustrations, whether physical or mental, resulting from the act or omission of any party providing services. The participant assumes and understands that all travel has inherent risk that may result in injury or death and that participation in activities, including but not limited to: driving, hiking, walking, touring, visiting archaeological sites, walking on uneven surfaces, riding on rough roads, rafting, boating, riding in helicopters, on trains, boats, swimming, horseback and any other activities. The

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Trip cancellation/interruption

Travel Protection is available and recommended.

Check with your club representative for

details.

Lakes of Northern Italy! $6,698.00

per person / double occupancy

Single Supplement is an additional $898.00

CST # 2057913-10