Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy

From $7,299.00 CAD

Vineyards, olive groves, and cities that float. Incredible history, indelible culture, and unforgettable cuisine. This is l’Italia at its most iconic. Enjoy the natural beauty and calm of the Alpine lakes region. Snake along the edge of the sea to the colorful villages of Cinque Terre. Aboard off-road vehicles, explore the marble quarries of Carrara, where Michelangelo obtained the marble for his statue of David. Relax during a leisurely 4-night stay at a Tuscan villa. At a family-owned villa, learn the fine art of creating Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking class. Explore Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Discover Venice, a city of winding canals and bridges. From medieval masterpieces to bustling piazzas, be swept away by the legendary treasures of northern Italy.

View Itinerary

MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS

Uncover the prismatic landscape of the Tuscan countryside.
Immerse yourself in Florence’s countless treasures on a guided tour of the city.
Spend two nights in Venice, basking in the romantic atmosphere of this timeless city.

CULINARY INCLUSIONS

Taste traditionally made balsamic vinegar at a family-owned acetaia.
Journey by boat to Pescatori Island for a lovely welcome dinner.
Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

During an Impact Moment, experience the locals’ dedication to preserving the way of life of their small mountain village.
Go off-roading in the famous marble quarries of Carrara, exploring how the precious stone shaped this region.
Discover the cultural landscape of traditional terraced olive groves in Cinque Terre.

HOTELS

INCLUDED

Stay:

12 Days
11 Nights

Meals:

10 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
6 Dinners

1867685

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

Itinerary

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.

Accommodation: Regina Palace Hotel
Stresa, Italy

Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring independently and admiring the views. This evening, cruise to Isola Pescatori,* the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, where you’ll engage with new friends at a dinner welcoming you to Italy.

Meal included: Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Torre Fara, Chiavari
Stresa

During an Impact Moment, visit an ancient village nestled in the mountains, where a local family is actively working to preserve local traditions and historic buildings. After a tour of the village, they invite you to sample their very own artisanal cheeses, paired with the region’s best wines. The remainder of the day in Stresa is at your leisure. Explore its 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 enchanting garden.

Meal included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Torre Fara, Chiavari
Stresa - Portofino - Chiavari, Italian Riviera

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. Early this evening, arrive in Chiavari and settle in for your two-night stay in this charming coastal town.

Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Villa Lecchi, Chianti Countryside
Chiavari - Cinque Terre

Travel by rail today as you discover the colorful Cinque Terre, a string of once-upon-a-time fishing 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 and hop off to visit two of these fabled locales.

Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Villa Lecchi, Chianti Countryside
Chiavari - Carrara Marble Quarries - Tuscany

Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy’s natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. During an off-road drive in the Apuane Mountains, you’ll follow the pathways carved by quarrymen while extracting the precious stone. Over the centuries, Carrara marble was used by artists such as Michelangelo to carve his legendary statue of David. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.***

Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Villa Lecchi, Chianti Countryside
Tuscany - San Gimignano

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. 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.

Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Villa Lecchi, Chianti Countryside
Tuscany - Florence

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 some time to explore Florence independently before returning to your villa in the early evening.

Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ca' dei Conti
Tuscany

Spend a relaxing day of dolce far-niente (sweet do-nothing) at your Tuscan villa. Stroll the surrounding countryside or just take in the views from your favorite spot in the garden. Or, embark on an optional truffle hunt, led by a local expert and trained truffle-sniffing dogs. As you wander along unpaved trails, learn about the fascinating world of truffles and the techniques used to forage them. Indulge in a truffle-themed lunch before returning to your villa in the late afternoon.

Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Ca' dei Conti
Tuscany - Venice

A morning transfer takes you from Tuscany to the Emilia region for a visit to a family-owned acetaia. Tour the attic, where balsamic vinegar has been produced for five generations, and discover this generational process, which spans 12 to 25 years. Enjoy a light lunch infused with balsamic vinegar, before continuing to Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic,” for a two-night stay in one of the world’s most romantic cities.

Meal included: Breakfast & Lunch
Venice

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. Consider an optional gondola cruise to experience Venice’s most famous pastime. This evening, say arrivederci to Italy at a savory farewell dinner.

Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
Venice - Tour Ends

Wake up in Venice and depart for home.

Meal included: Breakfast