Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy
The romance of Italy come to life. Stand on the shore of Lake Maggiore. Ride the Centovalli Express through the mountains to the Swiss town of Locarno. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend four relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in the countryside and learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a Florentine food market. Spend two wonderful nights in Venice. These are Italy's treasures.
Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy's hidden treasures. Travel by boat to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Explore Lucca's piazzas and medieval streets. Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides. Enjoy regional wines included with every dinner.
Highlights
Italian Lake Region, Italian Riviera, Locarno, Switzerland, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Tuscany, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Wine Tasting, Italian Cooking Class, Bologna, Venice
Collette Experience
Call (801) 466-1101 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10576646
- Tour Operator
- Collette Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2012
- Duration
- 12 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Air 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight : Set out on your overnight flight to Italy! |
| Day 2 | Stresa | Stresa - Tour Begins : Begin in Stresa, on the shore of Lago Maggiore ? Visit a wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party, tasting some local products ? A boat transports you to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori, the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands. Today dinner will be included. |
| Day 3 | Stresa | Stresa - Lago Maggiore - Stresa : Today you choose how you want to spend your day in Stresa ? Cruise on scenic Lago Maggiore past islands, villas, historic palaces and visit the impressive Borromean Palace* ? Or visit an ancient village nestled in the mountains, where you stop at a local farm to sample their artisanally-produced cheeses paired with the region's delicious wines ? Your evening in Stresa is at leisure ? Investigate the piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets and lakeside promenades. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 4 | Italian Riviera | Stresa - Orta - Italian Riviera : Learn key Italian phrases that will help you in your travels ? Depart the lake region for Sestri Levante on the Ligurian coast ? Stop at Lake Orta and take a boat to Isola di San Giulio ? Walk the grounds of this charming island with its working convent ? Experience the outdoor cafes and shops of this lakeside resort ? Continue on to the Italian Riviera! Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 5 | Cinque Terre | Italian Riviera - Portofino - Cinque Terre : Travel to the seaside town of Santa Margherita Ligure for a boat ride** to glamorous Portofino ? Take in the town's colorful harbor, dotted with fishing boats and yachts set against a backdrop of pastel-colored buildings ? Continue to the Cinque Terre ? Travel by rail through the villages of the Cinque Terre ? Traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards ? Arrive at this nearly inaccessible string of fishing villages tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean ? Enjoy an afternoon exploring. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 6 | Tuscan Villa | Italian Riviera - Lucca - Tuscan Villa : Drive to the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th century Renaissance walls ? Tour the piazza on foot ? Visit the Cathedral of San Martino and the Piazza Napoleone ? End the day in a traditional Tuscan villa ? Begin a relaxing four-night stay***. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 7 | Florence | Florence : Get to know Florence via its local market full of fresh ingredients used in Tuscan recipes ? Take a walking tour of the city's treasures and monuments, including the Piazza del Duomo, center of religious life in medieval Florence, and the Piazza della Signoria ? Visit the Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica, housed in the 14th century Palazzo Davanzati ? Explore independently before returning to your villa ? At dinner, sample Tuscan cuisine in one of Tuscany's locandas. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 8 | San Gimignano | Siena - San Gimignano : Travel to Siena for an expert-led walking tour through narrow medieval streets that include the dramatic cathedral ? Visit the hilltop town of San Gimignano, punctuated by tall medieval towers which afford spectacular views ? Return to your villa this evening. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 9 | Tuscan Countryside | Tuscan Countryside : Visit a winery in the heart of Tuscany that showcases the wine cellar, family estate, vineyards and olive groves ? Participate in a Tuscan cooking lesson given by the winery's own chef ? Enjoy an authentic Tuscan lunch, expertly paired with wines produced on site ? Return to the villa for some leisure time. Today breakfast and lunch will be included. |
| Day 10 | Venice | Tuscany - Bologna - Venice : Depart for Venice ? Stop en route in Bologna ? Take a guided walking tour of the center, virtually unchanged since the Renaissance ? Sample local delicacies at specialty food shops ? Arrive in romantic Venice for your two night stay. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 11 | Venice | Venice : Enjoy a boat trip**** to Murano Island for a fascinating glass-blowing demonstration ? Return to St. Mark's Square for a locally-guided walking tour featuring the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs ? Partake in a celebratory farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 12 | Tour ends | Venice - Tour Ends : Wake up in Venice and depart for home. Today breakfast will be included. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
- Regina Palace Hotel, Stresa
- Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Stresa
- Grand Hotel dei Castelli, Italian Riviera
- Villa Aurea, Cortona
- Relais Villa Baldelli, Cortona
- Villa di Piazzano, Cortona
- Villa Fiesole (Fiesole), Tuscan Countryside, Italy
- Starhotel Splendid Venice, Venice
- Hotel Bonvecchiati, Venice
- Disclaimer
- NOTE: Specials are marked with a *
NOTE: NOTE: Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
