11 Day Food & Wines of Piedmont, Liguria & Veneto with Cinque Terre

From

$3489

Land Only

$4339*

Air & Land


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Featured Hotels

Thursday Departure
Grand Hotel Bristol Stresa
Starhotels Majestic Turin
Grand Hotel Miramare Santa Margherita Ligure
Starhotels Du Parc Parma
Villa Contarini Nenzi Hotel & Spa Dosson di Casier

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Book By Dec 16, 2021 & Save!

2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $750
Dates
Previous Season Dates

Not Included:
Gratuities.


Additional Information:
Land only prices do not include arrival/departure transfers.


Accommodation Details:
Some departures may stay at the Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno instead of the Grand Hotel Bristol in Stresa.

Entry Requirements:
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.


Is This Trip Right for You?

This program is active. Walking is done over cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Expect most of the sightseeing to require three to four hours of walking as well as a considerable time standing. Many historical cities have specific driving regulations, with set drop off and pick up points, that result in extra walking to and from the sights. The pacing is active as many sites are included. This is a Small Group program. For more information, click here.

Accommodation Details




Room 1


  • Requests are not guaranteed and are subject to each hotel's discretion and availability

Additional Nights

Flight Details



Package Includes

  • Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
  • Flights New York-Milan, Venice-New York
    Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
  • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
  • 9 nights First Class accommodations
    • 2 nights Stresa
    • 2 nights Turin
    • 2 nights Santa Margherita Ligure
    • 1 night Parma
    • 2 nights Treviso Area
  • Italian city hotel taxes, fees & service charges
  • Hotel porterage
  • All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
  • 17 meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners (including welcome & farewell dinners)
  • Coffee and tea with all meals
  • Wine is included with lunches and dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
  • Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
  • Active itinerary with unique cultural features

Tour Highlights

Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination & visit places that other tours miss

  • Savor a lakeside lunch on Isola dei Pescatori, or Fishermen’s Island, on lovely Lake Maggiore
  • In the Piedmont region, travel through rice plantations and taste local dishes
  • Explore Turin and discover many famous sights of the House of Savoy, Italy's royal family
  • Take a guided tour of the wine cellars followed by tastings in the famous Piedmont region
  • Stay in Santa Margherita Ligure and spend free time in picturesque Portofino
  • Marvel at the cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, “five towns” that seem suspended over the Ligurian Sea
  • Taste authentic Balsamic Vinegar in a family-run estate
  • Participate in a guided city tour of Parma
  • Take a walking tour of historic Bologna, while tasting world-famous products of Emilia Romagna, including Prosciutto & Parmesan cheese
  • Enjoy a Prosecco tasting in its land of origin

†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Is This Trip Right for You?

This program is active. Walking is done over cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Expect most of the sightseeing to require three to four hours of walking as well as a considerable time standing. Many historical cities have specific driving regulations, with set drop off and pick up points, that result in extra walking to and from the sights. The pacing is active as many sites are included. This is a Small Group program. For more information, click here.
Watch our Video!
Note: your itinerary will change depending upon the day of the week you depart. Click a day above to see what is included.

DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Stresa
Arrive in Milan, and transfer to your hotel in the town of Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, one of Italy's most romantic destinations. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting at approximately 6 pm (exact time will be advised on your tour arrival day) with your Tour Manager to discuss the upcoming journey that awaits you in Italy, followed by a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Lake Maggiore
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
Today, cruise across Lake Maggiore to Isola Bella. Here, visit the palace of Prince Borromeo, and its splendid gardens with the famous white peacocks. Continue to the charming Isola dei Pescatori, meaning fishermen's island, which gets its name from the occupation of its inhabitants. Walk along the narrow streets and marvel at the incredible views of the lake before enjoying local dishes for lunch. Upon your return to Stresa proceed to Lake Orta to visit the historical Island of San Giulio. Evening is free to explore Stresa on your own
Overnight: Lake Maggiore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Sunday - Travel to Turin, via the Rice Plantations
This morning depart for Turin, the capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, also referred to as the capital of the Alps. On the way, stop in the land of rice and risotto. Learn about the varieties of rice grown and taste the local specialties. In the early afternoon take a walking tour of Turin, the industrial capital and nostalgic home to the House of Savoy, Italy’s royal family. Start with the Baroque Piazza San Carlo, the so-called Italian Living Room; continue via Palazzo Carignano, birthplace of the first king of Italy. This palace became the seat of the first Italian Parliament. Then walk to Piazza Carlo Alberto and the elegant Subalpina Gallery, a jewel of eclectic art. The tour ends in Piazza Castello known as the heart of the city, with the Royal Palace, the Royal Church of San Lorenzo and Palazzo Madama, where the first Italian Senate was located. Enjoy an aperitif in one of the elegant cafes under the porticos. Balance of the day is at leisure to further explore the city
Overnight: Turin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Monday - Wine and Spumante in Piedmont
Today is dedicated to Piedmont and its wines. Travel through the regions of Langhe & Monferrato and visit the heartland of Barolo, the most famous & valuable Italian wine, produced by Nebbiolo grapes. Drive through the velvet hills, passing the towns of Cherasco, La Morra, Barbaresco and Neive that link their names to the famous wines of the area. Discover the secrets of the “red gold” with a guided tour of the cellars followed by a wine tasting. Continue through the land of Spumante for a visit of one of the “Cathedral cellars” of the area. Return to Turin in the late afternoon
Overnight: Turin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Tuesday - Travel to Santa Margherita, Portofino
This morning travel to the Ligurian Riviera and spend free time in picturesque Portofino, an Italian gem frequented by the rich and famous. Perhaps, visit the well-known Piazzetta, a small cobbled square along the coast: the symbol of fashionable Portofino that overlooks the harbor with its fishing boats and luxurious yachts. Tonight, gather together for dinner at your hotel
Overnight: Santa Margherita Ligure
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Tour Cinque Terre
Morning departure to the spectacular Cinque Terre*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria region. Here, five small villages are suspended between sea and earth, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea, set beside hills where the land's finest wine grapes are grown. Marvel at the scenic coastline while exploring the villages and the beautiful vistas. This active walking tour covers a fair amount of ground including uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Trains and/or boats will be the means of transportation between the towns. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Santa Margherita Ligure
*Exact tour itinerary & operation of the tour is subject to weather conditions and will be advised locally
Overnight: Santa Margherita Ligure
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Thursday - Travel to Parma with a Traditional Food Tasting
Today head to Parma, while passing the region of Emilia you can't miss a visit to the world- famous land of balsamic vinegar. Here, you will understand how many years of aging are needed to produce this exquisite gourmet vinegar. Enjoy tasting the various qualities along with the local specialty of the area: Parmesan cheese! In the afternoon upon arrival in Parma, take a walking tour of the city. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Parma
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Friday - Bologna's Monuments & Cuisine
This morning drive to Bologna. Today's tour will take you to explore Bologna's oldest food market called "Quadrilatero". You will visit the most traditional food shops and learn about the history, culture, and architecture, that make Bologna medieval market so unique. During the tour, you will savor a variety of food specialties that have secured Bologna’s reputation as being the foodie capital of Italy. View Piazza Maggiore with the Accursio Palace, the Neptune Fountain - considered one of the most elegant Renaissance fountains in Italy. Continue to St. Petronio Basilica, with its treasures such as its sundial, the Archiginnasio Palace with its frescoed walls, the Two Towers, and Santo Stefano Square. Head to the Treviso area to check into your hotel. Later this evening, take a walk in Treviso. Stop along the way and savor some Cicchetti, typical Venetian small dishes. Continue to view the medieval palaces and the quaint streets that are cut across by pretty canals in this lovely, genuine small city in northern Veneto
Overnight: Treviso Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Saturday - Treviso and the Road of Prosecco
Today, enjoy tasting Prosecco wine in its land of origin while journeying through the countryside, passing castles, villas, medieval towns and churches from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene. At dinner tonight, share wonderful memories of your trip together in Italy and bid farewell to your Tour Manager and newfound friends
Overnight: Treviso Area
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday - Depart Italy
Transfer to the airport in Venice for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

