Country Roads of Northern Italy - Small Group
Tour Type: Country Roads
Brochure Type: IV Europe Summer 2024 v1
See the breathtaking scenery of Northern Italy on this 10-day guided tour. Settle into Cortina d'Ampezzo, an exclusive ski resort nestled in the limestone peaks of the Dolomites; explore designer stores and enjoy panoramic views of the unique mountain range. In Venice, drift along the city's famous canals as you are serenaded by traditional songs - then sail on to Murano to see a skilled craftsman turn molten glass into a colorful work of art. Stay on the shores of Lake Como, where Europe's wealthiest residents spend their holidays; you will see the serene lake from your room. Meet a local fisherman in Lake Maggiore, where you will tour Isola dei Pescatori, then indulge in a farm-to-table feast featuring fresh-caught fish and delicious local wine.
Choice Highlights
Brochure Type: IV Europe Summer 2024 v1
See the breathtaking scenery of Northern Italy on this 10-day guided tour. Settle into Cortina d'Ampezzo, an exclusive ski resort nestled in the limestone peaks of the Dolomites; explore designer stores and enjoy panoramic views of the unique mountain range. In Venice, drift along the city's famous canals as you are serenaded by traditional songs - then sail on to Murano to see a skilled craftsman turn molten glass into a colorful work of art. Stay on the shores of Lake Como, where Europe's wealthiest residents spend their holidays; you will see the serene lake from your room. Meet a local fisherman in Lake Maggiore, where you will tour Isola dei Pescatori, then indulge in a farm-to-table feast featuring fresh-caught fish and delicious local wine.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Verona: See the statue of Dante and the Gothic tombs of the Scala family on a walking tour through Verona's grand piazzas.
- Verona: Embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from Romeo and Juliet's story. See the bronze statue of Juliet and her famed balcony before ending in Piazza dei Signori, the main square where the star-crossed lovers tragedy took place.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- "I really love about showing guests the huge variety that Italy has to offer, from quaint countryside villages to cities full of stupendous art and architecture."
- "One food I really love introducing my guests to is tramezzini sandwiches because they are a real art form in Venice. For the locals it is a quick inexpensive bite to get them through the day...best eaten standing up at the bar!"
- "One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
- Milan: A local historian brings Milan's history to life, including the contributions of Leonardo da Vinci, during a guided walking tour. See the impressive facade of the Milan Cathedral and the world famous La Scala Theatre.
- Milan: Enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with wine, as you get to know your fellow travellers.
- Veneto: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how to make the perfect Bellini.
- Como: Choose your own ambience and cuisine from a handpicked selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening.
- Lake Maggiore: Meet Stefano, the last true fisherman on Lake Maggiore, before sitting down to a Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner with local wine.
- Dining Summary: 4 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 9 Breakfast (B)
- Trento: See the pristine streets lined by stone castles during your an orientation of this unique, historical city.
- Verona: See the statue of Dante and the Gothic tombs of the Scala family on a walking tour through Verona's grand piazzas.
- Verona: Embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from Romeo and Juliet's story. See the bronze statue of Juliet and her famed balcony before ending in Piazza dei Signori, the main square where the star-crossed lovers tragedy took place.
- Bolzano: Explore the streets and squares of this alpine town, with your Travel Director.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo: Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cortina, a small town framed by magnificent alps as your Travel Director conducts an orientation.
- Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Venice: Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, travelling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
- Sirmione: On Lake Garda, visit this quaint resort and see the 13th century Saligers' Castle.
- Como: Take in the exquisite views of the lake and its alpine backdrop as you enjoy an orientation of this magnificent town.
