Northern Italy's Highlights & Cinque Terre

Welcome to Milan!

At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

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). (B) 99 mi / 160 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - 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.

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. (B) 112 mi / 180 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - 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.

Treasured Time in Tuscany

LUCCA: Orientation walk, followed by free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 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.

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.

GENOA: Dinner at local restaurant. (B/D) 124 mi / 200 km

The Italian Riviera

GENOA: Join the guided tour to discover the highlights of the Old Town, including sights of San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and Christopher Columbus' childhood home followed by a pesto demo and tasting. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURE & TRADITION: Genova may be less well known than other Italian cities, but it never fails to surprise and delight. It has one of the largest medieval city centres in Europe, and its wonderful location, between the mountains and sea, set it up to be a longstanding maritime power. It is the birthplace not only of Christopher Columbus but also of one of the world's favourite pasta sauces - pesto! This delicious sauce created from garlic, basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil, is proudly present on the menu of many restaurants and is traditionally served with the 'trofie' pasta.

Carafes at the Castle

GABIANO: Enjoy wine tasting and lunch at the castle. (B/L) 143 mi / 230 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - CULTURE & TRADITION: Gracing the hills above the Po Valley, the Castello di Gabiano has made history as early as the 8th century. Once the site of sieges and wars, the castle has passed through noble families through time to become one of the oldest and largest manors in Monferrato. Today, its tradition of winemaking is shared with tastings of vintages aged in its cellar barrels in the tradition passed down since the 12th century.

Monumental Mysteries

TURIN: Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Mole Antonelliana and a visit to the cathedral. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: Turin abounds of a wealth of Baroque, Rococo, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau treasures. Stroll the elegant squares to see the monument of Mole Antonelliana - a former synagogue with its 87-metre-high panorama deck. Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which houses the most holy relic in the Catholic Church - the Shroud of Turin.

The Dish on Risotto

VERCELLI: Visit a rice factory followed by a risotto lunch.

MILAN: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B/L/D) 130 mi / 210 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Visit Vercelli, the heart of Europe's rice production, where the tradition of delicious risotto is born. It's here that the round rice grain called japonica is grown. This round grain keeps its shape during the cooking process to release that beautifully creamy texture of risotto that we all know and love. The fine art of rice farming in Italy now combines tradition with technology to tend these fields with loving care.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)