DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours offers some of the most spectacular group Italy vacation packages designed to tantalize the senses with Sicilian cuisine, enlighten minds with historical and religious wisdom and acquire insight into the eternal land. Ideal for school trips, church expeditions or large family getaways, DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours group tours allow you to share your Italian experience with familiar faces from home. Experience the intricacy of Roman architecture; enjoy the essence and sumptuousness of Italian cuisine or journey into the most ancient roots of faith amongst the people of Sicily. DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours reveals the genuine and intimate Italian experience to you as a close friend.

To learn about our Italy Vacation packages, please browse our listing of luxury tours below. Or if you would like to design your own custom tour of Italy, call us at 330-633-2292 or see our Custom Tours section.

THE BEST OF THE SOUTH & SICILY

New Tour!

September 16 - 30, 2010 (15 days / 13 nights)
Prices per person based on double occupancy. Single rates available on request. Price is land package only. Airfare is additional and is available from any major city throughout the U.S. Should you wish to purchase airfare, contact us at 330-633-2292. All rates in U.S. dollars.

This tour will be personally escorted by Peter D’Attoma, President of DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours.

Here's your chance to discover Sicily's stunning natural beauty and its incredible diverse landscape with rolling hills and valleys swathed in grapevines and medieval gems. Marvel at wondrous mosaics and historical sites. See Taormina, the spectacular Mt. Etna and dramatic coastlines that surround the beautiful Aeolian islands. From here we cross over into the region of Puglia, the New Tuscany of Italy. Renowned for its relaxed easy paced atmosphere, the Adriatic Sea region boasts crystal clear blue and emerald green waters, fantastic foods and wine and authentic festivals. Visit Matera, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, the Island of Ischia & Rome.

The scope and grandeur of this tour is truly magnificent. To learn about the details, please view the itinerary.

Just a few highlights of this tour include:

  • TAORMINA
  • MOUNT ETNA
  • AEOLIAN ISLANDS
  • MATERA
  • AMALFI COAST
  • ISLAND of ISCHIA
  • PUGLIA REGION

Due to the popularity of this tour and our limited capacity we highly recommend that you BOOK EARLY to be assured a spot on this tour. Reservations will be accepted on a first come first served basis and confirmed upon receipt of your deposit.

> APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!

Prince Includes:

  • First Class hotel accommodations with private facilities, all hotel taxes service charges including the Italian Govt. VAT tax.
  • Airport transfers provided for our air/land packages.
  • One way airfare from Rome to Catania.
  • Touring by deluxe air - conditioned motor coach.
  • English speaking tour director for the entire tour.
  • DaVinci Personal escort service.
  • Local licensed city guides
  • All sightseeing as indicated including entrance fees.
  • Excursion by private boat with light lunch to Aeolian Islands
  • Ferry tickets across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy.
  • Cruise to the Island of Ischia
  • Total of 22 meals. 11 Buffet Breakfast, 2 lunches & 9 dinners including wine, bottled water & coffee.
  • Luggage Handling.
  • DaVinci pre-departure get acquainted briefing, luggage tags with passport document holders.

Airfare is available from many major cities throughout the U.S. Contact us now for a quote on airfare.

> APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!


FROM THE ARABS TO THE GREEKS (A Custom Cycling Tour of Sicily)


New Tour!

May 15 - 25, 2010 (11 days / 9 nights)
Prices per person based on double occupancy. Single rates available on request. Price is land package only. Airfare is additional. Airfare is available from any major city throughout the U.S. Contact us for a quote. All rates in U.S. dollars.

Brief Area History: After some 25 centuries of foreign domination, Sicilians are heir to an impressive cultural legacy, from the refined architecture of Magna Grecia to the startling artistic fusion of Arab craftsmanship and Norman austerity. Complexity of culture is only matched by stunning natural beauty and diversity of landscapes; rolling hills and valleys, brooding Etna, kilometres of aquamarine coastline and a necklace of encircling islands.

This bicycle tour will take you to discover charming cities like Palermo where the tour begins, Trapani, Marsala, Agrigento and the archaeological sites of Segesta, Mozia and Selinunte, apart from the amazing site of Eraclea Minoa where you can reach the Torre Salsa Natural Reserve. Detailed route map will lead you to hidden wonders on your ride; you will alternate culture and nature with visits to typical villages where famous novels took place. Accommodation in, farm houses and comfortable hotels where you will discover, through local traditions and welcoming people, the real part of Sicily which will impress you at every corner.

