SEE WHY WE LOVE NORTHERN ITALY

Andiamo in Italia!

Join us this October on a 6-night, 7-day trip to Northern Italy. The week will be a mix of urban and rural as we head from chic Milan to gorgeous Lake Como and the under-appreciated city of Brescia to the off-the-radar Franciacorta wine region. Our trip includes city walks, expert-led food tours, market visits, wine tastings, day trips, shopping, and boutique accommodations.

SEE ITINERARY & FAQs FOR MORE

Each trip is unique so we don't have a one-size-fits-all itinerary, but we work with the same partners to guarantee quality.  Here's a sample itinerary:

Note: Our Milan trip kicks off with a full schedule on Day 1 so we suggest you fly in the day prior.  We can help book you a room in our hotel (not included in the listed rate) so you're well rested (see FAQs for more details). All activities listed are included in the trip price unless otherwise noted with an asterisk.

Day 1: City Tour, Market Visit, and a Classic Dinner

7:00 - 10:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

9:00 -1:00 pM // MARKET VISIT & CITY CENTER FOOD TOUR

Walk the city center while learning about Milan's food and culture

1:00 pM -3:00 PM // MODERN MILANESE LUNCH

Head to one of Milan's latest trendy spots for lunch

3:00 -7:00 PM // Free Time

Relax at the hotel. Walk the neighborhood. Or have our concierge arrange an excursion.

7:30 PM // CLASSIC MILANESE DINNER

Try what is argued to be the best classic food (risotto Milanese!) in the city 

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN MILAN

Day 2: Day Trip To Lake Como 

7:00 - 9:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

9:00AM // DEPART FOR LAKE COMO

Board private transportation for Lake Como

10:30 AM -12:30 PM // LAKE CRUISE

Mid-morning snacks while cruising the Lake Como shoreline

12:30 -2:00 PM // LAKESIDE LUNCH

Lunch like a local at one of the chicest spots on the lake. 

2:00 - 3:00 PM // STROLL BELLAGIO TOWN 

Visit the famous island of Bellagio or just grab a coffee and relax

3:00 PM // DEPART FOR MILAN

Board private transportation for Lake Como

4:30 - 7:30 PM // Free Time

Relax at the hotel. (Or have our concierge arrange an excursion.)

8:00 PM // CONTEMPORARY DINNER

Have an easy (and quick) dinner of fresh farm-to-table fare

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN MILAN

Day 3: Fashion House Visit, Shopping Day, and Aperitivo

7:00 - 10:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

10:00 AM -12:00 PM // HISTORICAL VISIT AND WALK OF BRERA (OPTIONAL)

Head to an unexpected corner of Milan to learn about the city's history

12:30 PM -2:30PM // PRIVATE BOUTIQUE VISIT + LUNCH

Private atelier visit of an up-and-coming Milanese brand followed by lunch

2:30 - 4:00 PM // SHOPPING TIME (OPTIONAL) OR FREE TIME

Time to shop along one of the city's most famous shopping streets

4:00 - 7:00 PM // Free Time

Relax at the hotel. (Or have our concierge arrange an excursion.)

7:00 PM // APERITIVO + LAST MEAL IN MILAN

Do a classic Milanese aperitivo followed by dinner

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN MILAN

Day 4: Milan to Brescia to Lake Iseo

7:00 - 10:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

9:00 AM // CHECK OUT & DRIVE TO BRESCIA

Leave Milan and head to the town of Brescia.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM // BRESCIA WALKING TOUR

Walk the city center of Brescia which has architecture from every major era in Italian history

1:00 - 2:30 PM // CANTINA LUNCH

Have lunch in a family-owned gourmet shop and wine cantina

3:00 - 7:00 PM // CHECK IN TO FRANCIACORTA HOTEL

Check in to the hotel in Franciacorta and relax

7:00 PM // LAKE TOUR AND DINNER

Ferry across the lake to a fully local dinner

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN FRANCIACORTA

Day 5: Wine Tasting In Franciacorta 

8:00 - 8:45 AM // Yoga (optional)

Start your day with a vigorous flow.

7:00 - 10:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

10:00 AM -11:00 AM // WINE TASTING

Head into Franciacorta for a wine tasting of some of the region's premier wines 

11:30 - 2:30 PM // WINE TASTING & LUNCH

Have a relaxing light lunch at an historic winery

3:00 - 6:30 PM // Free Time

Relax at the hotel. (Or have our concierge arrange an excursion.)

7:00 PM // COOKING CLASS, DINNER, & WINE TASTING

Do a cooking class and enjoy some more local wine.

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN FRANCIACORTA

Day 6: Bike Tour and Michelin Dinner

7:00 - 10:00 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM // BIKING TOUR (optional)

Get a tour of the area by biking through the vineyards.

