Milan, Venice & The Gems of Northern Italy

Your fly, tour and cruise package includes:

• Economy class flight to Milan, returning from Venice
• 1 night pre tour accommodation in Milan
• 10 day Country Roads of Northern Italy Tour by Insight Vacations, Milan return
• Includes 9 nights accommodation in stylish hand-picked hotels
• 9 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners with Wine
• Included local experiences and optional add-ons

• Return rail transfer from Milan to Genoa
• 6 nights accommodation in Genoa
• Discover Genoa and Portofino - Full-Day Tour
• Local Market Visit and Private Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Genoa

• 10 day Milan, Venice & The Gems of Northern Italy cruise, Milan to Venice
• Includes 2 nights accommodation in Milan & 7 nights onboard S.S. La Venezia
• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee & tea, & more
• 8 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted

***Rate based on twin share for travel 21 September to 18 October 2022***

***Alternative dates available, a surcharge and itinerary variations may apply***

Country Roads of Northern Italy Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Italy
Join a local historian to navigate through Milan's history and the life of Leonardo da Vinci. See the impressive facade of Milan Cathedral and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Linking the two is the elegant glass vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers during your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Milan City
Meals: Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Fair Verona and Trento
Cross the fertile plains of Lombardy to fair Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Explore its maze of elegant squares and visit the well-preserved Roman Arena, still used for opera performances. Explore Verona with Insight Choice. Choose a walking tour through the grand piazzas, see the statue of Dante and admire the Gothic tombs of the Scala family. Alternatively, embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to discover famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet, stopping at Juliet's famed balcony. Continue on to Trento, regarded as one of Italy's most appealing cities to live in.
Accommodation: NH Trento
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Climb up to Cortina d’Ampezzo
Follow the Adige River north into the magnificent mountains and the distinctive limestone peaks of the Dolomites. Arrive at the town of Bolzano, where Italy and Austria culturally collide and you are at leisure to explore the arcaded streets and squares. Continue along the zig-zagging scenic route to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy’s most exclusive ski resort and a beautiful alpine haven during summer.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Day 4: The Dolomites at Leisure
Enjoy a day at your leisure in this fashionable playground of the rich and famous, surrounded by towering cathedrals of rock. Take in the fresh mountain air as you stroll the pedestrianised Corso Italia, lined with designer stores and backed by the impressive green and white bell tower of the parish church. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks for magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites?
Accommodation: Hotel de la Poste
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Through Prosecco Country to Venice
Travel down through more majestic Dolomite scenery to one of the world’s most breathtaking wine regions. Protected by the Alps to the north, and caressed by the warm breezes from the Adriatic, the vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine. Stop at Carmina where great care is taken to ensure these hand-picked grapes produce the world's finest prosecco. See how production differs from its more famous French counterpart, champagne. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavours and learn how to make the perfect bellini. Continue on to the unique and remarkable island city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic and check into your hotel.
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: The Magic of La Serenissima
Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. What better way to see Venice than from a private boat, cruising past palazzos and churches to St. Mark’s Square? See the gilded basilica, the Doge's Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy traditional local songs, as you drift along in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s Square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Sirmione and Como
Bid farewell to this enchanting city and continue past the university town of Padua to the peaceful shores of Lake Garda, the largest of Italy's lakes. Visit the charming resort town of Sirmione, clustered around the 13th century Scaligero Castle on a narrow peninsula jutting out into the lake. Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to reach the spectacular Italian Lake District and your hotel on the shores of Lake Como, where you will enjoy views on the lake from your room. Later, you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Barchetta Excelsior
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Day 8: Como at Leisure and Lake Maggiore
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Como. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, this is a prime spot to catch a glimpse of Europe’s rich and famous. Journey onwards to Lake Maggiore's Baveno, renowned for its charming 16th century square and narrow cobbled streets.
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Italian Lakes at Leisure
Relish a full day to relax and enjoy this popular resort and beautiful lake. Napoleon came here to plan his Italian Campaign, and Mussolini and Chamberlain met here before World War II to sign the Treaty of Stresa. Perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? Isola Bella is where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace. Savour delicious Farm-to-Table cuisine during your Celebration Dinner, accompanied by some exquisite Italian wines. Raise a glass to your travels and newfound friends.
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Depart Milan
Your journey draws to a close in the morning
Meals: Breakfast

