10-Nights Northern Italy: Cinque Terre, Lake Como and Venice - Small Group Journeys — CALL
Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1683726
Northern Italy has an elegant vibe all its own, with a range of Mediterranean cultures and landscapes to take in, from Como in the gorgeous Lake District to the sparkling Cinque Terre and wine-rich hills of Piedmont. Discover the magic of Italy’s northern provinces for yourself, partaking of exquisite food and wine and exploring some of the country’s most distinguished cities, including fashion capital Milan and romantic, postcard-perfect Venice.
10 nights | Call for pricing
Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Milan, Italy
Arrive in cosmopolitan Milan, the fashion center of Italy and home to an outsized share of art and architectural wonders, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, gather for cocktails and a welcome dinner.
Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá
Meals:
2 Como – Charming Village of Bellagio
Drive to beautiful Lake Como and cruise its sparkling waters by private boat, taking in views of the many luxurious villas on the lakeshore. As one of the jewels of the incomparably alluring Italian Lakes district, Lake Como is lined with homes that set a special standard for refinement and elegant living. Go ashore for lunch at a restaurant in the village of Bellagio before returning to Milan for the evening.
Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá
Meals:
3 Milan – Da Vinci's Masterpiece
Milan is Italy's wealthiest city and the heart of its fashion industry. First tour its historic center and view the majestic Duomo. Then, visit the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to view Leonardo Da Vinci's incomparable mural, The Last Supper. After time for lunch at leisure, continue to your hotel in Turin.
Grand Hotel Sitea
Meals:
4 Turin – Wine Tasting in Piedmont
Explore the fascinating city of Turin, which has its origins in the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia(13th to 17th century). After Italy was unified as a nation in 1861, Turin was named the capital of the fledgling state and is today often considered Italy’s birthplace. Visit the Egyptian Museum, the oldest of its kind in the world and second only to Cairo in importance. Tour Piedmont's wine country, enjoying lunch and a wine tasting in the town of Barolo.
Grand Hotel Sitea
Meals:
5 Sestri Levante – Culinary Secrets of Liguria
Descend to the sunbathed Ligurian coast, often referred to as the Italian Riviera, and the small port of Sestri Levante. Join an expert to learn the art of making local pesto, then savor a delicious lunch, on a savory chef-led culinary experience.
Grand Hotel Portovenere
Meals:
6 Cinque Terre – Beauty Along the Coast
Discover the extraordinary beauty of the Cinque Terre, which translates as "Five Lands” and, like Amalfi in the south of Italy, is renowned for its breathtakingly picturesque scenery. Explore these iconic villages built along the steep coastal cliffs of Liguria and absorb the charming vibe.
Grand Hotel Portovenere
Meals:
7 Parma and Bologna – Food Tasting and Ferraris
Cross the Apennines to Emilia-Romagna, a region known as the breadbasket of Italy. In Parma, visit a maker of their famous cheese, followed by a tasting and a lunch of local products. Continue to Modena, where you visit the Ferrari Museum and see the company's testing track. Finish with a culinary walking tour of Bologna before checking in to your hotel.
Grand Hotel Majestic 'gia Baglioni
Meals:
8 Bologna/Venice – Hands-on Pasta Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in the secrets of Italian cuisine during a pasta cooking class in this center of the culinary arts. After lunch, continue to Venice and gather in the bàcaro (wine bar) of your hotel for a glass of one of their fine vintages.
San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice
Meals:
9 Venice – Charms of the Venetian Lagoon
One of the world’s most iconic cities, Venice is built on an archipelago of some 118 islands, separated by canals plied by romantic gondolas, and accessed by more than 400 bridges, such as the tragic Bridge of Sighs. Explore the Venetian Lagoon with stops at the charming island of Burano and Venissa Wine Estate, the only vineyard in Venice. Learn how a one-of-a-kind terroir formed by a delicate balance of fresh and saltwater yields grapes used to make a white wine with the characteristics of a red, which you sample. Later, behold the wonderful architecture of St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, timeless hallmarks of Venice.
