Northern Italy 2024
View tour details below. If you have questions or would like to book a tour, please contact us or call us at 517-332-5070.
Northern Italy including
Cinque Terre and the Italian Lakes
July 27, 2024, through September 14, 2024
8 days, 1 country and 8 cities
Please Contact Us we are here to help you with available dates and answer your questions. Certain discounts may be available depending on current provider offers.
Wellness Tour, as more people see personal health and safety as a top priority.
All other terms and conditions of the trip will apply to both Ball Travel Services and its clients.
Note: A Tour Service Agreement must be executed between BTS and the client before we can book the trip. Please use Contact Us to request the Agreement.
Travel Deposit
- Low deposit from $200
- Deposit protection
- Free booking changes
Sightseeing highlights
- Explore Milan, Parma, Cinque Terre and Genoa
- Visit a prosciutto factory near Langhirano, cheese factory in Montechiarugolo
- View The Cathedral, La Scala Opera House and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Torrechiara Castle in Parma and the Renaissance Palaces in GenoaScenic
- Cruise to Cinque Terre
Travel highlights
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Trip Itinerary
The Italian Riviera meets Italy's beautiful Lake District on a gourmet-filled encounter with the north and its many treasures. All you need to do is live the high life on this most epic of Northern Italy trips, filled with the flavors of prosciutto and parmigiano.
Day 0 - Depart from USA to Milan
You will need to book your airline to fly into Malpensa, Italy the day before the start of the tour because they are overnight flights. The code for Malpensa is (MPX). Non-Stop flights originate out of Chicago (ORD) and Newark (EWR) for United. Non-Stop flights originate out of New York City (JFK) and Atlanta (ATL) for Delta.
Arrival Transfer
Day 1 - Welcome to Milan
Embrace the glamour of Milan, your introduction to the sights and sounds of northern Italy. Spend the day exploring this stylish city, home to many of the most renowned fashion houses in the world.
Later, around (17:30) join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception, evening orientation drive and hint of the friendship and adventures to come.
Meals: Welcome Reception
Hotel: Starhotels Tourist
INCLUDED and OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
MILAN ORIENTATION
See Milan's central highlights on an orientation tour with your Travel Director. Included With Trip
Day 2 - Discover Fashionable Milan
Wander through the sophisticated streets of Milan, joining your Local Specialist on a tour that will reveal the city's iconic and unexpected highlights. See the Gothic Cathedral, glass-domed Galleria and La Scala Opera House, one of the finest opera houses in the world. Then it's time to pound the pavements and see Milan your way. Your Travel Director will share their personal favorites. Don't miss an opportunity to join today's Optional Experience visit to Lake Como for a cruise past some of the region's most glamorous lakeside properties.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Starhotels Tourist
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Treasures of Milan - A fantastic opportunity to take in some of the highlights of elegant Milan. Amongst other sights, we'll visit La Scala, the world's most famous opera house, where Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas and others have left their mark. Our wonderful Local Specialist will bring the city's eventful past to life. Adult: 49.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Discover Lake Como - We'll travel to Lake Como, where we'll enjoy views of elegant villas and gardens as we cruise along Lake Como, one of the most beautiful spots in the Italian Lake District. Adult: 51.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 3 -Journey to Parma
Leaving sophisticated Milan behind, today is the day to treat your taste buds. Gourmands will adore our Dive Into Culture visit to a prosciutto (ham) factory near Langhirano. There's time for a photo stop at Torrechiara fortress, perched high above the Parma Valley, before arriving at a family-run caseificio where we'll learn the ancient craft of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production – perfected since the 1600s. On arrival in Parma, continue your day of tasting and feasting, deepening your knowledge of Parma's foodie heritage at an Optional Experience dinner of local specialties paired with Italian wine.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Novotel Centro
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Dinner And Drive - Discover the cuisine of Parma as you enjoy a delightful dinner of local specialties with wine. Parma is noted for its delicacies and is considered to be the home of Italian cuisine. Adult: 85.00 EUR.
