Art, Food & Wine of Italy

Vineyards, olive groves, and cities that float. Incredible history, indelible culture, and unforgettable cuisine. This is l’Italia at its most iconic. Enjoy the natural beauty and calm of the Alpine Lakes region. Snake along the edge of the sea to the medieval villages of Cinque Terre. Aboard off-road vehicles, explore the marble quarries of Carrara, where Michelangelo obtained the marble for his statue of David. Relax during a leisurely 4-night stay at a Tuscan villa. Explore the Duomo of rose hued Siena. At a family-run winery, learn the fine art of creating Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class and wine pairing. Explore Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Discover Venice, a city of winding canals and bridges. From medieval masterpieces to bustling piazzas, be swept away by the legendary treasures of northern Italy.

Your holiday package includes:

• $1500 flight credit per person
• 3 nights pre tour accommodation in Milan including breakfast
• Cooking Class in Milan and Market Food Tour
• 11 day Italy’s Treasures guided holiday by Collette
• Includes 10 nights accommodation in hand-picked hotels
• 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
• Culinary and must see inclusions, plus cultural experiences
• Private transfers throughout

***Rate is based on twin share for travel 22 June to 5 July 2023***

***Alternative dates available in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Solo traveler pricing also available***

Cooking Class in Milan and Market Food Tour
The Ultimate Florence Cooking Class! Dining, in or out, is a question of style in Milan, and only here can one find all of Italy in the kitchens, and the majority of Michelin-star restaurants. But nothing beats learning to make it yourself, right? Learn the tricks of the trade at the best cooking class in Milano! Our signature “Wanna Be Italiano” cooking class, beloved and popular ever since 2007. Master the art of preparing typical Milanese fare and traditional Italian cuisine, enjoy a unique pasta making class in Milan led by an experienced charismatic chef; dive into the depths of flavor in the charming contemporary premises of the Diadema Cooking School! First of all set off to explore Milan’s fascinating culinary scene visiting the city’s bottegas, crammed with fresh produce and local specialties. Led by your chef you will browse, learn about the local specialties and traditional food heritage, and liaise with the vendors, butchers and bakers as you pick out the best, tastiest ingredients to prepare your meal. Groceries in hand take a short walk to our cooking school, a brand-new stylish facility in the heart of town. Aprons on, following your chef's skilled instructions and learn how to prepare exquisite traditional dishes: cheese fondue, ragout, fresh hand-rolled pasta and dessert, too. Measure, mince, mix and stir (and taste, of course, to get the seasonings right!), and take a break to savor a selection our premium Diadema wines and local specialty cheeses. Once all is ready sit down with a good glass of wine and relish the best Italian meal ever: the one you made yourself in the heart of Milan. At the end of the experience you will receive a full Recipe Booklet to share the recipes you learned with your friends and family at home! What's more, you get a free subscription to our Food & Wine Club (25-Euro value), to access special discounts online on wine and typical products!

Day 1: Stresa
Begin on the arresting shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Alpine lakes region. 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.
Accommodation: Regina Palace Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: 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. This evening, visit a wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party with some antipasto snacks.
Accommodation: Regina Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: 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.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dei Castelli
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Italian Riviera - Cinque Terre - Italian Riviera
Travel by rail 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.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dei Castelli
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Italian Riviera - Carrara Marble Quarries – Tuscany
Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy’s great natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. During an off-road drive in the Apuane Mountains, you’ll follow the roads the cavatori (quarrymen) carved into the mountains while extracting the precious stone. Over the centuries, Carrara marble was used by artists such as Michelangelo to carve his Pietà in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as his legendary Statue of David. Enjoy some free time to explore Carrara’s old town on your own; view the town’s cathedral, the Duomo, built in white marble, or search for Michelangelo’s bust marking his former home. Continue on through the rolling hills of Tuscany, ending the day in a historic Tuscan villa for a rejuvenating 4-night stay**.
Accommodation: Villa Sanpaolo
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Tuscany - San Gimignano – Tuscany
This morning, journey into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, where a family-owned villa welcomes you. After a tour of the house and grounds, you’ll engage in a hands-on cooking lesson. Break bread during an authentic Tuscan lunch and toast to your host with local Chianti wine. Later, 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.
Accommodation: Villa Sanpaolo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7: Tuscany - Siena – Tuscany
Travel south to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found on every corner. Walk the narrow medieval streets on a guided tour. Get to know the local lifestyle of a contrada (neighborhood) whose community Museum is centered around the colorful Palio horse race. Retreat to your Tuscan villa for a relaxing afternoon.
Accommodation: Villa Sanpaolo
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: 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.
Accommodation: Villa Sanpaolo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: 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.
Accommodation: Ca' Dei Conti Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10: 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 Bell tower, and St. Mark’s Basilica. Say arrivederci to Italy at a savory farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Ca' Dei Conti Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11: Venice
Wake up in Venice and depart for home.

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 12 July 2022 and can be withdrawn without notice. Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Hotel location and inclusions may vary depending on availability and alternative dates of travel. Visas are not included. Air credit is applicable on airline of choice, subject to availability and subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.