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Your Tour Includes
- 4 Handpicked Accommodations
- 18 Meals
- 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.
- Get a glimpse into life on a small, family-run Alpine farm while being hosted by the owner.
- Discover the cultural landscape of traditional terraced olive groves in Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Go off-roading in the famous marble quarries of Carrara and visit the old town, exploring how the precious stone shaped this region.
- Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.
- Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlour in San Gimignano.
- Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.
Photo: Italy Treasures Map
Itinerary:
Day: 1
Overnight Flight
Travel along breathtaking landscapes and venture into metropolitan meccas ripe with culture and history. Discover Italy on an unforgettable journey that delves into its most cherished treasures.
Day: 2
Stresa, Italy
Dinner at Regina Palace Hotel
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.
Day: 3
Stresa
Breakfast & Lunch Regina Palace Hotel
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. During an Impact Moment, have lunch at a social enterprise giving ex-offenders a second chance through the dignity of work. This restaurant trains and employs those who have been through the justice system for a non-violent offence as cooks and servers. 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.
Photo: Lunch at a social enterprise on Collette's Italy's Treasures Tour.
Day: 4
Stresa - Portofino - Italian Riviera
Breakfast & Dinner Grand Hotel Torre Fara
Journey to the Italian Riviera and discover its immeasurable grandeur along the Liguria coast. Spend some free time in the famous village of Portofino, known for its picturesque harbour and vibrant colours, and as a glamorous getaway spot and retreat for the jet set.
Day: 5
Italian Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italian Riviera
Breakfast Grand Hotel Torre Fara
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.
Day: 6
Italian Riviera - Carrara Marble Quarries - Tuscany
Breakfast & Dinner Hotel Villa Lecchi
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. 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. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.***
Day: 7
Tuscany - Florence - Tuscany
Breakfast Hotel Villa Lecchi
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.
Photo: Piazza Del Campo, Italy
Day: 8
Tuscany - San Gimignano - Tuscany
Breakfast & Dinner Hotel Villa Lecchi
This morning, 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 while you wander the cobbled streets and gaze up at the imposing towers during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem. Later, journey into the heart of the Chianti countryside, where a family-owned villa welcomes you. After a tour of the house and grounds, engage in a hands-on cooking lesson. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan dinner and toast to your host with local Chianti wine.
Day: 9
Tuscany - Siena - Tuscany
Breakfast & Dinner Hotel Villa Lecchi
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.
Day: 10
Tuscany - Bologna - Venice
Breakfast & Lunch Ca' dei Conti Hotel
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 specialty food shops and sample local delicacies such as Parmigiano cheese, mortadella - the Italian progenitor of baloney - and lasagna. Arrive later in Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic,” and settle in for a two-night stay in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Photo: Gondola Ride, Venice
Day: 11
Venice
Breakfast & Dinner Ca' dei Conti Hotel
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.
Day: 12
Venice - Tour Ends
Breakfast
Wake up in Venice and depart for home.
