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.

Trip costs include:

Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts
The services of a bilingual Go Ahead Tour Director
A professional local city guide in Isola Bella, Turin, Bologna, Ferrara and Verona
10 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes
Buffet breakfast daily; 5 three-course dinners
Private deluxe motorcoach
Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described
Go Ahead travel bag and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lago Maggiore

Begin your journey with an overnight flight on a major airline to Italy.

Day 2 - Lago Maggiore

Welcome to Italy! 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.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Turin

With the snow-capped peaks of the Alps looming above, Lago Maggiore has long stirred the imaginations of artists and writers. Enjoy the stunning scenery this morning, as you take a boat cruise to Isola Bella, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of this spectacular garden island in the center of the lake (seasonal). After you return to shore, drive to Novara to see 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.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Isola Bella cruise

Day 4 - Turin

The elegant boulevards of Turin come alive, thanks to the many museums and cafes you’ll find here. This morning, you’ll discover Turin on a guided tour. Visit Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama, San Lorenzo Church, Palazzo Carignano and the famed Egyptian Museum. In the afternoon, continue exploring Turin on your own or join an optional wine tasting excursion to Barolo and La Morra D’Alba.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Egyptian Musuem

$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.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - Italian Riviera

Relax on the shores of the Italian Riviera at your leisure today. Or enjoy a full-day optional excursion to the Cinque Terre, a group of five villages dramatically situated in the heart of the Italian Riviera. Travel by boat cruise (weather permitting) or by train to explore two of the villages.
Included meals: breakfast

$79 USD

Cinque Terre

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. Your first stop is a local Parmigiano Reggiano producer. Here, you’ll sample this wellknown cheese. You’ll also visit a balsamic vinegar factory for a tasting. Then continue on to Bologna, touted for its pasta and mortadella sausage. Save room for tonight’s included dinner, as Bologna is considered the culinary capital of Italy.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: tasting in Parma Region

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, the world’s oldest operating university, as well as Piazza Maggiore, Palazzo Comunale, Sala Borsa and the Basilica of Saint Petronio. In the afternoon, partake in an optional excursion to Dozza, including a tasting at the wine exhibition at Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna in Dozza.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: University of Bologna

$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.
Included meals: breakfast

$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.

Please note: This tour involves extensive walking.

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 & Juliet.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 11 - Verona

On a guided walking tour of Verona today, discover the sites that served as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s famous drama. Situated by the River Adige, Verona is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval centers. Take a look at the town’s Roman amphitheater and Casa di Giulietta, Juliet’s house and storied balcony. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an included Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 12 - Verona

Extend your stay with two nights in Venice, or board your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

Extend Your Stay

Add 2 nights in Venice for only $399 USD (Single room: add $105 USD)

All the picture books in the world won't prepare you for the sight of Venice's gilded palaces rising from the sea. Explore the city's many famous churches and museums, but set aside time to get lost in the maze of canals and streets. Deceptive and mysterious, Venice has a soft spot for wanderers—and to them she will open her heart.

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 tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.

Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

12 Days from $3,199 USD