Tours designed and leadered by our Experts
Immersive week ends to discover your passion
One day special moments within your passion
Hands-on: explore your passion with the artisans
Art Guide always present
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size: Min. 6 Max. 10
Price: 4.900€ (per person)
Next Departures:
21 – 28 September
Coming soon new dates
Cancellation policy and safety measures
Our small group or private journeys can be fully customized. We can help you to design a lifetime cultural tailor-made experience.
Please contact us for further details.
info@elestatravel.it
Threads of Inspiration: Lace & Embroidery
This itinerary takes place in Brianza, north of Milan, a land in which there is a great tradition in lace and lace embroidery – here there is a bobbin lace school in Cantù, the center famous for its particular lace. The tour is based in an aristocratic villa from the 1700s, surrounded by a large park. The concomitance with the Biennial of Lace and Lace in Cantù will give the opportunity to visit the exhibition, even with an optional extension of 2 days (more info on request). The Villa is a perfect example of the local 18th century architecture, over time it has seen stories of family rides, undisturbed games in the large park. The lace making courses will be held in the vast rooms, furnished with original period furniture. In less than an hour from the Villa you can reach Como with its wonderful lake or even visit the center of Milan
Day 1 / MILAN
Arrival at Malpensa airport and private transfer to the Villa.
On-site dining – The meals prepared in the Villa will be worthy of a noble house, focusing much on the aspect of the overall experience of the meal, rather than on the food itself. For a moment, closing your eyes, you will be able to relive the tradition of the great noble lunches around the laid tables.
Day 2 / COMO
On this second day we will go to nearby Como to visit a fabric company that believes in the culture of beauty: here we will learn the production process of a fabric, from conception to creation. Followed by a visit to the company store.
After a happy hour in the garden of the Foundation, we will discover a museum that houses precious fabrics. Followed by a guided tour of Como, the city of silk.
Dinner and overnight at the Villa.
Day 3 / BRIANZA - CASATENOVO
In the morning visit to a Villa in the area which preserves marvelous tapestries and laces. After lunch, the group starts with the first of the three days of the course, learning the art of creating lace and the main techniques used.
Dinner and overnight at the Villa.
Day 4 / BRIANZA - CASATENOVO
In the morning, visit to a local cheese producer (or a brewery or a winery).
After lunch we continue with the second day of the course, focused on the bobbin lace technique.
Later, relax in the park of the Villa, to choose the flowers with which the centrepiece will be packaged.
Dinner and overnight at the Villa.
Day 5 / CASATENOVO - ABBADIA LARIANA
The day will start with the third and last day of the course.
After lunch in the Villa, transfer to Lake Como, in a small village where you will visit the local museum dedicated to the manufacture of silk.
Dinner in a charming restaurant in Abbadia Lariana (Lecco) to taste delicious lake fish.
Overnight at the Villa
Day 6 / MILAN
In the morning, private transfer to Milan: walk in the city center to discover its history by visiting its famous churches and palaces. Visit to the Poldi Pezzoli Museum and its collection of ancient fabrics.
Visit the Duomo, the majestic cathedral of the city. Lunch on the top floor of La Rinascente, to see Milan from a unique point of view.
In the afternoon visit to the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, a house-museum in the center of Milan.
Dinner and overnight at the Villa.
Day 7 / VARESE - CASATENOVO
The last day of our tour will move to Varese, a very interesting town where we will discover another villa, this time from the 19th century, enriched by period furniture and with a very large park around it.
Here we will meet the local tradition of beekeeping and honey production.
After lunch visit to the Sacri Monti di Varese, a UNESCO heritage site: a group of chapels dedicated to a particular aspect of the Christian faith, integrated into the natural context of hills and woods; arrival at the small village at the top.
Return to the Villa, where we will witness a table setting for aristocratic banquets.
Dinner and overnight at the Villa.
Day 8 / DEPARTURE
Breakfast and private transfert to Malpensa Airport.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included:
- Expert guide
- Entrance fees
- Accommodation (4* or equivalent)
- Private transfers
- Breakfast
- Meals as mentioned
- Domestic flights (if any)
- Private boat tours (if any)
- Workshops (if any)
Not included:
- International flights
- Tips
- Beverage
Cancellation Policy and Safety Measures
As restrictions and mobility are constantly being changed and evaluated to help contain the spread of Covid 19, we have adopted a policy of 100% refund and total flexibility. We believe uncertainty should not keep you away from dreaming of your next destination. Please contact us to be informed on the evolution of the situation in Italy and to learn about details of our cancellation or change policies.