Local Market Visit and Private Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Genoa
Visit the vibrant local market and the traditional food shops under the guidance of an expert home cook and immerse yourself in a private cooking class at a local's home. Learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of Genoa cuisine and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a selection of local wines. During the class, the local host will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Participants will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared over a lovely Italian meal accompanied by a selection of local wines. Every host serves local specialties from their family cookbooks to tell the story of their traditional regional cuisine. A sample menu always includes starter with seasonal ingredients, fresh pasta of the region, and typical dessert. Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of more than 1000 home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Discover Genova and Portofino - Full-Day Tour
Genoa, the largest medieval town in Europe, maintains the charm of the ancient maritime republic. Your day will start in the ancient harbor, renovated in 1992 by the architect Renzo Piano. Here, your friendly and professional guide will lead you through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways of the old town to discover the many attractions of this city on an inspiring walking tour. After free time for lunch, hop-on your air-conditioned coach for a scenic ride following the Tigullio Gulf, nicknamed the Dolphins Gulf due to the large school of dolphins that are often spotted there, to reach the colorful village of Santa Margherita Ligure. Here, take the boat for a mini-cruise to the charming fishing village of Portofino, a half-moon shaped seaside village whose beauty has been narrated across the millennia by writers and poets such as Guy de Maupassant. The journey will end with a return by boat to Genoa.

Milan, Venice & The Gems of Northern Italy Cruise

Day 1: Milan
Arrive in Milan.

Day 2: Milan
Milan is a mecca for Italian fashionistas, famous for its innovative design and stylish flair. Venture inside the city’s hulking Gothic cathedral, as well as its cathedral to capitalism, Europe’s oldest shopping arcade. The highlight today is Da Vinci’s revolutionary “The Last Supper” mural.
Featured Excursions: Milan Highlights City Tour > Milano per Bambini

Day 3:  Milan (Verona/Valpolicella), Transfer to Venice (Embark)
En route to Venice, you’ll stop in the literary hometown of Shakespeare’s famously star-crossed teen lovers to see the sights. Later, enjoy lunch at a historic wine estate owned by descendants of Dante and learn about one of the most unique Italian wines, Amarone di Valpolicella. This evening you’ll arrive in Venice and embark. Unpack, relax and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon. A compulsory safety drill and briefing, along with the welcome briefing, will be organized shortly before dinner, but this will be a quick and easy part of your journey.
Featured Excursions: Verona, “City of Romeo and Juliet” > Valpolicella Wine Estate Lunch > Romeo, Juliet & Roman Gladiators (Generations)*

Day 4: Venice
With your early morning arrival at Doge’s Palace, you’ll be able to marvel at the estate in total peace. Wander through a Venetian neighborhood and experience daily life in an authentic Venetian residential quarter. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.
Featured Excursions: A Morning Walk in Venice with Doge’s Palace Visit > Night Out: Private After-Hours Visit to Saint Mark's Basilica > Parading through Doge’s Palace (Generations)*

Day 5: Venice, Chioggia
Begin your morning with a walk through Venice to meet a local gondola artisan, then head back onboard for a lunchtime sailing across the lagoon. Upon arrival in the fishing town of Chioggia, you'll be able to choose between a ride in a traditional bragozzo with a visit to a countryside estate, some Italian villa wine tasting or a walking tour through Padua. A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. IMPORTANT: We are obliged to comply with Italian Maritime Authorities who require that only crew may be on the ship during the Adriatic Sea passage. Therefore, our guests must disembark the ship and partake in the featured excursions.
Featured Excursions: A Fisherman's Boat Ride (Generations)*

Day 6: Polesella (Bologna or Ferrara)
Explore Italy’s culinary capital Bologna on a full-day tour packed with an exclusive pasta-making workshop and lunch or explore Ferrara on a half-day tour.
Featured Excursions: Bolognese Pasta Workshop (Generations)*

Day 7: Porto Viro, Chioggia, Burano
Today, you’ll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia, including a stop at the local and lively market. Your ship will move to dock overnight in Burano, where you’ll enjoy a lovely evening stroll through this multicolored island.
Featured Excursions: Chioggia Market Visit > Evening Stroll in Burano > Keys to Chioggia (Generations)*

Day 8: Burano (Torcello, Mazzorbo, and Burano), Venice
Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello's famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work.
Featured Excursions: Torcello: Hidden Treasure of the Lagoon > Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration > Magic Islands (Generations)*

Day 9: Venice
As your water taxi glides past narrow side canals and the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande and holds numerous shops and restaurants. A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured Excursions: "Do as the Locals Do" Venice for kids (Generations)*

Day 10: Venice (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight 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 and shown on the lowest Deluxe category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 01 August 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. Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions, please call us for prices from other cities. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Transport required from Sorrento to Rome, and must be organised by the guest at their own expense.