Sightseeing & walking holiday in Italy: Lago d'Iseo, Vallecamonica, Bergamo. Self-guided sightseeing 'mini-break' showing the true character of Bergamo and Vallecamonica in just a few days. This tour offers a beautiful way to have a real 'taste' of an Italian alpine valley. 2 full days visiting Bergamo and Lake Iseo, and a full day exploring Vallecamonica - the World capital of Prehistoric Rock Drawings. Primarily full-day, leisurely sightseeing itineraries.
What's included: B&B hotel accommodation |> Trip Guide |> travel instructions and detailed |> self-guided daily itineraries.
What's not: Flights.
To book: Check or
email
or call +44 (0)845 0944 669.
Day 1: Transfer Day. For those flying to Bergamo airport, try to arrive before 4pm for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Lovere on Lake Iseo.
Day 2: Lovere and Monteisola (both listed amongst Italy's most beautiful towns). Easy going sightseeing itinerary around Lake Iseo. Visit the eleven villages on the Island of Monteisola.
Start the day with a boat trip from Lovere to Monteisola (0h20). Disembark on the pier, in the village of Siviano, before a cluster of ancient houses. Peschiera Maraglio, once almost entirely inhabitated by fishermen, seems to be have been conceived, like certain other places in southern Italy, more for living outside than inside its dwellings. Hike to Cure, at 500m above sea level, the highest village. From here, one can enjoy the most beautiful view of the Lake.
After lunch in one of the villages, catch the boat back to Lovere and discover the beauties of this town, starting from harbour square, one of the most beautiful on Lake Iseo (some compare it to that of Portofino).
Optional walk up to the top of Monteisola for those who wish to see the beautiful view from the hills above.
Full or half-day, light and leisurely, independent self-guided itinerary. The 'light' itinerary is to Siviano and Peschiera Maraglio on Monteisola and Lovere only and the hike to Cure is optional on the day - do as little or as much as you wish.
View photos of Lago d'Iseo.
Day 3: A Day in Bergamo (Città Alta, Città Bassa, historical buildings, shopping). - Bergamo Città Alta (the upper city), ancient and quiet. Bergamo Città Bassa (the lower city), the typical hustle and bustle of modern italian lifestyle. The oldest part of the town, enclosed within walls, lays on the hill while the modern centre has developed on the plain. Catch the funicular railway from one part of the city to the other.
Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the old town, is enriched by remarkable historical buidlings such as the Palazzo del Comune or the Palazzo della Ragione. Bergamo prides itself with some of the best restaurants and "enoteche" (wine bars) in Lombardy. Bus trip into Bergamo takes just 45 minutes.
Full or half-day, light and leisurely, independent self-guided itinerary. The 'light' itinerary is to the Città Alta of Bergamo only - visits to the Città Bassa, historical buildings, shopping streets and up the funicular railway are optional on the day. View photos of Bergamo.
Day 4: Prehistoric Rock Drawings (UNESCO World Heritage site). Capo di Ponte, Bienno. Easy going sightseeing itinerary visiting Naquane National Park. Vallecamonica, situated in the Lombardy Alps, has one of the world's greatest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs – more than 140,000 symbols and figures carved in the rock over a period of 8,000 years and depicting themes connected with agriculture, navigation, war and magic. - The prehistoric Rock Art is the principal element of the Park: signs, images, symbols engraved on rocks in open air by ancient people that settled in this valley. - Start the day with a bus trip (0h45) to Capo di Ponte. Choose one of the walking itineraries in the Park: 1,2, or 3 hours.
On the way back to Lovere, stop in the medeval village of Bienno (also listed amongst Italy's most beautiful towns). Time for a stroll around and perhaps an early dinner before catching the bus back (0h30) to your hotel.
Full or half-day, light and leisurely, independent self-guided itinerary. The 'light' itinerary is to Capo di Ponte only and the visit to Bienno is optional on the day - do as little or as much as you wish. View photos of the Naquane National Park.
Day 5: Transfer day. For those flying from Bergamo, arrange an afternoon/evening flight for a relaxed transfer to airport.
The following photos have been carefully taken & selected
by us to give a fair impression of the hotel and surroundings.
In the case of Short Breaks with a day to day itinerary detailed
above, the photos have been selected to give you an impression
of the places visited.
Explore Bergamo and Vallecamonica by foot. Each day you'll start with a stroll to the nearby bus station, never more than a 10 minute walk from your hotel. A short trip along the valley by bus will then take you to the cities, towns and fishing villages of your choice, where you can explore using our self-guided itineraries. Take the bus back at the end of the day before or after your evening meal. Vallecamonica is a true paradise. Largely undiscovered by mass tourism, quaint Italian villages line the lakeside in this spectacular part of Italy. Majestic snow caped mountains tower above the valley where neolithic man settled over 10.000 years ago because of its microclimate.
We understand that people like to keep their independence so we offer the benefits of local knowlegde so that you get the most out of your stay here in the time available. How better to explore more intimately the charms of Lago d'Iseo, Bergamo, and Vallecamonica, than with our independent, self-guided route guides supplied.
Ideal for those who'd like to better explore Bergamo, Vallecamonica and the UNESCO Rock Grafiti park, with a variety of self-guided itineraries. These are independent tours for those who wish to visit and take their time to wander around some of the region's most famous and beautiful towns.
Holiday starts and ends in Bergamo. Fly to Bergamo or Milan. Railway and bus services to resort village from Milan.
Hotels: You will be staying in the resort village pictured above, in front of the lake at the charming 3 star hotel pictured to the right. It is extremely well situated for much of this region. This is the hotel in Lovere where you would stay. It is in the main square, on the water front, opposite from where the ferry goes to Montisola. Additional nights in the Lovere cost from 50 euros pppn. Additional nights in Bergamo cost from 55 euros pppn. Spend an extra day or two to better explore the city, museums and galleries. Prices based on 2 people sharing a double room, otherwise a single supplement applies.
NOTE:
1. Prices in 'euros' and based on 2 people sharing a double room,
otherwise a single supplement applies. Prices for bookings during
the winter months can be up to 20% less. Flights and transfers
not included unless specified.
2. The hotels, guest houses and B&Bs presented represent
some of the more charming places to stay and are very well situated
for exploring the surrounding towns, cities and countryside -
always within easy reach of a regional airport. Having visited
virtually all hotels in each of the places presented, we believe
these hotels offer the best combination of price and quality
available.
3. Fly-Train holidays: fly to the recommended airport
and take a train to the place you will be staying for your Short
Break. For packages with airport transfers included, please note
the following differences;
i). Airport transfer train tickets only: Transfer train tickets
are forwarded to you with your Trip Guide prior to your departure.
ii). Escorted airport transfers by train with separate luggage
transfers: After you have collected your luggage, we will meet
you at the airport arrivals hall and accompany you to your hotel
by train. Your luggage will be taken separately to your hotel,
leaving you free to travel in comfort. Escorted transfers are
only available on Short Breaks arriving and departing on Wednesdays
and Sundays, unless stated otherwise.
iii). Airport transfer times are generally less than 1 hour by
train, and are often included in the package price.
4. Fly-MeetU holidays: fly to the recommended airport
where we will meet you on your arrival and take you to your hotel
either by car or mini-bus.
5. Fly-Drive holidays: these short-breaks are typically
in places that are not served by regular public transport or
areas deserving further independent exploration under your own
steam. Therefore, we thoroughly recommend that you arrange car-hire
at your point of arrival in Italy, or use your own car if driving
down.
6. All our Short Breaks can be extended by as many days as you
wish - please ask for a quotation.
