9 days Northern Italy Including Cinque Terre
Scents of magnolia and lemons linger along the quaint cobblestone roads and promenades of Italy's northern lake villages on this jaunt from Milan to Genoa, and the foodie city of Parma. See the layers of pastel pinks, yellows and blues that cling to the dramatic sea cliffs of Cinque Terre, enjoying the flavours of prosciutto and parmiagiano along the way.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Milan (2 Nights) | Welcome to Milan, Italy's commercial and financial hub. Relax after check-in and meet your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and evening orientation drive. Hotel Holiday Inn Garibaldi Meals Welcome Reception |
| 2 | Milan Sightseeing and Free Time | Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of the city. View the sights of the city including the Gothic cathedral, the glass-domed Galleria and La Scala Opera House. Enjoy free time this afternoon to experience the stylish lifestyle of Italy's fashion capital, perhaps visit one of the city's fascinating museums including the Pinacoteca di Brera, a world-class museum or consider an Optional Experience to Sforzesco Castle, which houses several of the city's museums and art gallery collections, including Michelangelo's statue of the Pietà Rondanini. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Milan – Baveno (2 Nights) | Drive north-west to the Italian Lake District. Found on the southern side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is one of the most famous sights in Northern Italy and is known for its beautiful waters and picturesque views. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the flora of the local area when you visit the beautiful botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Depending on the time of the year you can see azalea, maple, rhododendron and camellia avenues, rare lilies and gardens containing over 300 varieties of dahlias in bloom. Later stop to view the sights of Stresa, gateway to the three Borromean islands, on the shores of the lake before checking in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Consider taking an Optional Experience to one of the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, which includes a visit inside the Borromeo Palace. Hotel Simplon Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner with wine |
| 4 | Baveno Free Day | A full day to relax and enjoy your Italian lakeside experience. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of your hotel, perhaps venture out and take the alpine train to witness dramatic panoramic views of Northern Italy. This evening take a private boat to an island on Lake Maggiore for a special Be My Guest dining experience. Meals Buffet Breakfast Be My Guest Dining |
| 5 | Baveno – Genoa – Santa Margherita (2 Nights) | Stop in Genoa, birthplace of Columbus, for an included guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. View some of the majestic Renaissance and Baroque palaces of the noble families of Genoa and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Via Garibaldi. Arrive in Santa Margherita, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore. Hotel Lido Palace Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 6 | Santa Margherita – Full Day Porto Venere and Cinque Terre Excursion | Enjoy an included full-day excursion to see the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five coastal villages with extraordinary old-world charm clad the rugged cliffs in this beautiful area. This magnificent coastline can only be reached by boat or train from La Spezia. Visit two of the five picturesque fishing villages with your Local Specialist. Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner with wine |
| 7 | Santa Margherita – Langhirano – Parma | Today drive across the scenic Apennine mountains towards Parma - Italy's cured meat and parmigiano capital. Near the town of Langhirano visit a working prosciutto factory where you'll sample the best the region has to offer. After a brief photo stop at Torrechiara learn the process of making real parmigiano reggiano cheese at a family-run "caseificio" near Parma, as you gain a Cultural Insight into local cuisine. This evening consider an Optional Experience featuring local specialities with wine in a historic setting. Hotel Parma & Congressi Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 8 | Parma – Milan | This morning enjoy a guided tour of Parma with your Local Specialist. This gastronomic city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is famous for its architecture, prosciutto and cheese. See the 12th century Piazzo Duomo with its cathedral and baptistery, and Garibaldi Square where the original Roman colony founded in 183BC had a forum. Enjoy a scenic drive back to Milan where tonight you enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your companions and Travel Director. Hotel Starhotels Tourist Meals Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner |
| 9 | Depart Milan | This morning say ‘arrivederci' to Italy as your fascinating holiday comes to an end. Transfers are available. Conditions apply. Meals Buffet Breakfast |