Italian Indulgence: Backroads: Rome to Venice
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,391
Explore and discover the beauty and charms of Northern Italy - Umbria, Tuscany and Piedmont. Visit medieval cities, hilltowns, enjoy wine tasting, stay at an Idyllic villa and learn to make the perfect pasta. As a grand finale, spend time in Venice, city of canals.
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Depart from Rome heading north to the province of Umbria. Stop first in the medieval village of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. After time exploring Assisi, continue to Perugia, another Umbrian medieval walled city dating back to Etruscan times. It is known for its universities and as a cultural and artistic centre. Overnight in Perugia.
Visit the following morning, the wonderful impressive city of Siena in Tuscany. The Piazza del Campo will take your breath away with its imposing beauty. It is also the venue of the famous Palio horse race. Later, you will travel through the local Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards arriving at your idyllic Tuscan villa in the Chianti region where you will stay for 2 nights.
The next day, the villa’s chef will teach you the secrets to making the perfect pasta and Italian bread which you will then prepare and eat for lunch. The remainder of the day is free to relax by the pool.
The next morning, travel to Florence where you will have a walking tour of the city including the renowned and ancient Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River. Walk over the bridge with its many glittering jewellery shops. Visit the Galeria dell’ Accademia to view the famous imposing Michelangelo statue of David. Leave Florence and head to Lucca, an extremely attractive Tuscan town, one of Italy’s finest medieval towns with its massive 16th Century walls. Spend 2 nights here.
Next up is a visit to Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower and the Baptistery of St. John. Return to Lucca with a free afternoon to explore the charms of the city.
The following morning, head north to the province of Piedmont known for its charming castles, quaint villages and hilltop vineyards. Arrive at the village of Barolo where you will go on a truffle hunt with a local farmer together with a hunting dog to eek out the famed, rare and expensive white Alba truffle. Continue to Pollenza, an unassuming small town known for its cuisine and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will visit the Banca del Vino to have a wine tasting lead by professional sommeliers. Overnight in Pollenza.
The next day, start with a visit to the Torronificio Barbero Nougat private collection for a tasting of nougat and chocolate. This is followed by a risotto lunch after which continue to the lakes of Northern Italy. After a short stop at Lake Orta, arrive at Lake Maggiore for a 2 night stay.
The next morning, explore the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. You will visit Isola Bella with its magnificent baroque garden, Isola del Pescatori with its pretty harbour and Isola Madre with its Renaissance villa.
Leave Lake Maggiore and travel to Verona stopping at Lake Garda en route. On arrival in Verona, explore the city with its wonderful Roman amphitheatre, venue of open air operas and Juliet’s balcony. Overninght in Trento.
Finally head to Venice where you bid farewell.
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,391
Itinerary View Trip Map
Rome - Assisi - Perugia
After meeting in Rome, your route will whisk you away to the awe-inspiring Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis. Tonight, the group will come together for a delicious dinner in Perugia.
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Perugia - Siena - Tuscany
Introducing Siena: a gorgeous Gothic city bursting with fabulous architecture. After exploring the historic centre, you will venture to your villa in the world-renowned Chianti region.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Tuscany
The host will let the group in on a few Italian culinary secrets today as you have a go at preparing a classic Tuscan lunch. Later, the afternoon is yours.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Tuscany - Florence - Lucca
Today you will turn your attention to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. A local guide will bring the city alive as you stroll through the streets on a walking tour. As the afternoon turns to dusk, you'll continue on to Lucca.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Lucca - Pisa - Lucca
You'll get up close to an Italian icon today with a visit to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then, it's back to Lucca.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Lucca - Camogli - San Fruttuoso - Portofino - Santa Margherita Ligure
Today you'll be ticking off Camogli, San Fruttuoso and the glittering village of Portofino, before settling in Santa Margherita Ligure. The evening will be yours to explore at your own pace.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Santa Margherita - Barolo - Cherasco
Today you'll travel inland to Piedmont, a region of rich red wines and luxurious cuisine, before continuing on to the village of Barolo. A treat is in store for the sweet-toothed at a distillery near Asti, where you'll sip regional liquors complemented by handmade nougat. Finally, you'll end your day with a sumptuous dinner in Cherasco.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Cherasco - Lake Orta - Lake Maggiore
This morning you'll join a truffle hunt with a local farmer. After a risotto tasting lunch, it's time to head for the hills, pristine lakes and soaring mountains of northern Italy. Lake Maggiore will be the magnificent final stop on today's journey.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Lake Maggiore
Today the group will leave dry land behind and set sail for the Borromean Islands. You'll have plenty of time to wander the terraces of the ornate baroque garden on Isola Bella and discover the pretty harbour of Isola dei Pescatori.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Lake Maggiore - Lecco - Tirano
After bidding farewell to Lake Maggiore, you'll discover the sights of Lecco. After an indulgent afternoon of wine tasting on the way to Tirano, you'll return to the hotel and meet for dinner at a local restaurant to continue your culinary adventure.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Tirano - Lake Molveno - Trento
This morning you'll turn your attention to the majestic Lake Molveno, which lies at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. You'll continue to Trento for a walking tour and meet in the evening for a farewell dinner.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Trento - Verona - Venice
Fair Verona beckons today. Then, it's onwards to the show-stopping finale, the floating city of Venice, where you'll bid farewell to the group.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2019: Mar 3, 17; Apr 4, 11, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28; May 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23,
26, 28, 31; Jun 5, 9, 13, 16, 23, 27, 30; Jul 4, 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 25; Aug 1, 8, 11, 22, 29;
Sep 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 30; Oct 6, 10, 17
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 11 nights accommodation
- Back-Roads tour leader
- Driver and mini-coach transportation
- Local guides
- Whispers in Florence and Venice
- European breakfast daily
- 6 evening meals
- 2 lunches
- Italian pasta cooking class
- Venice water taxi
- Wine, olive oil, Montebore cheese, chocolate and nougat tasting
- Entrance fees (Baptistery of St. John in Pisa, Cinque Terre flexi pass, Isola Bella and Isola Madre on Lake Maggiore)
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Driver/tour leader gratuity is at your discretion
- Lunches (unless otherwise stated)
- Social drinks
- Meals on free nights
- Items of a personal nature
- Entrance fees when not listed in the schedule of inclusions
- Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits and entrances not detailed in the tour inclusions
- Incidental expenses, such as room service incurred at hotels
- All expenses are to be settled prior to leaving the accommodation
- Laundry costs and any shipping charges for the return of purchases made on tour, or for the return of property lost on tour
- Pre and post tour accommodation
- Unless otherwise listed in the inclusions, transfers are not included in the tour price
OTHER INFORMATION:
Back-Roads Touring have hand-picked an extensive portfolio of quality properties across Europe and to ensure the very best experience on each of our tours, hotels may vary to those listed in this itinerary.
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from", per person, based on twin share. Subject to availability. The hotels have been hand-picked from an extensive portfolio of quality properties across Europe and to ensure the very best experience on each of our tours, hotels may vary to those listed in this itinerary.
17 Oct 2019
