Best of Italy's Italian Riviera, Piedmont and Aosta Valley Semi Escorted Tour
Duration
7 Days/6 Nights
TRANSPORT
Bus
Starting from
$2,154.00
From Milan (Or Genoa) to Milan
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Genoa, San Remo, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, , Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Monferrato Hill Country, Moncalvo, Crea Monastery, Turin, Venaria Royal Palace, Langhe Region, La Morra, Grinzane Cavour, Alba, Asti, Fenis Castle, Aosta, Courmayeur
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
DAY 1: MILAN, GENOA
Early morning meet and greet with your tour group in a designated meeting point in the historical center of Milan. Transfer to the lively and ancient seaport of Genoa. Genoa in the past was one of the Maritime Republics and you will experience its rich and important past with a visit in the historical center that grew around the dock, full of medieval buildings and twisting streets. You will visit also the area of the Ancient Port, restored for the anniversary of Columbus' sail to the Americas. You'll be have the chance to visit the Aquarium (optional visit on your own not included), the second largest in Europe, before heading to the hotel for the night.
Please note that it will be also possible start directly the tour from Genoa, morning meeting point to be advised.
DAY 2: GENOA, SAN REMO, GENOA
After a nice breakfast, you'll head to San Remo, home of flowers and the sun. The local economy is based on flower farming and tourism, and it hosts also the famous Italian Song Festival. You will enjoy a nice stroll along the charming beaches and promenades, shopping in the boutiques along the main street or visit the town Casino. Lunch will be on your own (not included), and you will drive back to Genoa through the scenic route of Riviera di Ponente, with many little villages on the shore and photo opportunities. You'll spend the night in Genoa.
DAY 3: GENOA, PORTOVENERE, CINQUE TERRE, GENOA
You'll have breakfast at the hotel, before leaving for Portovenere. This small fishing town contains many beautiful churches and scenic views of the sea. After a visit of Portovenere you'll take the ferry to Cinque Terre, a UNESCO world heritage site (If the atmospheric and sea conditions don’t permit the boarding, the visit will be done with a panoramic itinerary in minibus). The five fishermen’s villages of Cinque Terre are remarkable for their colorful buildings built in this breathtaking landscape suspended between sky and sea. You'll have some free time to explore and have lunch (not included) before heading back to the hotel in Genoa.
DAY 4: GENOA, CAMOGLI, PORTOFINO, SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE, MONFERRATO HILL COUNTRY, SERRAVALLE DESIGNERS OUTLET, MONCALVO, CREA MONASTERY, TURIN
You'll depart the hotel after breakfast for a short visit to Camogli, a beautiful town, with evocative architecture of the region. You will continue then towards Portofino, a charming small village tucked into a narrow cove overlooking the rocky coastline. Be sure to bring your camera and autograph book, as Portofino is a popular spot for celebrities and artists that ever year are attracted here. Next stop will be Santa Margherita Ligure, a picturesque town on the eastern part of the Italian Rivera, before heading to the inland and reach the Piedmont region. You will stop at the famous Serravalle McArthur Designers Outlet, home to almost 200 stores offering the best in Italian, and international, fashion brands, at steep discounts. Up to 70% discount on clothes, shoes, bags and home accessories all year around. Later in the afternoon you will continue towards Turin enjoying a brief stop in the lovely small town of Moncalvo overlooking the Monferrato area vineyards and in Crea, where you will be able to visit the local Monastery, included in the Unesco World Heritage.
We will eventually arrive at your new hotel accommodation in Turin where we will spend the overnight.
DAY 5: TURIN, VENARIA REALE ROYAL PALACE, SUPERGA BASILICA, TURIN
After breakfast, you'll spend a full day dedicated to the city of Turin. It was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy and nowadays headquarters of the Italian car factory FIAT. In the 2006 with the region mountain resorts, it hosted the Winter Olympic Games and it experienced a new cultural and tourist revival.
In the morning enjoy a visit of the main monuments built by the Savoy Royal family: the Reggia of Venaria Reale and the Basilica od Superga. The Reggia of Venaria Reale is one of the most beautiful and big Savoy Royal Palace in the countryside outside Turin. It is a majestic palace with beautiful gardens commissioned on 17th century by the Duke Charles Emmanuel as a gift to his wife and later inspiration for the French Versailles royal palace. The tour will bring you also to the Basilica of Superga on the hills dominating Turin and dedicated to the Virgin to celebrate the victory over French and Spain in the early 18th century.
