Vacation Overview
Parmesan and prosciutto. Ferraris and Fiats. Ruins and the Riviera. Some of Italy’s greatest indulgences can be found up north. Italy’s “Fabulous Five,” the pastel-hued cliffside fishing villages along the Mediterranean, start the count of the numerous joys you’ll experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Northern Italy. In addition to finding the freshest seafood along the coast, you’ll relish a balsamic vinegar tasting in the epicurean city of Modena, a parmesan cheese tasting near Verdi’s hometown of Busseto, a risotto lunch at a Vercelli rice factory, and a wine tasting in vineyard-dotted Gabiano. To spice things up, you’ll speed over to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, cruise to the yacht-filled harbor of Portofino, and strut your stuff down the streets of Milan. Leading you to the fabulous, the famous, and the fashionable, this tour is the way to see Northern Italy in style.
Itinerary
Day | Location | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Arrive in Milan, Italy | Welcome to Milan! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. |
2 | Milan - Busseto - Parma | Style & Taste in Northern Italy MILAN Guided walking tour includes sights of the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo. Free time before continuing to Busseto.
BUSSETO See the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi with free time for lunch before a Parmesan cheese tasting at a local caseificio (cheese-making factory).
99 mi / 160 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Bite into 1,000 years of Italian tradition with a Parmesan cheese tasting in Busseto. Learn about the rich history that has passed the test of time with authentic ingredients of passion and perfected recipes in local caseifici (cheese making factories) of the Italian pastoral landscapes. |
3 | Parma, Excursion to Modena & Maranello | Cathedrals & Classic Cars PARMA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the cathedral, bell tower, and octagonal baptistry. Free time to visit the cathedral.
MODENA Enjoy a Balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi.
MARANELLO Visit the Ferrari Museum. Free time this afternoon and evening.
112 mi / 180 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegard requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty. |
4 | Parma - Lucca | Treasured Time in Tuscany LUCCA Orientation walk, followed by free time this afternoon and evening.
99 mi / 160 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS Within the walls surrounding the medieval city of Lucca, the modern world fades away. Whilst you walk, see the Piazza Anfiteatro, San Michele Square, the Roman Amphitheatre, the soaring clock tower, and the Guinigi Tower topped with a hanging garden roof – just to name a few of the impressive sights you’ll find in this historic city in Tuscany. |
5 | Lucca - Cinque Terra - Genoa | Sights to Sea Scenic drive en route to La Spezia.
CINQUE TERRE Take a guided boat ride (weather permitting) to Monterosso. Free time before continuing the journey by train.
124 mi / 200 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Take a stunning cruise on the coast of Cinque Terre and take in fascinating views of the sea, sky, and centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. |