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Discovery Tours itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Grand Hotel Bristol, Stresa
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This first class hotel is nestled in a garden and overlooks the beautiful Lake Maggiore.

Hotel Details
Starhotels Majestic, Turin
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This first class hotel is situated in the city center of Turin, nearby the Porta Nuova railway station.

Hotel Details
Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita Ligure
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This first class hotel is located in the heart of the Italian Riviera.

Hotel Details
Starhotels Du Parc, Parma
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This first class hotel is located in the heart of Parma beside the beautiful Parco Ducale.

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Villa Contarini Nenzi Hotel & Spa, Dosson di Casier
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This first class hotel is about a fifteen minute drive from the city center of Treviso.

Hotel Details
Book your Optional Tours before you travel. See more, save time, save money.
  • Tours purchased while travelling may cost an extra 10% or more
  • Tours often sell out. Avoid disappointment
  • Save your cash. Credit card processing may not be possible locally
  • Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure
  • Book Online or call to book these tours up to 1 week before your departure
  • The day the optionals operate varies by the day of the week
The Heart of Italy, September 2019
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This trip was fantastic, and far exceeded my expectations! Absolutely loved our tour guide Francesco, and local guides were topnotch. Great accommodations, too. Will definitely recommend this trip to others.

Pamela R. Nashville, TN
The Heart of Italy, September 2019
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Our trip was amazing!!! Giorgio was a fantastic tour guide and took great pains to ensure that everyone was happy ensuring all desires, no matter how big or small, were met. The hotel accommodations we excellent and the meals provided were very appetizing. The tours and tour guides were excellent and very knowledgeable of their area. They answered questions and explained everything clearly. I would not hesitate to recommend Gate 1 tours to anyone. It was a wonderful trip.

Rita V. Ithaca, NY
Cinque Terre, Parma, Bologna & Lakes, September 2019
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Oh my goodness, we truly enjoyed this trip. So nice to see places we've never been to. Our tour Manager Myriam was the best tour manager yet, and we don't say this lightly - we've been on 11 Gate 1 tours! She was engaging, fun, knowledgeable and really kept the trip interactive. We'd love to do another tour with her any time! The hotels and food were fabulous, especially Grand Hotel Miramare. Our bus driver Roberto was excellent. We honestly could offer no criticism. We're looking forward to our next Gate 1 trip!

Michael C. Ellington, CT
Cinque Terre, Parma, Bologna & Lakes, April 2018
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We had a WONDERFUL trip...We were very pleased with the chance to sample local cuisine and wine. We enjoyed the smaller villages and feeling more immersed in the Italian culture. The weather was perfect, seeing the Alps every day was a real treat. Riccardo's choices of where to eat, to sample wines of the region, or try a local food specialty, was very much appreciated. We will continue to explore Gate 1 small group experiences if it continues to follow this model.

Glen B. Eugene, OR
Italy, La Dolce Vita!, September 2016
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Enjoyed our trip, Georgio was an excellent tour director & organized our stay & tours well. He informed us of our schedules in a timely manner. The itinerary was great with diverse activities including tours of churches, palaces, winery & cooking session which we perfect. Liked the small group. All tour guides were passionate, knowledgable about their area & made it interesting. Walking tours gave us a good experience in towns.

Rekha G. Uppr Marlboro, MD