Sapphire blue waters and the charms of the best resorts in Italy await you in its incomparable northwest. The scenery here is breathtaking, the weather sensational, the culture rich and the food divine. In Piedmont, Liguria and Lake Como, you’ll find history and romance, delicacy and grandeur. You’re sure to find a great time in Italy – and you might just find a new part of yourself.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Turin - Arrival in the Cradle of Italian Liberty
You land today in the rich and vibrant northern Italy. A private driver will take you to the steps of your elegant and centrally located hotel in thrilling Turin, the first capital of modern Italy and a present-day cultural and economic hub. After dropping off your luggage and recovering from your journey, you can set out to explore Turin on your own. The incredible blend of architectural styles make for an eclectic and eye-catching walk as you make your way past the city’s best-known sights. In the evening you will meet with your tour guide, who will give you an introduction to your future adventures in this incredible region.
What's Included:
Day 2
Turin - Walking the Streets of Turin
Day 3
Turin - Around Northern Italy
Day 4
Santa Margherita Ligure - Asti, Ginazani and Rapallo
Day 5
Santa Margherita Ligure - The Magnificent Italian Riviera
Day 6
Lake Como - A Culinary Excursion and an Evening on the Lake
Day 7
Lake Como - The Splendid Resort Towns of Lake Como
Day 8
Milan - Returning Home
Trip Highlights
- Explore the inspiring city of Turin, a city that has been a hotspot of Italian industry and culture for centuries, from the regal Palazzo Madama to the incredible items on display at the Egyptian Museum of Turin
- Visit the singular cities and fascinating towns of northwest Italy, reveling in their glorious uniqueness, like arresting Asti and elegant Grinzane
- Experience the splendor of the Italian Riviera as you make your way through the five villages of Cinque Terre and revel in the sunshine off the blue waters of the Mediterranean
- Delight in the beauty and charm filling the shores of Lake Como and the spectacular resorts at Como and Bellagio
- Wander through the Egyptian Museum of Turin, the most important Egyptology museum outside of Cairo and home to the Book of the Dead
- Traverse one of the largest royal palaces on the planet at the Venaria in Venaria Reale
- Engage your inner epicure in Parma, one of Italy’s culinary gems, when sampling delicious Parmigiano-Reggiano
Detailed Description
The northwest of Italy is one of the most fascinating regions in the country, filled with history and tradition, marked by striking scenery, picturesque villages and a passion and zest for life. This 8-day tour will give you the perfect introduction to the charms of this area, taking you off the beaten path and into an Italy that the guidebooks don’t even know about.
Begin your tour in Turin, where culture and commerce continue to thrive. Turin was the 2006 host of the Winter Olympics and the first capital of modern Italy. You will have three days in the European city to discover the historic marvels of the city known as the birthplace of the Italian Republic. Your private tours will take you along the tree-lined streets and into the fascinating palaces and museums, including the Museo Egizio, the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo. Your exploration across Northern Italy will take you into the countryside to discover the fields and vineyards dotted with charming communities like Asti and Parma.
When you leave Turin, you will discover the beauty of the Italian Riviera and its true depiction of luxury for two nights. You can traverse the precariously perched communities of Cinque Terre in the heart of the Italian Riviera and relax on the cliffs overlooking the shores. You will also spend two lavish nights in the opulence of Lake Como in the eponymous town. Take your time exploring the alpine grandeur and enchanting architecture framed by the steep, forested slopes. These are the places in Italy that are calling your name, offering not the usual Italian vacation or the simple excursions to Rome or to Tuscany. These are the places that will offer a trip of a lifetime, a journey into the bosom of this bountiful and beautiful nation. These are the places that promise something different.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5921 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.
