Northern Italy Highlights And Cinque Terre

2012 Season
Departs From: Milan

From 1,437EUR

Length:  10 days from Milan to Milan, or 11 days incl. travel

Overview

This is the perfect vacation for travelers who want to learn more about the culture, food, and traditions of Northern Italy. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Milan, Parma, and Turin, an orientation in Lucca, and a full day at leisure in the seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure. But this vacation offers much more! Enjoy tastings of some of Italy’s gastronomic delights, including a balsamic vinegar tasting, a parmesan cheese tasting, a risotto lunch at a rice factory, and a wine tasting. Visit Maranello, the birthplace of the Ferrari car, and visit the Ferrari Gallery.

A tour highlight is Cinque Terre, a name given to five medieval villages on the sea. The area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea. Delight in the unique charm of the area and take in the breathtaking views. Words cannot describe the magic and spectacular scenery—you must witness it in person. You’re sure to arrive back home with lots of photos and stories from this delightful vacation—an unforgettable and unique experience!

Duration:  10 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
08 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
22 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
29 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
06 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
13 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
17 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
31 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
14 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
21 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
28 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
05 October, 2012	14 October, 2012

City Highlights

Milan
Welcome dinner; guided walking tour, visit the Duomo and Galleria; farewell dinner at a local restaurant

Soragna
Parmesan cheese tasting

Parma
Guided sightseeing

Modena
Balsamic vinegar tasting

Maranello
Visit the Ferrari Gallery

Lucca
Orientation

Cinque Terre Excursion
By boat and train

Asti
Wine tasting; visit a local nougat confectioner (Departures July 12-August 23 visit the Tapestry Museum instead)

Turin
Guided sightseeing, admire the Mole Antonelliana, walk through the historic center, and visit the cathedral that houses the Holy Shroud

Vercelli
Visit a rice factory and enjoy a risotto lunch

Headsets throughout the tour

Day 1   Arrive in Milan, Italy. Time to rest or start exploring Milan, vibrant hub of Italy’s economic miracle. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 2   Milan–Soragna–Parma. In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the magnificent gothic DUOMO and the glass-domed GALLERIA. Also see the famous La Scala Opera House. On your way to Parma, world famous for its ham and parmesan cheese, stop at Soragna for a PARMESAN CHEESE TASTING. Later, for the food-lovers, an optional excursion to an original ham factory is available. (B)

Day 3   Parma. Excursion to Modena and Maranello. This morning, your guided sightseeing will focus on the Romanesque cathedral, the bell tower, and the octagonal baptistry made of pink Verona marble. Next, enjoy a BALSAMIC VINEGAR TASTING near Modena, and learn all about this typical Italian product. Continue to nearby Maranello, birthplace of the Ferrari automobile, for an exciting visit to the FERRARI GALLERY. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

Day 4   Parma–Lucca. Enjoy a walk through the medieval town of Lucca with its ramparts and spend time in its pretty center. This evening you may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a local agriturismo to try out local specialties. (B)

Day 5   Lucca–Boat Excursion to Cinque Terre–Santa Margherita Ligure. A scenic day! Drive to La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast and enjoy your excursion (including a BOAT RIDE, weather permitting) to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five medieval little villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From here, enjoy a TRAIN RIDE to Rapallo, then continue by coach to Santa Margherita Ligure. (B,D)

Day 6   At Leisure in Santa Margherita Ligure. A full day to enjoy this beautiful seaside resort. You may wish to join an optional excursion to nearby Portofino, a small fishing village with brightly colored houses that became home to the “rich and famous.” (B)

Day 7   Santa Margherita Ligure–Asti–Turin. Enter the Langhe area and arrive in Asti, known for its spumante and Barbera wines. Here, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Time afterwards in town, then visit a local NOUGAT CONFECTIONER (tours 0713-0824 visit the TAPESTRY MUSEUM instead) and savor a piece of hand-made torrone before continuing to Turin, capital of Piedmont and birthplace of the Fiat car. This evening you may wish to try out one of Turin’s restaurants. (B)

Day 8   Turin. During your sightseeing with a Local Guide, admire the 548-feet-high Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin, and the Lingotto Fiera, the former Fiat factory that was transformed into an impressive multi-function center by architect Renzo Piano. Next, walk through the historic center and visit the CATHEDRAL that houses the Holy Shroud. (B)

Day 9   Turin–Vercelli–Milan. This morning, visit a RICE FACTORY in Vercelli. Learn everything about its traditional products and enjoy a risotto lunch before returning to Milan. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner with wine at one of Milan’s fine restaurants to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B,L,D)

Day 10   Milan. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast (B); 1 special lunch (L) in Vercelli; 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner and a special farewell dinner with wine in Milan

Hotel Information:  MILAN NH Touring (F), PARMA Starhotels du Parc (SF), LUCCA Grand Hotel Guinigi (F), SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE Regina Elena (F), TURIN Starhotels Majestic (F)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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