Stresa, Lake Orta, San Giulio, Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, Carrara, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice
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. 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 Italy.
On some dates additional accommodations may be used.
Services of a tour manager
All on-tour transportation and related fees
Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
Round trip home to airport sedan service provided when you purchase airfare through Member Choice Vacations. One transfer per person, per reservation. (Restrictions apply)
10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Itinerary
Engaging Experiences These special places and experiences are considered tour highlights. Look for them in the daily itineraries.
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.
Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.
Regina Palace Hotel, Stresa
Dinner
Included
Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. This evening, 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. Today dinner will be included.
*In the event of adverse weather conditions, the dinner at Isola dei Pescatori may be held at your hotel instead.
Regina Palace Hotel, Stresa
Breakfast,
Lunch
Included
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. During an Impact Moment, have lunch at a social enterprise giving ex-offenders a second chance through the dignity of work. This restaurant trains and employs those who have been through the justice system for a non-violent offense as cooks and servers. The remainder of the day in Stresa is at your leisure. Explore the 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 exotic garden. As the day draws to a close, visit a family-run wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
**Isola Bella and the Borromeo Palace are open from April 1 to October 31. If you are travelling between November 1 and March 31, you will enjoy a scenic cruise of the Borromean Islands and a visit to Pallanza village instead. The Borromeo Palace might also be closed mid-week between April 1-15.
Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy's hidden treasures.
Grand Hotel dei Castelli, Sestri Levante or Grande Albergo Sestri Levante or Hotel Due Mari
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
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. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Discover colorful Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grand Hotel dei Castelli, Sestri Levante or Grande Albergo Sestri Levante or Hotel Due Mari
Breakfast
Included
Travel by rail 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. Today breakfast will be included.
Villa Lecchi, Tuscany or Villa Godenano, Tuscany or Villa San Paolo, Tuscany
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy's great natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. During an off-road drive in the Apuane Mountains, you'll follow the roads the cavatori (quarrymen) carved into the mountains while extracting the precious stone. Over the centuries, Carrara marble was used by artists such as Michelangelo to carve his Pietà in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica, as well as his legendary Statue of David. Enjoy some free time to explore Carrara's old town on your own; view the town's cathedral, the Duomo, built in white marble, or search for Michelangelo's bust marking his former home. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.*** Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
***Note that villas in Tuscany are dotted throughout the region and we use different properties on this program. Some may be located in the countryside, removed from a city center. Still others may be closer to the hustle and bustle of the region. Each one is unique, full of history and amenities.
Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor in San Gimignano.
Villa Lecchi, Tuscany or Villa Godenano, Tuscany or Villa San Paolo, Tuscany
Breakfast,
Lunch
Included
This morning, journey into the heart of the Chianti countryside, where a family-owned villa welcomes you. After a tour of the house and grounds, you'll engage in a hands-on cooking lesson. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan lunch and toast to your host with local Chianti wine. Later, 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. 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. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
Uncover the prismatic landscape of the Tuscan countryside.
Villa Lecchi, Tuscany or Villa Godenano, Tuscany or Villa San Paolo, Tuscany
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
Travel south to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found on every corner. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) whose community Museum is centered around the colorful Palio horse race. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Immerse yourself in Florence's countless treasures on a guided tour of the city.
Villa Lecchi, Tuscany or Villa Godenano, Tuscany or Villa San Paolo, Tuscany
Breakfast
Included
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 time to explore Florence independently before returning to your villa. Today breakfast will be included.
Spend two nights in romantic Venice.
Hotel Ca' dei Conti, Venice
Breakfast,
Lunch
Included
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. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
Hotel Ca' dei Conti, Venice
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
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 Bell tower, and St. Mark's Basilica. Say arrivederci to Italy at a savory farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
****On occasion, due to inclement weather, your boat trip to Murano Island may be substituted with a visit to a local glass factory in Venice.
Breakfast
Included
Wake up in Venice and depart for home. Today breakfast will be included.
Itinerary featured is for June 2024 - May 2025 tour departures. Departures prior will vary. On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Pricing is per person,
double occupancy,
land only, based on June 1, 2024 travel date.
Single supplement from $700.
Call AAA for current airfare rates and availability. Airfare to the destination is not included, on-tour flights, when applicable, are included..
All this makes it AAA Vacations®
AAA Complimentary Inclusion: $75 per person credit toward a pre-paid optional excursion
Member Benefit: $50 per person savings
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Package: Guided
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