Italy 2024
Proposed Itinerary | Italy 2024
18 Days 19thJune – 6th July
This tour is two days longer than 2023 plus the exchange rate is mean. However, we have managed to keep the daily rate virtually the same.
I didn’t manage to get single supplement room rates anywhere, consequently a price hike here.
Sadly, the reality is tour costs are still rising wherever you go.
I loved our tour to Italy in 2023 and was more than happy to repeat it. But, Italy has a lot to offer and change is good.
I am returning to the Veneto for the first 4 days. It is easy to fly into Venice on Emirates and from here it is an hour’s bus ride to the sweetest village called Asolo. We will use this as a base to explore Valdobbiadene and the famous prosecco countryside. A day into the Dolomites - which is stunning and a chance to visit Bassano Del Grappa – home of Grappa and a deep history.
From here we go through Aosta to the top of Lake Garda – Our hotel is at the top of the lake and we will have a day to boat down the lake and take in the amazing scenery, stopping to visit on the way
I have always wanted to take a group to Piedmonte. Philip and I did a research trip here a few years ago and many who have been on tour will remember our wine-tasting and long lunch with my friend Jeffrey. The hilltop towns are beautiful along with Asti, Alba and Torino.
Hopefully on the way will dip down into Amelia Romagna and do a Parmigiano Regiano and Balsamico Vinegar visit.
Our last week will be at a Villa called ‘ Villa Cara’ just out aside Lucca – Again we will have Alessandro to cook and our days will be in and around the region exploring villages, historical towns, food and wine and Tuscan Hospitality.
1. Wednesday 19th June
Asolo
Many will arrive at Venice Airport on the Emirates flight at 1.30 pm. I think this is a good place to meet and if you are elsewhere we can meet here before we bus to Asolo, which is about an hour away. Please get back to me if you would like to co-ordinate something else.
I have chosen Asolo because of its proximity to the Veneto and although I have selected not to include Venice it might be something to consider at the end of the tour and I can help you with that or maybe prior to the start of the tour.
Asolo is adorable – small, quant, full of charm and our hotel sits high in the town with a stunning view of the town.
Run by two sisters. It is one of those hotels that I have been returning to for many years although this is the first time to stay.
We will settle in, get acquainted with a pre-dinner aperitivo and enjoy our first dinner together before some of you hit the pillow after a long-haul flight.
Hotel – Albergo Al Sole
2. Thursday 20th June
Asolo
This morning you will meet our bus driver Daniele again. He lives very close by and has become our close friend. Today we will explore the Prosecco wine-growing region of Treviso which surrounds the town of Valdobbiadene. Located below the Alpine-Dolomite areas of Veneto, the climate allows the cultivation of the Glera variety of grapes. The Conegliano Valdobbiadene area is the home of the best Prosecco, an extra dry sparkling white wine that comes from this region and is known throughout the world.
So, from a prosecco tasting to lunch in a vineyard, we propose a memorable day to celebrate a wine that more and more of us are drinking and enjoying. However, maybe not as good as this.
The Veneto is home to many Villas designed by the famous Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. there are over 24 villas in the Veneto and we are going to Visit Villa Barbero in Maser before heading back to our hotel in Asolo.
Hotel – Albergo Al Sole
3. Friday 21st June
Bassano Del Grappa
We will meet Andrea Palladio again today – however, this time under the tragic circumstances of the world wars. The symbol of the town is the covered Ponte Vecchio, which was designed by the architect Andrea Palladio in 1569. But, the wooden pontoon bridge was destroyed many times, the last time during World War II.
The Alpine soldiers have always revered the wooden bridge and Bassano del Grappa. After the destruction of the bridge, they took up a private collection and had the bridge completely rebuilt. Today the bridge is important and provides a much-needed history lesson, a chance to take a sip of Italy’s famous Grappa and taste the local treat. …
And did I tell you there are some very gorgeous shops here? So if you want or need a little Italian purchase. This could be your place.
