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PROPOSALS
TURIN, SUSA VALLEY AND ORTA LAKE
- 3 days/2 nights -
possibility of a guide only for groups of, at least, 10 people
From Turin among the abbeys of the Val di Susa to the romantic corners of paradise of Lake Orta
1st day: arrival in Turin by own vehicle or by hired bus. The first stop in the Savoy capital is the Parco del Valentino, an authentic green lung of the city which extends along the river Po and which preserves some peculiarities worthy of an in-depth visit. In fact, there is the Medieval Castle, built in 1884 for the Italian General Exposition, in the style of the famous Fenis Castle, in the Aosta Valley. Inside it houses the medieval village with artisan shops where you can relive the life and atmosphere of past centuries. Next to it there is the Rocky Garden, a small oasis of greenery and tranquility, in which numerous water features, streams, streets, benches and rest points, plants and flower beds are scattered throughout the year. Lastly, the Castello del Valentino, still known today as one of the most magnificent Royal Residences. We will then move to the nearby Monte dei Cappuccini, where you can admire one of the most suggestive views of the city. After lunch, free walk in the city center in absolute freedom starting from Piazza Castello, where the Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama are located, continuing alongside the Teatro Regio under the arcades of Via Po until you reach Piazza Vittorio Veneto and admire a landscape from postcard with the Gran Madre di Dio, the Monte dei Cappuccini and the river Po. Then, along the other side of the arcades of via Po, you return to Piazza Castello to take via Roma, the most prestigious street in the city with its shops fashion, perfect for a little shopping, and you arrive in Piazza San Carlo, a true elegant living room of the city, where in the center stands the statue of the Caval d'Brons, dedicated to Emanuele Filiberto of Savoia and in the background the two twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo. It is then obligatory to end the day with a "bicerin" in one of the many historic cafes in the city. At the end, check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day: after breakfast, departure for Buttigliera Alta. Visit of the monastic complex of Sant’Antonio di Ranverso, on the stretch of the Via Francigena between Rivoli and Avigliana, at the entrance to the Susa Valley. It is one of the most famous examples of international Gothic. In a well-preserved natural setting, the architectural complex still appears perfectly recognizable today in its original composition, including, in addition to the church, the monastery, with an adjoining cloister, the hospital, where the Antonian monks provided assistance to the sick of the so-called fire of Sant'Antonio, as well as an articulated system of farmhouses. Continuing photo stop at the Avigliana Lakes and at the Madonna dei Laghi Sanctuary, where a natural balcony overlooks Lake Grande. Following lunch in agriturismo in Mattie, immersed in unspoiled nature. Continue to Susa, an important city at the time of the Romans, which still retains indelible traces of that past among which the Arch of Augustus, the Amphitheater and the Roman Aqueduct and the Porta Savoia or "del Paradiso" stand out. The last stop is the Novalesa Abbey, which includes a monastic building, an abbey church, a splendid park and four medieval chapels inside which you can admire splendid medieval frescoes. From the Abbey, with a 10-minute walk, you can reach the waterfalls, a natural paradise, immersed in a naturalistic landscape of great interest. At the end, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
3rd day: after breakfast, departure for Orta San Giulio. Visit of the splendid little town on the shores of the homonymous lake. From the top of the village, the stately palaces with open galleries opening into the gardens slope down to the lake. Among the things to see is Piazza Motta, the living room of Lake Orta. Closed on three sides by the arcades, you can discover the local specialty shops and then drink an aperitif or a cappuccino, in one of the many cafes practically arranged on the water. Picturesque public motorboats leave from Piazza Motta and in five minutes will take you to the island of San Giulio, whose origins are shrouded in legend. In fact, they said that it was once inhabited by snakes and monsters until San Giulio, in 390 AD, crossing Lake Orta supported only by his cloak and guided by his stick, released it. Among the many things to see on this small island, the cloistered monastery of the Benedictine nuns certainly deserve, and the Basilica of San Giulio, a small Romanesque church with interesting Baroque influences. Returning to the mainland, lunch in a restaurant and towards Omegna, famous for the Nigoglia, the small stream that goes upwards flowing towards the Alps instead of towards the sea, in the town hall square.
To enjoy this tidy town like a little Switzerland, strolling along the pedestrian streets that run along the Nigoglia and reach the lakefront. Last stop Pella, on the western shore of Lake Orta. To see there is certainly the medieval tower which can be reached by walking along the lakefront, the small landing stage because from there you can admire the island of San Giulio from a very particular perspective and the church of San Filiberto, with the oldest chapel in all the western coast of Lake Orta. In Piazza Ravedoni, then, there is one of the few ancient wash houses still in good condition. Here the women did their laundry when bad weather prevented them from reaching the lake. Finally, one of the most picturesque places in the whole lake: the ancient bridge over the Pellino, which connects Pella with the Oratory of San Rocco.
Euro 340,00 for person
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