12:00 -2:30 PM // WINE TASTING & LUNCH

Enjoy some more local wine and have a light lunch

3:00 - 7:00 PM // Free Time

Relax at the hotel. (Or have our concierge arrange an excursion.)

7:30 PM // MICHELIN-STAR DINNER

Enjoy a Michelin-starred restaurant for our last meal together

EVENING // OVERNIGHT IN FRANCIACORTA

Day 7: Head Back Home

8:00 - 8:45 AM // Yoga (optional)

Start your day with a vigorous flow.

7:00 - 9:30 AM // BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT (OPTIONAL)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant at your leisure 

CHECK OUT + DRIVE TO MALPENSA

We'll have two separate vans taking guests back to Malpensa airport and the exact departure times will be determined after we collect guest flight information. FYI, it takes just under 2 hours to go from Franciacorta to Malpensa airport. 

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel Senato Milan

Previously the private home of the Ranza family, this 43-room boutique hotel opened in mid 2015. With a chic design and top-notch hospitality, you could easily spend your day enjoying the airy courtyard, the curated cocktails at the bar, or in the private patio. Its location near the fashionable Montenapoleone street, around the corner from the Modern Art Gallery, and less than a 10 minute walk from the Duomo means you can make the most of your free time. 

Hotel RivaLago, Lake Iseo

Located lakeside in the charming town of Sulzano, this boutique property with 28 rooms feels like home away from home. During your free time you can just kick back with a cocktail and take in the view or enjoy the pool.  Just a few steps from the ferry, you can head across the lake to the island of Monte Isola, home to the Slow Food protected sardina fish and the tallest lake island in Europe, in a matter of minutes. 

Italy FAQs

So, you have a few questions? Well, we've got answers!

• WHY NORTHERN ITALY?
• TRIP ATTENDEES
• TRIP DETAILS
• ACCOMMODATIONS
• LOGISTICS
• SAFETY & PRECAUTIONS
• PRICING & PAYMENT

Why did you guys choose Milan?

Ok, so you’ve probably completed Italy 101. You’ve visited Rome, Florence and Venice, sampled all the gelato your stomach can handle, and gotten all the Duomo Insta pics that your heart desired.

What about Italian 201? Enter Milan, which has been somewhat of an “ugly duckling” (people write it off as too modern) amongst its Italian counterparts, up until now. We think Milan gets a bad rap, and for what? Visitors and locals alike will vouch that Milan is the only Italian metropolis with a true connection to the rest of Europe. Here you’ll find the traditional Italian influences in food, wine and culture, but you’ll also hear a mish-mash of languages being traded over espresso at coffee shops which adds to the worldly heartbeat that is the core of Milanese culture.

The World Fair in 2015, during which Milan played hostess to 22 million guests, ushered in a much-needed modernization of the city. The city benefited in the form of new gardens, attractions, and restaurants to satisfy any new-age traveler with a penchant for art and adventure. The gist? If you haven’t been to Milan recently, trust us and join us.

I've never heard of Franciacorta. What's that all about?

Here’s the deal with Franciacorta: it’s that perfectly quaint Italian region you’ve dreamt of but never heard of. Our founder discovered the region and couldn’t stop raving about its glorious vineyards and it’s beautiful backdrop of the lake. Among Franciacorta’s high points? It is the only region in Italy making wine in the Champagne sparkling method, it’s a getaway for the chicest of Milan residents, there's a glacial lake setting, and lots to do from biking to hiking to wine tasting and spa time. And its close proximity to Verona means we can day trip there in a sec. We’ve been waiting patiently to blow the top off on this best-kept-secret of Italy, and we’re finally ready to share this little slice of heaven exclusively with our Salt and Wind travelers.

What sort of traveler would enjoy the Italy trip?

Our Italy trip is curated for the easy going traveler who enjoys the cross-section of high and low tourism. We’ll be mixing the two often to create an authentically Italian experience for our travelers, meaning one day will be lunch in an alley of Milan with a Panino in hand, and another will be dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The days are long and packed with oodles of activities, and some surprises are in store, so high energy, get-up-and-go attitudes are encouraged.

How many guests are there total? Who else is going on this trip?

We cap these trips at 12 guests and then 3 to 5 staff with us at any given time (including drivers, the photographer, the concierge, tour guides, and our founder/host, Aida Mollenkamp). This makes for a big enough group to keep it lively but small enough you don't feel like its group travel. 

We encourage you to bring a friend, significant other, or family member, because our trips are priced for double occupancy rooms and we think it's always more fun to have a roomie you know. Of course, solo travelers are more than welcome too!

How much travel is involved?

We’re exploring two completely different sides of Italy with this trip, getting an inside look at one of its largest cities, and uncovering the local’s best-kept-secret that is the Franciacorta wine region. 

