besides expo… - Incoming Mantua

BESIDES EXPO…
MANTUA VS FERRARA THE
DISPUTATION ABOUT “TORTELLI DI
ZUCCA” … BUT NOT ONLY
5 DAYS
Via G. Chiassi, 20/e – 46100 Mantova – tel. 0376 1434771 – fax 0376 1434772
[email protected]
Luce srl. –sede legale Via Arrivabene, 18 – 46100 Mantova
P.iva 02411290204
The tour begins with the discovery of an hidden treasure which was brought back to life thanks to
the contribution of the University of Milan and the Confagricoltura association: you are going to
visit a beautiful palace in the centre of Milan belonging to the XV century, the Casa degli Altellani,
whose garden was once the place of Leonardo da Vinci's famous vineyard, a gift of Ludovico il Moro
which was unfortunately destroyed during the Second World War. Today, after having recognised its
DNA (a Malvasia Candia) it is possible to replant it by following the ancient rows. The tour will
continue by visiting the cities of Mantova and Ferrara, two admirable examples of the Italian
Renaissance, where the debate about the origins of the typical dish tortello di zucca is still open.
All over the province of Mantua you can taste “tortelli di zucca”, which origins are in Renaissance kitchen.
The filling ingredients are: mantuan pumpkin (Traditional product of the Lombardy region), crumbled
amaretti biscuits, apple mostarda (typical dish of these places to taste with cheese) and Grana Padano
cheese. The dressing changes in accord to the areas: sausage, melted butter and sage or tomatoes sauce, but
always with grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano. Mantua is the only province where both Grana
Padano (in the north) and Parmigiano Reggiano (in the south) are produced.
The culinary tradition in Ferrara is various and counts both noble dishes, introduced by Estense Family, and
popular dishes linked to sea and river products. Among the “The 17 pearls of Ferrara”, specialties with an
important role in local economy and traditions, we can mention: the Vogheira Garlic, the Ferrara’s Bread IGP, the Rice of the Delta and “Salama da sugo” IGP (sausage with Renaissance origins). Other products
strictly connected to the territory are: the eels, the clams and the mussels, the pumpkin, the pear and the
watermelon, defined the best of the world. In the end the gingerbread and the “Tenerina” cake. The Bosco
Eliceo wines are perfect to be drunk with traditional dishes.
Along the itinerary that connects the two UNESCO cities you can discover other food and wine excellences,
for example the Onion of Sermide, the white truffle of the area between Felonica and Quistello and the
Lambrusco DOC. The onion of Sermide is an excellence product, that is the principal ingredient of the “tirot”,
the focaccia bread that once was the basic meal of the rural population of this area. In Sermide you can also
find the Mantuan Melon I.G.P.
1st day: Milan
Meeting with the guide and accommodation in hotel. The whole day will be dedicated to (at) the visit of
Expo’s pavillons. Lunch and dinner free during the visit of the exposition. Overnight in hotel.
2nd day: Milan
Meeting with the guide and visit of “Casa degli Atellani” to discover its history from age to age, from
the XVI century to nowadays. Walk in the historical centre of the city. Lunch in restaurant and transfer
to Mantua. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
3rd day: Mantua, UNESCO site
Meeting with the guide in Sordello square. You will begin with the visit of Palazzo Ducale, the majestic royal
palace of the Gonzaga Family. Inside the palace you can admire the Salone degli Specchi; the Sala degli Arcieri,
with two wonderful works: “La famiglia Gonzaga in adorazione della Trinità” by Pietro Paolo Rubens (1605)
and “La moltiplicazione dei pani e dei pesci” by Domenico Fetti (1620); the Appartamento degli Arazzi; the
Sale del Pisanello (1433), where there is the late gothic pictoral cicle with the stories of King Arthur and the
knights round table; the apartment of Guglielmo Gonzaga with the sala dello Zodiaco and the Salone dei
Fiumi that overlooks the hanging garden; the Apartment in Corte Vecchia of the marchioness Isabella d’Este
– Gonzaga, with its legendary Camarini that collects precious art works, the Studiolo and the Grotta; the
famous Camera degli Sposi, masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna. You will continue with a walk in the historical
city centre, admiring the wonderful medieval and Renaissance monuments: the romanic Rotonda di San
Lorenzo, wanted by Matilde di Canossa, Piazza dell’Arengo (now Broletto) with the Podesta Palace, Erbe
Square with the Ragione Palace, the Clock Tower and the gothic Casa del Mercante, Mantegna square with
the beautiful Basilica di Sant’Andrea, masterpiece by the Architect Leon Battista Alberti. Inside there is
Andrea Mantegna’s funerary chapel, with a cupola decorated by Correggio. In the crypt are preserved the
“Sacri Vasi” with the relic of the very precious Christ’s blood, taken there by San Longino. Lunch in a typical
mantuan restaurant where you will taste “tortelli di zucca”. The visit will continue with Palazzo Te, the Villa