This tour is designed to suit a wide range of fitness levels. Set your own pace, bike or walk as far as you'd like. You can choose more or less challenging options. No matter what activity level you choose, you will fully experience the beauty of Sicily. Please take a moment to view the complete itinerary in order to see the incredible scope of this tour.

This tour is being offered at a remarkable price. For pricing and details of this tour, please view the itinerary.

> APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!

Prince Includes:

  • English speaking Tour Escort for entire tour.
  • Briefing and technical assistance the entire tour.
  • Hotel accommodations as indicated on the program for 9 nights.
  • Buffet breakfast & dinner at Mondello Palace Hotel.
  • Buffet breakfast at Hotel Cerri in Castellammare del Golfo.
  • Buffet breakfast & Dinner at the Hotel Relais Antiche Saline in Nubia.
  • Buffet breakfast & Dinner at the Hotel Villa Favorita in Marsala.
  • Buffet breakfast and dinner at the Hotel Admeto in Selinunte.
  • Buffet breakfast and dinner at the Hotel Villa Palocla or Similar in Sciacca.
  • Buffet breakfast at Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace in Agrigento.
  • Buffet breakfast at Hotel Capo dei Greci or Similar in Taormina.
  • All included dinners including bottled water & local wine.
  • Roundtrip airport transfers with luggage handling.
  • Entrance fees included top the sites in Monreale, Segesta, Selinunte and Taormina.
  • Half day local licensed English speaking guide in Taormina, Segesta, Palermo and Monreale.
  • Visit and Wine tasting in Marsala.
  • Visit, Tasting and lunch at Murgo Winery at Mt. Etna.
  • Excursion by private bus in Taormina and on Mount Etna.
  • Maps and bike for 6 days as indicated.
  • All applicable hotel taxes and service charges including the Italian Govt. VAT TAX.
  • Services and assistance of our local English speaking representatives during your bike tour of Sicily.
  • DaVinci personal luggage tags, Sicily Guide & Italian Language pocket booklet.

Airfare is available from many major cities throughout the U.S. Contact us now for a quote on airfare.

> APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!


BELLA ITALIA! (A Premier Tour Escorted by Peter D'Attoma)


New Tour!

June 27 - July 10, 2011 (14 days / 12 nights)
We will begin taking reservations for this tour in October 2010. Rates will be available at that time.

This tour is a DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours Premier Group Escorted Tour. Guiding you along this extensive tour of Italy will be DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours president Peter D'Attoma and will be hosted by Fr. Paul Rosing, Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Stow.

Your adventure begins in Rome where historic masterworks of art and architecture await. Tour the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other such treasures. You will marvel at the Duomo in Orvieto and enjoy wine tastings there and in Montalcino. On July 2nd, witness the Palio Race in Siena, one of the most spectacular traditions in Italy. In Florence, you will see masterpieces in the Accademia Gallery. You will visit the beautiful sea side villages of Cinqueterre and taste the local delicacies of Parma and Modena. Wander through Bologna, considered by many to be the most beautifully preserved city in Europe, and enjoy a private visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Finish the tour by drinking in the wonders of Venice and Lake Como.

The true scope of this premier tour cannot be adequately summarized here. Please view the complete itinerary to learn about all of the wonders of Italy you will be experiencing on this tour. Seating is limited, so reserve your place now.

This tour is being offered at a remarkable price. For pricing and details of this tour, please view the itinerary.

> PRE-APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!

Prince Includes:

  • Group Air transportation from Cleveland (only included with our air/land tour package).
  • 14 Days/12 nights first class 4 star hotel accommodations.
  • 18 Total Meals.
    11 – Buffet Breakfasts.
    4 – Lunches.
    4 – Dinners.
    Wine & Bottled Water Included.
  • Touring by Deluxe Air Conditioned Motorcoach.
  • English Speaking Tour director for entire tour.
  • Sightseeing as indicated, including all local licensed guides.
  • Museum entrance fees for the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Vatican Museum and Coliseum in Rome, and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
  • All transfers and luggage handling. PLEASE NOTE: This service applies only to those passengers who have purchased the AIR/LAND package
  • Headsets during your guided tours;
  • Private boat roundtrip transfers in Venice.;
  • Public ferry ticket and train tickets in Cinqueterre.
  • 3 Wine tasting in Orvieto, Montalcino and Torgiano.
  • Parma ham & Parmigiano cheese tasting in Parma wine estate (2 wines and country lunch)
  • Balsamic vinaigrette tasting in local “acetaia” in Modena
  • Pre-departure get acquainted group briefing.
  • DaVinci personalized luggage tags, document holder and tour informational booklet.
  • DaVinci personal escort service.
  • All hotel taxes and service charges including the Italian Govt. VAT Tax.

