Country Roads of Northern Italy - Classic Group
Country Roads of Northern Italy - Classic Group
$3995
Country Roads of Northern Italy - Classic Group
10 Days Starting and ending in Milan
Visiting: Milan, Verona, Trento, Bolzano, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Conegliano, Venice, Sirmione, Baveno, Lake Maggiore, Como
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E823ZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
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 see a skilled craftsman turn molten glass into a colorful work of art. Indulge in a feast of local cuisine during a Farm-to-Table dinner featuring fresh-caught fish and delicious local wine on the Isola dei Pescatori, an idyllic island nestled in the heart of Lake Maggiore.
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 grand piazzas.
- Verona: Embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from Romeo and Juliet's story, ending in Piazza dei Signori, the main square where the star-crossed lovers tragedy took place.
Top Rated Highlights
- Trento: See pristine streets decorated with stone castles and modern edifices during an orientation of this alpine city.
- Bolzano: Explore the streets and squares to admire the Tyrolean-style architecture of this town flanked by impressive mountains.
- 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 glide along the canals by gondola.
- Baveno: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
- Como: Take in the exquisite views of the lake and its alpine backdrop as you enjoy an orientation of this magnificent town.
Make Travel Matter
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. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Milan: Enjoy a special dinner with wine, as you get to know your fellow travelers.
Veneto: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how this local drink has come to rival its well-known counterpart in France.
Baveno: Choose your dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience on your Dine-Around Evening.
Lake Maggiore: Celebrate your journey through northern Italy on glamorous Lake Maggiore and enjoy a Farm-to-Table dinner with local wine.
Insight Choice
Verona: See the statue of Dante and the Gothic tombs of the Scala family on a walking tour through grand piazzas.
Verona: Embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from Romeo and Juliet's story, ending in Piazza dei Signori, the main square where the star-crossed lovers tragedy took place.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Italy
Location: Milan
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City.
Accommodation Name: Duo, Milan
After a warm welcome at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, transfers depart for your hotel. Later meet your Travel Director and join a local historian to navigate through Milan's history. 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 travelers during dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Fair Verona And Trento
Location: Milan, Verona, Trento
Accommodation: NH Trento.
Accommodation Name: NH Trento
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 recount famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet. Continue on to Trento, regarded as one of Italy's most appealing cities to live in.
Day 3: Climb Up To Cortina D’Ampezzo Relaxed Start
Location: Trento, Bolzano, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Accommodation Name: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 4: The Dolomites At Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Accommodation Name: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 pedestrianized 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?
Day 5: Through Prosecco Country To Venice
Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Conegliano, Venice
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 flavors. Continue on to the unique and remarkable island city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic and check into your hotel.
Day 6: The Magic Of La Serenissima
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop, 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 savor the magic of St. Mark’s Square with its orchestras and alfresco cafes?
Day 7: Italy's Lake District Relaxed Start
Location: Venice, Sirmione, Baveno
Accommodation: Hotel Barchetta Excelsior, Como.
Accommodation Name: Simplon, Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart enchanting Venice and journey to Lake Garda. Admire the castle and views over the lake from the stylish resort of Sirmione perched on the tip of its peninsula. Cross the fertile lands of Lombardy to Lake Maggiore where Baveno beckons. Later you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.
Day 8: Lake Como And Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start
Location: Lake Maggiore, Baveno, Como, Baveno
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Simplon, Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, enjoy the glamour of the Italian Lakes, a prime people watching spot where Europe's rich and famous like to spend their time. Revel in the ambiance of Como town, renowned for its celebrity clientele, beautiful silk scarves and lakeside location, which you can admire during your orientation.
Day 9: Italian Lakes At Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Simplon, Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Savor delicious Farm-to-Table cuisine during your dinner, accompanied by some exquisite Italian wines. Raise a glass to your travels and newfound friends.
Day 10: Depart Italy
Location: Lake Maggiore
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey draws to a close in the morning and transfers arrive at Milan's Malpensa Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
4 dinners with wine and 9 breakfasts are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided walking tours in Milan, Verona, and Venice are included.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided during visits to famous highlights.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included.
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Baggage Handling
Baggage handling is included, with bags delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
Occasional local specialties representing the destination are included.
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Wi-Fi
Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi is provided (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if arrival and/or departure flights match the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board the coach.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from Italy are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a cruise to the Borromean Islands are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for additional nights' accommodation are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably in Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, sanitized before the start of your tour and maintained to very high standards.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including the Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City, NH Trento, Hotel de la Poste in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio in Venice, and Hotel Simplon in Baveno.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- 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.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- 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.
Insight Experiences
- 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 Theater.
Well-being
- 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.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I choose from in Verona?
In Verona, you can choose between a walking tour through the grand piazzas, where you will see the statue of Dante and the Gothic tombs of the Scala family, or a Shakespeare-themed walk that recounts famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet.
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What unique experience is offered in Venice?
In Venice, you will visit a traditional glassblowing workshop where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers. This experience helps safeguard traditional skills and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
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What special dinner experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several special dinner experiences: a dinner with wine in Milan to get to know your fellow travelers, a Dine-Around evening in Baveno where you can choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, and a Farm-to-Table dinner with local wine on Lake Maggiore.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards, with physical distancing measures implemented.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour?
Yes, airport transfers are included if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates. 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.
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What leisure activities are available in Cortina d'Ampezzo?
In Cortina d'Ampezzo, you can enjoy a day at your leisure in this fashionable playground of the rich and famous. You can stroll the pedestrianized Corso Italia, lined with designer stores, or ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks for magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites.
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What can I expect during the visit to the prosecco winery?
During the visit to the prosecco winery in Conegliano Veneto, you will learn how the hand-picked grapes produce Italy's most prized sparkling wine. You will see how production differs from champagne and be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavors.
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What are some of the highlights of the Milan walking tour?
The Milan walking tour includes seeing the impressive facade of the Milan Cathedral, the world-famous La Scala Opera House, and the elegant glass-vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques.
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What kind of dining experience is offered on Lake Maggiore?
On Lake Maggiore, you will enjoy a Farm-to-Table dinner with local wine, celebrating your journey through northern Italy.
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What is the significance of the visit to the Borromean Islands?
The Borromean Islands are significant as they are where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace. You can take a cruise out to these lovely islands and explore their historical and architectural beauty.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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