Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy

What's Included

• Welcome Dinner

  Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.

• Authentic Italian Gelato

  Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor in San Gimignano.

• Tuscan Cooking Lesson

  Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.

• Guided Tour of Florence

  Immerse yourself in Florence’s countless treasures on a guided tour of the city.

• Carrara Marble Quarries Excursion

  Explore the marble quarries of Carrara aboard off-road vehicles.

• Venice Walking Tour

  A local guide takes you on a walking tour of Venice's incredible sites, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Bell tower, and St. Mark’s Square.

• Murano Glass-Blowing Demonstration

  Travel by boat to Murano for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island.

What's Not Included

• Optional Cruise to Isola Bella

  The optional cruise to Isola Bella is not included and can be arranged at an additional cost.
  
  

• Transportation for Optional Excursions

  Transportation is not included for optional excursions such as the Lake Maggiore Cruise and Venetian Serenaded Gondola Cruise.
  
  

• Minimum Participants for Optional Tours

  Optional tours require a minimum number of participants to operate and may be canceled if the minimum is not met.
  
  

Experiences

Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures.Discover colorful Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.Explore the marble quarries of Carrara aboard off-road vehicles.

Options

Stresa: Lake Maggiore Cruise Surround yourself in the beauty and grandeur found on the lakes of Northern Italy. Cruise along scenic Lago Maggiore passing the Borromean Islands sprinkled throughout this stunning lake. These petite but incredible islands are brimming with grand villas and exquisite, world-renowned gardens. Glide past Isola del Pescatore viewing the gulf of Baveno before making a stop at Isola Bella. Then we make our way along the cobblestone streets of the quaint town to the impressive, Baroque Borromean Palace and gardens. This famed palace is steeped in immeasurable wealth and regal pageantry. On your guided tour, surroundings will bring you back to the 17th century. Get a glimpse inside life as a royal as you stroll through the opulent halls superbly decorated with rare artwork and tapestries. Then, you’ll head outside to the perfectly manicured, tiered gardens that abut the lakeshore. Behold stunning views and the splendor of the gardens as we make our way through with an expert. Return to the boat for a cruise back to Stresa. Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option must be purchased at least 20 days prior to the tour’s departure. In the event that the option does not meet the minimum number of guests required to operate, guests who purchased the option will be refunded.
Borromean Palace is closed from about the last week of October to mid-March. During this closed season, you will enjoy an extended cruise of the lake with a visit to Pallanza village instead. This option operates weather-permitting. Transportation is not required as this option is within walking distance of the hotel.

Venice: Venetian Serenaded Gondola Cruise Experience the romance that can only be found in Venice – La Serenìssima – while traveling on its famous waterways. Partake in one of Venice’s most famous pastimes – a gondola cruise. Take a pleasant stroll toward the Grand Canal to board your gondola. As you relax in your elegant watercraft, your gondolier navigates the Grand Canal as well as smaller side canals. Admire the scenery as you listen to the melodic voice serenading you in true Italian style – just like in those romantic Italian movies! Duration approximately 1 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option operates weather-permitting.
Duration of the gondola cruise is approximately 30 minutes. Gondolas hold 5 to 6 guests. Transportation is not included and in most cases not required as the start of this excursion is usually within walking distance.

Culinaries

Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor in San Gimignano.Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.

Must See

Spend two nights in romantic Venice.Immerse yourself in Florence’s countless treasures on a guided tour of the city.Uncover the prismatic landscape of the Tuscan countryside.

Choice Highlights

Italian Lakes Region Across northern Italy at the base of the Alps you find the Italian Lake Region. These glacier carved lakes are set against the backdrop of the nearby mountains. The major lakes are Garda, Maggiore, Como, and Orta. Each lake has its own alpine inspired charms. Visitors to the lakes are greeted by microclimates that are created by the lakes; making them comfortable locales, year round.

