In the 19th century, European aristocracy discovered the medieval village of Cernobbio on Lake Como. Today you can do the same, savoring la dolce vita in Italy’s romantic Lake District. You’ll visit stunning lakeside towns—Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Stresa—framed by Alpine scenery and lush orchards, filled with Renaissance villas and fairy-tale gardens. This region captivated Byron, Shelley, Hemingway, and Puccini. Learn why as you enjoy a private cruise on Lake Como; behold Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, in Milan; and visit the picturesque 18th-century Villa Balbianello and its elaborate terraced gardens. Trip highlights include meeting local citizens at a village forum, and a hands-on Italian cooking class.

For more information, call Smith Travel at (800) 225-2029, or contact us via e-mail at alumtrav@smith.edu. You can reserve space on this or any trip by downloading and filling out our pre-registration form (available here in PDF format). You may fax the completed form to (413) 585-2015 or mail it to the address below.

Mail to:
Smith Travel
Alumnae House
33 Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01063

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A cruise across Lake Maggiore to the Borromean Islands, famous for 17th-century palaces and gardens A private culinary workshop at the Centro Studi Alberghiero Casnati The Aldo Galli Academy of Fine Arts, one of Europe’s preeminent centers of art restoration Click here to download the advance trip flyer and registration

Alfonso Procaccini, professor of Italian language and literature

Duration: 9 days Activity level: Moderately active Cost: From $3,195 per person, based on double occupancy Single supplement: $800 per person Deposit: $600 per person, payable to Thomas P. Gohagan & Company