After lunch (not included), the tour will continue in the historical center of Turin with visits to the Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama, the Art Museum, the Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana. The Mole Antonelliana is one of the most famous landmarks of the city and it houses the National Museum of Cinema. We will visit also the Cathedral where is kept the Holy Shroud (a linen cloth believed by the Catholics to have been the burial shroud in which Jesus was wrapped after he was taken down from the cross; not exhibited to the public). After the city sightseeing you'll enjoy some free time to walk the city streets and perhaps enjoy a hot chocolate before returning to the hotel for the night
DAY 6: TURIN, LANGHE REGION, LA MORRA, GRINZANE CAVOUR, ALBA, ASTI, TURIN
You'll enjoy breakfast in the hotel, before start a beautiful day in the famous Langhe region. First we will head to La Morra, a lovely medieval village and visit to a wine cellar to taste the famous Barolo red wine. The tour will continue to Grinzane Cavour to visit its castle and traverse winding roads to stop in Alba, considered the capital of the Langhe region and home of truffles, chocolates and fine cheese and of course wines. You'll visit the Cathedral and the old town center, before stopping for some free time and lunch (not included) in the “slow food” movement cradle. You'll then visit Asti, home of the famous Asti Spumante, the sparkling white wine well known worldwide and tour the historical center. The day will conclude by returning to Turin for a good night's sleep.
DAY 7: TURIN, FENIS CASTLE, AOSTA, COURMAYEUR, MILAN
We'll depart the hotel after breakfast to head north to the Val D’Aosta region. Stop at the 12th century castle of Fenis, symbol of the majesty and power of the Challant family. From there we continue to the town of Aosta, founded millennia ago and built in the Roman style, with plenty of historical reminders of that time period, including the Arch of Augustus and the Praetorian Gates. The next stop on the tour is Courmayeur, a lovely ski resort at the feet of the Mont Blanc and close to the French borders, where you'll have free time to enjoy lunch (not included) a stroll in this alpine town. The tour will then return to Milan, where it, and our services, will end.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Genoa, San Remo, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, , Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Monferrato Hill Country, Moncalvo, Crea Monastery, Turin, Venaria Royal Palace, Langhe Region, La Morra, Grinzane Cavour, Alba, Asti, Fenis Castle, Aosta, Courmayeur
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
DAY 1: MILAN, GENOA
Early morning meet and greet with your tour group in a designated meeting point in the historical center of Milan. Transfer to the lively and ancient seaport of Genoa. Genoa in the past was one of the Maritime Republics and you will experience its rich and important past with a visit in the historical center that grew around the dock, full of medieval buildings and twisting streets. You will visit also the area of the Ancient Port, restored for the anniversary of Columbus' sail to the Americas. You'll be have the chance to visit the Aquarium (optional visit on your own not included), the second largest in Europe, before heading to the hotel for the night.
Please note that it will be also possible start directly the tour from Genoa, morning meeting point to be advised.
DAY 2: GENOA, SAN REMO, GENOA
After a nice breakfast, you'll head to San Remo, home of flowers and the sun. The local economy is based on flower farming and tourism, and it hosts also the famous Italian Song Festival. You will enjoy a nice stroll along the charming beaches and promenades, shopping in the boutiques along the main street or visit the town Casino. Lunch will be on your own (not included), and you will drive back to Genoa through the scenic route of Riviera di Ponente, with many little villages on the shore and photo opportunities. You'll spend the night in Genoa.
DAY 3: GENOA, PORTOVENERE, CINQUE TERRE, GENOA
You'll have breakfast at the hotel, before leaving for Portovenere. This small fishing town contains many beautiful churches and scenic views of the sea. After a visit of Portovenere you'll take the ferry to Cinque Terre, a UNESCO world heritage site (If the atmospheric and sea conditions don’t permit the boarding, the visit will be done with a panoramic itinerary in minibus). The five fishermen’s villages of Cinque Terre are remarkable for their colorful buildings built in this breathtaking landscape suspended between sky and sea. You'll have some free time to explore and have lunch (not included) before heading back to the hotel in Genoa.
