If you’ve ever been to Italy, then you canrelate to the above sentiment by Robert Browning...Italy is a place that, once you’ve been, it never quite leaves you. It becomes a part of you, always there, whispering to you like a long-lost friend, wanting you to stop in for a visit and if you’ve never been, then you only have to imagine places like San Marco's plaza in Venice, the romantic Lake district of northern Italy to the remote and oh so Italian Cinque Terre to awaken inside of you the part that longs to see and experience a place where history is so alive, it speaks to you from every plaza, every church and even the very stones beneath your feet.
This is the "Lakes of Italy & Cinque Terre Tour,” and we’ll be focusing on the Lakes of northern Italy including Como and Orta, along with visits to charming seaside villages in the Cinque Terre with their truly undiscovered secrets - very few Americans have discovered the Cinque Terre.
Quick Jump to Itinerary
And let’s start in Venice…Ah, Venezia!
VENICE - VENEZIA
Your introduction to Italy begins in what may well be the most enchanting city in all of Italy-Venice, and it is here in Venice, where cars are not allowed and fresh seafood beckons from every neighborhood trattoria, where we begin our tour. Who hasn’t wanted to see this “most romantic” of cities, with its water-filled canals and that famous Venetian glass? Here, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that, including a private boat for a tour along the Giudecca canal. We’ll also visit Saint Mark’s Square and Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Take advantage of Venice and enjoy an authentic gondola ride or simply wander the streets of Venice and get lost in this city's romance!
The romance of this city is apparent at every step…take a few minutes to just soak it all in. From Venice, we head to the gateway to the Lakes' District, Milan.
THE LAKE DISTRICT
The fishing town of Varenna on Lake Como is a favorite base
for exploration of the northern Italian lakes lined with 19th century
villas and gardens. A ferry ride from Varenna to Bellagio
is a must for shopping and sightseeing. St. Moritz,
Switzerland is a short day tour away. And the picturesque Lake
Orta with its tiny island of San Giulio is the perfect
spot for relaxation amidst magnificent scenery.
CINQUE TERRE
Arugged portion of coast of the Riviera to the west of the city of La Spezia, in the province of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Italy comprising five villages, "The Five Lands": Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all encapsulated in the Cinque Terre national park. The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Few tour operators make it to the Cinque Terre due to the challenges with accessability - but QueensLander takes you in!
MILANO
The now and the next are invented daily in Milan, Europe's creative capital. Until Milan led the way, who knew that happy hour could last four hours, that clothing and household appliances could be made out of basketry, and that coffee could make a delicious pasta sauce?
This city is all about worldly pleasures. Shopping is of quasi-religious significance. Theatre and cinema flourish in this fashionable milieu, as does a hopping club scene and a slew of tempting restaurants. Apart from a few gems, the city is not renowned for its looks; it's lifestyle that counts.
Something for everyone…
Whether you’re a “first-timer” to Italy or have visited many times, we invite you to join us for “ Italy in the Fall.” We have specially designed a tour catered to those of you who have never been to Italy. For one set price, you’ll be staying in first-class accommodations in each city and have the experience of local, English-speaking tour guides. You’ll have a chance to visit all the major, “must-see” sites, plus enough free time on your own to visit the places that really matter to you…or, you can simply enjoy that time relishing your first taste of Italian espresso in the town plaza-it’s entirely up to you. Also included are in-depth tours in each city, group transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach, admission and entrance fees for each stop on our tours, breakfast each morning and four all-inclusive dinners.
And if you have been to Italy before and maybe want something a little different, you have the opportunity of choosing to go as a “first-timer” (there are many sites you could see a hundred times and still find something new!) or adding on whichever tours and attractions are to your liking and interest, essentially building your own trip (simply call us at 1 (877) 865-6711 for a custom quote).
That all sounds great! But…
By now, you might be thinking, “Gee, I’d really love to see Italy, but I just can’t right now, maybe someday I’d like to go…Well, that someday is now. Just think about this-when you look back on your life, what do you see? If you’re like me, you remember the times spent with friends and family, maybe family vacations, places you’ve visited, experiences shared with loved ones. It becomes easy to put things off, things that you’ve dreamed of, or maybe something you’ve always wanted to do, but someday will always just be “someday” unless you do something about it NOW.
You may also be thinking, “But traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating-where to stay? What to see? Where to eat?” This is where I come in! I take care of all the details, so you can simply focus on enjoying what little time you have over there. QueensLander Tours is dedicated to making each trip you take with us the best you’ll ever experience. Your time is precious-you want to see as much as you can while you’re there. Your money is precious-you want to make every dollar count…Every detail is taken care of so that the only thing you have to worry about is what to pack. Lynette of Brisbane, Australia had this to say about us:
QueensLander's dedication to making our touring experience informative, entertaining and their attentiveness to each detail was absolutely delightful...having our QueensLander Tour Captain along as well as a genuine local (and knowledgeable) guide onboard made for a fantastic touring experience of Italy and Europe!"
By now, you’re probably wondering, “But how much does all of this cost?”
Good question. But first, let’s consider just the cost of a good hotel. Frommer’s 2006 guidebook on Italy suggests several “moderately priced” hotels, all of which average around $250 a night (most a lot more) . Even an “inexpensive” hotel averages over $150 per night. Even then, the prices vary widely, depending on where in the city you want to stay. And these are just for “inexpensive” or “moderately” priced hotels!
