Duration: 10 Days
Parmesan and prosciutto. Ferraris and Fiats. Ruins and the Riviera. Some of Italy’s greatest indulgences can be found up north. Italy’s “Fabulous Five,” the pastel-hued cliffside fishing villages along the Mediterranean, start the count of the numerous joys you’ll experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Northern Italy.
In addition to finding the freshest seafood along the coast, you’ll relish a balsamic vinegar tasting in the epicurean city of Modena, a parmesan cheese tasting near Verdi’s hometown of Busseto, a risotto lunch at a Vercelli rice factory, and a wine tasting in vineyard-dotted Gabiano. To spice things up, you’ll speed over to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, cruise to the yacht-filled harbour of Portofino, and strut your stuff down the streets of Milan. Leading you to the fabulous, the famous, and the fashionable, this tour is the way to see Northern Italy in style.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
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
MILAN Guided walking tour includes sights of the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo. Free time before continuing to Busseto.
BUSSETO See the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi with free time for lunch before [LF] a Parmesan cheese tasting at a local caseificio (cheese-making factory). (B) 99 mi / 160 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
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
PARMA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the cathedral, bell tower, and octagonal baptistry. Free time to visit the cathedral.
MODENA Enjoy a [LF] Balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi.
MARANELLO [LF] Visit the Ferrari Museum. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 112 mi / 180 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegard 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
LUCCA Orientation walk, followed by free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 99 mi / 160 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
Scenic drive en route to La Spezia.
CINQUE TERRE Take a guided boat ride (weather permitting) to Monterosso. Free time before continuing the journey by train.
GENOA Dinner at local restaurant. (B,D) 124 mi / 200 km
THE ITALIAN RIVIERA
GENOA Join the guided tour to discover the highlights of the Old Town, including sights of San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and Christopher Columbus' childhood home followed by a pesto demo and tasting. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Genova may be less well known than other Italian cities, but it never fails to surprise and delight. It has one of the largest medieval city centres in Europe, and its wonderful location, between the mountains and sea, set it up to be a longstanding maritime power. It is the birthplace not only of Christopher Columbus but also of one of the world's favourite pasta sauces - pesto! This delicious sauce created from garlic, basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil, is proudly present on the menu of many restaurants and is traditionally served with the 'trofie' pasta.
Carafes at the Castle
GABIANO Enjoy [LF] wine tasting and lunch at the castle. (B,L) 143 mi / 230 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
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
TURIN Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Mole Antonelliana and a visit to the cathedral. (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-metre-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
VERCELLI [LF] Visit a rice factory followed by a risotto lunch.
MILAN Farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,L,D) 130 mi / 210 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
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 holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
