The Guardian Hotel (or similar)

• Dinner

• Day 2 – Rome – Assisi – Perugia

  Did you know that Italian breakfasts are typically light and sweet? The perfect energy boost to begin our first full day together! Once we’ve dusted off the crumbs of our croissants, we’ll 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)? We’ll 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…

  Day 3 – Perugia – Siena – Rural Tuscany

  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 we’ve explored its treasures together, we’ll 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 we’ll 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, we’ll dig into some local favourites during our dinner as a group.

  Day 4 – Rural Tuscany

  Shh… today our hosts are going to spill culinary secrets kept under wraps for generations. Well, some of them anyway! It’s 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 we’ll be rustling up, you’ll want to make notes for when you host back home! We’ll 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. 

  Day 5 – Rural Tuscany – Florence – Lucca

  Wave ciao to sun-kissed vineyards and olive groves; this morning we’re making our way to Florence, the home of David (specifically Michelangelo’s masterpiece, but plenty of other Davids too!). Here Renaissance art sings from every corner, and history isn’t confined to dusty books, but lives and breathes in the very stone of the city. We’ll 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 we’ll 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 David’s home to Puccini’s! Our luxury minicoach will lead us to the lovely walled city of Lucca, the birthplace of one of Italy’s 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.

  Day 6 – Lucca – Pisa – Lucca

  Will it be pistachio or hazelnut cream on your pastries this morning? Either way, Italians know how to start the morning right! Today there’s another treat in store as we pay a visit to the Campo dei Miracoli, where the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa awaits.

  Afterwards, we’ll gather inside the Baptistery of Saint John for a unique acoustic experience. Notes sung here last so long it’s possible to accompany yourself, and the Baptistery Guards will demonstrate the serene reverberating effect.

  We’ll 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.

  Day 7 – Lucca – Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino – Ligurian Riviera

  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 everyone’s imagination today.

  Once we’ve finished off the foam of our cappuccinos, we’ll make our way to the delightfully relaxed seaside town of Santa Margherita Ligure. Here we’ll have free time to find some creamy stracchino cheese-stuffed focaccia di Recco for lunch – best enjoyed on a quiet bench 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. There’s 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, it’s the ideal setting to end our day. Bellissimo!

  Day 8 – Ligurian Riviera – Barolo and Asti – Langhe Region

  We’ve 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, we’ll get into the spirit (we couldn’t 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 tonight’s group dinner will be just that!

  Day 9 – Langhe Region – Alba and Lake Orta – Lake Maggiore

  Curly fur, eager eyes, a twitching nose… shake paws with today’s local guide – a truffle-hunting dog! This morning we’ll 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 you’re joining us in the autumn, you might even uncover an elusive white truffle hiding deeper under the earth…

  Once we’ve sampled the fruits of our labour, we’ll 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 today’s scenic journey – take it all in as the sun sinks slowly behind the ripples and another idyllic day comes to a close. 

  Day 10 – Lake Maggiore

  It’s time to take to the water! Today we’re 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.

  We’ll arrive at Isola Madre earlier than most, stepping into a botanist’s 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 we’ll explore Isola Bella’s opulent palace with a local guide, giving us a chance to discover all the inside stories. You’ll even get to meet the island’s 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 Bella’s palace. We’ll 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!

  Day 11 – Lake Maggiore – Lake Como – Sondrio

  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 Clooney’s 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! We’ll 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 we’ll take the scenic route to Sondrio, where our centrally located hotel offers plenty of nearby restaurants for dining out.

  Day 12 – Sondrio – Lake Molveno – Trento

  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! If the weather is on our side, today’s first setting is spectacular Lake Molveno, nestled at the foot of the jagged and dramatic Brenta Dolomites. Here we’ll 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!

  Day 13 – Trento – Verona – Venice

  O Romeo, Romeo! Our final day chimes with a line that has echoed through the centuries as fair Verona beckons. During a welcome walk, your Tour Leader will fill you in on the story behind Juliet’s Balcony – but it’s 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, we’ll settle in our minicoach one last time and head towards our show-stopping finale: the magical floating city of Venice. We’ll 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, it’s time to say arrivederci to our new friends – until we meet again.