Italian Indulgence

Benvenuti a Roma! And welcome to an Italian indulgence in every sense these next twelve days are going to be a feast for the eyes, the stomach and the soul! Well start by meeting the small group we're sharing the journey with, before settling in for our first taste of traditional cucina italiana (or Italian cuisine). No ones counting how many biscotti you eat, we promise.

Did you know that Italian breakfasts are typically light and sweet? The perfect energy boost to begin our first full day together! Once weve dusted off the crumbs of our croissants, well get comfy in the minicoach and make our way to the honey-coloured hilltop town of Assisi, famed for being the birthplace of St Francis. Glowing with a gentle warm light, this is a place where time slows down and the spirit of the past lingers in the air.
Our expert Tour Leader will walk us past the sights including the magnificent basilica before we have free time for lunch. A torta al testo might just hit the spot: a traditional griddled flatbread filled with cold cuts, cheese or roasted veggies.
Why not end the day with a kiss (of the chocolate kind)? Well finish off the afternoon in medieval Perugia, where Baci Perugina decadent hazelnut chocolate kisses were created. Here, our carefully chosen hotel is perfectly located for dining out. Options, options...

Prepare to step back in time today as our path takes us towards Siena: a grand Gothic city bursting with fabulous architecture. Like a perfectly preserved medieval relic, its narrow, winding streets each lead to somewhere unique a secret courtyard illuminated by a shaft of sunlight, or an elegant palace whispering tales of times gone by. Once weve explored its treasures together, well have free time to discover its foodie delights for lunch; some ricciarelli might be in keeping with the historic atmosphere these chewy, macaroon-style almond biscuits have been enjoyed by the Sienese since the 14th century!
Bags packed with biscuits, next well wind our way through the Chianti region, where meticulously tended vines change colour like chameleons with every season, and the scent of sun-baked earth carries through the breeze. Set in a traditional countryside villa, our refined-yet-rustic Tuscan hotel will become our home for the next two nights and this evening, well dig into some local favourites during our dinner as a group.

Shh... today our hosts are going to spill culinary secrets kept under wraps for generations. Well, some of them anyway! Its time to roll up our sleeves and get stuck into a masterclass led by a friendly local chef. Andiamo!
Perhaps a pappa al pomodoro bread-and-basil filled tomato soup or a classic tagliatelle will be on the menu? Whichever seasonal speciality well be rustling up, youll want to make notes for when you host back home! Well finish off by sampling our (naturally delicious) handiwork for lunch there's truly no better way to get a taste for Tuscan culture than this.
Later on, take a moment to slow down and soak up the beauty of your surroundings. If you fancy a walk, there are plenty of ancient paths to follow amid the softly flowing hills. And a dip in the outdoor pool is the perfect way to end a traditional Tuscan day.

Wave ciao to sun-kissed vineyards and olive groves; this morning were making our way to Florence, the home of David (specifically Michelangelos masterpiece, but plenty of other Davids too!). Here Renaissance art sings from every corner, and history isnt confined to dusty books, but lives and breathes in the very stone of the city. Well uncover its secrets on a walking tour with a local guide strolling past the likes of the Duomo, a feat of engineering still awe-inspiring 700 years later, and the wonderful Ponte Vecchio medieval bridge.
Soaking up all this culture is hungry work, so well have free time to enjoy lunch before we leave the perfect excuse for a crispy, thin-based pizza or a crusty prosciutto roll.
Next, from Davids home to Puccinis! Our luxury minicoach will lead us to the lovely walled city of Lucca, the birthplace of one of Italys greatest composers, where melodies still seem to ring. Here, your evening is free for exploring why not settle in for a concert at the Church of San Giovanni and Santa Reparata, where a different opera programme is performed every night.

Will it be pistachio or hazelnut cream on your pastries this morning? Either way, Italians know how to start the morning right! Today theres another treat in store as we pay a visit to the Campo dei Miracoli, where the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa awaits.
Afterwards, well gather inside the Baptistery of Saint John for a unique acoustic experience. Notes sung here last so long its possible to accompany yourself, and the Baptistery Guards will demonstrate the serene reverberating effect.
Well return to Lucca this afternoon, where Tuscan charm meets a slower pace of life, and simple pleasures are fully embraced meaning good food, good wine and good company! There are plenty of options for dinner within walking distance of our thoughtfully selected hotel, set within the historic city walls. Your Tour Leader is sure to have a recommendation (or five!) up their sleeve.

Sometimes the back roads reveal a land of contrasts, and the spectacular Italian Riviera is certainly that. From dramatic cliffs to hidden coves, vibrant coastal towns and rugged mountains there's something to capture everyones imagination today.
Once weve finished off the foam of our cappuccinos, well make our way to the delightful fishing village of Camogli. Timeless and utterly present, its a snapshot of Ligurian life that has played out for centuries. Here well have free time to find some creamy stracchino cheese-stuffed focaccia di Recco for lunch best enjoyed along the beach watching the fishing boats bob gently in the dock.
Stomach satisfied, the glitz and glamour of Portofino is up next where sleek superyachts fill the harbour and designer boutiques line snug streets. Theres time to explore its cheerful hidden courtyards, overflowing with flowers, or practise your Italian in a local trattoria before we make the journey to our hotel in Rapallo for the night. Housed in an elegant villa a few steps from the seafront and a tiny 16th-century castle, its the ideal setting to end our day. Bellissimo!

