Village Italy in 14 Days Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Italy

Our tour begins in elegant Padua (Padova), with easy bus and train connections from Venice's Marco Polo Airport. We'll gather at our hotel at 5 p.m. for a group meeting. Then we'll take a neighborhood orientation walk together and get acquainted with one another over dinner. Sleep in Padua (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: All Day to Discover Padua

We'll hit the ground walking this morning, with a tour of Padua and its colorful market squares and piazzas. Along the way, we'll gape at Giotto's glorious frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, and learn how our inner workings were revealed at Europe's first great Anatomy Theater. You'll have rest of the day to marvel at the Renaissance masterpieces in St. Anthony's Basilica, roam through the university's acclaimed Botanic Garden, or relax with a creamy espresso at a sidewalk café. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 3: Ravenna and Hill Town Montone

We'll drive to nearby Ravenna this morning for a tour of the brilliantly preserved mosaics in Ravenna's Byzantine San Vitale Basilica and Galla Placidia Mausoleum. After lunch we'll climb up into the Umbria region to the untouristed little hill town of Montone. The rest of your afternoon is free for wandering through this rustic stone village; then we'll share a feast of countryside specialties at our hotel in Montone, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 4: Assisi and Truffles

This morning we'll take a short drive to St. Francis' hometown of Assisi, where we'll tour the magnificent art-filled Basilica. Afterward, we'll take a walking tour through the town, and have free time for lunch. We'll spend the late afternoon with a local farmer and his specially-trained dog, hunting for one of the area's specialties: the truffle. We'll stay on the farm for a while, joining the family for a hearty, home-cooked dinner (including the truffles). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 5: Deruta and Orvieto

We'll drive through the peacefully green Umbrian landscape today. Our first stop will be in Deruta for a pottery-making demonstration at a family workshop. Then we'll drive off the beaten path to a rural, family-owned winery for a refreshing wine tasting and lunch. We'll finish our afternoon high atop the nearby hill town of Orvieto, where we'll marvel at the town's dramatic cathedral, including Signorelli's amazing frescoes in the San Brizio Chapel. Sleep in Orvieto (2 nights). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 6: Umbrian Hill Towns

It's market day in Orvieto! You'll have a free morning to dive into this busy, colorful once-a-week market and discover more of Orvieto's friendly charms. In the afternoon, we'll drive down the road and then hike up to the ultimate back door hill town, Civita di Bagnoregio. You'll have free time to revel in the traffic-free alleyways, astounding views and hidden treasures that make this village so special. Then it's back to Orvieto for a free evening. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 7: Heart of Tuscany

We'll meander north into rural Tuscany today, stopping to visit the fascinating Etruscan Museum at Chianciano, where we'll learn about this mysterious pre-Roman civilization. Before we bite into today's lunch, we'll see how it's made, as our chef gives us a special hands-on Tuscan cooking lesson. Sufficiently fed, we'll end the day at our Tuscan country hotel, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 8: Tranquil Tuscany

Enjoy a free morning to sleep in, hike along the farm paths, take pictures, or simply relax by the pool at our country hotel. This afternoon we'll head out to your guide's favorite "famous" hill town (go ahead, guess away) with plenty of time for discoveries and dinner on your own. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 9: Hill Towns and Lucca

Today your guide and driver will take you along the less-traveled scenic route through Tuscany, with stops to wander through timeless hill towns with pristine views. We'll stop along the way at an olive oil mill, where we'll learn about and sample one of Italy's extra-virgin exports. Our day ends in the engaging and prosperous town of Lucca, where your guide will rent bikes for the entire gang, and we'll go cycling along the town's scenic, well-preserved ramparts. Sleep in Lucca (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 10: Lovely Lucca and Lively Pisa

This morning we'll take a walking tour of Lucca's elegant pedestrian streets, historic churches and reminders of the Romans, all surrounded by some of Italy's most impressive walls. This afternoon we'll venture to nearby Pisa, home to the famous leaning tower. We'll explore the quieter city, full of architectural heritage, before arriving at the grand monuments of the "Field of Miracles." The evening is free back in Lucca to enjoy more of its ramparts, stroll along the Via Fillungo, and find a local trattoria for dinner. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 11: Carrara's Marble and the Riviera

We'll continue north today, pausing to marvel at the marble with a local expert at Carrara's snow-white quarries, the favorite of Renaissance sculptors. Then we will take to the sea (weather permitting) and enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Ligurian Coast, past the wave-washed harbors and hill-hugging villages of the Cinque Terre. Our boat will dock in the beach town of Levanto, our home base for il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing), where we'll sleep (2 nights). Boat: 2 hrs. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 12: All Day on the Italian Riviera

You'll take a "vacation from your vacation" today in our Mediterranean getaway. You may choose to hike the cliff side paths, taking in lots of fresh air and panoramic views between Cinque Terre villages, starting with Riomaggiore's Via dell'Amore. Or pick a village where you can spend your day exploring the stairways and alleyways, sunning yourself on the rocks, or sipping cappuccino and catching up on your journal at an outdoor café. We'll regroup tonight to share a family-prepared seafood feast in Levanto. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 13: Lago d'Orta

We'll make a beeline to Orta San Giulio on the shores of Lake Orta, arriving with plenty of time to stroll its cobbled lanes and medieval square, and take a scenic sail out to little Isola San Giulio. Tonight we'll enjoy an arrivederci dinner together, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Saluté! Sleep in Orta San Giulio (1 night). Boat: 1 hr. Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

Milan's closest airport, Malpensa, is 60-90 minutes away by taxi or bus. Your guide will help coordinate affordable transportation to Malpensa, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Grazie e ciao!