Italy Knitting Holidays with Beth Brown-Reinsel
$5,495
per person, twin share (land tour only).
$890 supplement for single room.
Tour Leader
Tour Info
OVERVIEW
Explore the beauty and charm of northern Italy on this 13-day tour of Milan, Chiavenna, and Venice.
Start in business first Milan, the country’s fashion and financial capital. Stroll through the historic city and participate in a unique fashion workshop. Enjoy the beauty of the lake region, visit Como and glimpse into the history of this silk region.
Next settle into the charming alpine town of Chiavenna nestled among the Italian Alps with dramatic views in all directions. Taste treats await in a hands-on Italian cooking class. Mix wonderful knitting sessions led by Beth with times to explore more of this region including Switzerland’s St. Moritz. Then on to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, and a city like no other, it must be experienced to be believed.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Milan - Milan, city, capital of Milano province and of the region of Lombard, northern Italy. It is the leading financial centre and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy.
- Lake Como - Lake Como, locally known as Lago di Como or Lario, is the third largest Italian lake (after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore). Located at the foot of the Alps, Lake Como offers some of the most romantic and picturesque scenery in Italy. Its characteristic inverted-Y shape comes from the melting of glaciers combined with the erosive action of the Adda river.
- Venice - Venice, city, major seaport, and capital of both the province of Venezia and the region of Veneto, northern Italy. An island city, it was once the centre of a maritime republic. It was the greatest seaport in late medieval Europe and the continent’s commercial and cultural link to Asia. Venice is unique environmentally, architecturally, and historically, and in its days as a republic the city was styled la Serenissima, “the most serene” or “sublime”.
Detailed Itinerary
START & FINISH
The tour starts at 3:00pm on Wednesday, September 25, at Hotel Una Galles in Milan.
The tour ends after breakfast on Monday, October 7, at Hotel Firenze in Venice.
Arrival and departure airport/hotel transfers are not included.
Itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Wednesday September 25
Arrive Milan
Individual arrivals to Milan. Check in at the hotel. Meeting the tour members at 6:30 pm in the lobby.
Welcome dinner in local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 Thursday September 26
Milan
Discover vibrant, fashion-forward Milan with a guided walking tour. Marvel at Milan monuments like the Duomo cathedral and the 18th-century Scala theatre, then browse the designer boutiques of the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Attend a unique workshop experience and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of custom fashion with designer and tailor Fiorella Ciaboco. Enjoy free time to browse Designer Boutiques on Via Monte Napoleone. (B)
Day 3 Friday September 27
Milan to Chiavenna
Depart from Milan by coach after breakfast to drive north to Lake Como. Visit Como silk museum (Museo didattico della seta). The museum shows the cultural and entrepreneurial tradition of silk in Como with machines, looms, fabrics and stories that had huge impacts on the territory. Followed by free time for lunch in the town of Como before driving along the full length of the lake to the historic town of Chiavenna.
Arriving for check in and dinner in the heart of this charming town, our base for 5 nights. (B D)
Day 4 Saturday September 28
Chiavenna
Italy’s most iconic dish by far is pasta, and with this hands-on cooking class, you can discover the secrets to turning out fresh pasta dishes like an authentic Italian “nonna” with a local chef. Today we learn how to prepare “sfoglia”, or sheet of pasta, and then cut or shape it to suit your sauce. Once both pasta and sauce are ready, relax over lunch to enjoy what you’ve prepared.
Afternoon is at leisure or join Beth for a knitting session at hotel. (B)
Day 5 Sunday September 29
Chiavenna
After breakfast drive to a Cheese Farm for a demonstration of local cheese-making including ricotta, goat’s milk ice-cream, typical pasta of the Valtellina area. All very typical of this mountainous part of Italy. Then travel to the world-famous village of Bellagio located at the tip of the promontory. After strolling through the village and browsing the small shops we continue to Menaggio and visit Villa Balbianello. Return to hotel in the afternoon and enjoy a knitting lesson with Beth. (B D)
Day 6 Monday September 30
Excursion to St. Moritz
Today we drive to St Moritz to explore this upmarket resort. St. Moritz is among Switzerland’s leading luxury resorts, but there’s more to the Engadin town than just modern glitz and glamor. Uncover St. Moritz’s unique history, see its stand-out attractions, and learn more about its culture and architecture. (B)
Day 7 Tuesday October 1
Chiavenna
Knitting session in the morning. Afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
Day 8 Wednesday October 2
Chiavenna to Venice
Depart by coach for Venice stopping to visit Padova or Verona before arriving mid-afternoon at our hotel on the mainland. Get our first sight of Venice, the city on water, at nighttime for an amazing experience. (B D)
Day 9 Thursday October 3
Venice
After breakfast, we walk through the narrow ‘calle’ with water on either side to the heart of the city St Mark’s Square. Enjoy 2 hours walking tour to visit the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and Glass-Blowing demonstration. Free time for lunch or maybe watch the world go by, sitting at one of the cafés on St Mark’s Square. (B)
Day 10 Friday October 4
Venice
Off to the island of Burano, famous for lacemaking. You'll witness the mesmerizing tapestry of colorful houses and the time-honored traditions of lacemaking. Visit the quiet, calm island of Torcello before returning to Venice for Mask-Making workshop. (B D)
Day 11-12 Saturday-Sunday October 5-6
Venice
These days are at free at leisure. Farewell dinner on October 6. (B, D on October 6)
Day 13 Monday October 7
Depart Venice
Our tour concludes after breakfast. (B)
Included meals are indicated with B, L, D.
Tour Leader
BETH BROWN-REINSEL
Beth Brown-Reinsel has been teaching historic and traditional knitting workshops, nationally and internationally, for over 30 years. Her focus has been to bridge the gap from 19th century knitting, fashion, and culture to present-day practices, making a connection to women, their daily lives, and their handwork. She has traveled to over 20 countries to research textiles, visiting museums to examine artifacts, gaining inspiration for the development of new knitting patterns and workshops. Her books, DVDs, and workshops explore historic knitting from many cultures, including the UK, Scandinavia, and the Baltic. Beth so enjoys working with knitters that she holds two retreats each year in Vermont beyond her busy teaching schedule. Her work can be seen on her website (www.KnittingTraditions.com) and on her Patreon project (www.Patreon.com/BethBrownReinsel).
Inclusions
TOUR INCLUSIONS
What is included in the tour price?
- 12 nights’ accommodation on a twin-share basis in 4-star hotels
- All breakfasts, most lunches and dinners
- Travel by private, comfortable air-con vehicle
- Services of well-qualified English-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees to museums, galleries, and attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
What is not included in the tour price?
- International airfares
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and anything not mentioned
Hotels
HOTELS
Milan, Una Galles or similar (2 nights)
https://www.gruppouna.it/en/unahotels/unahotels-galles-milano
Ghiavenna, Hotel San Lorenzo or similar (5 nights)
https://www.sanlorenzochiavenna.it/
Venice, Hotel Firenze or similar (5 nights)
https://www.hotel-firenze.com/
Tour Details
Places AvailableBookings
For further information or to secure a place on this tour please contact:
877 235 3767
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