Italy Family Adventure - Living Italian
Ever wanted to live in Italy and take the kids along? This tour puts you in an apartment in the ancient walled town of Tuscany. We couple this with time in the stunning Italian Lakes.
After your Luccese experience you can savour a truly Italian holiday on the southern coastal town of Amalfi. Everything you have heard and more.
Live Italian!
You are about to taste the Italian dream. Wake up to the smell of strong coffee drifting through the cobble stone streets of the medieval town of Lucca. Meet your neighbours at the local 'pasticceria' for your morning pastry and espresso. Shop at the local markets, eat in the local restaurants and of course sample wines in your local enoteka. Enjoy picnics, bike rides and even learn to cook the Italian way. We also include a wonderful stay in the heart of the Italian lakes at the beginning of the tour. Stresa is the perfect base for excursions onto the lakes, up into the Italian Alps or even across the nearby border into neighbouring Switzerland.
Of course living Italian means holidaying Italian as well. At the completion of the tour you have an option to savour the stunning Amalfi Coast. Your base for this tour is the cliffside town of Sorrento where you can enjoy visits to famous locations such as the Isle of Capri and Pompeii (see this "Amalfi Coast" itinerary below after day 13 of "Living Italian" tour)
You will be speaking, eating and loving La Dolce Vita when you leave. That’s if you can drag yourselves away from “the Sweet Life”
Bellisimo!
| 13 Day Itinerary | ||
| Departures: | 3rd July 2010 | (Saturday to Thursday) |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd October 2010 | (Sunday to Friday) | |
| Price: | EUR$1375 | EUR$1250 for children under 17 years of age |
Please see footnote at the bottom of the page re Family tour group size |
Day 1 - Arrival day – Milan to Stresa - Saturday 3rd July 2010 Today is arrival day with a meeting point in Milan Central Train Station. We board our train in the late afternoon for our short journey to the lakeside town of Stresa, our base for the next 3 nights. After a group meeting we enjoy dinner in the main Piazza Day 2 - Stresa Today we board our boat and visit the Borromeo Islands in the centre of Lago Maggiore. Isola Bella and Isola Madre are two distinctive settlements both worth a stop. The 16th century palace on Isola Madre is surrounded by a splendid English garden. The tour of the palace is spectacular. We can enjoy lunch with views back to the mainland and get lost in the myriad of cobbled backstreets that crisscross the islands Day 3 - Stresa We hire bikes today and explore the town. We then catch the Cableway with our bikes from Stresa climbing to Mottarone. It takes 20 minutes to reach an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level. The Mottarone is considered one of the most beautiful natural balconies in the whole of Italy. You views take in the summit of Monte Rosa and the seven lakes (Lago Maggiore, Lago Orta, Lago Mergozzo, Lago Varese, Lago Camabbio, Lago Monate, Lago Biandronno). Lunch can be taken at the summit or at any of the rest stops along the way. We then make a leisurely but exciting descent from the top on our mountain bike on marked paths. Back down to Stresa town and we enjoy our final Italian Lakes dinner together in the outdoor restaurants in the main Piazza Day 4 - Stresa to Lucca An early leave by train today takes us to Milan. We have a break here putting our luggage into storage and visit the grandiose Milan Cathedral and the 'Galleria' shopping precinct in the centre of the city. We can enjoy a coffee in the 'Piazza del Duomo' gazing at the fashions and high society of Milan. If possible (time permitting) we can visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses the mysterious and much debated Da Vinci classic “The Last Supper”. A leisurely afternoon train journey takes us to Lucca, our perfect base for the remainder of our stay in Tuscany.