Airfare Information

DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours has negotiated with our partner airlines CONTINENTAL for special group airfare rates from CLEVELAND and other MAJOR GATEWAYS throughout the USA. Group airfare for this tour will be available beginning September 1st, 2010. Please call after this date should you wish to purchase airfare in conjunction with the BELLA ITALIA land package. Please contact us at 330-633-2292. Should you wish to book your own air travel or use your frequent flyer miles, we will be happy to provide you with the group flight details when they become available.

> PRE-APPLY FOR THIS TRIP NOW!


GREAT WINES OF TUSCANY TOUR
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7 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy.

This excursion is aimed at highlighting the 5 great D.O.C.G. (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) Tuscan wines together with the territory itself where these wine are produced. There will be visits to large wine producing estates and to family run farms and you will be able to taste these quality products which have contributed to and which continue to contribute to the reputation that Tuscany has the world over.

Lodging & Accommodations: 6 B&B in a 4 star hotel in Siena area

The Sights: The town of Siena; the Medici Fortress; the Medieval village of Montalcino; the Abbey of Sant'Antimo; the Medieval hamlet of Carmignano; the Etruscan Museum at Artimino; the "Museo Ideale" of Leonardo Da Vinci; the ancient cellars of Montepulciano

Events: Guided sightseeing of Siena; Wine seminar followed by a wine tasting; Welcome dinner in a Medieval restaurant; Visit to a laboratory ("moleria") where crystal works are made; wine tasting session in San Gimignano; castle tour and wine tasting in the Chianti region; wine tastings and guided tour of wine cellars in Brunello, Carmiginano and Montepulciano.

Prince Includes:

  • 6 B&B in a 4 star hotel in Siena area
  • Half-day guided visits in Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano
  • Traditional lunches in Chianti, Montalcino
  • Dinner in a Medieval restaurant in Siena
  • Farewell dinner in traditional restaurant in Siena
  • 1 tasting lunch in wine cellars in San Gimignano as per program
  • Visit and wine-tasting in wine estates in San Gimignano, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Carmignano
  • Guided wine seminar at the Enoteca Italiana in Siena
  • 1 free/25 pax

WINE TOUR IN CENTRAL ITALY
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5 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy.

The heart of Italy hides unforgettable corners where you can discover little jewels of art and great food. As in Umbria region, with its amazing Sagrantino born in that unique village called Montefalco. This tour will allow you to discover this area, Umbria and Latium through their tasteful trails.

Lodging & Accommodations: 2 B&B + 1 HB in a 4 star hotel in Bettona; 1 B&B in a 4 star in Rome

Dining: Welcome dinner; buffet tasting lunch in an ancient olive oil mill; Dinner with music in a traditional restaurant of Trastevere.

The Sights: The famous Wine Museum; Lungarotti wine-cellars; ancient olive oil mill in Montefalco; Assisi, Perugia and St. Francis; the Gothic cathedral in Orvieto; Castelli Romani

Events: Guided sightseeing tour of the Wine Museum; guided wine tasting of the Lungarotti wines; buffet tasting lunch in an ancient olive oil mill; full day guided sightseeing in Assisi and Perugia; walking tour and shopping in Perugia; wine tasting session in Orvieto; lunch in a local restaurant; excursion to the Castelli Romani and guided wine tasting tour; dinner with music in a traditional restaurant of Trastevere.

Price includes:

  • 2 B&B + 1 HB in a 4 star hotel in Bettona
  • 1 B&B in a 4 star in Rome
  • Half-day guided sightseeing in Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, Torgiano
  • Lunch in traditional restaurant in Orvieto
  • Tasting lunch in an olive oil mill in Montefalco, drinks included
  • Wine tasting in wine estates in Torgiano, Orvieto, Montefalco and Castelli Romani
  • Farewell dinner in traditional restaurant in Trastevere
  • 1 free/25 pax

A PRESTIGE WINE AND FOOD TOUR IN PIEDMONT

5 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy.