Weve got wine on our mind this morning with these kind of views, it would be hard not to! Watch as vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see as we venture through the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Piedmont region, where the scent of ripening grapes hangs heavy in the air.
After a stop a beautiful Barolo, well get into the spirit (we couldnt resist) with a local grappa tasting experience at a family run winery in the Asti wine region. Made by distilling the bits of grape that are left over from pressing wine (like the skin, seeds and stems), this is a mini adventure for the palate. You can expect a bit of a kick (thanks to the high alcohol content) and an intense aroma ranging from fruity and floral to herby or spicy.
The Langhe region is our home for this evening; a land where feasting is ingrained in the culture. From creamy risottos infused with truffles, to hearty stews simmered with Barolo wine, and delicate handmade pasta tossed with seasonal vegetables each meal is a celebration of local ingredients and time-honoured traditions. And tonights group dinner will be just that!

Curly fur, eager eyes, a twitching nose... shake paws with todays local guide a truffle-hunting dog! This morning well head out into the forests of Alba to join a truffle hunt with a trifolau and their trusty pooch; a tradition as old as the hills themselves. Practically vibrating with excitement, once unleashed our clever canine friend will be off zigzagging through the undergrowth, sniffing out the precious fungi hidden beneath the soil. Trained since they were pups, no truffle can escape! If youre joining us in the autumn, you might even uncover an elusive white truffle hiding deeper under the earth...
Once weve sampled the fruits of our labour, well thank our hosts (perhaps with a doggy treat or two) before making our way to captivating Lake Orta: a tranquil retreat sitting pretty at the bottom of the imposing Monte Mottarone. With an intimate charm and a quiet elegance, Orta invites you to linger and lose yourself in its calm beauty. Then, from one blissful Italian lake to another! Lake Maggiore will be our final stop on todays scenic journey take it all in as the sun sinks slowly behind the ripples and another idyllic day comes to a close.

Its time to take to the water! Today were setting sail for the enchanting Borromean Islands, a collection of teeny-but-mightily-beautiful islands nestled in the western corner of Lake Maggiore. As we glide across the lake, keep an eye out for the picturesque villages dotting the shoreline and the snow-capped Alps in the distance.
Well arrive at Isola Madre earlier than most, stepping into a botanists dream brimming with exotic plants from every corner of the planet the air thick with the scent of blossoms and earth. From one whimsical world to another, next well explore Isola Bellas opulent palace with a local guide, giving us a chance to discover all the inside stories. Youll even get to meet the islands ethereal white peacocks as they strut proudly through the grounds (rightly so!).
Finally, the Isola dei Pescatori tops off our trio of treasures, where houses were made for the workers that built Bellas palace. Well admire its pretty harbour and enjoy a light lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the mainland for the evening. History, horticulture and carefully paced island hopping what could be better!

Bid a fond farewell to glittering Lake Maggiore; this morning our path takes us towards the fairytale shores of Lake Como. Watch as winding roads hug the coastline, revealing glimpses of terracotta villages and lavish villas nestled amongst lush gardens a peek into the world of the rich and famous. You may hear George Clooneys name whispered within the minicoach once or twice...
As your Italian adventure is distinct from any other, today your Tour Leader will choose their favourite lakeside spot to stop for lunch. And then? We think another tasting is in order! Well call in at a Valtellina winery to wet our whistles, sampling a collection of silky reds and dry whites from the region. Cin cin!
Later well take the scenic route to Sondrio, where our centrally located hotel offers plenty of nearby restaurants for dining out. You might want to hunt down some sciatt crispy buckwheat fritters filled with stringy casera cheese (sciat means toad which theyre said to resemble only in appearance, of course!).

The crisp mountain air on your skin, the scent of pine and wildflowers filling your lungs, a swathe of iridescent blue stretching out before you... You have indeed woken up! This mornings setting is spectacular Lake Molveno, nestled at the foot of the jagged and dramatic Brenta Dolomites. Here well have time to stroll its stunning shores and settle into a pizzeria for lunch. You may want to indulge in a bombardino like a warm, boozy hug, this thick and creamy eggnog liqueur is topped with a cloud of freshly whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. As the name suggests, it packs a punch!
This afternoon, our path leads us to the gorgeous alpine city of Trento, where our Tour Leader will help us discover its labyrinth of cobbled streets and frescoed buildings. And tonight, our final Italian feast as a group awaits. From white peacocks to white truffles, there will be no shortage of surprises to discuss!

O Romeo, Romeo! Our final day chimes with a line that has echoed through the centuries as fair Verona beckons. During an orientation walk, your Tour Leader will fill you in on the story behind Juliets Balcony but its not all feuding families and forbidden love. This is a city steeped in history and romance, from its colossal Roman amphitheatre the weathered stone worn smooth by gladiators footsteps to its vibrant central market, overflowing with fragrant bouquets, tangy pecorino cheese and hand-painted ceramics.
Last but certainly not least, well settle in our minicoach one last time and head towards our show-stopping finale: the magical floating city of Venice. Well arrive in the late afternoon, but recommend you stay on a few days more to enjoy this truly bewitching place. As gondolas skim beneath bridges and the soft murmur of Italian voices drift across the water, its time to say arrivederci to our new friends until we meet again.