Tuscany and the Italian Riviera

Experience the romance of Italy's lakes region, the colorful coast of the Italian Riviera, and the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Hotel Name: Zacchera Hotels

Welcome to Italy. Your journey begins in Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Italian Lake District, your home for the next two nights. As arrival times will vary, spend the day as you wish exploring independently and admiring the beautiful views of Lake Maggiore. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers as you cruise to picturesque Isola Pescatori* for a welcome dinner featuring regional delicacies and local wines.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Lake Maggiore
Is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps which goes through both Italy and Switzerland. The climate, both in the winter and summer is mild enough to products Mediterranean vegetation, with many gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Many islands overlook the lake, including the Borromean Islands, the Brissago Islands, Castelli di Cannero, and Isolina Partegora.

This morning, coast along the ethereal waters of Lake Maggiore before docking at Isola Bella,** known as the “beautiful island.” Join an expert guide and venture into the Borromeo Palace, a Baroque beauty with an enchanted garden. Back on the mainland, stroll the cobblestone streets of Stresa. Long-favored by European aristocracy because of its blend of elegant belle-époque mansions, fragrant gardens, and charming views, Stresa has inspired artists and writers since the late 1800s. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: NH La Spezia

Admittance: Isola Bella Palace & Garden

Head to Italy’s picturesque Riviera, making your way through the plains of Northern Italy. Pause in Parma, home to famous foods such as prosciutto and parmigiano. Perhaps you’ll taste some for yourself as you enjoy free time for lunch in this charming town. This afternoon, the day’s drive continues through the Apennine Mountains and finishes in La Spezia, the large port city gateway to the Italian Riviera.

Breakfast Included

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.

Spend the day exploring the colorful cliff-side villages of Cinque Terre*** with a local guide. Take in the picturesque, rugged coastline dotted with terraced vineyards as you travel by rail. Make your way through this seemingly inaccessible string of fishing villages, nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Tonight, get a bite of the local cuisine during dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Villa Casagrande, Figline

Visit Area: Parma

Discover the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls. Wander with a local guide, delving into the city’s Roman heritage and storied past. Enjoy some free time to explore the Piazza Napoleone and the rest of the city on your own. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany for a 3-night stay**** in the village of Figline. This evening, try your hand at the local culture with an interactive pasta-making demonstration by your hotel’s on-site chef.

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.

Explore Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, during a locally guided walking tour of the city’s iconic sites. View the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. Admire the Gates of Paradise and the imposing dome of the cathedral. Wander past Piazza della Signoria and the ornate facade of Santa Croce. Enjoy time to explore more on your own before returning to your hotel in the evening.

Breakfast 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.

Journey through Tuscany’s low-lying hills and dense olive groves to a traditional frantoio (olive mill), where olives are pressed each November.***** After learning about the many varieties of trees and oil-making methods, join a tasting of the different varietals of EVOO produced at the mill. Your exploration of the Chianti countryside wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a local winery for a taste of the famous Chianti Classico wines. Then, continue to the village of Greve, surrounded by vineyard-carpeted hills. Cap off an unforgettable tour at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Lucca
Lucca is a small town in the northwest of Tuscany. The town is famous for its intact city walls that surround the charming pedestrianized city center. The former wealth of the town can be seen in the elegant palaces and large number of churches that can be found throughout the city. Lucca’s Roman heritage is also visible at sites like Piazza dell’Anfiteatro - a series of apartments built on the old Roman arena. Today visitors are also drawn to the number of high quality shops and cafes.

Say arriverderci to Italy as your tour comes to a close.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Tuscan Villa Stay