We realized a complete discovery tour devoted to the great wines of this gorgeous region, without forgetting that great food makes great wines. You will be charmed by the flavours of noble Barolo, getting lost along the Dolcetto or Moscato ways, indulging yourself in the arms of Barbaresco and Nebbiolo. Art, food and wines will make this holiday not to be missed.

Lodging & Accommodations: 4 B&B in classic double room in Hotel 4 stars.

Dining: Breakfast at the Hotel; lunch at the Barbaresco winery; cooking section and dinners at hotel

The Sights: Historic centre of Alba; the scenic roads of Barolo; Barolo Castle; fortress of Serralunga; the historic center of Neive; the landscape of Barbaresco; Casale Monferrato; the ethnographic Museum of Nizza Monferrato; old town of Canelli; magnificent castles and well-tended vineyards

Events: A visit to Alba and stop in a typical Enoteca; Guided visit and wine tasting at the Barolo Castle; visit the interesting Wine Museum of Fratelli Ratti; guided visit to the fortress of Serralunga; a visit to Neive and to Barbaresco; lunch at one of the most famous wineries which produce Barbaresco; cooking section at the hotel followed by dinner; guided visit to a wine estate near Santuario di Crea; a visit to the ethnographic Museum of Nizza Monferrato; walk in the countryside and woods with a truffle searcher.

Price includes:

  • 4 B&B in classic double room in Hotel 4 stars
  • Welcome aperitif and guided visit to the Wine Bank museum followed by tasting
  • Guided visit and wine tasting in: Barolo - Serralunga d'Alba - Seralunga di Crea - Canelli - Barbaresco - Dogliani
  • 1 cooking class as per program
  • 2 lunches in local restaurants as per program
  • A truffle hunt experience
  • Farewell dinner

TOUR OF CLASSICAL UMBRIA
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5 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy. High season and DUS suppliments may apply.

Admire the hidden beauties of this beautiful region like a native on the DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours guide to classical Umbria. The greenest and most mysterious region of Italy, Umbria offers a glimpse into the life and sights of traditional Italy.

Lodging & Accommodations: 4-star Holiday Inn in Perugia; traditional lunches in Assisi; Perugia, Gubbio; Spoleto and Todi; olive oil tasting in ancient oil-mill in Montefalco.

The Sights: Monuments, churches and holy places in St. Francis's city; the first church erected by St. Francis Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels); medieval and Renaissance buildings along the Corso Vannucci; palace of the Podesta; the Cathedral; Festival of the 2 Worlds; St. Francis Museum; wrought iron laboratory in Gubbio.

Events: Half-day tours in Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, Gubbio, Todi and Orvieto.


EMERALD TOUR
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9 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy. High season and DUS suppliments may apply.

DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours offers you the chance to discover nature's most exquisite masterpieces in Italy, the sea in Liguria and the caves in Massa Carrara with the "Emerald Tour." This fantastic tour lets you taste wines of the region, learn to cook traditional recipes, visit a real chocolate factory and enjoy tours of some of the most picturesque landscapes in all of Italy.

Lodging & Accommodations: 4-star Hotel Reale in Asti; Hotel Shelley & Palme in Lerici; traditional lunches and dinners in local restaurants and trattoria; lunch at the magnificent Da Mino; lunch in La Morra.

The Sights: Boat ride to San Fruttuoso to admire submerged statue of Christ in the Abyss; 5 Terre; tour Riomaggiore; Manarola and its Via dell'Amore; Vernazza; wine tasting at local "enoteca" (wine bar); Museum of Oil; monument in region's capital Genova and chance to visit the enormous caves where marble is excavated.

Events: Tour and snack at a truffle farm in Alba; tour and taste 3 wine estates; cooking class where you'll learn the classic recipes of the region; visit chocolate factory in Alba; mini cruise at the Cinque Terre by private boat; wine tasting in a local Enoteca in Lerici; guided tour in Cinque Terre and massa Carrara; marble craft workshop in Fantiscritti; visit a rice producer in Italy's premier rice region; learn about truffles and truffle hunting in Alba.