The entire itinerary takes place within about 100 mile radius so there’s not too much car time. And, we do our best to break it up so you never have to be in the car for more than 2 hours at one time. Of course, unforeseen circumstances or traffic could cause delays but we’ll do our best! 

Can I bring a friend or significant other with me?

Please do! Rooms are priced for double occupancy to make it super simple. Just indicate when you book that you would like to room together so we can arrange it for you!

Are food and drinks covered?

For the most part, yes! All wine tastings and meals listed in the itinerary are included (including 1 alcoholic drink at each lunch and dinner). Our seated meals will be served either family-style, as a fixed menu, or as tasting menus, which allows our restaurant partners to service our large group in a consistent manner. Please inform us in advance of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Will I need extra spending money? Should it be Euros?

If you would like to shop for yourself, there will be a few opportunities to do so. Anything you shop for is to be paid by you, separately. We will make various ATM stops so you can pull out some euros. Oh, and be sure to your bank know your leaving the country.

I don’t speak Italian, is this a problem?

Absolutely not! All of our partners speak Italian and we have Italian speakers on staff.

There’s a lot here — how busy will I be?

We want you to really get to know the areas we’re traveling to but know that you’re on vacation and will want some downtime too! That said most days don’t start until 10AM and we try to pepper in a fair amount of free time in the afternoon as well as optional activities.

What is the weather like? What should I pack?

Northern Italy's weather is similar to the East Coast of the United States. That said Fall temperatures ranges from the low 40s at night to the high 60s during the day and it does rain every once in awhile, so we recommend packing lots of layers, some rain gear, and a few scarves and hats.

We have partnered with hotels that meet the Salt & Wind standards of service. 

Room Options

Double Occupancy

Double occupancy pricing is the price for (1) person to stay in a shared (i.e. double) room. In other words, each person staying in that room will pay the posted double occupancy rate. If you're a couple or friends traveling together, please know that you'll each pay the double occupancy rate. Please indicate if you want two separate beds or one bed so we can plan accordingly.

Single Occupancy

Need some alone time? We hear you. That's why we offer single occupancy rooms. The single occupancy rate is what you will pay to have the room all to yourself. 

Roommates

If you do not have a travel partner, you can purchase single occupancy and have the room all to yourself. Please contact us at travel@saltandwind.com to discuss further. 

How many Americans will I run into? 

The fact it’s an under-appreciated tourism destination? That means it’s not (yet) as touristy as better known regions. While you’ll get to experience it before it becomes overrun, it also means service can vary. An open-minded traveler who is sympathetic to the changing environment of a foreign country will have the best time.

So, do I have to get to Milan from the airport by myself?

Nope! We will be providing private transportation from Milan's Malpensa airport to our hotel so please book your flights into Malpensa airport. 

I don’t live close by. Can you book my flight?

We do not directly book flights nor does the trip price cover airfare from your hometown to Milan, Italy. But, we can help! Just ask and we'll connect you with our travel agent who can assist you with those details.

I need more time off! Can I add additional days on to the trip?

Great! We plan to add on day trips or trip extensions to the trips in the near future. For now, you can use our concierge (for an additional fee) to arrange additional tours, restaurants, or hotel nights. And, if you want to stay longer in Italy or Europe, we can help you get preferred rates with our hotel partners.

I gotta ask...is it safe?

Our team members have all spent an extensive amount of time traveling, drinking, eating, shopping and hanging out in all of the locations we will visit.  We would not be running trips there if we didn’t think it was safe, but we urge you to check the U.S. State Department website to make your own determinations. You can also enroll in the STEP program for travel warnings and updates. As with any unfamiliar location, we urge you to take precautions against pickpockets and to minimize traveling with unnecessary valuable goods, like high-end jewelry. All of the hotels we partner with have their own security and safes.

Not to be a downer but what happens in case of a medical emergency?

This area of Italy has a long history of U.S. tourists so the quality of care is excellent. You can also look into buying a MedeVac such as AirMed if you want to be taken somewhere else for medical care.

Do you recommend trip insurance?

Yes, we actually require travel insurance in case you are unable to come due to circumstances beyond your control. There are a variety of services for providing trip insurance and note that many credit cards (such as Chase Sapphire and American Express) include the service as part of a trip purchase. Please check with your credit card to confirm. 

Does Global Entry help with expediting customs?

If you travel a lot, you'll want to look into the CBP Global Entry program, which allow you to have expedited customs experience. Global Entry is used anytime travelers return to the U.S. from an international trip and it help expedite customs and border patrol, so you'll be able to use it above and beyond the Salt & Wind trip too! Also, FYI, Global Entry enrollment includes TSA Pre Check so you'll get both when you apply.

For a specific trip's pricing please visit the "Reserve" section of the site.

For more specifics on payment, head to our general FAQs and be sure to take a look at our Booking Terms and Conditions for the fine print.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Have additional questions? Contact us at travel@saltandwind.com