Impactful Travel: Flavors Of Northern Italy

Ah, Milan. From Leonardo Da Vinci's legacy to its new claim to fame as a hub of sustainable fashion and architecture, Milan is a destination not to be missed. After your airport transfer at 9:30, 13:00 or 15:30, settle into your hotel before your first taste of Italy with dinner at local restaurant to begin your north Italy tour.

What better way to explore this cosmopolitan city rich in history than by bike? Get active in northern Italy while discovering the must-sees over a leisurely guided bike tour with a Local Specialist. Pedal up to the main square, Piazza del Duomo, greeted by the iconic Gothic Cathedral. Make your way to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a magnificent nineteenth-century shopping arcade that's an architectural treasure in and of itself. Treat yourself at one of its high-end boutiques before this afternoon's journey to Verona, Shakespeare's setting for Romeo and Juliet. More guided sightseeing with a Local Expert awaits, showing off the arena, grand piazzas, the statue of Dante and the Gothic tombs of the Scala family.

Begin a day of culinary adventures on your north Italy tour with a scenic drive along the banks of Lake Garda. Next unlock the secrets of Italy's fragrant lemons used in its famous limoncello over a visit to an organic lemon house. Limone sul Garda greenhouse* – an open-air-like museum perched on a hilltop -- fosters the growth of delicate lemons. Learn from the Segala family how the fixed and removable sections of the greenhouse allow for light to enter and protect the plants in the winter. This evening, at a Be My Guest experience featuring local fare with the Serenelli family at Cascina le Volpe. Along with a diecious meal, you'll learn about their local history and their connection to the formation of the Red Cross as you explore their farm.

Sparkling Lambrusco, salty prosciutto and the intense aromas of parmigiano await in the gastronomic hub of Modena, which we explore with a Local Specialist. Wander past pastel-hued façades in the heart of the city that was the birthplace of Ferrari, Pavarotti and tortellini. Modena's Old Town and the magnificent Piazza Grande with its 12th century cathedral and Torre Civica has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a Make Travel Matter® Experience tasting the delicious sweet and sour flavors of some of the world's best balsamic vinegar as you uncover the talents of local artisans. Learn how they cultivate the grapes in smaller quantities using biodynamic processes used for wine. Your visit helps to advance Responsible Production and Consumption by using sustainable farming methods for the grapes used to produce vinegar. After a big day of exploring on your north Italy tour, cool off in your hotel's decadent swimming pool.

Get ready for the must-see icon on the Cinque Terre today. You'll get all the best views of Manarola on a hike with a Local Specialist. Hike around the cliff edge to savor the quintessential Cinque Terre view of colorful houses stacked upon a cliff. Continue down to the pier where you'll catch a boat for a relaxing cruise past fishing villages. Arrive in the town of Monterosso to discover its unique treasure of the Gothic Parrocchia di S. Giovanni Battista church decorated in striking black and white stripes and a large rose window from the 14th century. Take in more scenery of northern Italy on the train back to La Spezia where you'll conclude your day with a Make Travel Matter® Experience farm-to-table seafood dinner.

Baveno beckons today journeying through the pastoral countryside past Genoa. From the colorful houses and terraced hills of the Cinque Terre, your northern Italy scenery shifts to the green rolling hills of Piedmont. Arrive in Lake Maggiore where, greeted by the deep blue of the lake, you'll be ready to taste the fruits of the land. Visit an agriturismo for a tasting of the Piedmont region's legendary white truffle, or "diamond of the kitchen." Learn how truffle dogs accompany local hunters in search of this rare delicacy and how truffles are then used in dishes from Arancini to risotto.

The beauty of Italy springs to life visiting Alpinia botanic garden, a natural balcony where you can admire a breathtaking panorama 800 meters above sea level. On your Make Travel Matter® Experience with a naturalist guide and conservation expert, take in Lake Maggiore and the peaks of Valgrande National Park. This evening, cross Lake Maggiore to secluded Isola dei Pescatori for a Make Travel Matter® Experience dinner of farm-to-table fish from lake and regional products. Join the Cinque family and hear all about the intriguing history of Villa Toscanini situated on a tiny romantic island which was the hideaway of the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, one of the most influential musicians of the 19th century. B, Celebration Dinner

You've savored the best of the region and surely collected many memories on your north Italy tour. Bid farewell to your travelling companions before your transfers at 7:30 and 10:30.