AMBER TOUR

8 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Prices per person based on double occupancy. High season and DUS suppliments may apply.

Take a tour of Veneto and Emilia Romagna, two passionately diverse regions with an enormous wealth of artistic and culinary delights. Known for romance and intimacy, the "Amber Tour" reveals to you the romance of Italy.

Lodging & Accommodations: 4-star hotels Hotel Roxy Soave in Valpolicella & Hotel Stendhal in Parma, traditional lunches in Parma.

The Sights: the Prosciutto di Parma factory, historical wine estate in Valpolicella, city of Juliet: Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe, le Arche Scaligere, San Zeno, etc., Museum of Extra-virgin Olive Oil of Garda in Bardolino, visit Busseto where Giuseppe Verdi was born and raised, Vinegar factory, ham factory in Langhirano where the universally noted "Prosciutto of Parma" was born.

Events: Wine tasting in Valpolicella, visit an antique Vinegar factory, 2 cooking classes where you'll learn to create traditional dishes, visit Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, tour of Verona.


FROM SIENA TO THE SEA
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8 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing. Minimum of 6 passengers. Single supplement may apply.

Discover the city on the steps of Pia de Tolomei. Trek across Tuscan islands and Italian countryside that stretches across the sea and folds its arms into the hills where archeological wonders lay preserved.

Lodging & Accommodations: 3-star hotels in Siena Countryside with buffet breakfast, traditional lunches and dinners at local restaurants, dinner at medieval restaurant.

Events: 5 hiking days with guide; full-day excursion to the Tuscan islands of Giglio and Giannutri; visit to the park of Vetulonia; hike to the outskirts of Massa Marittima to the "Pearl of Maremma Grossetana;" visit the Mine Museum; follow the beach and weave through marittima pine groves to Castiglione della Pescaia where you'll relax and lunch at the sea; walking to the ruins of the Roman Villa; climb up the castle on the center of Giglio; walking to the Etruscan Necropoli of Vetulonia, archeological park.


GARDEN TOUR IN CENTRAL ITALY
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10 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing.

Let the gardens of Italy narrate untold stories of noble Italian families for you and great architects. Listen to the care and quest for beauty spoken through the precision and complexity of these magnificent Italian gardens and ponds in this uniquely beautiful DaVinci Custom Travel & Tours offering.

Lodging & Accommodations: 4-star hotel in Rome; dinner in Castellina in Chianti at the Antica Trattoria La Torre; lunch at the Antiche Terme di Diana, traditional restaurant inside roman ancient spas; dinner in Trastevere; lunch in Siena in a centrally located trattoria.

The Sights: famous center of Pecorino cheeses and the home of the palace and gardens of the Piccolomini Pope; Benedictine Abbay of Monte Oliveto Maggiore; gardens at Chigi Cetinale in Sovicille; gardens of Villa Geggiano in Chianti; Chianti Castle.

Events: guided tour of "gem" churches of Rome; trip to Galleria Borghese and its world-famous collection of paintings and sculptures; stroll to baroque gardens; mini cruise on the River Tever; Pienza; walking tour of Siena home of the Palio; wine tasting at Castello di Meleto; Piazzale Michelangelo; stroll the hills overlooking Florence and the Convent of St. Matteo, home of Galileo's daughter Maria Celeste; guided visit to Florence; gardens at Villa Gamberaia; gardens in Villa La Pietra and Villa Le Balze in Fiesole; gardens of Villa Medici; gardens of Villa Reale and Villa Massei; visit the famous Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo; visit the famous gardens and fountains Villa d'Este.


GRAND TOUR OF APULIA
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8 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing.

Travel and tour one of the most southern regions of Italy that abounds in history and culture. Extending to the southern most tip of Italy, Apulia is elegantly caressed by a crystal clear sea and known for its cuisine, revered as superior authentic Italian.

Lodging & Accommodations: Hotel (masseria) in the country near Bari; lunch in Mattinata; lunch in Castro.

The Sights: the white cathedral overlooking the sea at Trani; the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo; Gargano promontory; Alberobello, grottoes at Castellana; Lecce's historic center; the Roman amphitheatre; the church of Santa Chiara; the Cathedral square; Corso Vittorio Emanuele; the Greek fountain; the sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto; the Church of Purity; the most eastern harbour at Otranto; St. Peters church; grotto of the Zinzulusa; Santa Maria di Leuca; sanctuary of Santa Maria De Finibus Terrae; Ostuni.

