Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

Experience the romance of Italy's lakes region, the colorful coast of the Italian Riviera, and the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Welcome to Italy. Your journey begins in Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Italian Lake District, your home for the next two nights. As arrival times will vary, spend the day as you wish exploring independently and admiring the beautiful views of Lake Maggiore. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers as you cruise to picturesque Isola Pescatori* for a welcome dinner featuring regional delicacies and local wines.

This morning, coast along the ethereal waters of Lake Maggiore before docking at Isola Bella,** known as the “beautiful island.” Join an expert guide and venture into the Borromeo Palace, a Baroque beauty with an enchanted garden. Back on the mainland, stroll the cobblestone streets of Stresa. Long-favored by European aristocracy because of its blend of elegant belle-époque mansions, fragrant gardens, and charming views, Stresa has inspired artists and writers since the late 1800s. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Head to Italy’s picturesque Riviera, making your way through the plains of Northern Italy. Pause in Parma, home to famous foods such as prosciutto and parmigiano. Perhaps you’ll taste some for yourself as you enjoy free time for lunch in this charming town. This afternoon, the day’s drive continues through the Apennine Mountains and finishes in 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, 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 tour 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.