Great Northern Italy

Welcome to Milano Malpensa int. Airport (MXP). Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at 10:00 am, and 12:30 pm for a private transfer to your hotel. In the early afternoon, meet your local guide and other tour participants for a sightseeing tour of the city center. See the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele before ending the day with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.  

Hotel: Mirage, Da Vinci or similar (2 nights)  

Take a short ride to explore the fashionable lakeside town of Como.  Enjoy a lake cruise surrounded by snowcapped mountains and picturesque Mediterranean villa sarriving to the village of Bellagio. The afternoon is free to enjoy the town at leisure. Dinner included.  

Stop to admire the distinct skyline of Novara with the eye-catching Dome of San Gaudenzio in prominence on the way to the capital of the Piedmont Region, Turin. In the afternoon discover the city center famous for it’s “Liberty” style  to see Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama, St. Lorenzo’s Church, Palazzo Carignano, and the amazing 448-foot -high Mole Antonelliana with a local guide, followed by some free time to spend at your own pleasure. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.  

Hotel: Pacific Fortino, Diplomatic or similar (1 night) 

Depart the region of Piedmont to visit a beautiful local winery for a wine tasting and a light lunch. In the afternoon, reach Parma, where you will meet the local guide for a walking tour of the city center to see the Romanesque buildings, the Teatro Regio, the magnificent Palazzo della Pilotta, and the cathedral. Enjoy the evening at your own pace.  

Hotel: Hotel City Parma, Starhotels Du Parc or similar (3 nights)

Travel to the coastal region of Liguria for a full-day excursion through the colorful villages of Cinque Terre which are built on rugged cliffs overlooking the sea.  See the terraced vineyards sustained by dry walling, an example of innovative engineering to respond to difficult terrain. Weather permitting, travel between the villages by boat to admire Cinque Terre’s sweeping coastal views (if rough seas prevail, a minibus will escort you through some of the villages). Dinner included.  

The region of Emilia Romagna is known as “The Capital of Food”. This morning, visit a local “Parmigiano Reggiano” producer to sample this well-known cheese accompanied by an expert. Head to Modena for lunch and visit a local Balsamic Vinegar cellar for a tasting with a sampling of Lambrusco wine. After lunch, continue to Maranello to visit the Ferrari Museum where you can have also the opportunity to rent and drive a Ferrari (not included). 

Drive to the small village of Borghetto sul Mincio to enjoy the beauty of its lovely watermills. Reach Verona (the setting of Romeo and Juliet) in the afternoon. This ancient city overlooks the Verona Arena  (one of the best-preserved ancient structures of its kind). Our local guide will explain why Verona was one of the most powerful cities during the early rule of the Roman Empire. At the end of our walking tour dinner will be served at a local restaurant.  

Hotel: Roseo Hotel Leon D’Oro, Crowne Plaza or similar (1 night) 

Visit the small village of Sirmione on Lake Garda and enjoy the beauty of its views and shops at your own pace. In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful Dolomite Mountains. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.  

Hotel: Belvedere, Ancora, Cristallino D’Ampezzo or similar (2 nights)

Take an gondola ride to a mountian top lodge where you can enjoy majestic views of the mountains, lakes, and valleys of the Dolomites. In the afternoon, enjoy the beautiful villages at leisure before returning to the hotel. Tonight, dinner will be served at a local restaurant.  

No tour of Northern Italy would be completed without a visit to Venice, a powerful magnet for all art lovers, romantics, fans of architecture, and history buffs. Enjoy a private walking tour through the ancient city with a visit to a local glass factory followed by time to independently browse shops or take a ride in a gondola. Tonight, dinner will be served at local restaurant.  

Hotel: The Quid, Belstay Mestre or similar (1 night)

Arrivederci Great North Italy! Our free airport transfer arrives at Venice International Airport (VCE) at 7:00 am and 9:00 am