Events: tour the Castel del Monte; taste traditional local mozzarella as you tour a cheese-making factory; tour around the main monuments of the "rioni Monti;" Trullo Sovrano.


THE BEST OF ART, COOKING, WELLNESS AND SHOPPING - Ladies only
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11 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing.

Enjoy the pleasures of cuisine, art, shopping and relaxation on this tour exclusively offered to women. You will be seduced with the pleasures of Italy while learning traditional cooking techniques, enjoying the sights of Italy and experiencing some of the greatest shopping centers in Italy.

Lodging & Accommodations: hotel in Parma; dinner in a lovely restaurant located in 18th century palace; dinner at the historical Corale Verdi; dinner at restaurant near Ponte Vecchio; 5-star Hotel Adler Thermae in Tuscany.

The Sights: The Teatro Regio; Teatro Farnese; the Cathedral; the Galleria Uffizi; Accademia Museum; shopping; Gucci and Prada outlets outside Florence; tour of Florentine artisans; wine tasting of Vernaccia di S. Gimignano; Montepulciano; Pienza; Siena; village of bagno Vignoni.

Events: Learn how to make hand made fresh pastas like tortelli, agnolini, stuffed pasta and taliatelle, dishes like the "spalla cotta," and desserts in complete traditional fashion; walking tour of the city of Parma; visit the Palazzo Ducale; the Palazzo della Pilotta; visit the cheese factory; tour where the great Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi was born and raised; view a recital of a professional Tenore from the Verdi main operas; tour of the Emilian cuisine; visit to Teatro Farnese and Palazzo della Pilotta where the Galleria nazionale is located.


GRAND TOUR OF THE LAKES OF NORTHERN ITALY
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10 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing.

Experience Italy like no other way: by geographic perfection. Enjoy the hidden spirit of Italy through the largest and most fascinating lakes interspersed across the region.

Lodging & Accommodations: Hotel in Stresa; dinner at restaurant in Gardone.

The Sights: ancient hamlet of Orta opposite the island of San Giulio; Lake Maggiore; medieval buildings dating back to 1306; Renaissance buildings dating back to 1582; Piazza Motta, ancient church founded by San Giulio in the 4th century after Christ; gardens and Villa Taranto; Santa Maria Maggiore; museum of the Chimney sweeper "Spazzacamino;" ferry ride to Stresa; main square of Como where you can enjoy a marvelus view of Lake Lario, Cathedral; church of San Fedele; railway up to Brunate (St. Maurizio), approximately 1000 meters high; Lake Garda; Desenzano Sirmione; boat to Salo; Riva del Garda; famous waterfalls at Varone.

Events: cruise to the island of San Giulio; private boat ride to Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori; guided tour around the historic center; railway excursion through the Vigezzo valley, waterfalls, multicolor fields, daring bridges, chestnut tree forests and vineyards; visit the lighthouse Faro Voltiano (dedicated to Italy's famous physicist Alessandro Volta); visit villas where queens, dukes, politicians and actors stay like Villa Serbelloni; Villa Melzi d'Eril; Villa Carlotta; panoramic tour of the lake in the center of Mount Isola; wine tasting at well-known wine estate.


THE JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR OF ITALY

12 Days
Call 330-633-2292 for current pricing.

Wandering about Jewish heritage in Italy? This tour will lead you through the main Italian cities, where the Jewish presence has been very important for its cultural and economical support. In Rome, the eternal city, you will pass through the streets of the Jewish ghetto, the living place of the only Jewish community which has always been present in the same place before the Diaspora, and you will discover Jewish traces hidden in the historical monuments of the city.

The Sights: Venice: The Ghetto, Synagogues and the Jewish Museum. Bologna: Bologna University, Museum and Synagogue. Capri: Fossoli concentration camp. Walking tour of Florence. Pisa: Leaning Tower, Synagogue and Museum. Visits to Siena, the Chianti area and picturesque villages of Radda and Greve. Pitigliano, known as "Little Jerusalem". Rome: the Coliseum, the Forum, the Arch of Titus, the Pantheon and more.

Regions Visited: Venice, Ferrara, Bologna, Tuscany, Capri, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Chianti, Radda, Greve, Rome.