San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice
Meals:
10 Venice – Design Your Day
Today, select one of these Design Your Day activities.
- Explore the Gallerie dell’Accademia, viewing works by Bellini, Titian and other masters of Venetian art.
- Savor a Guided Foodie Experience, sampling the local-favorite tastes of "Hidden Venice."
- Discover Secret Gardens of Venice, walking off the beaten path into private enclaves owned by local aristocrats.
This evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner.
San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice
Meals:
11 Depart Venice
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals:
Italians say that Turin (Torino), the major city of the western Alps, seems more French than Italian. Its wide boulevards in a grid pattern and its 17th- and 18th-century architecture do bear more resemblance to Paris than Florence. A stroll about the city center provides architectural enthusiasts examples of Renaissance, baroque, turn-of-the-century and modern buildings. The city is also distinguished by miles/kilometers of 18th-century colonnades.
Turin is the capital of Piedmont, a region that even Italians consider to have the best food in Italy. Many years of French occupation have left a mark on Piedmontese cuisine, which includes more cheese dishes and sauces than is common in traditional Italian cooking. The Piedmontese are an independent-minded people who have invented their own style of cuisine that is neither French nor Italian, but incorporates the best of both. Turin also has a well-deserved international reputation for its coffee and claims to have invented chocolate, or at least gianduiotto, the delicious confection made from chocolate and hazelnut. Temptation beckons in every window, so it is best to leave your diet at home.
Excursions
Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours
Highlights:
- Admire the wonderful architecture of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica
Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Return private motorboat transfers between the harbour and central Venice
- An expert English-speaking guide (4 hours)
- Entrance fees to all named sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs.
- Gratuities
Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours
Highlights:
- Admire the many art treasures on display in the Frari Church
- See the masterpieces on display in the Accademia Gallery
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Return private motorboat transfers between the harbour and central Venice
- An expert English-speaking guide (4 hours)
- Entrance fees to all stated sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours
Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours
Highlights:
- Visit Verona's impressive Amphitheatre
- See Juliet's House and its famous balcony
Tour Can Operate: Mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan transfers between Venice cruise terminal and Verona
- An expert English-speaking guide in Verona (3 hours)
- Entrance fees to the stated sightseeing
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Venice - St. Marks, Grand Canal and Murano - 6 hours
Venice - St. Marks, Grand Canal and Murano - 6 hours
- Introduction to the history of Venice
- Visit to private glass producer in Murano
- Tour of Grand Canal by private boat
- Reservations to St.Marks and Doge's Palace - no lines
Included:
- Private English speaking guide for the day and private boat.
- Clients are picked up and dropped off at the Port
Meals
Venice in a Day - 8 hours
Meet your private English-speaking assistant and private boat at the pier side of Venice port.
The tour will start with an hour cruise by private boat along the Grand Canal to see its beauty as it was intended to be seen by boat. Continue visiting the island of Murano: you will enter into a real working studio and see how the glass is blown and shaped with the original tools which have been used throughout history.
Next, you will come back to Venice and enjoy a ride by gondola: the symbol of Venice. Both if you are honeymooner or young people or well travelled tourist, you will be captured by the elegance and charm of this experience.
After lunch your private English speaking guide will meet you and take you on a walking tour, explaining the historical background of Venice, its origin and development. Visiting St. Mark's square with the Golden Basilica and the Doge's palace, you will come in touch with the most admired and well known artistic jewels, especially from a monumental & architectural point of view. The past splendours of the Serenissima will appear through palaces, churches, bell towers, well curbs, elegant renaissance and baroque facades.
Also worth a detailed visit is the lively area of Rialto's market, connecting the famous bridge to St. Mark's square through the well known Mercerie street: the remnants of Venice's magnificence will fascinate you.
