Italy's Enchanted North Tour (trip)
Italy's Enchanted North Tour
- Italy
- Culture & Nature
| from $4,879* per person | 9 Days | April-October |
| Luxury accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Story Land & Sea® | 16 people max | |
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Locations visited/nearby
Italy
0 testimonials about this trip.
1 testimonial about the provider, Story Land & Sea®:
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Reviewer: Laurie P
located in
Cortland,
NY
USA
There were absolutely no financial surprises on this trip! We booked the Deluxe package and added the Amalfi Extension. We came a day early, and stayed a day late…and are super glad that we made both of those decisions. Other additions that we added were transfers to/from the airports, the Uffizi in Florence, ferry to Capri, Pompei guided tour, and our flights. All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 6 dinners were included in our cost. On the included dining nights appetizers were ordered for the table, and then we each ordered from the menu. The wine and limoncello flowed freely all night, and I never saw any attempt to slow it down. Most nights that we did not have an included dinner our tour captain invited us to join her for dinner at our own costs. Generally we went, as did many others in our group. Mark Story, the owner of Queenslander oversees a very organized/logically planned program. All of our hotels (details later) were in the center of the action and very lovely. All luggage was moved seamlessly from place to place.The earliest time we left in the morning was 8AM…very different from other tour companies that I had researched. A few times during our travels it rained, and Queenslander picked up the taxi cost. The tour had a great blend of included tour time, and free time to explore on our own. Generally hubby took a one hour nap every night before dinner to reenergize!!We had a slight problem when QLT booked our flights and a spelling error occurred. It was caught immediately by Queenslander, but Air Canada would not deal with it until 72 hours before travel. (We had booked last December). 72 hours prior Ron Gholston had to end up rebooking the entire flight for a change fee of almost $400. Queenslander paid that without a question, and Ron handled everything very professionally. This was the type of customer service that we encountered every time we contacted Queenslander.Jodie Hedrick was our Tour Captain. There were only 16 of us in the group. We all came from very diverse backgrounds and got along famously. Jodie was such a caring, knowledgeable person, and was gifted at working with many different personalities. Everyone felt very special on this trip. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with such a travel enthusiast. Her enthusiasm was infectious.VENICE: This was our favorite city of the trip. Private water taxi was the transfer, with a greeter to meet us at the airport. We stayed at Hotel Saturnia & International. We had a huge room. The hotel is very close to Piazza San Marco. Included tours: Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, Basillica San Marco, Gondola Ride, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and a water taxi to visit of the Island of Murano. In addition, we independently visited the Campanile, the Opera House, the amazing Rialto market, and walked miles and miles getting lost in Venice and loving every second of our experience!!FLORENCE: We arrived via the Silver Bullet fasttrain. Our hotel was Helvetia & Bristol which was a quick walk to the Duomo. Included tours: Duomo, Galleria dell’Accademia (David…the most impressive thing I have ever seen!!), and the Basillica di Santa Croce. Independently we went to the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Market.CORTONA and the Tuscany Region: We traveled here by small bus and stopped at San Gimignano for a few hours. This is a very cute, medieval town, but it rained our entire stay. Independently we did the Church of Santa Maria. We had an included lunch at Castello della Paneretta; a winery that included wine tasting. The Cortona hotel was our favorite hotel of the trip. We stayed at the Villa Marsili. Stunningly gorgeous, and we had a very large room.ROME: We traveled to Rome by small bus, stopping in Assisi for a few hours along the way. We visited the St. Francis Basillica. Our hotel in Rome was Grand Hotel de la Minerve. It was located 10 yards from the Basilica of Maria Sopra Minerva, and 100 yards from the Pantheon (we visited both independently) Included tours: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiore, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel. We also walked to see the Castel Sant’Angelo at night from the bridge. Beautiful!SORRENTO and the Amalfi Coast: This gorgeous area of Italy was our favorite area of the trip. We loved the food in southern Italy the most, although all of the food was great throughout our vacation. We drove the Amalfi Coast Highway (the “Mama Mia” Highway-so named for its very winding curves.) Our stay here was at the beautiful Hotel BelAir which is literally cut into the cliffs, so the views are absolutely amazing. Free view of Mt. Vesuvius every morning from the balcony! We took the ferry to Capri for the day. Luckily while we were waiting for the ferry, a gentleman by the name of Salvatore Cioffi offered to guide us on the island for a fee. This was worth every penny, and without his help we would have spent a lot of time wandering aimlessly around. His private transportation took us to Anacapri so we could ride the chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro. Stunning, and one of those “Wow” experiences. I highly recommend his tour services if you want to see this island in its totality. We also spent the morning at Pompei.Overall, we had the time of our lives on this celebrating retirement vacation. No company is perfect, but Queenslander is very close. The only discussion I heard from anyone throughout the trip was the comparison of individual hotel rooms. I believe everyone was happy with the hotels themselves, but some guests had suites, and some had smaller rooms than others, and it actually was quite simply the luck of the draw. The hotels themselves are limited in types of rooms available for groups. This really is not a Queenslander problem, but worth mentioning that guests will all have individually different rooms, and some rooms will be better than others.Queenslander Tours are worth the money spent in my opinion. Generally you get what you pay for, and I am so happy we made the decision to book with Queenslander. I’ll be happy to answer any questions about our trip.
