CITIES OF THE RIVER PO

Day 1 | Thursday 9 April
Arrive Turin
We meet at 7.00pm in the hotel for welcome drinks and introductions, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Turin (D)

Day 2 | Friday 10 April
Augusta Taurinorum
After a talk in our hotel this morning we set off in search of Augusta Taurinorum, the ancient Roman Garrison town on which modern Turin was founded. Our walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, home to the controversial Turin Shroud (although the chapel is not accessible from the Cathedral itself). We also explore the Baroque city with its expansive and elegant series of squares and colonnaded streets. In the afternoon we visit Turin’s iconic architectural landmark, the Mole Antonelliana named after its architect Alessandro Antonelli and which houses the excellent Museo Nazionale del Cinema. We end our visit with spectacular views of the city from the tower’s panoramic observation terrace. Overnight Turin (B)

Day 3 | Saturday 11 April
Medieval Staffarda
Our coach trip today takes us south of Turin into the mountains, for a walk in the fresh air and spectacular alpine scenery before a visit to the Abbey of Staffarda. Despite a ransacking by the French army in 1690, this austerely beautiful abbey, founded by the Cistercians in 1135, remains one of the most complete medieval monastic complexes to be found in Italy. After a break for lunch, we visit the noble residence of Castello della Manta for its delightful 15 century fresco cycle, before heading back to Turin for an evening at leisure. Overnight Turin (B)

Day 4 | Sunday 12 April
Modern Turin
Our day begins with a guided visit of the outstanding Museo Egizio, one of the oldest collections of Egyptian artefacts in the world. After lunch we drive to the avant-garde Linghotto building, famous as FIAT’s first factory with its rooftop test track. As founders of the iconic FIAT Motor Company, the Agnelli family name is inextricably linked to modern Italian history. After Linghotto became obsolete in the 1970s the building was repurposed by the architect Renzo Piano and includes an exceptional art gallery, the Scrigno or casket, displaying works from the Agnelli family’s private collection. After our visit, there is free time to visit Eataly Lingotto, the food destination that celebrates Italy’s Slow Food Movement that was founded in Turin. Overnight Turin (B)

Day 5 | Monday 13 April
Vercelli and Italian Gastronomy
We depart Turin today and continue along the Po to Vercelli, the heart of rice production in Europe and best known for the cultivation of the highly prized carnaroli rice, considered the best variety to use for the iconic risotto dish. Here we have lunch and a tour of one of the rice farms, viewing first-hand the production of this Italian staple. After our visit we continue to Pavia, a city which as Ticinum had been key to the Roman defense of upper Italy and whose wealth and renown grew under the rule of the Visconti family in the 14th century. Overnight Pavia (B, L)

Day 6 | Tuesday 14 April
Pavia
Under the Visconti Dukedom, Pavia became an intellectual and artistic centre and its university, founded in 1361, attracted scholars from across Europe. Our morning tour takes us to the university’s historic centre, the city’s remarkable medieval noble towers and the outstanding churches of San Michele and San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, built in striking Romanesque style. In the afternoon we transfer by coach to the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning ecclesiastical complex built as a family mausoleum and monastery by the Visconti family. Overnight Pavia (B)

Day 7 | Wednesday 15 April
Piacenza and Culatello di Zibello
This morning we depart Pavia for Cremona, birthplace of Antonio Stradivari, master luthier and creator of the world’s most famous violins. En route we stop at the small city of Piacenza with time for lunch and a walking tour of the historic town centre. In the afternoon we visit a producer of culatello di Zibello - one of Italy’s most in-demand cured meats, rarely sold outside the area. The humidity provided by the River Po is the secret ingredient to this delicacy, providing the perfect environment for ageing the product. Arriving in Cremona there is time to check in and freshen up before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Cremona (B, D)

Day 8 | Thursday 16 April
Cremona
Our walking tour takes us through the historic heart of Cremona this morning, visiting the Cathedral and Baptistery square, one of the most beautiful ensembles of architecture in Northern Italy. In the Cathedral we see the extraordinary frescoes of Pordenone and enjoy stunning views across the countryside from the adjacent bell tower. This afternoon we visit the excellent Museo del Violino, which includes pieces by famous Cremonese luthiers, before heading to the Archaeological Museum, an extraordinary collection housed in the former church of San Lorenzo. This evening we have a concert at the Teatro Ponchielli, where Mozart once performed (schedule permitting). Overnight Cremona (B)

Day 9 | Friday 17 April
Fontanellato
We head to Parma today, stopping en route in the town of Fontanellato, dominated by the Rocca di Sanvitale - an extraordinary moated castle. The interior includes an excellent fresco cycle by Parmigianino depicting Diana and Actaeon and an optical chamber which enabled a Sanvitale lord to spy on his subjects as they went about the village. Here we have lunch at a local resturaunt and then continue to Parma, stopping en route to visit a local wine producer to sample the excellent wines of the area. Overnight Parma (B, L)