- Baveno: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
- Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Call (636) 978-5510 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17442542
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 9/30/2023
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Italy | Welcome to Italy: After a warm welcome at Milan's Malpensa Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:30 and 12:30. Meet your Travel Director at 15:30 and join a local historian to naviguate through Milan's history and the life of Leonardo da Vinci. See the impressive facade of Milan Cathedral and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Linking the two is the elegant glass vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers during your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City. |
| Day 2 | Fair Verona and Trento | Fair Verona and Trento: Cross the fertile plains of Lombardy to fair Verona, the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Explore its maze of elegant squares and visit the well-preserved Roman Arena, still used for opera performances.Explore Verona with Insight Choice. Choose a walking tour through the grand piazzas, see the statue of Dante and admire the Gothic tombs of the Scala family. Alternatively, embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to discover famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet, stopping at Juliet's famed balcony. Continue on to Trento, regarded as one of Italy's most appealing cities to live in. NH Trento. |
| Day 3 | Cortina d'Ampezzo | Climb up to Cortina d'Ampezzo Relaxed Start: Follow the Adige River north into the magnificent mountains and the distinctive limestone peaks of the Dolomites. Arrive at the town of Bolzano, where Italy and Austria culturally collide and you are at leisure to explore the arcaded streets and squares. Continue along the zig-zagging scenic route to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy's most exclusive ski resort and a beautiful alpine haven during summer. Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo. |
| Day 4 | The Dolomites | The Dolomites at Leisure Relaxed Start: Enjoy a day at your leisure in this fashionable playground of the rich and famous, surrounded by towering cathedrals of rock. Take in the fresh mountain air as you stroll the pedestrianised Corso Italia, lined with designer stores and backed by the impressive green and white bell tower of the parish church. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks for magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites? Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo. |
| Day 5 | Through Prosecco Country to Venice | Through Prosecco Country to Venice: Travel down through more majestic Dolomite scenery to one of the world's most breathtaking wine regions. Protected by the Alps to the north and caressed by the warm breezes from the Adriatic, the vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy's most prized sparkling wine.
Stop in Conegliano, where great care is taken to ensure these hand-picked grapes produce the world's finest prosecco. See how production differs from its more famous French counterpart, champagne. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavours and learn how to make the perfect bellini. Continue on to the unique and remarkable island city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic and check into your hotel. Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice. |
| Day 6 | The Magic of La Serenissima | The Magic of La Serenissima: Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.What better way to see Venice than from a private boat, cruising past palazzos and churches to St. Mark's Square? See the gilded basilica, the Doge's Palace and Lord Byron's Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy traditional local songs, as you drift along in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark's Square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes? Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice. |
| Day 7 | Sirmione and Como | Sirmione and Como Relaxed Start: Bid farewell to this enchanting city and continue past the university town of Padua to the peaceful shores of Lake Garda, the largest of Italy's lakes. Visit the charming resort town of Sirmione, clustered around the 13th century Scaligero Castle on a narrow peninsula jutting out into the lake.Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to reach the spectacular Italian Lake District and your hotel on the shores of Lake Como, where you will enjoy views on the lake from your room. Later, you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Hotel Barchetta Excelsior, Como. |
| Day 8 | Baveno | Como at Leisure and Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start: Enjoy a morning at leisure in Como. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, this is a prime spot to catch a glimpse of Europe's rich and famous.Journey onwards to Lake Maggiore's Baveno, renowned for its charming 16th century square and narrow cobbled streets. Hotel Simplon, Baveno. |
| Day 9 | Italian Lakes | Italian Lakes at Leisure Relaxed Start: Relish a full day to relax and enjoy this popular resort and beautiful lake. Napoleon came here to plan his Italian Campaign, and Mussolini and Chamberlain met here before World War II to sign the Treaty of Stresa. Perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? Isola Bella is where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace. Savour delicious Farm-to-Table cuisine during your Celebration Dinner, accompanied by some exquisite Italian wines. Raise a glass to your travels and newfound friends. Hotel Simplon, Baveno. |
| Day 10 | Milan | Depart Milan: Your journey draws to a close in the morning and transfers arrive at Milan's Malpensa Airport at 07:30 and 10:30. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