Itinerary
Italy's Enchanted North Tour: The Daily Itinerary
The itinerary below is recognized by Mr. Arthur Frommer as "the perfect way to see Italy." We agree. Read on and let Italy's culture spring to life on your journey through the very best of Northern Italy.
Day 1: Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight
Depart the United States on your Trans-Atlantic flight to Europe.
Please Note: "Day 1" is the published tour date and is the date you will arrange your air travel to depart your home airport.
Can we help you with your Airfare? Yes, we can arrange your air travel from the Story Land & Sea® AirService department. We'll work with you to get the absolutely lowest fare available based on your travel preferences.
Remember, airfare is a completely separate arrangement from your land tour. It is your responsibility to arrive at the point of tour origination (Bologna) on time regardless of whether Story Land & Sea® has arranged your air.
We feature an optional meet-and-great and private arrival transfer for $59 per person. Bologna airport or train station to Bologna hotel. 2 guest minimum. Includes standard gratuities.
At the end of the Italy's Enchanted North Tour you should set your flight to return from Milan (MXP). Or if you are extending to another city or region, then please inquire for the most convenient airport to catch your return flight. Remember, you can extend your stay on Lake Como, or venture into Switzerland or continue your journey through Italy. The options are endless.
We very much encourage trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Note: Some trip departures may operate in reverse from Bellagio to Bologna. Please check with reservations.
Day 2: Welcome to Bologna, Italy
Region: Emilia Romagna
Included Dining: Welcome Dinner
Exclusive: Story Land & Sea® Original Welcome ExperienceAnthony Bourdain does have a palate for good food and that's why he's started to explore the region known as Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna is known as La Grossa or "the fat," of Italy. Not a derogatory description but a compliment as Bologna is known for its food and its ancient towns of Faenza, Modena and Parma - all teeming with great cuisine.
WELCOME DINNER: Tonight join your Tour Captain for an included welcome to Bologna dinner the Story Way!
ABOUT THE STORY WAY® OF DINING
Experience the Genuine Difference of Story Land & Sea®'s included dinner experiences: We've collected our favorites dishes from the incredible restaurants we visit for each included dinner. No buffets here! Your Tour Captain is there to make sure your dining experience goes smoothly and will help you interpret any menu item. For this Deluxe package, the 3 total included dinners, your Tour Captain will select a variety of appetizers, featuring regional cuisine, and will select your vino for the evening ~ a variety of red and white wine from the region you're traveling ~ and yes, the wine flows.
We are in the heart of the region of Emilia-Romagna, known for its robust prosperity and this comes in to focus in the city of Bologna, our home for the next two nights.
Bologna is a sophisticated city of piazzas, leaning towers (once numbering more than 200 and twenty still stand!), fabulous food, and an 11th-century university, the oldest in Europe.
Day 3: Bologna
After breakfast, we will meet our expert local guide for our immersion walking tour of Bologna.
Beginning at the Fountain of Neptune, we will enjoy a world-class tour with included entrances and special access. TheFountain of Nepture is one of the key icons of Bologna. Then we discover Piazza Maggiore, the great central square of Bologna which is surrounded by Palazzo Podesta and the Basilica of San Petronio.
Sala Borsa was the city's economic center and today is the center of its' "culture" and meeting place for the Bolognese.
Bologna is a magical city that boasts much to explore (and taste). After our morning tour, enjoy the day at leisure as you explore this interesting city.
Optional Dining: Tonight consider joining the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore on your own.
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Day 4: Parma Region & Santa Margherita Ligure
Exclusive: Winery Experience Included Dining: Welcome Dinner Exclusive: Story Land & Sea® Original Welcome Experience
We are then bound for the coast but not before we arrive at our rustic winery estate.
Story Exclusive: Winery Estate
Enjoy a tasting of varietals from the region paired with some antipasti. A delightful diversion on the way to the coast.
We are whisked along the northern Italian countryside and arrive the town of Santa Margherita Ligure, our home for the next three nights.
Welcome to the Italian Riviera ~ Santa Margherita Ligure
City: Santa Margherita Ligure
Region: Liguria
We arrive Santa Margherita Ligure, our beautiful resort town with everything a Riviera playground should have: ocean front views, palm trees, grand hotels, seaside cafes, and a yacht-filled harbor marina. Many of the older structures here continue to boast trompe l'oeil frescoes, which are typical to this section of the Riviera.