Hotel – Albergo Al Sole
4. Saturday 22nd June
A day in the Dolomites
Be prepared to be wowed. Every time Daniele takes us up into the Dolomites, I am in awe of their stunning beauty and eye-watering towering mountains. He does know where the very authentic villages are and we will spend our day immersed in this incredible landscape.
Albergo Al Sole
5. Sunday 23rd June
Lake Garda
It is a travel day. However, This route is probably not an area you thought you would ever think you may go to. I want to return to the town of Bolzano where we will stop for lunch. Capitol of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. You will notice both German and Italian speakers here. It is home to the famous Otzi - the glacier mummy from the Copper Age over 5,300 years old - hopefully we will have time to visit before heading further down this stunning valley to Trento and finally our hotel at the head of Lake Garda.
Hotel Bellariva – at the top of the lake
6. Monday 24th June
Lake Garda
Lake Ferry – Sirmione.
Lake Garda has a lot of features, one being the unlikely growing of lemons. There is a long history of lemon houses lining Lake Garda and we will visit one today. We will spend part of our day on a ferry travelling the length of the lake and fingers-crossed we get a stunning day.
Sirmione is the tourist town at the bottom of the Lake where we can wander before heading back to the top of the lake.
Hotel Bellariva
7. Tuesday 25th June
Piedmonte
Drive to Asti
We will skirt around Milan driving through Amelia Romagna as we head to Piedmonte. We will pass through the rice-growing area of Italy and hopefully stop at a Risaio to check out the varieties of rice grown in this region.
We are going to spend the next 4 days discovering the villages of the Langhe. It is similar to Tuscany and Umbria in the fact the villages sit clinging to the tops of the hillsides providing stunning views over the valleys. The wines of Barolo and Barbaresco are famous here and we will certainly be tasting them.
The hotel sits between woods and hazelnut groves, with a breathtaking view of the Alps. It will be our resting place for the next four nights and will be eating at the hotel tonight.
8. Wednesday 26th June
Piedmonte
Today is Market Day in Asti. There is no better way of understanding a community than going to the market to see what the locals buy and what is on offer. We will spend the morning here and after a leisurely lunch head to Alba- an ancient medieval town which still has its historical centre.
Hotel Villa D’Amelia
9. Thursday 27th June
Piedmonte
Visit Barolo and onto Dai Gresy for a wine tasting and lunch with my friend Jeffrey Chilcott. Be prepared for one of the best long lunches you have experienced. Jeffrey
Hotel Villa D’Amelia
10. Friday 28th June
Piedmonte - Torino / Turin Day
This morning will explore the city of Torino.
This city has a long rich cultural history in the Piedmont region of Italy. It sits between the Po River and the foothills of the Alps. It was Italy's first capital before Rome. Famous for the Shroud of Turin, an important Christian artifact, and Fiat auto plants, And its tree-lined avenues Baroque cafes, architecture, stunning covered arcade, shopping promenades, and museums especially the Egyptian Museum. The famous drink called :
Bicerin, a layered drink made with coffee, chocolate, and cream.
Returning to the hotel we will drop into Nieve - one of the many hilltop villages for a little aperitivo
Hotel Amelia
11. Saturday 29th June
Lucca
Drive to Villa – just outside Lucca .
We will stop at the beautiful Portofino. Once an Italian fishing village, it is now a famous vacation resort for celebrities. Known for its beautiful harbour and colourfully painted buildings that are clustered around the water.
Two hours on and a great drive along the Ligurian coastline we will arrive at our villa which will be home away from home for the next 7 days. We will be met by Alessandro who will be cooking for us for the remainder of the week and we will be totally spoilt with his Italian meals.
Villa Cara
12. Sunday 30th June
Lucca
We need to be introduced to Lucca and will start with a walking tour inside the walled city.
