Best of north Italy
​$2,995 per person

This tour is offered from April to mid-October.

itineray

Day 1 - Lake Como
Arrive in Milan and transfer to Lake Como. We are staying in Tremezzo, right in the center of the action. Check-in and meet the group for our welcome-dinner together.
Accommodations: Hotel La Parla 
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Tremezzo and Villa di Balbianello
This morning we will take a water-taxi over to Villa di Balbianello, the pearl of Lake Como. We will have a private walking tour through the villa followed by free time to visit the gardens. Then, we will take a water-taxi to lunch; a special treat to try seafood from a local fisherman. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodations: Hotel La Parla 
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Parma, Ferrari and Pavarotti
Ferrari, well what can I say, it's more than just a car. We will have a tour of the home and museum; lots of fun for everyone. Plus if anyone wants to get a real feel of what a race car is like you can try the simulator. From there we will stop for lunch to taste all the specialties of this area. Pavarotti’s home is next, small and quaint filled with all things Pavarotti;my favorite is the costumes from the opera. Our last stop is to visit a traditional Balsamic “acetaia'' from 1883. We will learn about the traditions and have a tasting. Transfer to Bologna and check-in to our new hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Bologna
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

Day 4 - Free day in Florence
Today we’ll help you decide which of the many things you can do in downtown Florence:

• Explore one of the 72 Renaissance city’s museums such as Uffizi Gallery
• Shopping for all things fashionable from clothing to art or gold
• Stroll the streets to taste the wonderful street food.
• And so much more....

Tonight we will have dinner back in Bologna together.
Accommodations: Hotel Metropolitan Bologna
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 -  Verona, Villa La Rotonda and Padova
Our first stop is Padova. We will be visiting Prato della Valle and the botanical gardens. Next, we will be stopping in Vicenza to visit the Villa La Rotonda. Thomas Jefferson anonymously submitted a design that was a variation on the Villa Rotonda. Though James Hoban's Palladian design for what would become known as the White House was selected, the influence of the Villa Rotonda can also be seen at Jefferson's own iconic home of Monticello. After a quick tour, we will head to Verona. Check-into our hotel; then meet in the evening for dinner.
Accommodations: San Luca Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

​Day 6 - Verona 
This morning we will relax in Verona. Castles, bridges and the balcony of Romeo and Juliet are only a few things to do in this charming small city. After a relaxing morning, we'll walk over to meet a local chef that will spend the afternoon cooking a 3-course meal with us. She will show us a few specialties of Verona, we'll eat what we make and try some local wines for an early dinner.
Accommodations: San Luca Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast and Early Dinner - 3-course cooking lesson with wine.

**Option to see a show at the Roman Arena in downtown Verona.
Based on yearly programs. Must dress for the evening.

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Day 7 - Dolomites and Wine Road
We are heading north to the Dolomites, to Bolzano, a historic gateway between Austrian and Italian culture sits at the base of the Alps. We will have free time in the city. Next, we will explore the wine street “Strada del Vino”. Located in one of the oldest wine growing regions in Italy, amidst picturesque vineyards, and lush green apple meadows, we will be walking on the wine trail; from vineyard to vineyard tasting wine and food through dinner. 
Accommodations: San Luca Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting proceeding into Dinner 
 
Day 8 - Venice
Our last city stay is Venice. We will take a water-taxi to our hotel. We’ll help you decide which of the many things you can do in Venice:

• The iconic Piazza San Marco,
• Doge’s Palace,
• Ponte dei Sospiri (the Bridge of Sighs),
• The Rialto Bridge,
• The treasures at the Galleria Dell’Accademia, or
• Any of the boat tours of the isles of Venice. 

Accommodations: Hotel Palazzo Priuli 
Meals: Breakfast 

Day 9 - Venetian Culture in-depth
This morning with your local Venetian guide, you will walk through authentic local neighborhoods, crossing many districts of Venice, hear stories about local life and Venetian culture, and meet local artists and craftsmen in their place of work, where they will demonstrate their centuries-old art. Meet the people who preserve the traditions of Venice, the longest lasting independent State in history! We will have a goodbye-meal together reminiscing over our week.
Accommodations: Hotel Palazzo Priuli  
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Transfer day
Transfer to the Venice Marco Polo airport. 
Meals: Breakfast

This tour includes:

• 9 Breakfasts, continental style
• 3 Lunches, including wine
• 5 Dinners, including wine
• 9 Nights in 3-& 4-star accommodations:
  • 2 nights each in Lake Como, Bologna , & Venice;
  • 3 nights in Verona.
• ​All admission to sites
• English speaking guide throughout your stay
• 1st class motor coach or minivan; train were noted

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Frequently asked questions
​

How many hours a day will we be walking or on a bus?
Every day we will be walking a minimum of 3 hours. There will also be uphill streets and stairs. The bus rides vary in time for 20 minutes to 2 hours.

I am traveling alone, will I be the only one?
No, on average we have about half the group that are singles.

Is there a single supplement? And why?
Yes, there is. It's $930 for a private room. The reason we have a single supplement is because some hotels do not offer a single rate. So as a single person you are paying a full rate of the room instead of it being divided by two.

How can I avoid paying the single supplement?
We can match guests with same-sex roommates. We will connect you by email and you can see if you are compatible to share a room. 

Is my deposit of $400 refundable?
No, we have limited space and need a commitment from each guest. Please note that the deposit of $400 per guest
is NON-REFUNDABLE except in the case that the trip does not meet the minimum number of participants.
The trip's go-status will be confirmed no later than 90 days before departure.

How do I book my flights?
As soon as the group is formed we will be sending out a confirmation email with all necessary information. You can contact our agent or if you are booking your own airfare, departure dates and airports will be listed in the confirmation email.

How do we pack?
We have a Zoom conference with the group before the trip to explain packing and general information; plus a packing list.

Do I need Travel Insurance? Where can I purchase Insurance?
We highly recommend Travel Insurance. Travel insurance is based on many factors and the price varies from person to person. You can get a quote from our agent Carol Symington, csymington@AAASJ.COM . Please mention your tour, the dates, price and that it is Tierno Tours. ​

Is my flight included?
No, This is a land package only.

If booking your own airfare:
Departure from USA or Canada no later than 24 hours before the tour begins.

Is an upgrade possible?
Yes, in some of our accommodations upgrades are possible. Many times they are limited and we recommend that you contact us to reserve the room as soon as possible. You will be given a price and charged at the time of booking. All upgrades are non-refundable.

Where are we staying? 
Will be confirmed soon.
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How do I get from the airport to the Hotel?
There are many transfer companies. We will help you book your transfer as soon as you purchase your airfare.  Also in Venice there is a very good bus shuttle to our Hotel.

How much is the cost of the Transfer?A private transfer is about 125 Euro by water-taxi, and the bus shuttle is 15 Euro per person.