Santa Margherita Ligure is the perfect balance for many; "more spacious than the Cinque Terre; less glitzy than San Remo; more relaxing than Genoa and environs; and ideally situated for day trips," such as our included excursion to the Cinque Terre tomorrow.
Story Way® Dining: Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight with your Tour Captain on the Italian Riviera.
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Day 5: Exploring the Five Lands
Region: Liguria
After breakfast, meet the Tour Captain in the lobby to enjoy an excursion to the Cinque Terre. You'll want good walking shoes as there are many hills and sights to explore here. After our guided immersion this morning, you may opt to sit and watch the very interesting passers-by or hike part of the great trails. We travel to and from by train on most departures. Occasionally, we will travel by boat.
Cinque Terre means five lands, referring to the five villages precariously perched along the coast. It is famous for its white wine and their Pesto Sauce with pasta is a must as the Italian Riviera is where Pesto originated. Enjoy the tiny villages perched high above the sea, with their many wine bars and restaurants.
Ready to hike the Cinque Terre? Not a problem, today the Tour Captain will give you great, close-up advice and access to the trails.
Optional Dining Tonight: Consider an optional dinner tonight with your Tour Captain to a delightful restaurant on the Italian Riviera.
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Day 6: Liguria
Optional Dining: Consider an optional dinner tonight with your Tour Captain to a delightful restaurant on the Italian Riviera.Enjoy a free day at leisure to explore the beautiful Italian Riviera. Many options from water sports, culinary experiences, walking tours to spa treatments await you. Inquire for details.
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Day 7: Isola Bella
After breakfast, we are bound for Stresa and beautiful Lake Maggiore, home to the enchanted island of Isola Bella, part of the Borromeo islands. We board our boat to enjoy a tour of the palazzo on the island with admission and our guided experience of the Borromeo Palace.
The most famous of the islands on Maggiore is Isola Bella. It boasts an immaculately landscaped garden and is named after the wife of one of the Borromeo, Isabella.
The island has been completely transformed into a terraced pyramid of formal gardens and boasting white peacocks. Isola Bella is dominated by the vast Borromeo Palace, started in the 17th-century but not finished until 1959.
We continue on to beautiful Bellagio on Lake Como, our home for the next two days and nights.
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Day 8: Jewels of the Lake
City: Bellagio
Region: Lombardy
We enjoy breakfast before our included tour via private boat on beautiful Lake Como.
Story Land & Sea®'s Exclusive: Board our private boat for a private exploration of Lake Como including views of Villa Balbianello and admission to Villa Carlotta. We toast the 'top of Italy' today as this wow experience brings the lake and her surroundings to majestic life.
Included Dining: Farewell Dinner
About Lake Como
Lago di Como is the third largest lake in Italy. At over 1320 feet deep it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. The lake's name comes from the town of Como, known to the Romans as Comum. On a clear day the spectacular Alps are visible across the lake. Lake Como boasts a variety of attractive villas which have been built here since Pliny the Younger constructed the Comedia and Tragedia.
Villa Carlotta is a place of rare beauty where art and nature intertwine. There are over 70 square meters (about 230 square feet) of gardens and museum to explore. The villa, built at the end of the 17th century by the marquis Giorgio Clerici from Milan, sits in the natural basin between the lake and the mountains. It faces the grand dolomite Grignas and the Bellagio peninsula. The garden is Italian by design and temperance, and includes sculptures, stairs and fountains. In 1801 Gian Battista Sommariva, a famous politician and businessman (as well as patron of the arts) bought the villa. It is because of Sommariva that the villa came into its splendor and became "the most important halting-place of the Grand Tour," the traditional tour through Europe's best landmarks.
INCLUDED FAREWELL DINNER TONIGHT: After our last day of sightseeing together, we'll enjoy our Farewell Dinner in Bellagio, where you'll taste the finest cuisine and wine varietals from the region of Lombardy. Be sure to join your Tour Captain for this Farewell Dinner in Bellagio, Italy.
This Story Land & Sea®® Exclusive includes a special wine and dining with a Top 10 Italian Chef. You will experience some of the finest cuisine the Nord has to offer.
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Day 9: Arrivederci!
Consider an extra night in Bellagio, an extension to Switzerland, or Florence, or perhaps our villa in Tuscany?
Inquire with reservations for great endings to your travels!
Dining: Breakfast is included this morning.
Optional: Departure Transfers in Milan: We feature an AnyTime private transfer from Bellagio hotel to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Milano Centrale train station for $189 per person - 2 guest minimum.
###TOUR ENDS###
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italystory.com/tours/italy-north.asp… - Company profile, experience, and history
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