Tour highlights:
- Visit of the 12th century Romanesque;
- Baptistery in Parma;
- Visits to a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese factory and to a Prosciutto factory;
- Tour of the Grinzane Cavour, Serralunga, & Racconigi castles;
- Tour of the Levi distillery (Grappa);
- Visit of the Enoteca Regionale and Barolo Hills.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Parma 4-star Hotel Toscanini
Arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport where you are met by your Bella Italia Tours director, and by Pierluigi Castagnetti, a local specialized guide. Then an easy drive with our comfortable motor-coach to the beautiful and rich city of Parma. After check-in at our wonderful hotel by the river, we'll take an interesting walking tour during which we'll enjoy the beauty of one of the most magnificent Romanesque 12th century Baptisteries in the world (entrance included), the Cathedral with Correggio's frescoes and much more. Tonight a delicious welcome-to-Italy gourmet dinner (this city was already mentioned as a culinary paradise in Giovanni Boccaccio's "Decameron" in the 14th century) with local specialties. Includes: (D)
Day 2 - Parma
Early this morning we'll visit a caseficio (cheese factory) to watch the (awesome) process of making a "wheel" of the celebrated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a fantastic cheese which is perhaps one of the main secrets of longevity for the Italian people (statistically, on average, Italians live the longest than anyone else in the world). Later we'll take off to visit a very interesting prosciuttificio (prosciutto factory) where we'lll learn how this incredible food becomes a reality, we'll have a good taste of this delicacy and return to Parma later. Free evening. Includes: (B)
Day 3 - Lucca
Leaving Parma, we’ll leave for Lucca. Lucca. After check-in at our beautiful 4-star hotel we'll take a good look at this lovely town. This is an amazing medieval town surrounded by 4.2 km (2.5 miles) of 16th century walls which are about a 100 ft wide at the base and about 70 ft wide at the top. They are so big that they were were even used to drive cars on them. Nowadays they are used as a delightful park where people stroll around, kids rollerblade or ride their bikes and couples take romantic walls. Within the walls, the city of Lucca has kept the flavor of ancient times and it's simply exciting to walk around and discover Etruscan, Roman, and, above all, Medieval "treasures". Tonight we’ll have a great dinner tasting the culinary specialties of this Tuscan region called “La Garfagnana”. Includes: (B) (D)
Day 4 - Lucca
This morning we'll go and visit an olive oil mill to see how they produce this "fountain of youth" liquid which keeps Italians in good shape and helps them live longer. Return to the hotel.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost of the tour includes:
- 10 nights lodging, double occupancy, private bath or shower, WC, in select 4-star hotels & at a beautifully renovated 19th century Villa;
- 10 breakfasts (buffet style);
- 7 dinners with regional specialties (all with wine and/or mineral water);
- 3 lunches with regional specialties (all with wine and/or mineral water);
- 8 days air-conditioned, chauffeured motor-coach;
- The services of a bilingual, experienced and knowledgeable tour director/guide;
- Boat to the Isolabella on Lake Maggiore and visit to the Botanic Gardens and 17th century Palace;
- Tips to waiters, guides, porters, drivers, etc;
Cost of the tour does not include:
- Air transportation;
- Airport transfer in Stresa;
- Personal expenses and additional meals;
- Gratuities to tour director and hotel staff-Anything not expressly mentioned under "cost of tour Includes".
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Cultural Journey
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