MODAITALIANAFashion of Milan and Florence

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ITINERARYDay 1 Arrive in MilanDay 2 The Fashion Capital of ItalyDay 3 Italian CoutureDay 4 Italian Silk of ComoDay 5 The Houses of Gucci and FerragamoDay 6 Fashion of the Italian RenaissanceDay 7 Arrivederci, Italia

Versace, Valentino, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. These names conjure

images of luxury, precision, beauty and, above all, Italian quality. Join

L.A. Times fashion editor Marques Harper on an exciting expedition,

exploring what it is that puts Italian fashion in a class of its own.

Begin in Milan, one of the four most important fashion capitals in

the world, and visit the Armani Museum, the Prada Foundation and

the world renowned Instituto Marangoni, one of the premier fashion

schools. Industry professionals and artists guide our explorations as

we continue south to Florence, home to luxury brands such as Gucci,

Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo. Quickly becoming the fifth

capital of fashion, Florence represents a convergence of fashion, art

and tradition. Experience the tradition of Florentine fashion with a visit

to artisans’ workshops in the Oltr’arno and the Palazzo Pitti’s Costume

Gallery, which showcases the history of fashion in Italy. Throughout,

meet with experts, designers and industry professionals for a unique,

behind-the-scenes fashion expedition.

Moda ItalianaFashion of Milan and Florence

3Call 855-890-5298 or visit LATexpeditions.com

DAY 1 Arrive in MilanArrive in Milan in the morning. Transfer to the hotel, and check in. In the afternoon, visit the Prada Foundation, housed in a beautifully renovated 1910 distillery. Meet with a curator to learn about the architecture and the foundation and its dedication to contemporary art and culture. Enjoy a coffee break in Bar Luce, designed by film director Wes Anderson. Gather this evening for a welcome reception dinner. (R,D)

DAY 2 The Fashion Capital of ItalyToday, discover what makes Milan one of the top four fashion capitals of the world, alongside New York, Paris and London. Embark on a guided walking tour of the Quadrilatero district, which highlights some of the world’s most famous Italian fashion houses: Prada, Missoni, Versace, Armani, Gucci, Sergio Ross and, of course, Dolce & Gabbana. Stop at the vintage fashion studio La DoubleJ. There, meet with Deanna Farneti, an expert in bijoux de couture, to discuss vintage jewelry and the art of accessorizing. End the afternoon with a visit to the Dolce & Gabbana’s flagship store, on Corso Venezia, to learn about the shopping experience. This evening, enjoy a cocktail reception at Bar Martini, a chic collaboration between Martini and Dolce & Gabbana. (B,R)

Begin the morning with a visit to a vintage fashion studio. Continue to 10 Corso Como, also known as Galleria Carla Sozzani, an iconic shopping and dining complex. Hear from the founder, Carla Sozzani, about the international success of 10 Corso Como. Then visit

the Instituto Marangoni, one of the top fashion schools in the world, to hear about current fashion design in Milan. In the afternoon, step into the world of Giorgio Armani at the Armani museum. Discover the measured, timeless-aesthetic approach Armani took with his creations. (B)

DAY 3 Italian Couture

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DAY 4 Italian Silk of ComoDepart Milan this morning, and travel to the Lake Como region, a haven for elites ranging from business to fashion. There, enjoy a guided visit of the Mantero Silk Factory, including the archive, printing plant and store. Founded in 1902, Mantero has been family-run for more than 80 years and is the leader in silk textiles. Enjoy lunch along the shore of beautiful Lake Como, known for its dramatic mountain vistas. Return to Milan, and board a first-class train to Florence. Enjoy the evening at leisure at one of Florence’s top restaurants. (B,L)

DAY 5 The Houses of Gucci and FerragamoBegin today in Florence at the Gucci museum (subject to reopening schedule). Housed in the 14th century Palazzo della Mercanzia, the museum highlights the story of the Gucci fashion house, which launched in Florence in 1921. Speak with a curator about the rise of Gucci, then tour the museum’s rooms displaying its iconic pieces. Then attend a lecture on the future of fashion at Polimoda, ranked as the top fashion institute in Italy and one of the top 10 in the world. Late this afternoon, enjoy a visit to Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, dedicated to the life and designs of Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. Discover the artistic achievements of this iconic designer with a guided tour of the museum, followed by a private cocktail reception and accessorizing lesson by a visual merchandiser. (B,L,R)

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DAY 6 Fashion of the Italian RenaissanceSpend the morning in the maze-like Oltr’arno neighborhood of Florence, visiting artisan workshops practicing traditional methods. With each visit, step back into Renaissance Florence and see the early influences on today’s fashion world: Visit the handmade leather shoe studio of Roberto Ugolini, the costume jewelry studio of Angela Caputi and the workshop of metalworkers Carlo Cecchi and Giuliano Ricchi, whose designs have reached such clients as Christian Dior. Continue your exploration of Renaissance fashion with a guided tour at the Palazzo Pitti Costume Gallery, which is dedicated to the history of fashion in Italy. The gallery is home to more than 6,000 pieces, ranging from 18th century dresses to creations by Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Prada. Return to modern fashion with a curator led tour at the Roberto Capucci Foundation. View Capucci’s spectacular dresses, which are known for unusual form, structure and design. Toast your farewell this evening with a reception and dinner at a local Florentine restaurant. (B,R,D)

DAY 7 Arrivederci, ItaliaDepart Florence on individual flights home. (B)

EXPEDITION EXPERT

Marques HarperMarques Harper is the Image editor at the Los Angeles Times. He previously worked at the Austin American-Statesman as a fashion writer, columnist,

stylist and metro reporter and at the Roanoke Times, covering media and pop culture. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Oregonian and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A native of New Jersey, he is a graduate of Rutgers University.

ACCOMMODATIONS3 NIGHTS Château Monfort This beautifully restored urban château is a unique five-star hotel in the heart of Milan. It has the charm of a romantic castle with a stylish and fashionable fairy-tale-themed interior.

3 NIGHTS Hotel Brunelleschi This historic property is in the heart of Renaissance Florence. Housed in a reconstructed 6th century Byzantine tower and medieval church, the hotel offers character and modern, comfortable amenities.

DATES PRICING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DEPOSIT

March 12 – 18, 2018 $6,795 $1,600 $500Nov. 5 – 11, 2018 $6,795 $1,600 $500

See complete Terms and Conditions at LATexpeditions.com.

DATES & PRICING

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WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDU.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the departure point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your homeTravel and trip cancellation insurancePassport, visa, airport departure and baggage feesMeals not specified in the itinerary, and food and beverages not part of the included mealsPersonal items such as telephone, fax and Internet charges, laundry, room service and alcoholic or other beverages not specified as includedGratuities for non-group servicesExpenses you may incur resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action and flight delaysExpenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip, and sightseeing not included in the itinerary

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