Italy's Treasures

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.
Hotel Name: 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.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

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 offense 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.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Grand Hotel Torre Fara, Chiavari

Visit Area: 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.

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 harbor and vibrant colors, and as a glamorous getaway spot and retreat for the jet set.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Wine Tasting

Travel by rail today as you discover the colorful 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.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Villa Lecchi

Admittance: Impact Moment

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.***

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

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.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Portofino
Located in the center of the Italian Riviera, Portofino is a small fishing village turned playground for the rich and famous. The village is situated facing the sea and its small protected harbor. The village’s many colorful buildings boast many small cafes and designer boutiques.

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 parlor 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.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

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 colorful Palio horse race. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Ca' dei Conti

Admittance: 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.

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.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Visit Area: 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.

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 savory farewell dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: 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.

Wake up in Venice and depart for home.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: 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.