Discover Piedmont, Liguria and Lake Como (8 Day Tour)
Tour Description
This small-group, deluxe tour of the enchanting Piedmont region starts in Turin, Italy’s first modern capital, home to Italian nobility and host of the 2006 Winter Olympics, where you’ll marvel at its architecture and swoon over its chocolates. Off to Monferrato and Asti, land of undulating terrain, for wine and walks, and on to the Italian Riviera, with stops in Cinque Terre and Portofino. In Parma, on the edges of the Emilia Romagno — yes, it’s where the cheese comes from — for a guided tour and lunch and then on to Como, on Lake Como, for more of the same. Andiamo!
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Itinerary
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Day 1: Turin
Day 2: Turin
Day 3: Turin
Day 4: Piedmont
Day 5: Cinque Terre
Day 6: Parma
Day 7: Como
Day 8: Como
Day 1: Saturday – Turin
Welcome to Italy! Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore your neighborhood or beyond. Evening meeting at the hotel with your tour host, who will describe the itinerary in full and distribute literature about the places you’ll visit. Overnight in Turin.
Day 2: Sunday – Turin (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, you’ll take a walking tour of Turin with a local guide. The tour starts in the Piazza Castello and includes Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Reale, the Castle of the Acaia, the Royal Gardens, the church of San Lorenzo, via Garibaldi and other monuments. The afternoon is free. One suggestion, of many possibilities, is to visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses the second most important collection after the Cairo Museum. Dinner at a traditional restaurant, away from the touristic crowds. Overnight in Turin.
Day 3: Monday – Turin (Breakfast)
After breakfast, explore Turin or local sites of interest. Choose from Venaria Reale, the Savoy House, home of the first and last royal family of modern Italy; or Lake Maggiore with its stunning Borromee Islands. After your tour, return to the hotel by private transport. Overnight in Turin.
Day 4: Tuesday – Asti and Monferrato (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, transfer to Rapallo. En route stop and visit Asti and the Monferrato territory. Just a few miles South of Turin, Asti is one of Piedmont’s most elegant cities. Famous for its magnificent tower houses, Asti is often called the city of a hundred towers; it is also renowned for its superb wines and spectacular Palio horse race. The historic city center, where the remaining 12 of 120 towers can be seen, has kept its typical medieval radial plan, and is best visited on foot or by bike. Continue to the Castle of Grinzane Cavour.
Lunch is served in a local farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards where Barolo wine is made.
Today, Grinzane Cavour is home to an important wine museum and an ethnographic museum that documents local farming traditions. Enjoy an afternoon wine tasting. Arrive on the Riviera late afternoon. Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 5: Wednesday – Cinque Terre (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, full day visit of Cinque Terre and Portofino. Explore Cinque Terre by boat. Then continue to Portofino. Return to hotel. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant with a magnificent view of Portofino Bay. Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 6: Thursday – Parma (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, depart to Como. En route, stop in Parma and explore the town with a local guide. Parma is one of the richest and most beautiful Italian towns, celebrated for its natural and architectural beauty and excellent food and wine. Lunch is served at Corale Verdi, a unique trattoria. Then, continue to Como. Dinner served at the hotel in Como, facing the lake.
Day 7: Friday – Como (Breakfast, Dinner)
Meet with your guide and depart for your exploration of Como. Discover the historic center then catch the boat to Bellagio as part of your Lake Como Tour. After the cruise, you’ll walk along the narrow streets of this stunning locale. In the afternoon return to your hotel by boat. Tonight you’ll enjoy a regional dinner in a restaurant in the heart of the town. Overnight in Como.
Day 8: Saturday – Departures (Breakfast)
Transfer to airport or railway station ready for your journey home.
Hotel Accommodations:
Turin Santa Margherita Como Hotel may be substituted with similar category Additional Information: The tour includes:
Sitea (4 Star)
Metropole (4 Star)
Lido (4 Star)
Terminus or Palace (4 Star)
The tour does not include:
- Tips
- Porterage at airport
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
*Tour Host
These tours are operated with a tour escort.
We guarantee bookings with a minimum of two participants. With groups of six or under, the tour will include a tour host. Groups of seven or more include a tour guide, who travels with the group.
The tour host will escort the guest to the restaurants when dinner is included. The tour host is available 24 hours by phone.
The passengers are provided at their arrival with a Travel Pocket Guide with information, maps and an itinerary with details, tips and emergency toll free number.
