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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Milan, Italy

 

Day 2: Arrive Milan/Stresa After arriving in Milan, we drive to the international resort of Stresa on lovely Lake Maggiore, straddling the border be­­­tween Italy and Switzerland. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s welcome dinner. D

Day 3: Stresa/Ascona This morning we visit the nearby artists’ colony of Ascona, where we’re free to browse as we wish and have lunch on our own before returning to our hotel. Then there’s time to relax lakeside before a late afternoon cruise to Isola Bella, the beautiful Borromean island set in the middle of Lake Maggiore. Fully occupied by 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and its extravagantly landscaped gardens, the island offers lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Following a guided tour of the palace and gardens, we enjoy dinner here. B,D

Day 4: Stresa/Milan We depart this morning for Milan, where we visit such highlights as 14th-century Castello Sforzesco, a fortified castle that once hosted such luminaries as da Vinci and Bramante. We take a guided walk past the celebrated La Scala opera house and the awe-inspiring marble Duomo, one of the world’s largest churches with 135 spires and some 3,400 statues. Then we’re free to explore on our own before returning to Stresa late afternoon. B

Day 5: Stresa/Santa Margherita We leave Stresa this morning, traveling south to Italy’s tiny Liguria region, the narrow coastal plain whose capi­tal is seafaring Genoa. Our destination is the Italian Riviera resort town of Santa Margherita, with its lovely palm-lined esplanade overlooking a picturesque harbor. B,D

Day 6: Santa Margherita/Portovenere/Cinque Terre The rugged coastline from Santa Margherita to the five towns of the Cinque Terre region (literally, “five lands”) virtually bursts with scenic and cultural significance. Dramatically situated at the edge of vertical vineyard-clad cliffs, the towns here once could be reached only by sea, and even today, no road connects them all (though walkers can use an ancient footpath). From Portovenere, we tour comfortably by boat today along this striking coastline – called the Riviera Levante – stopping along the way in the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza. We return to our hotel late this afternoon and dine there tonight. B,D

Day 7: Santa Margherita/Portofino This morning we travel by boat to the renowned – and beautiful – resort town of Portofino, a former fishing village where palatial yachts now crowd the port and the good life is celebrated. We have free time to wander the colorful streets and visit the chic boutiques and galleries here before we return to our hotel mid-day. The remainder of the day is at leisure. B

Day 8: Santa Margherita/Pisa/Tuscany Moving on today, we continue our route south to Tuscany where our first stop is Pisa, known for its splendid 11th-century Duomo, Baptistry, and campanile – also known, of course, as the Leaning Tower. After a guided walking tour, we’re free for lunch on our own before we travel on to our lodgings in Tuscany, where we dine tonight. B,D

Day 9: Tuscany/Florence We spend today touring and exploring wondrous Florence, a living monument to the Renaissance and crown jewel of Tuscany. Our day includes a morning walking tour followed by free time. Together we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime “David” and his pieces for the papal tombs; and the Duomo, with its stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. There’s time on our own to stroll the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio, with its many jewelry shops; visit renowned museums and churches; shop for leather goods and artful Florentine paper; and to enjoy lunch on our own at a typical Florentine restaurant. We return to our villa in time for dinner there tonight. B,D

Day 10: Tuscany/Siena/Castellina in Chianti Today we visit the walled city of Siena, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and ochre-colored buildings and ancient ramparts vividly evoke its medieval past.  Fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe’s greatest public squares; its Duomo, with pillars of black and white marble, is one of Italy’s finest, with masterpieces by Donatello and Michelangelo.  Following a guided walking tour thta includes an inside visit to the Duomo, we have free time to explore on our own.  Then we return to our villa via Castellina in Chianti, where we visit a local winery for a tour and tasting; only in this region is authentic Chianti Classico produced. B,D

Day 11: Tuscany/Volterra/San Gimignano We encounter classic Tuscany today as we visit first nearby Volterra, set high on a bluff some 1,800 feet above the valley below. A fortress-like town, Volterra was a center of Etruscan art and commerce from the 9th century BC through the 4th century. On our walking tour here we explore the maze of medieval alleys and see some of the white alabaster carvings for which the city is renowned. After free time for lunch on our own, we continue on to the classic hill town of San Gimignano, whose 13 remaining watchtowers have left its skyline looking much as it did in medieval times. We enjoy a brief walking tour of this town known for its churches and museums that house important works of art; and for its smart shops and art galleries. B,D

Day 12: Tuscany/Venice Leaving Tuscany today we travel through the Veneto region to Venice, arriving early this afternoon. The remainder of the day and evening is free to begin savoring this wondrous city on our own. B

Day 13: Venice On this morning’s informal walk we visit the area surrounding vast St. Mark’s Square, deemed “Europe’s most magnificent drawing room” by Napoleon Bonaparte. The afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration. Tonight we bid “arrivederci” to Italy and to our ­fellow travelers at a farewell dinner at our hotel. B,D

Day 14: Depart for U.S. We depart early this morning for our connecting flights to the U.S. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
  
• 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe and First Class hotels
  
• 21 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 dinners
  
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
  
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
  
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
  
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2010 Tour Dates & Prices

	Oct 20	Oct 13	Sep 8 Sep 15 Sep 22
New York	$3,595	$3,695	$3,795
Boston, Phil	$3,795	$3,895	$3,995
Atlanta, Char, Chi, Cinci, Cleve, Detroit, Miami, Orl, Tampa, Wash, DC	$3,895	$3,995	$4,095
Dallas, Den, Hou, Los Angeles, Minn, Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle	$3,995	$4,095	$4,195

 

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occu­pancy. Single travelers please add $695. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2010 tour prices above are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:  $3,195 per person. Airline taxes and departure fees of $427 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Milan 2-4 Stresa La Palma Hotel First Class 5-7 Santa Margherita Hotel Metropole First Class 8-11 Barberino Val d’Elsa (Tuscany) Villa San Filippo First Class 12-13 Venice Dei Dogi Deluxe 14 Depart Venice for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.