Mandarin Holidays｜Northern Italy Cultural Tour

Northern Italy 7-Day Cultural Immersion Tour

From the ancient Rome with rich cultural heritage, to Verona which is full of artistic atmosphere. You will get a chance to visit Venice, where you can enjoy the ancient and peaceful life. This in-depth tour of Italy will definitely be unforgettable and memorable.

Estimated Pricing:

7-people group: $3597/adult

5-people group: $4227/adult

*For more information regarding to the group travel, please contact Mandarin Holidays.

8 Days

18+ Age

Europe

New

Destination

Europe
Departure

Toronto, ON
Departure Time

TBA
Return Time

TBA
Dress Code

Casual, comfortable athletic clothing.

Day 1: Rome

Arrival: You will be picked up at the airport by your knowledgable private driver who will escort you to all your scheduled destinations.
Rome City: Upon arriving in Rome, you will be picked up and taken to your hotel to wind down first, then you will be taken on a designed city tour for the other half of the day. Rome is a small city and most destinations are within a 30-minute walk. You can walk along the city for the afternoon to visit some of the famous historical sites. Visit the old city by Self-Guided Tour including Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. (45 CAD skip the line ticket, 2 hours) Walk to Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps to relax and have dinner. Return to hotel after a long day of journey.
La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort: Nestled in the enchanting Tuscan countryside and surrounded by incredible views over rolling hills and cypress trees, La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort connects you to the very heart of Tuscany. It dates back over 1,000 years, and offers an outdoor swimming pool with Alfresco Pool Bar & Snacks, a luxurious garden, a typical Tuscany restaurant, a wellness center, a 18 holes golf course, Congress center and banqueting hall.

Day 2: Saturnia Hot Spring-Tuscany-Siena

Saturnia Hot Spring Natural Spa：Today you will be visiting the Saturnia thermal hot springs, which is one of Italy’s best- kept secrets. A collection of silk blue water springs on different levels that are heated by the nearby volcano. A small but powerful stream of water keeps the water flowing down all levels and makes sure it has a constant temperature of 37 degrees. It is located in Tuscany, in a convenient location between Rome and Siena. Be prepared to spend a few hours here to enjoy the hot spring water and nature.
Tuscany Town: During the second half of the day, you'll get the chance to visit the old medieval Tuscany town called Siena. You will explore the historical town center, and enjoy an afternoon with a glass of wine, a panini or an ice cream. Visit the old bellower and sit at one of the restaurant patios at the old town square to watch sunset. Siena is likely Italy's loveliest city, and a trip worth making even if you are in Tuscany for just a few days. The worldwide famous Palio run here, a horse race run around the piazza two times every summer. At dinner, try some of the best local dishes at a Tuscany tavern.
Particolare di Siena: We recommend dining at Particolare di Siena, a fine-dining restaurant reducing its number of tables to just ten and embracing a sustainable approach to its cuisine. It now prioritises local suppliers and certified organic and environmentally friendly ingredients, while the restaurant’s own kitchen garden, featuring produce grown in line with biodynamic techniques, provides some of the best seasonal ingredients used in the dishes here. Options like the Red Mullet with Monaco cheese and black garlic, or the Rabbit with Oyster and Caviar have clear roots in the Tuscan tradition.
La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort: Return to the hotel.

Day 3: Brunello Wine Tour & Truffle Hunting Tour

Tuscany Truffle Hunting: Experience hunting for truffles on a beautiful Tuscan morning under the guidance of an expert truffle hunter and his dog. You will take quiet forest paths to secret places where truffles grow and, if you are lucky enough, you will dig out this delicious gem of nature right from the soil.
Truffle Lunch: For lunch you will be taken to celebrate the treasures we have found with a glorious 4-course menu based on truffle by the “osteria” headquarters of the local truffle hunters (Lunch included with the tour).
Brunello Wine Tour: In the afternoon, you will be taken to a winery in Brunello, where you will have a private tour and meet the owner or one of the staff – wine experts who will guide you through the property including the vineyards as well as the aging cellars. After the tour, we will have our own reserved area for the tasting, usually with a view. Here you will taste 3-5 wines guided by the owner or by an expert professional like a sommelier who will tell the story of these wines, their characteristics, and the best pairings.
La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort: Return to the hotel.

