Highlights
- Wander the luxury resort town of Portofino for a taste of the Italian Riviera
- Take a private boat between the seaside towns of Cinque Terre
- Go truffle-hunting in the UNESCO-listed Langhe Wine Region
- Visit the mountaintop monastery of Sacra di San Michele
- Sit down to dinner with a local family in Turin
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Portofino | Portofino |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Cinque Terre, Winery Visit & Ligurian Cooking Lesson | Portofino |
| Day 3 | Visit Genoa, Transfer to the Langhe Wine Region | Santo Stefano Belbo |
| Day 4 | Optional Activities, Discover the Cities & Gastronomy of Alba & Bra | Santo Stefano Belbo |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Turin, Guided City Tour | Turin |
| Day 6 | Morning Tour of Sacra di San Michele, Home-Hosted Dinner | Turin |
| Day 7 | Depart Turin |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Portofino
Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Milan, where your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to Portofino, a delightful former fishing village nestled on the shores of the Italian Riviera. With its arch of colorful houses tumbling down to a historic port, the village is the epitome of laid-back Italian charm and style. Boutiques, galleries, and enticing cafés and restaurants line the narrow cobbled streets from the harbor. After a refresh at your hotel, head out to explore under your own steam.
The city's top sights include the Statue of Christ of the Abyss, a memorial to Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use diving gear. Lying 56 feet (17 m) beneath the waves on the sea floor, you'll need to swim or snorkel to see it. If you'd prefer to stay on land, other notable sights include the 16th-century castle Castello Brown, which towers above the port, and the 12th-century Church of Saint Martin. When you've finished sightseeing, head to one of the town's impeccable restaurants and dine on exceptional Ligurian cuisine, washed down with a glass of the local white.
Day 2: Day Trip to Cinque Terre, Winery Visit & Ligurian Cooking Lesson
No trip to the Ligurian coast is complete without a trip to Cinque Terra, a famous section of the Riviera coastline renowned for its pastel-colored medieval villages that dot the dramatic cliffs, incredible sunsets, and beautiful hiking trails that link the five famous villages. The best way to discover Cinque Terra is by train, and after breakfast, you'll meet your private guide and head to the station.
Your first stop is the town of Monterosso al Mare. The city's medieval center remains nearly perfectly preserved, with its ancient tower houses and network of carrugi (narrow alleyways that lead from the sea to the cliffs above the town). Monterosso is also renowned for having the best granita—a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and local lemons—the perfect refreshing treat on a sunny day.
Your next destination is Manarola, a picture-perfect village famous for its plentiful grapevines and sweet Sciacchetrà wine. This time, you'll swap the train for a 30-minute private boat trip to the town. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to a traditional winery where you'll sip a special selection of wines and hear about Liguria's wine production history. Cap off your day with a private cooking lesson, where you'll learn the secrets behind the region's legendary homemade pasta and pesto. You'll return to Portofino in time for aperitivo as the sun starts to dip.
Day 3: Visit Genoa, Transfer to the Langhe Wine Region
Wave goodbye to Portofino this morning and meet your driver for a one-hour transfer to Genoa. The birthplace of Christopher Columbus, this bustling, wealthy city has a rich seafaring history. You'll have several hours to explore the town's medieval center before reuniting with your driver, and the best place to start is Le Strade Nuove, a series of streets built by the Genoese aristocracy during the height of the city's financial power. Don't miss the Palazzi dei Rolli, a group of elegant Renaissance and Baroque palaces from the 16th and 18th centuries.
Grab lunch at one of the many international restaurants in the alleys near the harbor, then hit the road for your transfer to the Langhe Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of Piedmont is characterized by rolling hills, endless vineyards, medieval hill towns, and ancient castles.