of Delights and Pleasures of the prince Federico II Gonzaga, masterpiece of the XVI century by Giulio Pippi
named “Romano”. Remarkable for their frescoes are: the “Sala del Sole” with a pictorical view that recalls
the “Camera degli Sposi” by Mantegna; the “Sala dei Cavalli”; the “Sala di Amore e Psiche”, with frescoes that
illustrate the erotic story of the Apuleio metamorphosis; the “Sala dei Giganti” with the representation of the
con Fall of the Giants punished by Zeus, masterpiece by Giulio Romano. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
4th day: Mantua – Sacchetta di Sustinente - Ostiglia – Borgofranco Po - Sermide – Felonica - Ferrara
Embark on the ship and cruise on the Lakes of Mantua and the River Mincio, passing through the “La
Vallazza” reserve, a wetland of great interest for the peculiarities of its flora and fauna. You will sail trough
the Mincio’s Natural Park and you will reach Governolo where, through a navigation lock, you will be led to
the River Po. You will continue by bus in direction of Ostiglia to visit the Santuario della Comuna and you will
reach Borgofranco Po, where it is possible to visit the Truffle Museum and taste and buy the famous white
truffle. Lunch based on white truffle dishes. You will continue in direction of Sermide where you will visit the
Onion Museum. Then you will go to Felonica and, after a little stop to admire the Church of Matilde di
Canossa’s period, you will arrive to Ferrara. Accommodation in hotel, dinner in restaurant and overnight.
5th day: Ferrara, UNESCO site
Meeting with the guide. You will begin with the guided visit of San Michele Castle, gothic fortress (1385) by
Bartolino da Novara, become in the centuries Renaissance residence. Inside you can admire: the ancient
kitchen, the undergrounds with the prisons of Parisina Malatesta (Niccolò III’s wife) and her lover Ugo d’Este
and place of their beheading; the Receptions and Party room; the private duchess Renata di Francia’s chapel;
the Giardino degli Aranci; the Camerini di Alabastro where were exposed the treasures collection of Alfonso
I d’Este, brother of the marchioness of Mantova, Isabella. The itinerary continues in direction of Piazza Trento
e Trieste, commercial and administrative center of the medieval period in Ferrara. On this Square overlook
the San Giorgio Cathedral, with the imposing romanic-gothic facade, and the Communal Palace that became
the first residence of the Dukes d’Este. From the square you will reach the ancient romanic San Pietro Church
with the adorable little cloister. The Cathedral Museum should be seen, inside there are the original organ
doors painted in the second half of the XV century by Cosmè Tura and the flemish arasses of the Cahtedral
choir. But the highlights are the beautiful tiles with the sculptures of the “Porta dei Mesi”, attributed to the
Master Dei Mesi (XIII century) linked to the Burgundian French school. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Along
Corso Ercole I d’Este you will admire the imposing facades of the aristocratic palaces, for example Palazzo
Turchi da Bagno and Palazzo Prosperi Sacrati. The most famous is Palazzo dei Diamanti. Inside there are a
beautiful Renaissance courtyard, the National Gallery that hosts temporary exhibits. You will arrive in Piazza
Ariostea, with column and statue dedicated to the court poet Ludovico Ariosto. The square has an ovoid form
and it is still seat of the most ancient recreational event in Ferrara (since 1279), which take place the last
Sunday of may: the medieval Palio with horses and period costumes. Well worth a visit to Palazzo Schifanoia,
delights place wanted by Borso d’Este in the end of the XV century and decorated by Ferrara’s school masters.
Remarkable is the “Salone dei Mesi” with wonderful frescoes that celebrate the good governance of the Duke
Borso d’Este, with mythological scenes and astronomic-zodiac symbols. Interesting is the Marfisa d’Este’s
Palazzina, private residence of one of the Duke’s daughters; it still contains the Renaissance furniture. Dinner
and overnight.
END OF SERVICES
PRICES MIN. 25 PARTICIPANTS starting from € 580,00 per person
Prices include:
- Guided visits as specified in the program
- Accommodation in hotel and/or agritourism in double/multiple rooms
- 1 free in double room for the Tour Leader
- Full board basis
- Tourist guide for all the period
- Visit to the Onion Museum with tasting
- Health and baggage insurance
Prices don’t include:
- Bus and free for the driver/s (quotation on request)
- Casa degli Atellani’s entrance and guided visit
- Entrance in parks, museums and monuments to pay on site, if not explicitly indicated
- Audio guides
- Visitor’s stay tax to pay by accommodations
- Tips, entrance tickets if not specified, personal extras and all not indicated in “prices include”
N.B.: No service has been reserved. Prices are indicatives and may change according to accommodation
availability, number of people and seasonality.
All packages can be personalized according the specific needs of the costumer.