Day 1

Welcome to Venice!

Arrive in magical Venice and absorb the breathtaking scenery as you luxury transfer to your hotel by private water taxi. The remainder of the day is yours to begin savoring this wondrous city on your own.

Day 2

Savoring Venice Cicchetti & Wine

Built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges, Venice is an artistic masterpiece with an enticing cuisine and a fascinating cultural tradition. Savor the many flavors of this gastronomic heaven with your friendly and knowledgeable guide. Discover Venice and its culinary traditions on an off the beaten-path tour of the typical local bacaros, as you drink and eat like Venetians do! The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3

Three Venice Islands Tour: Murano, Burano and Torcello

Board your luxury boat from your hotel and ride through the Venetian lagoon to explore the three main islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello while your guide will tell the history of the lagoon and the three islands you will visit. See an expert glassblower at work in Murano, examine some of the best hand-made lace of Burano and take a walk around the ancient monuments of the sparsely populated island of Torcello. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 4

From Venice to Franciacorta Italy's Best Sparkling Wine Region

Franciacorta is a small region infused with cultural significance and the setting for one of Italy's most important wine traditions with over 100 wineries producing sparkling wines in the metodo classico. Transfer by luxury boat from your hotel in Venice to Piazzale Roma. Then your private driver will accompany you to your boutique luxury resort immersed in the Franciacorta countryside. Before arriving at the hotel you will enjoy a guided visit of an historic winery, where you will taste the most prestigious Italian sparkling white wine accompanied with nibbles such as cheese & charcuterie.

Day 5

Franciacorta Cooking Class & Lake Garda by Land & Water

This morning you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class during which you will experience local Northern Italian cuisine "with your hands in pasta". Then, savor the delicious lunch paired with Franciacorta’s bubbles before heading to Sirmione, one of the most beautiful towns on Lake Garda. Here, with a private local guide, you will take a motorboat trip on the lake and a walking tour in the historic center of Sirmione. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

Day 6

From Franciacorta to Bologna Italy's Food Capital

After breakfast, your private driver will pick you up and accompany you to Bologna, a top foodie city for its excellent cuisine. After checking in at your 5-star hotel set out on a food walking tour that encompass local mortadella and prosciutto, parmesan cheese and aged balsamic vinegar, tortellino in brodo, tagliatelle ragu, lasagne, stuffed flat breads (tigelle) and gelato; not forgetting chilled lambrusco and sangiovese wines.

Day 7

Parmigiano Reggiano & Balsamic Vinegar Experience

Enjoy a day trip focused on Parmigiano Reggiano, local wine, and balsamic vinegar. The day starts out with Parmigiano-Reggiano, the regal "King of Cheeses." Smell the milk, feel the steam and tap the enormous wheels of cheese in a traditional farm! A tasting session follows the tour of the production facilities. Then, have a long lunch at a family-run winery in the countryside before visiting an old acetaia for balsamic vinegar of Modena tasting. Afterwards your driver will leave you at your hotel.

Day 8

From Bologna to Florence via the Ferrari Museum in Maranello

The Ferrari Museum in the heart of the so-called Italian Motor Valley takes visitors on a magnificent journey via its most famous F1 cars. After breakfast, your private driver will pick you up and accompany you to your 5-star hotel stopping along the way at the Ferrari Museum. After the Museum, stop for lunch before continuing to Florence where you will be staying for 4 nights. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 9

From Market to Table: A Private Cooking Class in Florence

Discover the delights of Tuscan cuisine in this entertaining cooking experience. Shop for ingredients at the Florence farmer’s market with your private chef and then move to the chef ‘home where the class will be held. The day starts with a pleasant walk through the farmer's market of Florence. Once you have collected what you need for the meal, you will be taken to his well-equipped kitchen right in the center of Florence. Here, under his guidance you will begin your hands-on cooking class. The class ends with a delicious lunch accompanied by Tuscan wines.

Day 10

Discovering Florence Masterpieces

Awash with artistic treasures, Florence is Italy's most revered city for its Renaissance masterpieces and unsurpassed beauty. Stroll through the enchanting historic center, a living monument to the Renaissance and crown jewel of Tuscany admiring its piazzas and palaces. With your private guide you will also visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime “David” and his unfinished pieces for the papal tombs.

Day 11

Winery Visits & Tastings in the Chianti Hills

Produced in the undulating hills of the Tuscan countryside between Florence and Siena, the famous Chianti Classico wine is known and celebrated all over the world. Tidy rows of vineyards set amidst historic villages and silvery-green olive trees are the scenic backdrop for this full day wine excursion to Chianti Country. You will visit two boutiques wineries and have the chance to explore San Gimignano before your expert driver-guide will take you back at your hotel.

Day 12

Florence Departure

Today it’s time to say arrivederci to beautiful Florence as you transfer privately to return home. If you are not yet ready to go home, we can add several options to your Northern Italy Luxury Tour. A few days in the Eternal City”, otherwise known as Rome? Or a visit to the Lake of Como? Alternatively, spend some extra days in the Tuscan countryside. The choice is yours and we would be happy to design your trip as you wish.