Imagine yourself experiencing a winery tour in the Chianti region, culinary walking tours in Verona and Bologna; exploring the Borromeo Islands, gardens and palaces on beautiful Lake Maggiore; swimming in the spa waters in Montecatini; exploring the breathtaking villages of Cinque Terre and more. Join wellness travel specialist Mona Leedale for an amazing adventure from Milan to Florence! Sorry, gentlemen, this tour is strictly ladies only, and fourteen is the maximum number of participants.
October 06 - 19, 2019
Single supplement: $750.00. Price is based on a min. of 10 participants
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*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.
Departure from Toronto to Milan with KLM connecting in Amsterdam.
Welcome to Italy! English speaking assistance at Milan airport. Departure for a panoramic city tour of Milan. You will have the opportunity to see Sforzesco Castel, the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery and La Scala, the most famous theatre of the world. At the end of the visit, transfer to your hotel in Lake Maggiore (approx. 90km). Accommodation: Hotel Bristol 4*
Meet your local guide at the hotel for a full day visit of Borromeo Islands. The islands take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. The islands of Bella and Madre were transformed into grand, luxurious residences, while the third island, named “dei Pescatori” after its age-old fishing community, was left to continue its traditional way of life. In the morning, you will discover Isola Madre and its exotic gardens. You will have some free time for lunch on Isola dei Pescatori. In the afternoon, you will visit Isola Bella with its Baroque Castle. Transfer back to your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight.
Transfer from your hotel in Lake Maggiore to your hotel in Verona (approx. 240 km). Upon arrival, free time for lunch. After lunch, meet your local guide at the hotel for a half day city tour of Verona. Let’s visit Verona,a visually-stunning city of excellence and one of the 51 Italian sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The city is especially known for the legendary story of Romeo and Juliet. During the guided tour you will see the beautiful Roman amphitheater, known as the Arena, which is the symbol of the city. You will discover the city center and see the House of Juliet with its famous balcony, Piazza delle Erbe (Market’s square), which is the ancient Roman forum, and Piazza dei Signori, dominated by the statue of Dante and the Arche Scaligere. During the tour, there will also be a few stops to taste some local products. Accommodation: Hotel Accademia 4*
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Verona.
Transfer from your hotel in Verona to Bologna (approx. 140 km). Upon arrival, meet your local guide for a half day city tour of Bologna. City of art, culture and commerce, with a streamlined trade-fair organization and a well-known manufacturing and motor tradition, Bologna is famous for its almost 40 km of arcades, the longest in the world. A first look at the city is from the beautiful Piazza Maggiore where medieval palaces look down upon an intense public life and economic activity. Among the symbols of Bologna there are the Neptune Fountain by Giambologna, and the medieval towers, including the magnificent Two Towers: Asinelli tower (98 m) and its neighbouring “twin” Garisenda (48 m, also mentioned in Dante's Inferno). During the tour, you will do some local food tasting stops. After the visit, transfer to Montecatini (approx. 130 km). Check-in at your hotel, evening at leisure and overnight. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Tamerici & Principe 4*
During your 4 days here 2 excursions are included plus 2 days at leisure. During your days at leisure, you can discover Montecatini on your own, do some shopping, or also enjoy the hotel’s spa (access included for 2 hours in your package).
Full day guided tour of Chianti area: a journey through one of the most fascinating and famous Tuscan territories. This hilly region of Tuscany, located between Florence and Siena, offers beautiful characteristic views: vineyards, olives fields and medieval towns. The area is famous for the production of wine and olive oil. You will discover some typical villages of Chianti area, such as Greve and Panzano. During the excursion we will visit a wine cellar, where you will discover the secrets of local wine production. At lunch you will enjoy some typical dishes and taste the delicious local wine! Overnight in Monecatini.
Full day guided tour of Pisa and Lucca (8 hours). Discover two charming Tuscan towns, famous in the world for their tradition and history. Our guide will show the pearls of Pisa: Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the monumental cemetery and the Baptistery, Piazza dei Cavalieri with the Tower of Conte Ugolino and the Carovana Palace. After some free time for lunch in Pisa (on your own), we will head towards Lucca. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the most important sites of Lucca: Piazza Napoleone with Palazzo Ducale and Giglio Theatre, San Martino Dome, the characteristic medieval streets such as Via degli Antiquari and Via Fillungo, Piazza Anfiteatro, Torre Guinigi and San Ferdinando Basilica. Return to Montecatini and overnight.
Day at leisure to discover more of this town.
Travel to your hotel in La Spezia (approx. 100 km). Time to tour the town: visit the beautiful waterfront, the home of Italy’s largest naval base. Also the public gardens and the charming winding streets of the old town.
You can’t go to Italy and not see this lovely costal portion of Liguria, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those who visit this region will hardly forget its charm and atmosphere. First, departure by ferry boat to the charming village of Portovenere, the sixth Cinque Terre Village. Portovenere is a little medieval town and the most beautiful location on the Gulf of the Poets. Then you will continue towards Monterosso. The village is divided in two distinct parts, the old and the new town. Here you will have some free time for lunch and shopping. In the afternoon our guide will show you the small villages of Vernazza with its lovely natural harbour, pastel coloured houses and seaside piazzetta. Then you will see Vernazza, a traditional fishing village. Transfer back by ferry boat to La Spezia and rest of the day at leisure.
We leave for the trip to Florence (approx. 150 km). Upon your arrival we have a guided tour ion the city, the artistic capital of Italy, well known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, with its charming historic city center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Our local guide will show you some of the most important treasures that make the city absolutely unique: Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Republic Square, Old Bridge, Signoria Square (the center of Florence’s civil life government for centuries), and Palazzo Vecchio. End the visit at your hotel, check-in and rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Best Western Ognissanti 4*
Breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Florence Airport for your flight to Toronto via Paris.
• Return airfare from Toronto to Italy on KLM/AirFrance • 12 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels • 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 culinary tours • Tours with local English-speaking guides • Entrances to Borromeo Islands, gardens and palaces of Isola Bella and Isola Madre • Two hours in the spa centre of the Hotel in Montecatini • Airport taxes of approximately $660.
• Beverages with meals • Meals not mentioned • Gratuities to hotel staff, guides and drivers • Items of a personal nature • Optional travel insurance. Please call the office for rates.
