Northern Italy including Cinque Terre - From £1,452

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
The Italian Riviera meets Italy’s beautiful Lake District on a gourmet-filled journey through the north and its many treasures. All you need to do is live the high life on this most epic of Northern Italy trips, filled with the flavours of prosciutto and parmigiano.
EXPERIENCES
Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Specialist, visit this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked away on the mountainous Italian Riviera coastline. Admire the charming fishing villages and perhaps snap some memorable pictures.

Genoa: Explore the birthplace of Columbus with a Local Specialist and see the city's iconic Via Garibaldi. 

Milan: Explore Italy's renowned fashion capital with your Local Specialist. See the magnificent facade of Milan Cathedral, La Scala Theatre and the glass-vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques.

Milan: See Milan's central highlights.

Parma: Discover Parma's rich history and cultural highlights with a Local Specialist. See the romanic Piazza Garibaldi and the baroque tower of Palazzo del Governatore. 

Parma: See the medieval Torrechiara Fortress.

Parma: Visit a working prosciutto factory and parmigiano reggiano cheese caseificio near Parma.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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30/05/2026 06/06/2026 £1,667 Book
06/06/2026 13/06/2026 £1,850 Book
20/06/2026 27/06/2026 £1,540 Book
27/06/2026 04/07/2026 £1,540 Book
04/07/2026 11/07/2026 £1,795 Book
11/07/2026 18/07/2026 £1,606 Book
01/08/2026 08/08/2026 £1,518 Book
15/08/2026 22/08/2026 £1,725 Book
29/08/2026 05/09/2026 £1,825 Book
05/09/2026 12/09/2026 £1,826 Book
12/09/2026 19/09/2026 £1,826 Book
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ITINERARY

Embrace the glamour of Milan, your introduction to the sights and sounds of northern Italy. Spend the day exploring this stylish city, home to many of the most renowned fashion houses in the world. Later, join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a light supper, evening orientation drive and hint of the friendship and adventures to come.

Wander through Milan with your Local Specialist and discover the city’s sights, from the Gothic Cathedral and La Scala Opera House to the glass-domed Galleria. Then enjoy time to see more of Milan your way, with your Travel Director sharing personal favourites. You could join an Optional Experience to Lake Como, where you’ll spend time in Como and hear the stories behind Villa Olmo and the villas that define this stretch of shoreline.

Leaving sophisticated Milan behind, today is the day to treat your taste buds. Gourmands will adore our Dive Into Culture visit to a prosciutto (ham) factory near Langhirano. There’s time for a photo stop at Torrechiara fortress, perched high above the Parma Valley, before arriving at a family-run caseificio where you’ll learn the ancient craft of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production – perfected since the 1600s. On arrival in Parma, continue your day of tasting and feasting, deepening your knowledge of Parma’s foodie heritage at an Optional Experience dinner of local specialities paired with Italian wine.

Beyond its obvious attraction as a haven for foodies, Parma is also a fascinating historic centre which you’ll come to discover this morning with your Local Specialist. Learn all about its history as a Roman settlement and medieval trading hub, including such sights as the Piazza Garibaldi, the site of a Roman Forum 2,000 years ago.

Today, explore the Cinque Terre region on a full-day excursion taking in the dramatic coastal setting of the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre towns. The deep blue Ligurian Sea provides a stunning backdrop for the expanse of pastel pinks, yellows and oranges that cling to the rugged seaside cliffs. Cruising along the coast by boat, your Local Specialist will captivate you with tales of how the Cinque Terre region's isolated position protected it from pirates in years gone by. You have time to sightsee, shop and wander through the quaint streets in Monterosso before continuing to your hotel on the Italian Riviera, you’ll enjoy dinner with our fellow travellers, sharing stories of the magnificent cliffside villages you’ve spent the day admiring.

Based on the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, the maritime city of Genoa is also the birthplace of Columbus. This morning join a Local Specialist for a guided walking tour to view the city’s majestic Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visit Via Garibaldi, the historic centre of Genoa lined by ancient palaces, and enjoy time for lunch in the city centre, perhaps sampling some of the local focaccia before continuing to Lake Maggiore. Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, the scenic shores of this lake are your home for the next two nights, as they are for many well-heeled locals. Later, you have the opportunity to explore Lake Orta on an optional experience with a Local Specialist to delve into the delights of the Italian Lake District.

Lap up gentle lakeside living during a full day spent at leisure in this picture-perfect setting. Spend the day relaxing or opt to take an alpine train journey to see the magnificent panoramic views of the north. Later, you could choose to join an optional experience to one of the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, which includes a visit inside the aristocratic Borromeo Palace and its gorgeous terraced gardens. This evening, cross the tranquil waters of Maggiore to secluded Isola dei Pescatori at a Be My Guest experience. Join the Cinque family and hear all about the intriguing history of Villa Toscanini situated on a tiny romantic island which was the hideaway of the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini - one of the most influential musicians of the 19th century.

While your holiday has come to an end, the special memories made with new friends will linger long after you return home. Say farewell to your Travel Director as you prepare to take your transfer from your hotel in Baveno to Milan Malpensa airport for your onward journey home.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
  • Optional Experiences and free time
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Starhotels Tourist - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Starhotels Tourist - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Novotel Centro - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Novotel Centro - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Starhotels President - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Simplon - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Simplon - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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