*July every year Lucca’s fabulous Summer Festival is held in the old town. There are plenty of extra activities as well as an amazing program of international artists. Concerts are held in the Main Piazza. The 2009 program included Moby, James Taylor, Lenny Kravitz and John Fogerty. Click here for the current Lucca Summer Festival Website Day 5 - Lucca This morning meet for a coffee at our favourite café in the centre of Lucca. No pressure this morning. We will visit the local shops and markets to purchase supplies for our apartments. We enjoy lunch in the ancient Anfiteatro (amphitheatre) with its wonderful architecture then an orientation walk of the town in the afternoon to get our bearings. In the evening we sample local meats and cheeses washed down with the local grape before enjoying a concerto encompassing works of Giacomo Puccini, Lucca’s most famous and mysterious son Day 6 - Lucca Today we explore the old walls of Lucca. We cycle around the perimeter and enjoy a picnic overlooking the old city. There is time to visit some of the old residences and the gorgeous botanical gardens. The bikes are ours for the day and you may choose to cycle to the river Arno nearby for a swim. Later this afternoon we participate in a hands on Italian cooking class hosted by our local friends. We prepare simple Italian favourites as well as some unique Tuscan specialties. Roll up your sleeves as this is a very interactive experience. Make sure you have the most important ingredient in hand. A glass of ‘Chianti Classico’. We have a class planned for the adults as well as an earlier separate class for the budding younger chefs Day 7 - Lucca to Florence (day trip) A train journey carries us to one of Italy’s most wonderous cities in an hour. Florence in a day is a wonderful taste of the most amazing architecture, food and museums. And shopping in the Fiorentina markets is a well known bonanza for those with cash and a haggling spirit. We have bookings at the Uffizi Gallery to view the grandest collection of Italian masters as well as an appointment with Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “The David”. You will have time for exploration after a short walking tour on arrival visiting Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and Piazza Della Signoria. Dinner is an event enjoying the fabled ‘Bisteka Fiorentina’ in one of Florence’s backstreet restaurants. An evening train takes us back to Lucca Day 8 - Lucca (San Martino in Vignale winery) We catch a local bus into the hills and find our local friends in their private vineyard. There is a wonderful lunch awaiting us shortly after we taste the local product. There are local farm animals for the kids to play with as well as a welcoming pool for an afternoon swim. We need to designate someone responsible to round us all up late afternoon and make out way back to Lucca Day 9 - Lucca A free day to explore the town’s museums or maybe climb the Torre Guinigi which provides 360 degree views of the city walls. There is plenty to do and see. There are museums and cathedrals, cafes and restaurants, parks and gardens. Sunday is a great day to people watch in the Piazza. Tonight for those interested we will find a venue to watch the Soccer World Cup Final from South Africa. The atmosphere will be frenetic, especially if the Italians have won their way through to the final Day 10 - Lucca to Pisa (day trip) A short morning train of about 25 minutes takes us through the countryside into Pisa. The Piazza di Miracoli is home to the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The monument will hold your attention for much of our visit and if desired you may climb to the top for excellent views. However there are other stunning sights to enjoy such as the cemetery and Baptistery. We spend the morning here and return to our base in Lucca with the afternoon free before meeting for dinner Day 11 - Lucca to Cinque Terra (day trip) Today we depart on a morning train to the village of Riomaggiore on the Cinque Terre. We begin our walk along the cliff side trail. Firstly, an easy walk of 45 mins to the village of Manorola. We can sit in the harbour and enjoying a drink or morning espresso, and the swimming in the harbour is perfect to set the tone for our day on the coast. We may board a boat which heads up the coast passing the villages or we can continue our walk and enjoy the coastal breezes. There is great flexibility to enjoy the villages as you see fit. You may also choose to catch the train between some of the villages and enjoy each and every settlement and the beaches and cafes that are constantly beckoning you along the way in all five of the stunning coastal villages Day 12 - Lucca (Colle Verde winery) Our second visit to the country takes us higher into the hills. We visit the hill towns of Matraia and Marlia. Our host Piero will share his secrets about the production of this prize-winning Olive Oil as well as his delightful