We will ensure your timely return transfer to the Venice Port
Highlights:
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Grand Canal, Murano island, Golden Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bell Tower, main and -off the truck- highlights
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
· 3 hours Luxury private boat at disposal for the entire day
· English-speaking assistant at disposal for the entire day
· 4 hour private English-speaking guide
· No Line entrance fees for Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Exclusions:
· All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
· Gratuities
Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours
Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours
Today you will be met by your local English-speaking guide for a full day excursion by private motor-boat to explore the Lagoon Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Venice lies in the centre of a vast lagoon that stretches for about 30 miles from north to south, studded by numerous small islands, mostly deserted. This amazing environment is what drove the Venetians to establish their city here, a perfectly secure and inaccessible little world. Enjoy the beauty of a ride across the waters of the lagoon; visit the island of Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years and where you can see the age-old techniques of glass blowing still in use today.
Continue to Torcello, to see the breathtaking mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta, the oldest building on the lagoon. After a leisurely lunch (payable locally) you reach the island of Burano, a quaint and colourful fisherman island famous for its lace and charming architecture.
Highlights:
- Cruise across the lagoon to Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years using the same techniques
- Explore Torcello and Burano, a colourful fishing village famous for its lace and charming architecture
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
• Return private motorboat transfer between the harbour and the islands
• An expert local guide (7 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
The story of Murano and Burano
The story of Murano and Burano
Hop on a private boat and start sailing through the Venice lagoon! This unique tour will let you discover the authentic side of Venice by exploring two famous islands – Murano and Burano. First stop, Murano – an epicenter of the most sophisticated glass production in the world. “Il vetro di Murano”, the glass of Murano, is a special type of glass made for decades. You will visit one of the traditional factories and take part in a glass-blowing demonstration. Pretty exclusive, don’t you think?
Your next stop is Burano – a small, fishermen’s island, famous for its heritage of lace embroidery that it’s still today made by hand only. It is often mentioned as one of the prettiest towns in Italy and also one of the most unique thanks to two characteristics: its canals and its colorful houses that make the island a real rainbow of colors! This tour will surely let you remember the Venice Lagoon forever.
Highlights:
- Unique island experience
- Personal guide
Tour can operate: Morning or afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Private boat
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Items purchased for personal use
The Canal Grande cruise followed by a walking tour of Venice
The Canal Grande cruise followed by a walking tour of Venice
Are you ready to start this tour with a private boat cruise down the most spectacular “boulevard” in the world? Yes, we are talking about The Canal Grande, Venice’s main artery. Just hop on your private boat and enjoy the scenic views of all the marvelous palaces and side alley’s canals. Sit back and relax while you absorb the breath-taking beauty and uniqueness of Venice. After the ride, the guide will take you through Calli, Callette, Ponti, Campi and Campielli. You will reach Rialto bridge, that was the only way to cross the great Canal on foot, for centuries. You can indulge in great experience of the famous local market filled with interesting products and learn more about the area that was once a significant place for trading goods.
Highlights:
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unique sightseeing experience
-
Personal guide
Tour Duration: up to 4h
Tour can operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Easy
Inclusions:
- Private guide
-
No line entrance tickets for Doge’s Palace and St. Mark Basilic
Not Included:
- Lunch
- Tips
- Drinks
- Transfers
Many people pass through Bologna, Italy, on their way elsewhere, which is a shame—it merits a stop of at least a day.
Sometimes called "Bologna the fat," this city 65 mi/105 km north of Florence is a great place to indulge yourself: Many consider it the gastronomic capital of Italy.
Maybe for this reason, Milan makes itself indispensable, because it is impossible to feel so alive and full of energy when you are away from the city. Milan is always one step ahead: a laboratory of artistic experiments and a building site for social behavior that is continuously changing. City full of contradictions, ancient and modern, trends and counter-trends, fashion and underground, middle class and working class, but always simply “cool”.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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