Learn to say "the road less traveled" on this 12-day tour through some Northern Italian jewels. Spend time venturing through the streets of Florence, please your palate in Bologna and see where the world's best athletes called home during the 2006 winter Olympics in Turin.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lago Maggiore

Your vacation begins with an overnight flight to Italy.

Day 2 - Lago Maggiore

Arrive in Milan. From there, a Go Ahead representative will escort you to your hotel in Lago Maggiore. Meet the other travelers at tonight’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Turin

Lago Maggiore has long stirred the imaginations of artists and writers. Enjoy stunning scenery this morning during your cruise to Isola Bella, where a local guide introduces you to the garden island. After you return to shore, travel to Novara to pass by its historic Baroque cathedral. Continue to Turin, host city of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Once you’ve settled in to your hotel, enjoy an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 - Turin

Before the world’s premiere athletes came to town, the elegant boulevards of Turin played host to some of Italy’s technological and industrial powers. Discover Turin on this morning’s guided tour. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Royal Palace, Royal Gardens and Palazzo Madama, a mixture of baroque and Renaissance style. In the afternoon, continue exploring Turin on your own, or join an optional wine-tasting excursion to Barolo and La Morra D’Alba. (B)

$39 USD

Barolo & La Morra D'Alba Venture into the vineyard-laden countryside and head to the Cantina Marchese di Barolo for a tour of its celebrated wine cellars. Sample the delicious results with a tasting of Barolo wine. Continue to the main square of La Morra D’Alba, a beautiful hilltop village with spectacular views.

Day 5 - Italian Riviera

Travel west to the region of Liguria for a taste of seaside luxury. Along the way, stop for guided sightseeing of the medieval town of Asti. Later, reach Liguria, better known as the Italian Riviera, which once drew legions of artists and celebrities to its shores and leisurely lifestyle. Discover for yourself il dolce far niente, Italian for “the sweet art of idleness.” Dinner is included this evening. (B, D)

Day 6 - Italian Riviera

Luxuriate on the shores of the Italian Riviera at your leisure today. Or enjoy a full-day optional excursion to Cinque Terre, a group of five villages dramatically situated in the heart of the Italian Riviera. Travel by train to explore two of the cliffside villages. (B)

$75 USD

Cinque Terre *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Set off on a full-day trip to the Cinque Terre—a collection of five isolated Italian Riviera villages, each clinging to the rocky coastline.

Day 7 - Bologna

As you bid a fond farewell to the Riviera, rest assured that culinary delights await in your destinations today. First, your tour director introduces you to Parma, where you’ll sample local prosciutto and parmesan cheese. You’ll also attend a tasting at a balsamic vinegar factory. Continue on to Bologna, touted for its pasta and mortadella sausage. Save room for tonight’s dinner, as Bologna is considered the culinary capital of Italy. (B, D)

Day 8 - Bologna

This morning, venture out into the sienna-hued streets of Bologna on a sightseeing tour with an expert local guide. Your tour includes a visit to the University of Bologna, Europe’s oldest operating university. In the afternoon, partake in an optional excursion to Dozza, including a tasting at the wine exhibition at Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna in Dozza. (B)

$65 USD

Dozza Travel to the medieval village of Dozza, known for the brilliantly colored frescoes painted on houses throughout the village. A professional sommelier will lead you on a tour of a wine exhibition, which displays a seemingly infinite number of wines from 200 of Italy’s finest wineries.

Day 9 - Bologna

Enjoy a free day to explore Bologna on your own. Follow the world’s longest portico uphill to the Basilica of San Luca. Or take in the splendors of Florence with an optional excursion to the birthplace of the Renaissance. (B)

$119 USD

Florence by Train In the timeless city of Florence, see where the Italian language was born, travel to the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo lie and shop along the famed Ponte Vecchio.

Day 10 - Verona

En route to Verona today, stop for a guided tour of Ferrara, whose medieval walls encircle Este Castle and several ducal palaces. Finally, arrive in the small northern city of Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. (B)

Day 11 - Verona

On a guided walking tour today, discover the sites of Verona, situated by the River Adige. Verona is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval centers. Pass by the town’s Roman amphitheater and Casa di Giulietta, Juliet’s house and balcony. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an included Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Day 12 - Verona

Extend your stay with two nights in Venice, or board your flight home. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Milan and depart from Venice. When you first arrive in Milan, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

Included transportation on “Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities on foot or by public transportation.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.