Day 10 | Saturday 18 April
Parma and the Farnese
Our walking tour this morning includes the spectacular Baptistery and Cathedral complex where the artwork includes Correggio’s masterpiece, The Assumption of the Virgin, and the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, decorated with more of Correggio’s stunning fresco work. The focus of our afternoon tour is the Farnese Palazzo della Pilota, where we enjoy the superb art collection in the National Gallery, the wonderful Farnese library and the jewel in the crown, the Farnese Theatre, one of only three extant Renaissance Theatres. Tonight, we enjoy a concert in the historic Teatro Regio (schedule permitting). Overnight Parma (B)

Day 11 | Sunday 19 April
Parma and the Magnani Rocca Foundation
This morning we visit the monumental Convent of San Paolo, containing more extraordinary frescoes by the prolific Correggio. We then take a short journey outside Parma to visit the Magnani Rocca Foundation situated in the beautiful Villa Magnani surrounded by landscaped gardens. After lunch in the Villa’s restaurant Bistrot, we enjoy a guided visit of the Foundation’s outstanding private collection of old masters and modern art including works by Titian, Monet, Dürer and Morandi. Overnight Parma (B, L)

Day 12 | Monday 20 April
Lunch beside the River Po
We depart Parma today and head towards Mantua, stopping to visit a parmesan cheese producer en route, whetting our appetite for lunch at an excellent local restaurant beside the River Po in Viadana. After lunch we continue on through the flatlands of the Po Valley, arriving in Mantua in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Mantua (B, L)

Day 13 | Tuesday 21 April
Mantua and the Gonzaga
We spend the morning exploring the early Renaissance monuments of Mantua, many built for the Gonzaga family under whose rule the city enjoyed a long period of political prestige and cultural splendour. We visit the Ducal Palace,
a vast agglomeration of medieval and Renaissance structures now housing fine works of art, including Andrea Mantegna’s celebrated Camera degli Sposi or ‘bridal chamber’. We also see the early church of Sant’Andrea, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, and the later Teatro Bibiena, which embodies many ideals of Renaissance humanism and scientific endeavour. The afternoon and evening are at leisure Overnight Mantua (B)

Day 14 | Wednesday 22 April
Sabbioneta and the Palazzo Te
This morning we have a guided tour of the walled town of Sabbioneta, a gem of the Renaissance, where the highlights of our guided visit include the superb 100 metre long Galleria degli Antichi, renowned for its heavily frescoed walls, and the remarkable Teatro All’Antica by Vincenzo Scamozzi. The afternoon is dedicated to the nearby Palazzo Te, an extraordinary pleasure palace on the outskirts of Mantua. The Palazzo’s exceptional decor is the work of Giulio Romano, a student of Raphael’s and one of the finest Mannerist painters of the 16th century. Overnight Mantua (B)

Day 15 | Thursday 23 April
Ferrara and the Este
Today we travel to Ferrara, seat of the Este family and the last of the old Ducal capitals along the Po before it reaches the Adriatic. En route we visit the small town of San Benedetto Po. Listed amongst the most beautiful towns in Italy, it grew up around the Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone, a major Benedictine abbey complex and one of most visited religious monuments in Lombardy. After lunch we continue to Ferrara, enjoying a panoramic tour around the magnificent walls of this beautiful city before arriving at our hotel in the historic centre. After checking in we take an orientation walk of the city centre, completing the day with a degustation of local products and wine at a nearby locale. Overnight Ferrara (B, D)

Day 16 | Friday 24 April
Musei e Palazzi
We spend the morning exploring the medieval centre of Ferrara including a walk through the Jewish quarter and a visit to the cathedral. After lunch we enjoy a guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum which holds excavated artifacts from the Etruscan city of Spina. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Ferrara (B)

Day 17 | Saturday 25 April
The Po Delta
We spend a full day exploring the magnificent Po Delta, an extraordinary wetland area recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 2015. Our first visit is to see the exceptional frescoes at the Abbey of Pomposa before we head to the town of Comacchio, founded in the early Medieval period and famous for its marinated eel industry. Known as ‘little Venice’ the town is built on a lagoon and a series of small islets, connected by bridges. In the afternoon we enjoy a private boat tour on the lagoon before returning to Ferrara. Tonight, we gather for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Ferrara (B, D)

Day 18 | Sunday 26 April
Depart Venice
Our tour concludes after breakfast. We then transfer by coach from Ferrara to Venice Marco Polo Airport, arriving in time for mid-afternoon international flights. (B)