Day 4: Florence

Florence Cathedral Complex：After having breakfast at your hotel in Siena, your designated driver will take you to Florence, and drop you off at the Florence town square (Florence Cathedral Complex). Florence Cathedral, possibly the most celebrated cathedral in the world, the Duomo as it is simply known in Florence is the jewel of the city. The cathedral complex has been listed on UNESCO for three different reasons, also contains combined work from some of the most famous Italian artists. It was begun in year 1296, with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, painted by Giorgio Vasari and Giotto.
“Meet” David：Next you will visit high renaissance art at the Accademia Gallery. David is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, created in marble between 1501 and 1504 by Michelangelo. David is a 5.17- metre tall and represents the Biblical figure David, a favoured subject in art during the Italian Renaissance time.
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy：The Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the oldest pharmacy in the world, has been crafting beautiful fragrances, remedies and herbal products since 1221. Until today the apothecary still produces their perfume with the original receipt, and it’s famous for their skincare products. A visit to this one-of-a-kind place offers the chance to step back in time and can act as a best piece of souvenir to bring back.
La Vecchia Bettola：Trattoria is the opposite definition of fine dining, it is a hole in a wall type of place. Traditional Italian trattoria serves cured meat, bread, local dishes and wine by oz. This unfussy Florentine trattoria lives up to its name (which translates as “old tavern”) with a kitschy, classical Italian dining atmosphere: hanging prosciutto, wood and marble decor, hollering waitstaff, and straw-wrapped chianti bottles. The honestly priced homestyle food and down-to-earth service match the surroundings perfectly. Dishes are true to the Tuscan repertoire, including local cured meats, fried rabbit, roast pork arista, steak and pasta.
Bernini Palace：Set in a 15th-century building, Hotel Bernini Palace is a 5-minute walk from Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio. It features antique furniture and Murano-glass chandeliers, and it stands out for its regal décor, impeccable staff, and fantastic dining, all well- situated near Florence’s most popular attractions. Staff is welcoming and professional,, well-connected local experts dedicated to creating memorable experiences for each guest. Bernini Palace sits on the edge of Santa Croce bordering the City Center, mere steps from the Palazzo Vecchio and the Bargello, and less than five minutes walking to the Uffizi Gallery and Santa Croce Basilica.

Day 5: The Mall Shopping Tour - Florence

The Mall Florence：The Mall Florence is a famous luxury outlet near Florence that offers awesome discounts on some of the biggest European brands. This is indeed THE mall to visit in Italy if you’re looking for great bargains. The Mall hosts brands like Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Burberry, Ferragamo, among many others. Merchandise is discounted at or above 50%.
Gucci Cafe- The Mall: Shopping is tiresome, so you need a quit pick me up. Located on the top floor of the Gucci store, Gucci Café offers a relaxing atmosphere to take a break from all the shopping and have quick yet delicious Lunch, drink or dessert.
Bernini Palace：Spend the second night at the Bernini Palace.

