Leave central Milan by air-conditioned coach, and relax as your guide gives a little background to the places taken in on your tour. Your first stop is Bergamo, roughly an hour of Milan. Hop out of your coach in the town’s modern center, and then travel up to Bergamo Old Town — known to the locals as Citta’ Alta — by the quaint mountain tram.
On a walking tour, make your way around winding alleyways that zigzag around the town’s medieval buildings. The narrow cobblestone streets frequently open up onto pretty piazzas, tucked away from sight, making for a walk that offers a snapshot of quintessential Italy.
After exploring Citta’ Alta, travel on to the Brembana Valley, a scenic stretch of Lombardy that takes its name from the Brembana River. Agriturismi (Italy’s rustic farm-come-guesthouse properties) are common in the area, so make a stop at one of the best to sample some of their homegrown produce.
Continue to the town of Camerata Cornello, and stretch your legs on a 5-minute stroll to the lovely medieval village of Cornello dei Tasso. Here, you’ll be greeted by a local dressed in the famous Arlecchino mask, one of the best-known costumes of the Italian commedia dell’arte. Learn about the mask’s origins and hear more historical tidbits about Lombardy life before the return walk back to your coach.
Then, it’s on to the final destination of your day: San Pellegrino Terme. Famous for its production of mineral water, the town also has another major draw — its casino. The strikingly elegant building, noted for its art nouveau (or Italian liberty style) architecture, was first opened as a plush spa. After a walk around the building with your guide, make your way back to your coach.
Your tour then finishes with a drop-off at the start point in Milan in the early evening.
