Art, Food & Wine of Italy

Day 1
Fly from Australia to Milan (Using your Flight Credit)
One Night Hotel Stay before tour begins

Day 2

Stresa, Italy - Tour Begins
Travel along breathtaking landscapes and venture into metropolitan meccas ripe with culture and history. Discover Italy on an unforgettable journey that delves into its most cherished treasures. Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. Visit a wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks. Cruise to Isola dei Pescatori,* the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands, where you’ll engage with new friends at a dinner welcoming you to Italy.
Dinner - Zacchera Hotels

Day 3
Stresa
In an ancient village nestled in the mountains, a local family welcomes you to sample their very own artisanal cheeses, paired with the region’s best wines. The remainder of the day in Stresa is at your leisure. Explore the piazzas, flower-lined cobblestone streets, and lakeside promenades. Or, perhaps relax and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings during an optional cruise of this scenic lake region.
Breakfast - Zacchera Hotels

Day 4
Stresa - Orta - Italian Riviera
Witness picture-perfect views from Lake Orta, an ancient glacial lake in the Alpine foothills. A boat delivers you to the island of San Giulio, dominated by its working convent. Journey to the Italian Riviera and discover its immeasurable grandeur along the Liguria coast.
Breakfast & Dinner - Grand Hotel Dei Castelli

Day 5
Italian Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italian Riviera
Travel by rail and boat** today as you discover the colorful Cinque Terre (UNESCO), a string of medieval villages perched on the edge of the sea. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards. Spend an afternoon independently exploring this awe-inspiring landscape.
Breakfast - Grand Hotel Dei Castelli

Day 6
Italian Riviera - Lucca - Tuscany
Encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls, Lucca exudes an old-world ambience. Old storefronts and busy piazzas offer a glimpse into the city’s medieval past. This morning, it’s your choice! Discover Lucca on foot -OR- pedal the city via bicycle. Whatever you choose, you’ll see historic marvels including the oval-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. Enjoy some free time to explore the rest of the city on your own while being on the lookout for a peak at Lucca’s unique, tree-crowned Guinigi tower. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay.***
Breakfast & Dinner - Hotel Villa Lecchi

Day 7
Tuscany - Florence - Tuscany
Welcome to Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance and the beloved home of the Medici family, Galileo, Botticelli and da Vinci. Set out on a walking tour of Florence’s treasures and monuments, including the glittering storefronts on the Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. You’ll also wander past the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce. Enjoy time to explore Florence independently before returning to your villa.
Breakfast - Hotel Villa Lecchi

Day 8
Tuscany - Siena - Tuscany
Travel south to Siena, where Romanesque and Gothic architecture surround you within this UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Visit the Gothic cathedral,**** an architectural marvel featuring frescoes by Pinturicchio and masterpieces by Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.
Breakfast & Dinner - Hotel Villa Lecchi

Day 9
San Gimignano - Tuscan Countryside
Take in Tuscany’s landscape, a spectrum of verdant vineyards and endless groves en route to San Gimignano. Nicknamed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages, San Gimignano’s 14 towers soar distinctively over the landscape making this iconic Tuscan hilltop village stand out against the rolling hills. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor while you wander the cobbled streets and gaze up at the imposing towers during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem. Later today, journey further into the heart of the countryside, where a family-owned wine estate welcomes you. After a tour of the wine cellar, the estate, the vineyards and the olive groves, engage in a dinnertime cooking lesson with the estate’s own chef. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan dinner and toast with wines produced on-site.
Breakfast & Dinner - Hotel Villa Lecchi

Day 10
Tuscany - Bologna - Venice
On a walking tour, discover the culture of Bologna, a city barely changed since the time of the Renaissance and Italy's food capital. Browse the city’s specialty food shops and sample local delicacies such as parmigiano cheese, mortadella - the Italian progenitor of baloney - and lasagna. Arrive later in Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic,” and settle in for a 2-night stay in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Breakfast & Lunch - Ca' Dei Conti Hotel

Day 11
Venice
Spend the day in Venezia, the floating city home to lavish art collections, wonders of architecture, and where marbled palaces tower over gondola-laden canals. Travel by boat to Murano***** for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. Journey back to St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s iconic main square. A local guide takes you on a tour of its incredible sites, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Clock Tower, and St. Mark’s Basilica. Say arrivederci to Italy at a savory farewell dinner.
Breakfast & Dinner - Ca' Dei Conti Hotel

Day 12
Venice - Tour Ends.
Breakfast - Ca' Dei Conti Hotel (post-tour hotel stay)

Day 13
Make way to Airport for flight back to Australia (Using your Flight Credit)

Day 14
Arrive Australia

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Travel packages advertised under ‘The Travel Squad’ brand/logo, may include multiple products provided by multiple suppliers to demonstrate possible travel itineraries purely for your convenience, however each component of the package will be treated independent of each other and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. The Travel Squad will not be responsible if one or more travel products or services are changed or cancelled by a supplier which has resulting impacts on other components of the itinerary. We will however seek to find a suitable alternative or assist you with any travel insurance claim.

Hotels may charge resort fees or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check in. Price is based on a twin-share room type for 2 adults.

Flights must be booked by Travelfix in order to utilize any flight credit offered. Passengers are responsible for any difference in fare between the flight credit amount advertised and the actual cost of the flights selected including taxes & surcharges. Any difference in fare must be paid in full at time of booking. If flights are not required, the value of the flight credit advertised may be deducted from the full advertised package price.