Day 6: Florence-Verona

Florence to Verona：After returning to Florence from the mall, you will take a first class and 1.5 hours train ride from the Florence central station. Train is the fastest way to go to Verona, the city that is famous for Italian opera, and known being the home of Romeo and Juliet.
Juliet’s Balcony：Meet up with your English- and German-speaking official guide in the center of the city and get ready to discover the delights of this northern Italian city. Verona is home to Shakespeare’s legendary love story, Romeo and Juliet. While in this city, you have the chance to see the famous balcony of Juliet’s house. Juliet's house is a tower house from between late 13th and early 14th century. After breakfast, join a 1.5 hours city tour that includes a guided tour of Juliet’s house.
Verona Arena：Enjoy an evening of opera in the oldest and largest open-air amphitheater in the world, the Arena di Verona. See Aida, Carmen, Tosca, La Traviata, or others. Your package includes a ticket for the opera, a 1-hour Verona city guide, and a transport ticket. The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy built in 30 AD. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. It is one of the best-preserved ancient structures of its kind.
Casa Perbellini：After spending a day in the city, visit the two MICHELIN Stars, hidden in a charming small house overlooking Piazza San Zeno, also home to the famous basilica of the same name, this restaurant serves a tasting menu designed by chef Giancarlo Perbellini himself, which can be slightly adapted if required. The ambience is pleasantly informal, with the chefs at work in an open kitchen which shares the same space as the dining room, almost as if guests are visiting the chef’s own home.
Aurora Hotel：Spend a night in Hotel Aurora.

Day 7: Verona- Venice

La Gondola：Your driver will pick you up at your Verona Hotel in the morning. Within 30 minutes, you will arrive at the famous canal city, Venice. Your driver will lead you to get on a Gondola (Venetian rowing boat) trip. The gondolier will take the Grand Canal, pass by the Rialto Bridge, and the Doge’s palace, and some other famous historical sites. Then, you will arrive at St. Mark’s square.(The Gondola ride duration is 1 hour)
St. Mark Square：St. Mark’s Square often referred to as “the drawing room of Europe,” is one of the most famous squares in Italy. It is the geographic and cultural heart of Venice—with St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace what we are about to visit.
St. Mark's Basilica：Blending the architectural styles of East and West, Venice‘s magnificent basilica was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building to house the remains of St. Mark. To convey the Venice’s wealth and power, the original brick façades and interior walls were embellished over time with precious stones and rare marbles, primarily in the thirteenth century. Many of the columns, reliefs, and sculptures were spoils stripped from the churches, palaces, and public monuments of Constantinople as a result of the Venetian participation in the Fourth Crusade. The interior of the domes, the vaults, and the upper walls were slowly covered with gold-ground mosaics.
Doge's Palace：Formerly the Doge's residence and the seat of Venetian government, the Palace is the very symbol of Venice and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It was built in 1340 and extended and modified in the following centuries.
Osteria Trefanti：Osteria Trefanti is a small, cosy restaurant serving straight-outta-the-Adriatic seafood. While in Vinice, local chef serves up creative twists on classic venician dishes in a small homey location next to a quaint canal. 10/10 service. 10/10 flavors. 10/10 wine. Staff and chef were incredibly friendly. Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone visiting or living in Venice.
Palazzo Bembo：Spend the night next to the Rialto bridge at Palazzo Bembo. You can walk to St. Mark’s Square in less than 10 minutes. The rooms come with antique furniture and satellite TV. Some have lovely views of the Grand Canal, and some overlook the San Salvador Canal. Breakfast is served in a spacious dining room with views of the Grand Canal. The Rialto water-bus stop is just outside the Bembo.

Day 8: Venice - Return

Murano Glass Museum：Venetians have been making glass since the middle ages, and the importance of glass objects, glass trading, and glass craftsmanship is so deeply interwoven with Venetian history and identity that it’s impossible to visit Venice without considering it. During this half-day walking tour, we’ll visit the Venetian island of Murano, home to the city’s glass factories and artisans, in the company of a historian. We’ll see glassmakers at work in local factories, learn how the craft has evolved, and discover what makes Murano glass so unique. This is also your last chance to purchase something, for your loved ones 2.5 hour
Return：Now is where the magical journey across Northern Italy comes to an end. Your driver will collect you at the hotel and transport you to the airport. On behalf of the team, we hope you enjoyed your time with us, and have a safe journey home.

Tour Location

On this unique tour of northern Italy, pass through Verona, the capital of art, to experience the majesty and sophistication of Florence's architectural complex, and experience a unique Venetian scenery in the city of flowing water.

A tour of northern Italy combining classicism and art

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Northern Italy Cultural Tour