Remains of Roman ruins are evident today and the city's intricate history makes it a fascinating visit. Home of Puccini and worth a visit to the museum if your interest is music.
You will have time to stroll leisurely at your own pace, maybe hire a bike and ride around the walls, sit in a piazza or return to the villa and enjoy our surroundings.
The rest of the day is your own and maybe a few quiet hours at the villa by the pool.
Villa Cara
13. Monday 1st July
Lucca
Lucca is within 20 minutes of Pisa and it would be rude not to visit. Today we are going to the Etruscan town of Voltera and onto the famous but beautiful San Gimignano
Volterra has been inhabited since the 8th century BC, first by the Etruscans and later by the Romans. The Etruscans mined alabaster from the nearby hills and Artisans still craft the alabaster into vases, urns, sculptures, and other decorative objects. Volterra’s narrow, medieval streets, ancient walls, and fortress make this a perfect place to wander and explore.
In the afternoon we will travel 30 minutes onto San Gimignano – walk the main street amidst the famous towers. Some of you might have seen the movie ‘Tea with Mussolini” which was set here
Back to the Villa and dinner with Alessandro
Villa Cara
14. Tuesday 2nd July
Lucca
The Cinque Terre is somewhat of a tourist mecca. We are not going to walk the track between the 5 villages of - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso Al Mare.
Instead, we are going to bus to the 6th village called Porto Venere. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a favourite of Byron, Shelley and D.H. Lawrence.
After coffee, a walk we take the boat past the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre to Monterosso Al Mare, where we will have lunch at one of my favourite restaurants called “Ciak”
We will train back to La Spezia and meet the bus.
Villa Cara
15. Wednesday 3rd July
Lucca
Optional Florence Day – by train – or a Villa day.
After our day in Florence last year with a walking guide. I have decided not to include a walking guide but to have more time to explore by ourselves. Florence is heaving with tourists and I feel we can spend our time having fun and discovering the city rather than a slow walk and long periods in queues.
Villa Cara
16. Thursday 4th July
Lucca
Close to Lucca is the artist town of Pietrasanta. I stayed here a few years ago and loved this little town and its importance to artists in Italy.
Before we will visit the garden of Villa Garzoni, and afterwards travel onto the famous Carrara Marble Quarry.Carrara marble quarries are huge white wounds that open along the sides of the Apuan Alps: It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015
I am aiming to get to the town of Carrara, of course, famous for its beautiful white marble, where even the likes of Michelangelo sourced the finest materials to carve his sculptures. But, also famous for making Lardo di Colonnata. Lardo is cured pig’s back fat, a unique type of salumi and absolutely delicious.
Villa Cara
17. Friday 5th July
Today we talk all about Chianti and visit the towns between Florence and Siena in the region of Chianti. Greve, Panzano, Radda and Castellina.
The countryside is rolling and beautiful. We will definitely be including a wine tasting. This is a day to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere and their regional cultural differences.
Villa Cara
18. Saturday 6th July
Depart Daniele will be driving the bus back to the Veneto.
We will make sure we leave early enough for those of you catching flights out of Venice
Fly out of Bologna or Venice
Tour inclusions
· Accommodation for 17 nights (4 star and special category Villa )
· All breakfasts included along with 17 Dinners and 3 lunches
· Wine Included at all meals.
· Sometimes coffee at a stop.
· Wine tasting and Food Producer Visits.
· Comfortable transportation with A/C (including parking and tolls)
· Professional English-speaking local guides.
· Entrance fees for gardens, museums, sites and historical places as detailed in the itinerary
· Expenses and tips for all guides and drivers
Travel is to be organised by you.
For all tours, Philip and I will already be in Europe.
I deal with Kay Dunn: kayd@travelmanagers.co.nz | 0275222389
She knows all my tours and is amazing
I am more than happy to have a chat on the phone and go over any queries you may have - 021735617
Let me know if you would like a booking form
Regards Judith