Exploring the Italian Riviera, Lake Garda and Venice!
Dates TBD *
* Trip also available for private groups.
We have created a soul-stirring al fresco adventure in beautiful Italy, the southern European country celebrated for its enchanting blend of charming old-world ambience, dramatic scenery, exceptional fine wine and delectable cuisine.
If you would like to take a journey, one that will arouse your mind, delight your palate and romance your spirit. If you would like to get away from your life of chaos, at least for a short while, and let the beautiful colors of another culture saturate your soul…
Then this trip is made for you!
“Italy, and the spring and first love, all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.”
Bertrand Russel
“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.”
Anna Akhmatova
“A man who has not been to Italy is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen what is expected a man should see.”
Samuel Johnson
This was my husband’s and mine first vacation in 10 years! It was just what we needed, we appreciated the blend of alone time as well as spending time with the others in the group. We loved all of the chosen hotels and the freedom we felt while walking this sacred path.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Italy!
Arrive in Genoa, Italy’s largest seaport, and the gateway to the Italian Riviera.
After checking into our hotel, we meet for dinner, dining on local specialties, while meeting our fellow travelers.
“Open my heart and you will see graved inside of it, Italy.”
Robert Browning
Day 2
After breakfast, we take a short train ride, which takes us to Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming seaside resort with a lively harbor, a historic castle, and many great restaurants.
After a short tour we head to Portofino for lunch! Options to get to Portofino are a nice 4 mile walk or a 15 minute ferry ride.
Portofino is a beautiful village, considered by many as one of the eight wonders of the world. A favorite spot for jetsetters as you will see by the many yachts in the harbor. We meet and have lunch and all afternoon to explore this beautiful village. Back to SML for the night.
“Travel is more than the seeing of sites; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
Miriam Beard
Day 3
Another day to explore SML. Some options are to take a hike of which there are many in the area, cruise on a ferry or take a short train ride to one of the nearby charming towns of Rapallo and Camogli.
Or simply relax and soak it all in!
“Open my heart and you will see graved inside of it, ‘Italy’.”
Robert Browning
Day 4
An early start, and a short train ride takes us to our destination for three nights, La Spezia, another port city on the Mediterranean Sea. La Spezia is considered the gateway to the Cinque Terre, the famous chain of five picturesque seaside villages. After arrival, we will take a boat ride to see the Cinque Terre from the sea, a very scenic way to get our first glimpses.
“In Italy, they add work and life onto food and wine.”
Robin Leach
Day 5
Explore the Cinque Terre! There are many hikes, and trails that connect the five villages. There’s also a train that runs every 15 minutes which you can hop on and off at each village. The day is yours to explore. Included today is your two day Cinque Terre train ticket. Lunch and dinner is on your own with many delicious choices.
“I understood at a very early age that in nature, I felt everything I should feel in church but never did. Walking in the woods, I felt in touch with the universe and with the spirit of the universe.”
Alice Walker
Day 6
Another day to roam the area, Lerici, Monesteroli, Levanto and Portovenere are all excellent and beautiful choices to hike, walk, dine and enjoy the beauty!
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge you are never alone.”
Audrey Hepburn
Day 7
Today we have an early start with a private transfer to Lake Garda, the largest, and said to be the most beautiful of all of the Italian lakes, with calm blue waters and views of the Swiss Alps.
Arriving, we will have a wonderful lunch, followed by a walking and boat tour of the area.
“All of Italy is tattered, achingly lovely, and like an enchantress, she disarms me, making off with the very breath of me.”
Marlena De Blasi
Day 8
A day to peruse the area. Some options today are hiking, serene walking around the lake, and simply relaxing and soaking in the stunning scenery. A must visit is Sirmione, a picturesque town with a castle jutting out over the lake.
Lunch and dinner on your own today and this evening.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
Day 9
A private transfer takes us to our final destination, Venice! We have two days to wander, walk and cruise the canals. It is said one of the best ways to see Venice is to wander the streets and get lost! You never know what awaits you. We start with a walking tour with a local guide and lunch. The afternoon is yours to rest or take a gondola ride.
“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.”
Raymond Inmam
Day 10
Another day to explore Venice on foot or by boat. A tour of Murano and Burano Islands is a good choice. We have our final dinner this evening.
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.”
Hans Christian Andersen
Day 11
After breakfast we say farewell. Fly out of Venice.
“People don’t take trips. Trips take people.”
John Steinbeck
What’s Included
- 10 nights accommodations, and 3 and 4 star hotels
- All breakfasts
- Three dinners and three lunches
- All ground transport
- The tours listed above
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airports
- Meals and beverages not listed above
- Personal items
- Activities and in excursions not listed above
- Travel insurance
Price
Costs listed in USD.
$4,350 by credit card
$4,200 by cash or check
Single Supplement
$1,050 by credit card
$975 by cash or check
A $500 deposit is required to secure your space. This deposit is non-refundable unless you or we can fill your spot. In this event, 75% will be refunded. Or it can be applied 1 time to another trip with Winn Journeys.
Payment plans are available. After the $500 deposit, payment must be made in three payments with final payment due 60 days ahead of the trip.
Cancellation Fees
46-60 days prior to trip: 50% of the trip price will be refunded
31-45 days prior to trip: 25% of the trip price will be refunded
0-30 days prior to trip: no refund
Due to any unforeseen circumstances, Winn Journeys has the right to change the listed itinerary. If a substitution is needed, we will always substitute with something equal or better.
Travel insurance is highly recommended, we use Allianz.
Roommates
We will be happy to work with you to find a suitable roommate for those who are traveling alone and would like to share a room. Per our Terms and Conditions, registration for the tour will be held open until 30 days before the departure date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement.
Responsibility Clause
Winn Journeys acts as a tour operator. The suppliers providing transportation, sightseeing arrangements and hotel accommodations for the tour program are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of Winn Journeys. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by suppliers. By utilizing the service of the suppliers, you agree that Winn Journeys will not be liable for any change in schedule, strikes, delay, acts of governments, fires, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantine, medical or customs regulations, accident, loss, injury, or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence or conditions beyond its control, including defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, thefts, delay or cancellation of or changes in itinerary for any act, omission, or event during our time together.
Winn Journeys and suppliers contracted for services reserve the right to refuse to accept or retain any person whose behavior is deemed likely to affect the smooth operations of a tour or adversely affect the enjoyment or safety of other passengers. Winn Journeys shall be under no liability to any such person for refund, compensation, repatriation or any other matters arising. Winn Journeys is not responsible for circumstances beyond its control. Trip cancellations resulting from the inability for trip to depart as scheduled, such as cancellations due to acts of war and/or terrorism, war, God, or nature.
Tour Cancellation By Operator: Be clearly advised that from time to time a tour departure may be canceled due to lack of participation. In such a case, the operator’s sole responsibility is to provide a full refund.
Praise!
See what others are saying about journeys with Jennifer…
We loved every minute of our Camino with Winn Journeys and Jennifer. It was well organized and one of the best things we have ever done together as a couple. We have already highly recommended this to many of our friends and we can’t wait to go back and do another Camino!