Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

Experience the romance of travel among the elegant palazzos of regal Turin, the rolling hills of Tuscany and along the colorful coast of the Italian Riviera.

Welcome to Italy. You’ll make your way to Turin, Italy’s first capital in the 1800s. Settle in for a 2-night stay, admiring the alpine peaks towering in the distance. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring regional specialties.

Walk through Turin with an expert guide, uncovering a blend of French and Italian heritage. Wrap up the tour by trying a bicerin – a mix of espresso and chocolate – in one of the city’s cafés, reminiscent of Parisian coffee spots. After getting acquainted with the city, the rest of the day is yours to further explore Turin on your own.

Head to Italy’s picturesque Riviera, weaving through the Langhe wine country (UNESCO) along the way. Stop at the hilltop village of La Morra on your way to a local winery, where you will enjoy a tour and tasting of typical Piedmont wines. After a light lunch continue to La Spezia, the large port city gateway to the Italian Riviera.

Spend the day exploring the colorful cliff-side villages of Cinque Terre* with a local guide. Take in the picturesque, rugged coastline dotted with terraced vineyards as you travel by rail. Make your way through this seemingly inaccessible string of fishing villages, nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Tonight, get a bite of the local cuisine during dinner at your hotel.

*Travel to Cinque Terre is by rail and ferryboat. The ferry boats operate approximately between March 25 and November 1, yearly. Travelers prone to seasickness should take proper precautions. If you travel to the Cinque Terre between November 2 and March 24, or in case of adverse weather conditions, the visit will be operated entirely by train. Trains are subject to delays and to public transportation strikes.

Discover the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls. Wander with a local guide, delving into the city’s Roman heritage and storied past. Enjoy some free time to explore the Piazza Napoleone and the rest of the city on your own. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany for a 3-night stay** in the village of Figline. This evening, try your hand at the local culture with an interactive pasta-making demonstration by your hotel’s on-site chef.

**Note that some dates will be accommodated in countryside estates. These villas 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, has many amenities and is brimming with true Tuscan flavor. This is part of the fun!

Explore Florence (UNESCO), the “Cradle of the Renaissance” during a locally guided walking tour of the city’s iconic sites. View the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. Admire the Gates of Paradise and the imposing dome of the cathedral. Wander past Piazza della Signoria and the ornate facade of Santa Croce. Enjoy time to explore more on your own before returning to your hotel in the evening.

Journey through Tuscany’s low-lying hills and dense olive groves to a traditional frantoio (olive mill), where olives are pressed each November.*** After learning about the many varieties of trees and oil-making methods, join a tasting of the different varietals of EVOO produced at the mill. Your exploration of the Chianti countryside wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a local winery for a taste of the famous Chianti Classico wines. Then continue to the village of Greve, surrounded by vineyard-carpeted hills. Cap off an unforgettable journey at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

***Olives are picked over a period of approximately 45 days. The exact starting and ending day depends on the weather and can vary from mid-October to mid-December.

Say arriverderci to Italy as your journey comes to a close.