Stresa The famous town is located on Lake Maggiore in the Gulf of Borromeo, which is the main attraction for the town because it overlooks the eponymous islands. Visitors can travel via cable cars to get an aerial view of Stresa. Stresa has also been renowned for its culture and music. The history of Stresa officially appeared in documents in AD 998. In the 15th century it grew into a fishing community and then came under control of the Borromeo family. The town is home to about 5,000 inhabitants. In 1918, Ernest Hemingway visited Stresa, and he later made it the setting for part of his novel A Farewell to Arms.

Wine Tasting

Italian Riviera The Italian Riviera stretches from the French border to northern Tuscany along the Ligurian Sea. The rocky coast is dotted with small fishing villages overlooking the sea and has many popular beaches and seaside resort towns. Portofino, Santa Margherita, Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre are all popular places for Italian and international visitors looking for sun and surf in a beautiful setting.

Cinque Terre The Cinque Terre is made up of five small villages that cling to the rocky cliffs of the southern Italian Riviera. Each village has its own unique charms with views over the terraced vineyards and the small beaches of the Ligurian Sea. The villages are linked together by trains, hiking paths, and seasonal boat service. From the north to the south the villages are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

Carrara Marble Quarries Off-Road Excursion 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 while 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.

Tuscan Countryside See another side of Italy in the Tuscan countryside. This breathtaking rural area feels like a country unto itself — never-ending green rolling hills, medieval villages, and picture-perfect farm houses dot the landscape, much of which appears as if it has been frozen in time. Experience cultural moments that perfectly encompass the countryside’s idyllic beauty. You will visit a family-owned winery to tour its gorgeous vineyards; delight your senses during an expert-led cooking class; and enjoy a sumptuous lunch — which is, of course, paired with wines produced only feet away from you. Lose yourself in the beauty of the Tuscan countryside — these will truly be moments you will remember forever.

Italian Cooking Class Italian food is a huge part of the culture, traditions and excitement of visiting Italy. A hands on cooking class allows visitors to learn about classic elements of the cuisine like pasta making. The chef walks guests through the preparation of the dough and how to make rustic pasta. Once the pasta is mastered, guests can discover other dishes such as dessert. No class would be complete without sampling what you made with local wines.

San Gimignano San Gimignano is a picturesque hill town in the central part of Tuscany. The town developed great wealth in the middle ages and was home to 70 plus medieval towers. Today, only a handful of the towers are still intact, but at least one is open to the public. The hilltop location allows for beautiful panoramic views over the Tuscan Countryside. The town is also home to shops that sell a variety of Tuscan goods from pottery to wine, cheese and wild boar salami.

Siena The city of Siena is a charming hill town in central Tuscany with a city center that has masterfully preserved its medieval architecture. The city radiates out over three hills from its central piazza called Il Campo which is home to Siena’s famous Palio - a horse race and medieval festival that occurs twice a year. Siena strikes the perfect balance as a city that welcomes the students studying at their university, locals conducting their business and tourists taking in the many sights.

Florence Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Bologna Bologna is the regional capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region in northern Italy. The entire region is famous for its food products and home to some serious “foodies”. The city center contains many artistic and cultural monuments made of the local red brick. The local university and food culture makes for a lively cafe scene.

Venice Venice is the regional capital of the Veneto region in the northeast section of Italy. Venice has a unique design like no other city, built on over a hundred different islands in the center of the Venetian Lagoon. Early Venetians built their city on the islands to escape barbarian invaders. The islands of the city are separated by numerous small canals and connected by hundreds of small bridges. The city is famous for its romantic gondola-filled canals and ornate palaces that line the Grand Canal. The famous glass factories of Venice are located on Murano Island. Today the Murano Islands are home to a dwindling number of glass factories, whose artists are producing handmade Murano Glass.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Italy using a combination of rail and boat journeys, including a scenic cruise to Isola dei Pescatori and a rail trip to explore the colorful Cinque Terre, ensuring a memorable and picturesque experience.

Accommodation

Stay in luxurious accommodations such as the Regina Palace Hotel in Stresa, the Grand Hotel dei Castelli in Sestri Levante, and the Villa Lecchi in the Italian Riviera, offering comfort and elegance throughout your Italian journey.