DAY 4: GENOA, CAMOGLI, PORTOFINO, SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE, MONFERRATO HILL COUNTRY, SERRAVALLE DESIGNERS OUTLET, MONCALVO, CREA MONASTERY, TURIN
You'll depart the hotel after breakfast for a short visit to Camogli, a beautiful town, with evocative architecture of the region. You will continue then towards Portofino, a charming small village tucked into a narrow cove overlooking the rocky coastline. Be sure to bring your camera and autograph book, as Portofino is a popular spot for celebrities and artists that ever year are attracted here. Next stop will be Santa Margherita Ligure, a picturesque town on the eastern part of the Italian Rivera, before heading to the inland and reach the Piedmont region. You will stop at the famous Serravalle McArthur Designers Outlet, home to almost 200 stores offering the best in Italian, and international, fashion brands, at steep discounts. Up to 70% discount on clothes, shoes, bags and home accessories all year around. Later in the afternoon you will continue towards Turin enjoying a brief stop in the lovely small town of Moncalvo overlooking the Monferrato area vineyards and in Crea, where you will be able to visit the local Monastery, included in the Unesco World Heritage.
We will eventually arrive at your new hotel accommodation in Turin where we will spend the overnight.
DAY 5: TURIN, VENARIA REALE ROYAL PALACE, SUPERGA BASILICA, TURIN
After breakfast, you'll spend a full day dedicated to the city of Turin. It was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy and nowadays headquarters of the Italian car factory FIAT. In the 2006 with the region mountain resorts, it hosted the Winter Olympic Games and it experienced a new cultural and tourist revival.
In the morning enjoy a visit of the main monuments built by the Savoy Royal family: the Reggia of Venaria Reale and the Basilica od Superga. The Reggia of Venaria Reale is one of the most beautiful and big Savoy Royal Palace in the countryside outside Turin. It is a majestic palace with beautiful gardens commissioned on 17th century by the Duke Charles Emmanuel as a gift to his wife and later inspiration for the French Versailles royal palace. The tour will bring you also to the Basilica of Superga on the hills dominating Turin and dedicated to the Virgin to celebrate the victory over French and Spain in the early 18th century.
After lunch (not included), the tour will continue in the historical center of Turin with visits to the Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama, the Art Museum, the Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana. The Mole Antonelliana is one of the most famous landmarks of the city and it houses the National Museum of Cinema. We will visit also the Cathedral where is kept the Holy Shroud (a linen cloth believed by the Catholics to have been the burial shroud in which Jesus was wrapped after he was taken down from the cross; not exhibited to the public). After the city sightseeing you'll enjoy some free time to walk the city streets and perhaps enjoy a hot chocolate before returning to the hotel for the night
DAY 6: TURIN, LANGHE REGION, LA MORRA, GRINZANE CAVOUR, ALBA, ASTI, TURIN
You'll enjoy breakfast in the hotel, before start a beautiful day in the famous Langhe region. First we will head to La Morra, a lovely medieval village and visit to a wine cellar to taste the famous Barolo red wine. The tour will continue to Grinzane Cavour to visit its castle and traverse winding roads to stop in Alba, considered the capital of the Langhe region and home of truffles, chocolates and fine cheese and of course wines. You'll visit the Cathedral and the old town center, before stopping for some free time and lunch (not included) in the “slow food” movement cradle. You'll then visit Asti, home of the famous Asti Spumante, the sparkling white wine well known worldwide and tour the historical center. The day will conclude by returning to Turin for a good night's sleep.
DAY 7: TURIN, FENIS CASTLE, AOSTA, COURMAYEUR, MILAN
We'll depart the hotel after breakfast to head north to the Val D’Aosta region. Stop at the 12th century castle of Fenis, symbol of the majesty and power of the Challant family. From there we continue to the town of Aosta, founded millennia ago and built in the Roman style, with plenty of historical reminders of that time period, including the Arch of Augustus and the Praetorian Gates. The next stop on the tour is Courmayeur, a lovely ski resort at the feet of the Mont Blanc and close to the French borders, where you'll have free time to enjoy lunch (not included) a stroll in this alpine town. The tour will then return to Milan, where it, and our services, will end.