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 4 -Onwards to the Italian Riviera
Beyond its obvious attraction as a haven for foodies, Parma is also a fascinating historic center which you'll come to discover this morning with your Local Specialist. Learn all about its history as a Roman settlement and medieval trading hub, including such sights as the Piazza Garibaldi, the site of a Roman Forum 2,000 years ago. You'll have some free time for lunch perhaps indulging one last time in the city's legendary cuisine, before heading towards the Italian Riviera. Slow it right down this evening, taking in the tranquil setting, say 'ciao' to the locals with an evening to do as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: B&B HOTELS Park Hotel Suisse
Hotel: LaLocanda dell'Angelo
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability:
Wine Tasting and Sarzana Visit - Near the ancient Via Aurelia, we'll visit a winery to learn about vermentino grapes, the pride of Liguria. We'll taste several wines paired with local snacks and tour the 18th century country farmhouse. Then, we'll continue on to Sarzana, a small town on the old pilgrimage route of the Via Francigena, with a rich history and heritage. Adult: 54.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Sarzana Dinner and Drive – Tonight we'll go off the beaten track to the alluring medieval town of Sarzana, a hidden gem. We've chosen an elegant venue, where you'll enjoy dinner with drinks. Its distinctive ambiance is brimming with charm and unique character which make it a firm favorite with the locals. Adult: 73.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 5 -Admire Colorful Cinque Terre
Today we explore the dramatic coastal setting of UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre on an included full-day excursion. The deep blue Ligurian Sea provides a stunning backdrop for the expanse of pastel pinks, yellows and oranges that cling to the rugged seaside cliffs. Cruising along the coast by boat, our Local Specialist will captivate us with tales of how the Cinque Terre region's isolated position protected it from pirates in years gone by. Returning to our hotel, we'll enjoy dinner with our fellow travelers, sharing stories of the magnificent cliffside villages we've spent the day admiring.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: B&B HOTELS Park Hotel Suisse
Hotel: La Locanda dell'Angelo
Day 6 - Off to Genoa and Lake Maggiore
Based on the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, the maritime city of Genoa is also the birthplace of Columbus and your first stop today as you join a Local Specialist for a guided walking tour to view the city's majestic Renaissance and Baroque
architecture. Visit Via Garibaldi, the historic center of Genoa lined by ancient palaces, and enjoy time for lunch in the city center, perhaps sampling some of the local focaccia before continuing to Lake Maggiore. Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, the scenic shores of this lake are your home for the next two nights, as they are for many well-heeled locals. Later, you have the opportunity to explore Lake Orta on an optional experience with a Local Specialist to delve into the delights of the Italian Lake District.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Simplon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Visit Lake Orta And San Giulio Island - Come with us to Pettenasco, on the shores of Lake Orta, to experience northern Italy's best-kept secret with a Local Specialist. Afterwards, we'll cruise to the island of San Giulio, famous for its peaceful atmosphere and delightful church. Then, spend time strolling in Orta town, taking in the area's beauty. Adult: 48.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 7 - Lake Maggiore Your Way
Lap up gentle lakeside living during a full day spent at leisure in this picture-perfect setting. Spend the day relaxing or take an alpine train journey to see the magnificent panoramic views of the north. Later, you could choose to join an optional experience to one of the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, which includes a visit inside the aristocratic Borromeo Palace and its gorgeous terraced gardens. This evening, we cross the tranquil waters of Maggiore to secluded Isola dei Pescatori at a Be My Guest experience. Join the Cinque family and hear all about the intriguing history of Villa Toscanini situated on a tiny romantic island which was the hideaway of the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini - one of the most influential musicians of the 19th century.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Simplon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Alpine Train Discovery - The famous Centovalli Panoramic Train will lead you across dramatic viaducts, past deep ravines and through beautiful forests, whilst your Local Specialist tells stories of local mountain life. We'll stop at a typical Italian Alpine village, where you'll enjoy free time to discover its picturesque charms. Adult: 58.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Discover The Borromean Islands - We've organized a private launch to take you to the beautiful islands of Lake Maggiore. Here you will meet with your Local Specialist to do a tour of the magnificent palace. You will also explore the Island's baroque garden with its white peacocks and vista terraces, from where you can enjoy privileged views of the Alps, the Isola Madre and the Isola dei Pescatori. Adult: 61.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
*This option is only able to be operated between mid-March and the end of October.
Day 8 - Farewell Italy
While your holiday has come to an end, the special memories made with new friends will linger long after you return home. Say farewell to your Travel Director as you prepare to take your transfer from your hotel in Baveno to Milan Malpensa airport for your onward journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Departure Transfer
Arrive at Malpensa airport at 07:30, 10:30
Not Included
- Meals and tips except the 12 Breakfasts, 6 dinners meals that are included.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips to hotel staff.
- Tips to Local guides.
Tour Map
Cost of the Tour
$2,336 pp double occupancy (July 27, 2024). Note: The price of the tour varies by date of travel. Please contact us to verify the costs when you want to travel. Certain discounts may be available depending on providers' current offers.
Transfers
We want you to have as easy and convenient a journey as possible, which is why we offer airport transfers to and from your tour hotel, on the first and last days of your itinerary, for most destinations.
If you're arriving earlier or leaving later than your scheduled itinerary dates, you can purchase your transfer from us, provided you've also bought your extra hotel night(s) through us.
Ball Travel Services (BTS) - Tour Service Agreement
BTS - Tour Service Agreement covers various aspects requested by our client(s). The agreement is between Ball Research, Inc., a Michigan Corp. d/b/a Ball Travel Services and its client(s). This agreement provides two services BTS provides to its clients.
- Develop customized tours for our clients. Fees.
- Tours BTS are promoting between the Tour Operator, BTS and our client(s) who are interested in a tour we are promoting. No Fees.
- Both have an EXHIBIT A which provides the information as to when payments have to be made, plus additional information from the tour operator on Pricing, Terms, Conditions and Cancelation policies, etc.
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