12 Days Italy's Lakes & Riviera Tour Packages

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Priced From: $2,299 pp dbl. occ
Dates: May - Nov, Mar


 

• Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
• Cinque Terre Excursion
• Walking Tours of Lucca & Pisa
• Michelangelo's David
• Siena Cathedral
• Rome's Forum & Colosseum
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Day 1 - Thu: Depart the U.S.

Depart your home town and fly across the Atlantic. Relax as you journey to Milan to start your Italian vacation.

Day 2 - Fri: Milan Arrival & Lake Como

Land in Milan Airport and take a 40-minute transfer to your hotel in Como. The Lake Como region is a jewel-like oasis of tranquility offering a magical combination of lush Mediterranean foliage and snowy Alpine peaks. The balance of the day is at leisure. As your hotel is located in the center of town, on the waterfront piazza, you may like to take a stroll around and admire the lovely views. Head toward the Como Cathedral, often cited as the best example of transitional architectural styles with a stunning Gothic façade and an 18th-century dome. This evening enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour director, followed by a welcome dinner to meet your fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3 - Sat: Lake Como Cruise to Bellagio

For centuries Lake Como has attracted visitors, who are drawn by the peaceful setting and spectacular Alpine views. This morning take a cruise on Lake Como to the popular village of Bellagio. Appreciate the sparkling blue waters, gentle hills stretching to the water's edge, and towns hugging the shoreline. Bellagio is set on a promontory offering stupendous views of Lake Como with the Italian Alps to the north. Enjoy some leisure time to stroll along the narrow streets and alleyways lined with craft shops, villas, boutiques and cafés. Sail back to Como and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. If you wish you may join an optional excursion to the picturesque Swiss town of Lugano in the afternoon. (BB)

Day 4 - Sun: Milan Sightseeing & San Remo

This morning, depart for an exciting city tour of Milan. Upon arrival, begin your tour of the city at Sforza Castle, a huge Renaissance palace built by the Sforzas, the ruling Renaissance family. Continue to the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to view Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, commissioned by Ludovico il Moro from 1496 to 1498 and one of the most famous works of art in the world. Proceed to Duomo Cathedral Square to take a look at the façade of the huge Gothic cathedral with its many spires, statues and gargoyles. Walk through the Victor Emmanuel Galleria, an ornate shopping arcade dating from 1877. Finally drive to San Remo for dinner and your overnight stay. (BB, D)

Day 5 - Mon: Full Day in San Remo

Today is free to explore San Remo independently. This delightful town on the Italian Riviera has long been a favorite destination with travelers due to its picturesque streets, beautiful harbor and coastline as well as mild climate. San Remo is also called the Town of Flowers as can be seen in luxuriant gardens and parks. If you wish, you may take a tour to Nice and Monaco, driving along the enchanting Cote d'Azur. Stop in Eze to learn about perfume-making and explore Nice's famous Promenade des Anglais and the old town. In Monaco see the Place du Casino and climb up the Rock of Monaco to the Principality and view the Prince's Palace. (BB)

Day 6 - Tue: Cinque Terre & Montecatini

Depart San Remo and drive south along the Italian Riviera. Visit the spectacular Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria region. These five small villages are nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea and set beside hills where the land's finest wine grapes are grown. Continue to Montecatini, a summer resort town famous for spas, springs and thermal baths. Check in to your hotel in the center of the town and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers in the hotel. (BB, D)

Day 7 - Wed: Tour of Lucca & Pisa

Begin your full day excursion by visiting the medieval town of Lucca, one of the most fascinating places in Tuscany. Upon arrival, walk the narrow streets of the original Roman grid to San Michele and its beautiful piazza, which occupies the site of the original Roman Forum. Continue to Pisa to view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Duomo and Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza represent a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. This evening you may join an optional tour for a rustic dinner with local specialties and wine at a farm in the Tuscan hills. (BB)

Day 8 - Thu: Florence Sightseeing

This morning travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Walk to the Duomo and Baptistery to view Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise." The quatrefoils on the south door feature scenes from the life of John the Baptist. Continue your walk to visit the Accademia to view Michelangelo's "David." From here visit the open air art museum of Signoria Square, with its beautiful statues and also see the landmark Ponte Vecchio, the "Old Bridge," that spans the River Arno. Return to Montecatini and enjoy the evening at leisure. (BB)

Day 9 - Fri: Siena Touring & Rome

Today drive through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany to Siena. This fine medieval city sits on gentle hills between three river valleys, surrounded by lush vineyards and gray-green olive trees. Enjoy a guided tour through the maze of narrow streets with many elaborate stone doorways to view the fine Gothic cathedral. View the Piazza Del Campo, one of the finest squares in Italy, where the famous "Palio Horse Race" is held twice a year. Enjoy some free time to browse around the narrow old streets before driving south to Rome where the evening is free. (BB)

Day 10 - Sat: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Today begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter's Basilica. Here view the "Pieta," one of Michelangelo's fine masterpieces depicting the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion. It is considered one of the most powerfully moving works of art in the western world. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. If you wish, you may like to take an optional tour around some of Rome's famous piazzas and fountains. (BB)

Day 11 - Sun: Tour Ancient Rome

This morning a historic tour of ancient Rome takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic; the triumphal Arch of Constantine; the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the entire Roman Empire. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in the Eternal City. You may choose to end your vacation with a four-course dinner with unlimited wine and delightful entertainment by professional singers from Rome's Opera House and an illuminated tour of Rome by night. (BB)

Day 12 - Mon: Depart for the U.S.

Transfer to Rome Airport for your departure flight back to the United States. (BB)

B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

• Hotel Metropole & Suisse - Como - 2 night(s)
• Best Western Nazionale - San Remo - 2 night(s)
• Grand Hotel Croce di Malta - Montecatini - 3 night(s)
• Kolbe Hotel - Rome - 3 night(s)  

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