Best of Italy Tour

2 nights Lake Garda
2 nights Venice
2 nights Italian Alps
7 nights Tuscany

You can register your interest in this tour at the bottom of the page.

Day 1

Our tour starts with pick-up at Malpensa Airport, Milan. We travel to beautiful Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian Lakes, where we will stay in the town of Sirmione for 2 nights in a delightful lakeside hotel.

After settling into our hotel, relax on your terrace overlooking the lake, swim in the pool or go for a stroll into the old town.

Dinner: Join us for a welcome to Italy dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 2

After a late breakfast (finishes at 10am) we take a tour to several lakeside towns where there will be time to walk the lakeside promenades, explore the shops, sample the gelato etc. Return to the hotel mid afternoon for more relaxation.

Dinner: Own arrangements. (B)

Day 3

Depart early for a 2 hour drive east to Venice for arrival at our accommodation, early in the afternoon (only 5 minutes walk from St Marks Square). Spend the afternoon exploring this unique city, with a relaxed walk through St Marks Square to Rialto Bridge, with time for shopping in the Rialto market and many shops to buy all that wonderful Murano glass and jewellery (great gifts for family and friends here).

Join us for an aperitif at a favourite wine bar.

Dinner: Join us for dinner at a good value trattoria frequented by locals and away from the hordes of tourists or own arrangements. (B)

Day 4

Take a vaporetto ride to visit the outlying islands of Murano & Burano where we will see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and you will have time to explore the wonderful array of glass in the many shops. We will then proceed to Burano, famous for its lace and enjoy lunch in a local trattoria.

Dinner: Free night in Venice to have that romantic dinner wherever you choose. (B)

Day 5

Depart Venice for a scenic 2 hour drive north into the Italian Alps (Dolomites) where we will stay for 2 nights at a gorgeous alpine chalet.

After settling into your room, we will wander through the picturesque village of Castelrotto and take the chairlift to Marinzen where we can enjoy the panoramic views and fine apple strudel.

Dinner: Join us for dinner at a delightful local restaurant serving typical cuisine or own arrangements. (B)

Day 6

After a relaxed breakfast, explore the local village of Siusi Allo Sciliar before taking the gondola ride up to Alpe di Siusi, chairlift to Panorama and then a leisurely hike (easy walk) through the alps.

Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut restaurant before returning to the chalet.

Dinner: Own arrangements. (B)

Day 7

Depart Dolomites after breakfast and head south to our villa in Tuscany which will be our base for the next seven nights.

Here we will stay in self contained apartments in a fully restored ancient villa with views across the vine covered hills of the Tuscan countryside. Following our mid afternoon arrival, relax and settle in to your beautiful apartment or by the pool.

Dinner: Join us for pre-dinner welcome drinks in the villa courtyard before sharing a "Welcome to Tuscany" 4 course traditional dinner at the Villa prepared by Signora Bimbi. (B, D)

Day 8

After a sleep in, we will enjoy a relaxing day with a trip to the local hilltop medieval town of San Gimignano. Here you will have time to meander through the narrow streets, climb the tower with magnificent views of the countryside, admire the beautiful shops and maybe purchase some leather goods or other souvenirs. Alternatively, simply relax with a beer or gelato in one of the many piazzas.

Dinner: Tonight we recommend dinner at a local trattoria well known for its traditional Tuscan cuisine. Tempt your taste buds with wild boar, stuffed rabbit or wonderful home made pasta.

Day 9

We depart early today to head to the beautiful walled Tuscan town of Lucca where we will do a leisurely 4 kilometre bike ride around the top of the wall overlooking the towns lovely towers and broad, calm piazzas on one side and parks on the other. We will then meander through the medieval streets and piazzas and enjoy lunch at a trattoria famous for its local specialties, including the traditional tortelli lucchese pasta.

We will return to our Villa via Pisa with a short stop to allow time to take the mandatory photos of the Leaning Tower and wonder at the beautiful marble Cathedral and see the ornate Baptistry in the Square of Miracles.

Dinner: Own arrangements with transport to and from San Gimignano if required. (L)

Day 10

We depart our Villa at 9am for a leisurely drive through the magnificent wine region of Chianti arriving at an ancient monastery, now a winery, for a tour and wine tasting. We will then drive to another nearby winery where we will enjoy lunch with further tastings of the local wine, before returning to the villa.

Dinner: Own arrangements with transport to and from San Gimignano if required. (L)

Day 11

We depart early today for the weekly market in Siena, which sells everything from kitchen utensils to leather shoes and local produce. It is a vibrant and atmospheric market attended by all the locals.

After buying a bargain or two, we will take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Siena to the famous Piazza del Campo, scene of the Palio horse race, and enjoy the ambience of this exciting Tuscan city.

On our return trip to the Villa, we will visit another small hilltop village, where you can enjoy a stroll and a drink in one of the piazzas.

We venture into San Gimignano in the early evening and enjoy dinner sitting on the balcony of a local restaurant watching the sun set over the nearby hills and towns or own arrangements. (D)

Day 12

Depart early for Renaissance Florence. Here we will wander through the famous Florence markets renowned for its leather goods before visiting the famous museum, Accademia, where you will see the Michelangelo Statue of David and other famous sculptures as well as Piazza Signoria and the multi-coloured marble Duomo.

Lunch nearby at a typical restaurant followed by a stroll through several of Florence's beautiful piazzas on the way to Ponte Vecchio. Admire or buy jewellery on this famous bridge.

The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or to perhaps visit some of the other fine museums Florence has to offer.

We return to our Villa before dinner.

Dinner: Own arrangements with transport to and from San Gimignano if required. (L)

Day 13

Spend a day of relaxation at the villa, by the pool or catch up with some last minute shopping in San Gimignano.

Dinner: Join us in sharing a "Farewell Tuscany" 4 course traditional dinner at the Villa prepared by Signora Bimbi. This evening we celebrate the last night of your Tuscan experience - memories will last forever!! (D)

Day 14

Morning transfer back to Malpensa Airport, Milan.

Arrivederci Bella Italia!!

(B)=breakfast, (L)=lunch, (D)=dinner included in tour price.

Note: Breakfast in Tuscany is self catering in your own fully equipped apartment.