DAY 1 – STRESA, ITALY
Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. This evening, cruise to Isola dei Pescatori,* the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, where you’ll engage with new friends at a dinner welcoming you to Italy.
Meals Included: Dinner
Stay: Regina Palace Hotel
DAY 2 – STRESA, ITALY
In an ancient village nestled in the mountains, a local family welcomes you to sample their very own artisanal cheeses, paired with the region’s best wines. The remainder of the day in Stresa is at your leisure. Explore the piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets, and lakeside promenades. Or enjoy your breathtaking surroundings during an optional cruise to Isola Bella, known as the “beautiful island.” Here an expert will guide you into the Borromeo Palace,** a lakeside Baroque beauty adorned with an exotic garden. As the day draws to a close, visit a family-run wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stay: Regina Palace Hotel
DAY 3 – ITALIAN RIVIERA
Witness picture-perfect views from Lake Orta, an ancient glacial lake in the Alpine foothills. A boat delivers you to the island of San Giulio, dominated by its working convent. Journey to the Italian Riviera and discover its immeasurable grandeur along the Liguria coast.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Grand Hotel dei Castelli
DAY 4 – ITALIAN RIVIERA
Travel by rail today as you discover the colourful Cinque Terre (UNESCO), a string of medieval villages perched on the edge of the sea. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards. Spend an afternoon independently exploring this awe-inspiring landscape.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stay: Grand Hotel dei Castelli
DAY 5 – TUSCANY
Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy’s great natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. During an off-road drive in the Apuane Mountains, you’ll follow the roads the cavatori (quarrymen) carved into the mountains whilst extracting the precious stone. Over the centuries, Carrara marble was used by artists such as Michelangelo to carve his Pietà in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as his legendary Statue of David.
Enjoy some free time to explore Carrara’s old town on your own; view the town’s cathedral, the Duomo, built in white marble, or search for Michelangelo’s bust marking his former home. After an included lunch in Carrara, continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.***
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Hotel Villa Lecchi
DAY 6 – TUSCANY
This morning, journey into the heart of the Chianti countryside, where a family-owned villa welcomes you. After a tour of the house and grounds, you’ll engage in a hands-on cooking lesson. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan lunch and toast to your host with local Chianti wine. Later, take in Tuscany’s landscape, a spectrum of verdant vineyards and endless groves en route to San Gimignano. Nicknamed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages, San Gimignano’s 14 towers soar distinctively over the landscape making this iconic hilltop village stand out against the rolling hills. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlour whilst you wander the cobbled streets and gaze up at the imposing towers during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Hotel Villa Lecchi
DAY 7 – TUSCANY
Travel south to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found on every corner. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) whose community Museum is centered around the colourful Palio horse race. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Hotel Villa Lecchi
DAY 8 – FLORENCE
Welcome to Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance and the beloved home of the Medici family, Galileo, Botticelli and da Vinci. Set out on a walking tour of Florence’s treasures and monuments, highlighting the Piazza del Duomo and the famous Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. You’ll also wander past the Palazzo Vecchio, the Signoria and Santa Croce squares. Enjoy time to explore Florence independently before returning to your villa.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stay: Hotel Villa Lecchi
DAY 9 – VENICE
On a walking tour, discover the culture of Bologna, a city barely changed since the time of the Renaissance and Italy’s food capital. Browse the city’s speciality food shops and sample local delicacies such as Parmigiano cheese, mortadella – the Italian progenitor of baloney – and lasagne. Arrive later in Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic,” and settle in for a 2-night stay in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Ca’ dei Conti Hotel
DAY 10 – VENICE
Spend the day in Venezia, the floating city home to lavish art collections, wonders of architecture, and where marbled palaces tower over gondola-laden canals. A local guide takes you on a walking tour of its incredible sites, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Bell tower, and St. Mark’s Square. Then, travel by boat to Murano**** for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore more of Venice on your own. Say arrivederci to Italy at a savoury farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Ca’ dei Conti Hotel
DAY 11 – VENICE
Wake up in Venice and depart for home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
