Italy’s Treasures Tour
SPRING 2024
Enliven All Your Senses on This “Best of Italy” Escape
Let the romance of la dolce vita envelop you on this unforgettable journey through Italy’s most intoxicating sights, sounds, and tastes. From rustic Tuscan vineyards to chic Riviera stays, colorful Cinque Terre villages to Roman ruins and Florentine palaces, join Shayla on a vibrant trip through the country that celebrates authentic culture and cuisine.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- 4 and 5-Star Accommodations: Check in to stylish boutique hotels and historic villas that embody Italy’s laid back yet elegant approach to luxury
- Boat across Lake Maggiore, playground of the rich and famous, to visit a stunning island ringed with handsome palazzos
- Hop from village to stunning seaside village along the Cinque Terre, where colorful houses are tucked high above the Ligurian Sea
- Dine among the olive groves at a charming Tuscan farmhouse after a hands-on cooking lesson
- Enjoy VIP, local-led walking tours of two of Italy’s most impressive cities: Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, and Venice, the Floating City
Day 1: An Italian Arrival
Day 2: Explore Lake Maggiore
Your Italian rendezvous starts today with an exploration of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. Ease yourself into a slower pace of life around the lake with a visit to a wine shop to enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks.
This afternoon you’ll cruise to Isola dei Pescatori, the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, where you’ll meet with new friends at a dinner welcoming you to Italy.
You’ll end your day at The Regina Palace Hotel in Stresa, overlooking the shores of the lake. First opened in 1908, the hotel still preserves its fin de siècle charm with a sensitive restoration featuring gorgeous period pieces, combined with modern amenities and warm service.
Day 3: Stresa
After a leisurely breakfast, get ready to discover the charms of lakeside Stresa. Today’s journey begins in an ancient village nestled in the mountains, where a local family welcomes you to sample their very own artisanal cheeses, paired with the region’s best wines.
The remainder of your day in Stresa is at your leisure. Explore the bustling piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets, and lakeside promenades. Or, perhaps relax and take in the breathtaking surroundings during an optional cruise of this scenic lake region.
Day 4: Lake Orta & the Italian Riviera
On our final day in the lakes region, soak up the 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.
We’ll say goodbye to lake living and start our journey to the Italian Riviera to discover the immeasurable grandeur along the Ligurian coast, where colorful villages perch high above the inky blue sea. Enjoy a delicious dinner with the group before checking into Grand Hotel dei Castelli, a historic boutique hotel overlooking the gulf in Sestri Levante that’s surrounded by tranquil Mediterranean gardens.
Day 5: Cinque Terre
Travel by rail today as you discover the Cinque Terre, a string of five centuries-old fishing villages perched on the edge of the sea. You’ll feel like you have stepped back in time and into a picture-perfect postcard as you traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards, colorful houses that seem to teeter on the cliff’s edge, and harbors filled with bobbing fishing boats. Spend an afternoon independently exploring this awe-inspiring landscape—be sure to taste regional specialties like focaccia, pasta with Ligurian pesto, and fritto misto.
Day 6: Carrara Marble Quarries
Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy’s great natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. During an off-road drive through the Apuane Mountains, you’ll follow the paths the cavatori (quarrymen) carved into the landscape 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 stunning Duomo built out of white marble, or search for Michelangelo’s bust marking his former home.
We’ll continue our drive through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.
Day 7: San Gimignano
This morning, journey into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, where a family-owned villa welcomes you. After a tour of the house and grounds, you’ll join a hands-on cooking lesson to learn the secret to Italian favorites. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan lunch and toast to your host with local Chianti wine.
Later, take in Tuscany’s landscape, a tableau of verdant vineyards and endless olive groves, en route to San Gimignano. Nicknamed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages, San Gimignano boasts 14 towers that soar distinctively over the landscape, making this iconic Tuscan village stand out against the rolling hills. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning gelato parlor while you wander the maze of cobbled streets during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem.
Day 8: Siena
Today you’ll 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 that illuminates Siena’s fascinating history and unique architecture, where contrados—or neighborhoods—fan out from the central square.
Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) with a visit to a community museum centered around the famous Palio horse race, held twice each year in the city. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.
Day 9: Florence
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 most iconic monuments, including the glittering storefronts on the Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. You’ll also wander past the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, the skyline-dominating Duomo, and Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world. Enjoy exploring Florence independently before returning to your relaxing Tuscan villa.
Day 10: Bologna
Today we’ll travel to Italy’s “food capital” to dive into centuries-old culinary traditions. On a walking tour, discover the culture of Bologna, a city barely changed since the time of the Renaissance. 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. You’ll check into Hotel Ca’ dei Conti, a handsome historical residence just a stone’s throw away from St. Mark’s Square.
Day 11: Venice
Spend your final full day in breathtaking Venezia, the floating city home to lavish art collections, wonders of architecture, and marbled palaces that tower over gondola-laden canals. You’ll 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 piazza. A local guide will take you on a tour of the city’s exquisite sites, including the Bridge of Sighs, the bell tower, and St. Mark’s Basilica. Say arrivederci to Italy—and all your new friends!—at a savory farewell dinner.
Day 12: Departure
Wake up and savor one final Italian breakfast before departing from Venice for your international flight home.
- 10 nights of 4- & 5-star hotel accommodations
- 17 meals: 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Roundtrip International airfare (price may vary depending on your departure airport)
- Baggage handling—1 bag per traveler
- Services of a professional Tour Manager
- Transportation via deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
- All taxes and service charges
Coming Soon!
Shayla Copas Travel is an independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network – a Virtuoso Member. Gifted Travel Network, Inc. is registered with the following licenses: California – Seller of Travel Registration no. 2113317-40, Washington – Seller of Travel Unified Business ID (UBI) # 603 308 394, Florida – Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39093.
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