Day 4: Optional Activities, Discover the Cities & Gastronomy of Alba & Bra
Enjoy a leisurely morning, either relaxing poolside or indulging in a pampering massage at your hotel's spa. If you're an early riser, a private sunrise balloon flight over the Langhe countryside is a wonderful way to experience the region's lush valleys, tiny hilltop villages, ancient castles, and endless vineyards. Meanwhile, cycling enthusiasts could book a guided bike ride starting and ending in Cortemilia, a town notable for its many shady hazelnut groves.
Your plans for the afternoon are set. Make the most of northern Italy's impeccable foodie reputation with a private guided tour of Alba, a once-powerful city-state famous worldwide for its red wine, white truffles, and fabulous gastronomy. During Roman times, the city was known as Alba Pompeia, and over time, the city's buildings, from Roman origins to modern construction, have been built on top of each other. You'll head underground to see Alba's architectural Roman formations and still have plenty of time to sample a glass of the region's famed Barolo red wine.
Afterward, you'll transfer to nearby Bra, a city famous as the birthplace of Italy's Slow Food movement. Started by Carlo Petrini in the 1980s, the movement aimed to defend local culinary traditions and a slower pace of life. Your destination is the restaurant where it all started. Over the next few hours, you'll feast on local specialties such as agnolotti (egg pasta stuffed with roast meat) and tajarin (homemade pasta noodles), followed by a hearty risotto and brasato al Barolo (a rich beef dish). Finish with the region's famous gianduiotto (hazelnut chocolate), before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Transfer to Turin, Guided City Tour
It's the last leg of your whirlwind tour of Italy's north, and it starts with a private transfer to Turin. Known for its elegant, historic architecture, wide boulevards, and notable libraries, museums, and theaters, this captivating city has a wonderful café culture and rich history steeped in music and art. Check in to your hotel, and after a refresh, meet your guide for a private tour. You'll start in the Piazza Castello to visit the Royal Palace, one of the square's most distinctive buildings. See the ornate galleries and library, stroll through the gardens and Royal Armory, and see the adjacent Cathedral that houses the Holy Shroud.
Enjoy lunch at a historic café nearby and rub shoulders with the locals. Turin's cafés are legendary, with a long history of serving as the meeting place for artists, writers, and political refugees. When Turin found itself in the center of the struggle against Austria, several of the cafés became the headquarters of Risorgimento, Italy, where political theory and strategy were discussed over coffee. You won't want to miss the famous local bicerin, an indulgent mix of chocolate, coffee, and cream.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Continue exploring Turin under your own steam, and when night falls, head to the riverside area near the Piazza Vittoria Veneto or the bustling Quadrilatero Romano district for aperitivo, followed by dinner at an upscale restaurant.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Morning Tour of Sacra di San Michele, Home-Hosted Dinner
Spend your final day in the Langhe, exploring one of the most recognizable symbols of the Piedmont region, the Sacra di San Michele. Considered one of Europe's leading examples of Romanesque architecture, the ancient monastery is strategically located amid snowcapped peaks on a pilgrimage route that runs from Saint-Michel in France to Monte Sant'Angelo in Puglia. Meet your driver at your hotel for the 45-minute drive to the monastery and begin your tour via the 243 steps that lead to the Doorway of the Zodiac, where you'll be met with panoramic views of the snowy Alps.
After several hours exploring the abbey, return to Turin, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. History buffs should head to the Egyptian Museum, one of the city's main attractions and one of the largest Egyptian museums in the world, second only to Cairo's. Alternatively, visit the National Museum of Cinema, one of the city's architectural landmarks with a rooftop terrace perfect for sipping coffee and admiring the sweeping views of Turin against the imposing backdrop of the Alps.
There's one last treat in store this evening as you'll round out your vacation with dinner hosted by a local family in their private home. After a warm greeting from your hosts, you'll be treated to an authentic Italian dinner consisting of a primo (starter), secondo (main course), and dolce (dessert). The conversation is guaranteed to be as good as the food as you share a delicious meal together and exchange insights into each other's cultures and lives. Buon appetito!
Day 7: Depart Turin
After one last cappuccino and pastry at breakfast, it's time to meet your driver and head to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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