Northern Italy's Highlights & Cinque Terre

Welcome to Milan! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Style & Taste in Northern Italy Your guided walking tour in Milan includes sights of the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo, followed by free time. Continue to the village of Busseto, birthplace of the composer Giuseppe Verdi for a stroll in Piazza Verdi to see the impressive municipal fortress Rocca dei Marchesi Pallavicino, location of the Giuseppe Verdi Theater. Try some local dishes for lunch before [LOCAL FAVORITE] visiting a local caseificio (cheese making factory) for a Parmesan cheese tasting. (B) 90 mi / 145 km LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Bite into 1,000 years of Italian tradition with a Parmesan cheese tasting in Busseto. Learn about the rich history that has passed the test of time with authentic ingredients of passion and perfected recipes in local caseifici (cheese making factories) of the Italian pastoral landscapes.

Cathedrals & Classic Cars Discover more of Emilia Romagna and its rich culture. Start the day with a guided sightseeing of Parma that includes sights of the Cathedral, bell tower and octagonal baptistry. Free time to visit the Cathedral and see the celebrated frescoes. Continue to Modena to [LOCAL FAVORITE] visit the renowned Acetaia Leonardi. Learn about the meticulous process behind balsamic vinegar production and enjoy a tasting. A short drive to Maranello, headquarters of the Ferrari car manufacture, for a [LOCAL FAVORITE] visit of the Ferrari Museum. Enjoy free time this evening. (B) 99 mi / 160 km LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegar requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty.

Treasured Time in Tuscany Drive into one of Italy’s most celebrated regions, Tuscany and arrive in the beautiful walled town of Lucca. Enjoy an orientation walk of the delightful historic center, followed by free time this afternoon and evening to explore more. (B) 124 mi / 2000 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEMS Within the walls surrounding the medieval city of Lucca, the modern world fades away. Whilst you walk, see the Piazza Anfiteatro, San Michele Square, the Roman Amphitheatre, the soaring clock tower, and the Guinigi Tower topped with a hanging garden roof – just to name a few of the impressive sights you’ll find in this historic city in Tuscany.

Sights to Sea This morning drive to La Spezia, the starting point of your Cinque Terre adventure. [LOCAL FAVORITE] Join a guided boat ride (weather permitting) to admire the dramatic scenery along the Cinque Terre coast. Arrive in Monterosso, one of the 5 villages, and enjoy some free time before continuing your journey by train. This evening, in Genoa, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 112 mi / 180 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Take a stunning cruise on the coast of Cinque Terre and take in fascinating views of the sea, sky, and centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.

Spend your day your way in Genoa Follow your Local Guide to discover the highlights of the Old Town, one of the largest medieval centers in Europe, including sights of San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and Christopher Columbus’ childhood home. Explore more of Genoa with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions. Nautical Wonders: A Voyage through Genova's Maritime History Explore the deep connection between man and the sea with a visit to the Galata Sea Museum dedicated to maritime history. Your Local Guide provides a detailed introduction to the museum highlights, then "anchors aweigh"! Discover this innovative museum at your own pace, experience virtual voyages, learn about the history of Italian emigration, and visit a submarine. Saucy Traditions: The Art of Pesto Get a real taste of one of Genoa's signature dishes, and one of the world¿s favorite pasta sauces - pesto! At a local eatery, a chef creates the traditional pestle and mortar recipe to make this vibrant green sauce in front of your eyes, as you relax and enjoy a typical aperitif! Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)

Carafes at the Castle Scenic drive to the historic Gabbiano Castle, surrounded by greenery and vineyards. [LOCAL FAVORITE] Visit the wine cellars and enjoy a wine tasting followed by lunch. Arrive in the city of Turin mid-afternoon, free time to get acquainted with the first capital city of Italy. (B,L) 124 mi / 200 km LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Gracing the hills above the Po Valley, the Castello di Gabiano has made history as early as the 8th century. Once the site of sieges and wars, the castle has passed through noble families through time to become one of the oldest and largest manors in Monferrato. Today, its tradition of winemaking is shared with tastings of vintages aged in its cellar barrels in the tradition passed down since the 12th century.

Monumental Mysteries This morning join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour in the elegant city of Turin, with its grand piazzas, palaces and churches. See the city’s landmark Mole Antonelliana, and visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, home to the “Shroud of Turin”. Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon and evening. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Turin abounds of a wealth of Baroque, Rococo, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau treasures. Stroll the elegant squares to see the monument of Mole Antonelliana – a former synagogue with its 87-meter-high panorama deck. Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which houses the most holy relic in the Catholic Church – the Shroud of Turin.

The Dish on Risotto Stop in Vercelli the “European rice capital.” [LOCAL FAVORITE] Visit a rice factory and learn about the local rice cultivation before sitting down to savor a risotto lunch. This evening, back in Milan, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) 130 mi / 210 km LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit Vercelli, the heart of Europe's rice production, where the tradition of delicious risotto is born. It’s here that the round rice grain called japonica is grown. This round grain keeps its shape during the cooking process to release that beautifully creamy texture of risotto that we all know and love. The fine art of rice farming in Italy now combines tradition with technology to tend these fields with loving care.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)