Overview
TIf you enjoy fine things—fine foods, fine cars, fine architecture, and fine wine—this vacation to Northern Italy is not to be missed. You’ll travel to Milan, Parma, Lucca, Turin, and Santa Margherita Ligure on the Italian Riviera. Enjoy tastings of some of Italy’s gastronomic delights, including a balsamic vinegar tasting, a parmesan cheese tasting, and a wine tasting. Visit Maranello, the birthplace of the Ferrari car, and visit the Ferrari Gallery. Also visit the gothic cathedral in Milan, one of the largest churches in the world. A tour highlight is Cinque Terre, a name given to five medieval villages on the sea. The area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea. Delight in the unique charm of the area and take in the breathtaking views. Words cannot describe the magic and spectacular scenery—you must witness it in person. You’re sure to arrive back home with lots of photos and stories from this delightful vacation
Vacation Highlights & Inclusions
INCLUDED FEATURES
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B); 2 lunches (L), including one with wine tasting at Verrazzano Castle and one with wine in Burano; 2 three-course dinners (D), including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome.
Headsets throughout the tour
Milan: Welcome dinner; guided walking tour, visit the Duomo and Galleria; farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Soragna: Parmesan cheese tasting
Parma: Guided sightseeing
Modena: Balsamic vinegar tasting
Maranello: Visit the Ferrari Gallery
Lucca: Walking tour Cinque Terre Excursion:By boat and train
Asti: Wine tasting; visit a local nougat confectioner (tours 0715-0826 visit the Tapestry Museum instead)
Turin: Guided sightseeing, take pictures of the Mole Antonelliana, walk through the historic center, and visit the cathedral that houses the Holy Shroud
Vercelli: Visit a rice factory
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive in Milan
Time to rest or start exploring Milan, vibrant hub of Italy’s economic miracle. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (Dinner)
DAY 2 Milan–Soragna–Parma
In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the magnificent gothic DUOMO and the glass-domed GALLERIA. Also see the famous La Scala Opera House. On your way to Parma, world famous for its ham and parmesan cheese, stop at Soragna for a PARMESAN CHEESE TASTING. Later, for the food-lovers, an optional excursion to an original ham factory is available. (Breakfast)
DAY 3 Parma
This morning, your guided sightseeing will focus on the romanesque cathedral, the bell tower and the octagonal baptistry made of pink Verona marble. Next, enjoy a BALSAMIC VINEGAR TASTING near Modena, and learn all about this typical Italian product. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (Breakfast)
DAY 4 Parma–Maranello–Lucca
In Maranello, birthplace of the Ferrari car, an exciting visit to the FERRARI GALLERY has been included before arriving in Lucca. Follow your Tour Director on a walking tour through this medieval town with its ramparts and spend time in its pretty center. This evening you may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a local agriturismo to try out local specialties. (Breakfast)
DAY 5 Lucca–Santa Margherita Ligure
A scenic day! Drive to the Mediterranean coast and enjoy your excursion (including a BOAT RIDE, weather permitting) to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five medieval little villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From here, enjoy a TRAIN RIDE to Rapallo, then continue by coach to Santa Margherita Ligure. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6 At Leisure in Santa Margherita Ligure
A full day to enjoy this beautiful seaside resort. Excursions are available to nearby Portofino, a small fishing village with brightly colored houses that became home to the “rich and famous,” and to Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus. (Breakfast)
DAY 7 Santa Margherita Ligure–Asti–Turin
Enter the Langhe area and arrive in Asti, known for its spumante and Barbera wine. Here, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Time afterwards in town, then visit a local NOUGAT CONFECTIONER (tours 0715-0826 visit the TAPESTRY MUSEUM instead) and savor a piece of hand-made torrone before continuing to Turin, capital of Piedmont and birthplace of the Fiat car. This evening you may wish to try out one of Turin’s restaurants. (Breakfast)
DAY 8 Turin
During your sightseeing with a Local Guide, admire the 548-feet-high Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin, and the Lingotto Fiera, the former Fiat factory that was transformed into an impressive multi-function center by architect Renzo Piano. Next, walk through the historic center and visit the CATHEDRAL that houses the Holy Shroud. Why not join an optional excursion to the former residence of the royal Italian Savoia family, Venaria Villa and its gardens? (Breakfast)
DAY 9 Turin–Vercelli–Milan
Before leaving Turin this morning, an optional excursion to the Egyptian Museum is available. Next, visit a RICE FACTORY in Vercelli and learn everything about its traditional products before returning to Milan. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner with wine at one of Milan’s fine restaurants to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10 Milan
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Milan NH Touring (F), Parma Starhotels du Parc (SF), Lucca Grand Hotel Guinigi (F), Santa Margherita Ligure Best Western Regina Elena (F), Turin Starhotels Majestic (F)
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 3 three-course dinners, including a welcome dinner and a special farewell dinner with wine in Milan.
NORTHERN ITALY & CINQUE TERRE – 11 DAYS - G.
Dates and Prices
Prices below do not include airfare. We will be glad to help you find the least
expensive airfare,
or you can use mileage if desired. When you Book Online
please enter your departure city
on the "SPECIAL REQUESTS" field and we will
get back to you immediately with an air quote.
If you book your air with us, airport transfers at destination will be included.
Otherwise we can provide them for you at a fee of $50 per person round-trip,
as long as you let us know your flights in advance. Thank you.
| Depart Date |
Vacation Start Date |
Return Date |
Price Without Air |
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| 4/12/12 |
4/13/12 |
4/22/12 |
$2,289.00 |
|
| 4/19/12 |
4/20/12 |
4/29/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 4/26/12 |
4/27/12 |
5/6/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 5/3/12 |
5/4/12 |
5/13/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 5/10/12 |
5/11/12 |
5/20/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 5/17/12 |
5/18/12 |
5/27/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 5/24/12 |
5/25/12 |
6/3/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 5/31/12 |
6/1/12 |
6/10/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 6/7/12 |
6/8/12 |
6/17/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 6/14/12 |
6/15/12 |
6/24/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 6/21/12 |
6/22/12 |
7/1/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 6/28/12 |
6/29/12 |
7/8/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 7/5/12 |
7/6/12 |
7/15/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 7/12/12 |
7/13/12 |
7/22/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 7/19/12 |
7/20/12 |
7/29/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 7/26/12 |
7/27/12 |
8/5/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 8/2/12 |
8/3/12 |
8/12/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 8/9/12 |
8/10/12 |
8/19/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 8/16/12 |
8/17/12 |
8/26/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 8/23/12 |
8/24/12 |
9/2/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 8/30/12 |
8/31/12 |
9/9/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 9/6/12 |
9/7/12 |
9/16/12 |
$2,399.00 |
|
| 9/13/12 |
9/14/12 |
9/23/12 |
$2,399.00 |
|
| 9/20/12 |
9/21/12 |
9/30/12 |
$2,399.00 |
|
| 9/27/12 |
9/28/12 |
10/7/12 |
$2,299.00 |
|
| 10/4/12 |
10/5/12 |
10/14/12 |
$2,289.00 |
|
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|
|
|
|
| Single room supplement: $412 |
|
|
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| Triple room reduction per person: $44 |
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| Extra nights per person in Milan: |
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|
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| in single room $105, in twin room $63, in triple room $60 |
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