For our “First-Timer’s,” all-inclusive package, what we’re offering are first-class accommodations in the heart of each city, easily accessible to the very places you want to see, plus several meals, transportation, guided tours and the peace of mind knowing that it’s all taken care of for you. That’s little more than you’d spend on just “moderate” accommodations!
Whether you want to go as a “first-timer” and let us worry about all the details or you want to be a little more independent and essentially “build your own trip” (while knowing all the major stuff is taken care of), we have the perfect trip for you. Call us-we can’t wait to talk to you! ( 1-877-865-6711 )
Remember Robert Browning, from the beginning of the letter? “Open my heart and you will see, engraved inside of it, ‘ Italy.’” Come, if you dare, and you may just leave with a little bit of Italy etched on your soul as well.
I do look forward to traveling with you to Italy. Please drop me a line with any question you might have!
Sincerely,
Mark Story -
You can ask me any question about Italy, this tour or any vacation you're planning to take to Italy by calling or email:
1 (877) 865-6711
Mark@QLTours.com
Italy Tour Program Manager
QueensLander Tours
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive Venice, be met and greeted by your QueensLander Tour Manager and transfer via private boat to San Marco. Stay in an authentic hotel (Cavaletto e Doge Orseolo) seconds off of St. Mark’s Square. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome Appertif, check-in and freshen up. A Welcome dinner with your Tour Manager at an off-the-beaten path restaurant in Venezia!
Tour Includes daily breakfast and lodging.
Also includes: Arrival transfer with Welcome Dinner
Day 2 – This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour with our local guide, Cinzia, with admission to St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs and Prison and a boat tour of Venice with a stop at the Isle of Murano to witness authentic glass blowing. Return to San Marco and the balance of the day is yours to explore Venice! Note: On nights dinner is not included, your Tour Manager will give you options and also invite you to join him/her to another off-the-beaten path restaurant just in case you don’t feel like exploring!
Includes Tour with admissions
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 3 – This morning enjoy 1st Class travel European style on the Eurostar from Venice to Milano. Our journey is about 3 hours or so and you have opportunity to see much of the Italian landscape as we head north by northwest. Upon arrival we board our private transport to our hotel in the Italian Lakes District and Varenna on Lake Como. Enjoy dinner together tonight (included).
Hotel: Villa Cipressi – centuries-old lakeside mansion with quiet terraced garden.
Day 4 - Walk from hotel and and enjoy the ferryboat ride to Bellagio (The Pearl of the Lake) with its fine shopping (silks), dining and strolling. Optional ferry to one of Lake Como’s famed villas: Villa Carlotta.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 5 - Day trip by coach and rail (Bernina Express) to St. Moritz, Switz. Enjoy lunch and shopping before returning to Varenna late afternoon. Or relax in Varenna and stroll through the Villa Monastero Gardens.
Dine at one of the many harborside restaurants. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 6- Depart Lake Como for Lake Orta and the picturesque town of Orta San Giulio, with its beautiful lakeside Piazza. Dinner on your own tonight.
Hotel: Hotel San Rocco
Day 7 - Taxi boat (5 minutes) to the tiny island of San Giulio with its church and famed circular “path of silence.” Relax on the hotel's large terrace with pool. Enjoy lakeside and mountain views, restaurants and shops
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 8- Depart Lake Orta for Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost town of the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) on the Italian Riviera.
Dinner included tonight.
Hotel: Hotel Villa Steno - a small hotel with ocean views in the old part of town.
Day 9 - The Cinque Terre is famous for its white wine (of the same name). Try their Pesto Sauce with pasta - the Italian Riviera is where Pesto originated. Boat, hike, or take the train (or a combination) between the five towns of the Cinque Terre. Enjoy the tiny towns perched high above the sea, with their many wine bars and restaurants. A boat ride to the medieval harbor town of Portovenere south of the Cinque Terre is also an option. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 10- Return to your favorite of the five villages for another look or for a relaxing lunch in a tiny piazza. Or spend the day sightseeing in Monterosso. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 11- Depart for Milan.
Hotel: Antica Locanda Leonardo in the heart of the Old Quarter. Located in a quiet, central location steps from the church where Leonardo’s “Last Supper” is housed. Visit the Duomo, the La Scala Opera House, and enjoy a farewell dinner together tonight.
FAREWELL GALA DINNER TONIGHT
Day 12 – Connect to departing flights out of Milan.
###TOUR ENDS###
Ideally situated in the Embassy District of Florence, just 50 yards from the Arno River and about a 5 minute leisurely walk to the historic center and Ponte Vecchio.
While enjoying your time 'under the Tuscan sun' discover the romance of the San Michele Palace, located exclusively in the city of Cortona - the only hotel in the city!
Our friends at the Mellini take good care of our QueensLander patrons including a welcome reception in the lobby upon arrival. The hotel is located equidistant in the middle of the Vatican and Spanish Steps just about 75 yards off of the Tiber River in Rome. 
Okay, so you won't want to leave this hotel. Period. It's perched perfectly on the cliffs at Sorrento and each guest room has an incredible view!