Treasures of North Italy & Food Culture

Welcome to Bologna. Independent arrival in Bologna.
Independent arrival in Bologna.
Overnight in the heart of the city.

Explore the enogastronomic capital of Europe Bologna
Meet your guide at your hotel to discover Bologna, the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna and according to many, also a gastronomic capital of Europe. The city, home of the oldest university in the western world, has precious cultural life and intriguing historical legacy, linked to the Etruscans, then the Gauls and Romans. You'll visit the Piazza Maggiore, with the Basilica di San Petronio. You'll walk through the knot of tiny alleys behind the church getting a flavor of the city, one that is pervaded with music and youthful energy. This afternoon, complete your immersion in the local culture joining a cooking class in a lovely location. Learn how to make tortellini or tagliatelle al ragu. At the end enjoy a wonderful dinner in one of the city's great osteria.
Overnight in Bologna

After delicious breakfast meet your driver escort and start your exploration of two unique cities, so close and so different one from another. The Queen of Renaissance, Ferrara and the capital of Byzantine in Italy, Ravenna. You'll stop in Ferrara for an independent visit to the city. Ferrara, a town on the low Emilian plain surrounding the ford of the Po River, is an enchanting result of Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. During the Renaissance, some of the most essential Italian maestros, called by the Estense Court, realized palaces and castles of exceptional value. Between the 13th and 16th Centuries, Estense Family made Ferrara the magnificent place it is today. Ravenna is a Byzantine town, totally different from any other Italian city, known for the colorful mosaics decorating many of its central buildings, like the Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century "Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo" and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Return in Bologna late afternoon. Overnight in Bologna.

Meet your driver escort and motor to Verona. You'll stop along the way in Modena and Mantova for an independent visit. It's easy to fall in love with Modena, home of excellent food and great cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati.
In Modena, you will visit a local producer to learn more about balsamic vinegar and have a tasting in a little traditional farm, then you will enjoy a lunch in a local trattoria to taste the best of local recipes: tortellini, prosciutto ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Later, motor to Mantua, one of the most beautiful jewels of Italian Renaissance. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 2008. The city extends over three clear, reflecting lakes, created artificially as a defense of the town and designed using the curves of the River Mincio.
You will have free time to explore the city before heading to Verona, where you will arrive, Verona, late afternoon.
Overnight in Verona.

Our hisrorical morning start with the Verona UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, Verona is most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet but has much more to offer. While there's little evidence that this love story actually took place here… there are so many things to visit that is hard to list.
You won't miss Piazza Erbe, the heart of the city since the ancient Roman time, the fortress of Castelvecchio, now the site of the Modern Art Museum; the Scaliger Bridge, an outstanding example of Medieval architecture; and the Scaliger Arches, tombs built for the lords of Verona. On the other bank of the river, you can visit the remains of the Roman Theatre, where currently, performances of Shakespeare or the Verona Jazz Festival are heard. Not far away is the Giardino Giusti, one of the most beautiful Italian gardens of the Renaissance.
In the afternoon, (Optional) you may visit the beautiful Valpolicella wine region with an expert driver-guide. A land of history and flavors where, in addition to its numerous historic villas, wine tradition is the distinguishing factor. This area produces exquisite, world-famous wines using special and unique Italian techniques. Further to the south, the Basso Veronese area is a world of its own, with its slow rhythms, silent places, and changing colors; it offers a distinct way of life that welcomes the visitor with open arms.
Overnight in Verona.

In the morning, meet your driver escort and transfer to Milan. En route stop in Franciacorta and Lake Iseo to discover this unique territory. Franciacorta stretches for over km 200 and encompasses 19 municipalities: every town and village has unique treasures and a double common thread: good wine and nature.
The landscape is characterized by fascinating hills covered in vineyards, which over time have replaced the original woods. The first vineyards appeared in Prehistory; this agricultural activity continued to expand under the Romans until well into the Middle Ages, thanks to favorable climate and soil conditions.
Lake Iseo is a real hidden gem, with its romantic charm and the unique natural world on Monte Isola. The atmosphere here is different from any other Italian lake. Nature regulates the time and places, such as the Torbiere Natural Reserve, declared a priority area for biodiversity, the workshops that create nets and wooden boats, the fishermen's trattorias where they cook freshly caught fish. You will arrive in Milan in the late afternoon. Overnight in Milan.

Check out of the hotel following breakfast.
Independent Transfer to Airport or option to book extra nights.
Goodbye and we Hope to see you again on your next visit.