wines. Lunch overlooking the hills and the town of Lucca in the distance, is not to be forgotten. Depending on the weather, you may stroll through the groves or even take a dip in the pool. This visit is a true highlight of the tour. After the visit we head back to Lucca. Enjoy your last afternoon in the Anfiteatro putting the finishing touches on your Italian language skills. Why not cap your stay off with a horse and cart ride around the walls as the sun goes down on your time in Lucca Day 13 - Lucca - Departure day - Thursday 15th July 2010 Today is departure day and there are easy connections to the Pisa airport or alternatively trains will take you to Rome or Milan for your onward flights. For those joining us for the Amalfi Coast add on tour we depart in the morning for our train ride south to the stunning coastal setting of the Sorrento 8 DAY 'AMALFI COAST’ ADD ON TOUR - Price: EUR$1050 EUR$950 per child under 17 years of age Day 1 - Lucca to Sorrento - Thursday 15th July 2010 (day 13 of Living Italian trip) A morning departure by train today takes us on our journey south towards the sprawling city of Napoli. We change trains to arrive in Sorrento mid afternoon. From our hotel you will notice the sheer cliffs that support the settlement high above the Mediterranean with only a short taxi or stroll down to the Marina. Tonight’s restaurant overlooks the cliffs and the coastline for our first meal together on the Amalfi coast Day 2 - Sorrento Today is an orientation day to settle in and walk the narrow lanes and back streets of medieval Sorrento. We can head down to the Marina for a swim or a stroll. Later we can learn the secrets of Limoncello, the local après dinner drink made from citrus and known throughout Italy and the world as a post meal digestive. We can dine in the main piazza tonight to get a stronger feel for the warmer climes of the region Day 3 - Sorrento (Isle of Capri day trip) Despite its popularity, Capri has not lost its allure and charm. For centuries travellers have sought out its sandy shores. There are breathtaking caves including the fabled Blue Grotto and picturesque streets running through its small towns and villages. Explore the town of Capri high up on the hills overlooking the stunning ocean and pop in to visit the fabled Villa San Michele. We board a return boat to Sorrento after a full day on this gem of the Mediterranean Day 4 - Sorrento (Pompeii day trip) The name says it all. On that fateful day in 70 AD when the town was completely engulfed in lava from the
explosion of Mount Vesuvius, a complete record of Ancient Roman life was frozen in time for the ages. Stroll the colonnades and visit the bars, bakeries and indeed the brothels of ancient Roman civilisation. Much has been uncovered but there is still more being found regularly. We return by train in the afternoon to our base in Sorrento Day 5 - Sorrento (Positano day trip) A short boat journey to Positano, possibly the most beautiful of the coastal towns. Quaint little shops and lovely small houses abound throughout this tiny Mediterranean community. Here is truly the haunt of the rich and famous. Shopping here is the ultimate in decadence. Plenty of time for a swim in the lovely coves and beaches or sipping a drink under the sun. Our late afternoon boat is difficult to board but our base in Sorrento feels like home after our wonderful day at the beach Day 6 - Sorrento to Rome We catch our morning train via Napoli to the eternal city of Rome. We arrive in time for a fascinating walking tour of this astounding city. On this leisurely stroll we plan to visit the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and finish in the lovely Piazza Navona. There are few settings in the world to match our dinner in the centre of this city that constantly amazes even the most frequent visitor Day 7 - Rome This morning we catch an early metro train over to the Vatican City. Here we plan to visit the incomparable Sistine Chapel to marvel at the work of Michelangelo and other renowned artists. We also have time to enjoy the imposing St Peter’s cathedral which exudes history and art of the finest calibre. The afternoon is free to explore more of Rome.
Our final meal together is shared in the cobbled backstreets of Rome at our favourite “Mama Angela’s Trattoria”. Classic food, classic Rome, classic finish to our grand journey Day 8 - Rome - Departure day - Thursday 22nd July 2010 Your are free to depart Rome today at your leisure |
|
Trip Options
| Single Travellers: | (Click here to inquire) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Accommodation: | (Click here to inquire) Single | Details |
| (Click here to inquire) Double |
Family tour group size is generally higher than 12 depending on location and adult/child ratios. For this tour we will take as many as 25 travellers as there is limited travel between destinations as well as independent living arrangements for the majority of the tour