Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy
Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy
12 Days Starting and ending in Italy
Visiting: Stresa, Lake Orta, Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Tuscany, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Tuscan Food and Wine, Bologna, Venice
Tour operator:
Tour code:
13153
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 24
Physical rating:
Medium, Activity Level 3
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Collette with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
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 medieval villages of Cinque Terre. Relax during a leisurely 4-night stay at a Tuscan villa. Explore the Duomo of rose hued Siena. At a family-run winery, learn the fine art of creating Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class and wine pairing. 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight Flight
Location: Stresa
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
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.
Day 2 : Stresa, Italy - Tour Begins
Location: Stresa
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. Visit a wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks. Cruise to Isola dei Pescatori*, the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, where you’ll engage with new friends at a dinner welcoming you to Italy.
Day 3 : Stresa
Location: Stresa
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In an ancient village nestled in the mountains, a local family welcomes 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 the piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets, and lakeside promenades. Or, perhaps relax and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings during an optional cruise of this scenic lake region.
Day 4 : Stresa - Orta - Italian Riviera
Location: Stresa, Lake Orta, Italian Riviera
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Witness picture-perfect views from Lake Orta, an ancient glacial lake in the Alpine foothills. A boat delivers you to the island of San Giulio, dominated by its working convent. Journey to the Italian Riviera and discover its immeasurable grandeur along the Liguria coast.
Day 5 : Italian Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italian Riviera
Location: Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel by rail and boat** today as you discover the colorful Cinque Terre (UNESCO), a string of medieval 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. Spend an afternoon independently exploring this awe-inspiring landscape.
Day 6 : Italian Riviera - Lucca - Tuscany
Location: Italian Riviera, Lucca, Tuscany
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls, Lucca exudes an old-world ambience. Old storefronts and busy piazzas offer a glimpse into the city’s medieval past. This morning, it’s your choice! Discover Lucca on foot -OR- pedal the city via bicycle. Whatever you choose, you’ll see historic marvels including the oval-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. Enjoy some free time to explore the rest of the city on your own while being on the lookout for a peak at Lucca’s unique, tree-crowned Guinigi tower. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.***
Day 7 : Tuscany - Florence - Tuscany
Location: Tuscany, Florence, Tuscany
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, including the glittering storefronts on the Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. You’ll also wander past the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce. Enjoy time to explore Florence independently before returning to your villa.
Day 8 : Tuscany - Siena - Tuscany
Location: Tuscany, Siena, Tuscany
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
Travel south to Siena, where Romanesque and Gothic architecture surround you within this UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Visit the Gothic cathedral,**** an architectural marvel featuring frescoes by Pinturicchio and masterpieces by Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.
Day 9 : San Gimignano - Tuscan Countryside
Location: San Gimignano, Tuscan Food and Wine
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
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 Tuscan hilltop village stand out against the rolling hills. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor while you wander the cobbled streets and gaze up at the imposing towers during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem. Later today, journey further into the heart of the countryside, where a family-owned wine estate welcomes you. After a tour of the wine cellar, the estate, the vineyards and the olive groves, engage in a dinnertime cooking lesson with the estate’s own chef. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan dinn er and toast with wines produced on-site.
Day 10 : Tuscany - Bologna - Venice
Location: Tuscany, Bologna, Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,
On a walking tour, discover the culture of Bologna, a city barely changed since the time of the Renaissance and Italy's food capital. Browse the city’s specialty food shops and sample local delicacies such as parmigiano cheese, mortadella - the Italian progenitor of baloney - and lasagna. Arrive later in Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic,” and settle in for a 2-night stay in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Day 11 : Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner,
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. Travel by boat to Murano***** for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. Journey back to St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s iconic main square. A local guide takes you on a tour of its incredible sites, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Clock Tower, and St. Mark’s Basilica. Say arrivederci to Italy at a savory farewell dinner.
Day 12 : Venice - Tour Ends
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up in Venice and depart for home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Drinks with Meals
(non-alcoholic)
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Train Tickets
(if train occurs once tour starts and before tour ends – i.e. not airport transfers)
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Half Board
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Experiences
- Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures.
- Discover colorful Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Embark on a boat trip to Murano Island for a glass-blowing demonstration.
Options
Stresa: Lake Maggiore Cruise
Surround yourself in the beauty and grandeur found on the lakes of Northern Italy. Cruise along scenic Lago Maggiore passing the Borromean Islands sprinkled throughout this stunning lake. These petite but incredible islands are brimming with grand villas and exquisite, world-renowned gardens. Glide past Isola del Pescatore viewing the gulf of Baveno before making a stop at Isola Bella. Then we make our way along the cobblestone streets of the quaint town to the impressive, Baroque Borromean Palace and gardens. This famed palace is steeped in immeasurable wealth and regal pageantry. On your guided tour, surroundings will bring you back to the 17th century. Get a glimpse inside life as a royal as you stroll through the opulent halls superbly decorated with rare artwork and tapestries. Then, you’ll head outside to the perfectly manicured, tiered gardens that abut the lakeshore. Behold stunning views and the splendor of the gardens as we make our way through with an expert. Return to the boat for a cruise back to Stresa. Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be purchased at least 20 days prior to the tour’s departure. In the event that the option does not meet the minimum number of guests required to operate, guests who purchased the option will be refunded. Borromean Palace is closed from about the last week of October to mid-March. This option operates weather permitting. Transportation not required as option is within walking distance of hotel.
Price: £70
Venice: Venetian Serenaded Gondola Cruise
Experience the romance that can only be found in Venice – La Serenìssima – while traveling on its famous waterways. Partake in one of Venice’s most famous pastimes – a gondola cruise. Take a pleasant stroll toward the Grand Canal to board your gondola. As you relax in your elegant watercraft, your gondolier navigates the Grand Canal as well as smaller side canals. Admire the scenery as you listen to the melodic voice serenading you in true Italian style – just like in those romantic Italian movies! Duration approximately 1 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option operates weather permitting. Duration of the gondola cruise is approximately 30 minutes. Gondolas hold 5 to 6 guests. Transportation is not included and in most cases not required as the start of this excursion is usually within walking distance.
Price: £85
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, you will receive full information within the weeks leading up to your departure.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Effective immediately and until further notice, all guests will be required to bring one of the following: proof of vaccination (official vaccination certificate in paper or electronic form), proof of recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result (FDA Approved diagnostic) for a test performed 72-hours or less from the start date of the tour with you on tour to verify information you will be pro
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What is the tipping policy?
Igratuities for included meals and accommodation housekeeping are included. It is customary to tip you Tour Manager and driver at the end of the tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes, it varies by tour.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Varies by tour.
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What is the maximum group size?
Varies by tour.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Varies by tour, but typically thjey are 4* / 4*+, and an occaissional 5*
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, with few exception.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Absolutley. Out tours are crafted with that in mind – striking a balance between included experiences and time to explore on your own.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, our Customer Care center would be happy to help.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes, most likely. Our tours draw travelers from the United States, Canada and Australia, predominatly.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Local currency.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Primarily, yes. All of the coaches used must meet rigourous safety and cleanliness standards.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We can accommodate children as young as 5 years old, provided they are traveling / rooming with a parent or legal guardian.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
That will vary by country of residence and country destination.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Yes. Baggage is limited to 1 checked bag and 1 carry per person.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes, an experienced Tour Manager, with the passion for travel, discovery and the destination - will guide you through your journey from start to finish,
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, the fees associated with required Visa’s are an additional expense.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, unless you purchase and land and air package from Collette.
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Collette requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of collette charges.
Up to 300 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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