B | L | R | D denotes included breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners.
Day 1 | Depart gateway city
AHI FlexAir passengers depart for Turin, Italy. Please check your luggage from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: TRN.
Day 2 | Turin, Italy
Turin Palace Hotel
R | D
Arrive at Turin-Caselle Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for the group arrival transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer should exit the baggage claim area and proceed to the designated meeting spot, where an AHI Travel representative will meet you. The meeting location will be provided with your final documents.
Transfer to the Turin Palace Hotel, centrally located in the city center. Please note, if you arrive before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.
This evening, join the members of your group and your Travel Director in the hotel’s dining room for the Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Day 3 | Turin
Turin Palace Hotel
B | L
Throughout your journey, start each day with a delicious breakfast buffet at your hotel.
This morning, enjoy an introduction to the history of Piedmont and its grand capital of Turin, or Torino. Piedmont, or Piemonte, which translates to “at the foot of the mountain,” lies in Italy’s stunning, mountainous northwest, surrounded on three sides by the Alps and bordered by France and Switzerland as well as the Italian regions of Liguria, Lombardy and the Aosta Valley.
Enrichment: History of Piedmont & the Risorgimento (Unification of Italy). A local expert takes you through significant chapters in Piedmont’s history, including its pivotal role in the successful political and social movement for Italy’s unification in the 19th century.
Turin Tour. First inhabited by Celtic-Ligurian tribes, the area around Turin later became vital to the Romans for controlling the Alpine passes to Gaul, leading to the founding of the Roman colony, Augusta Taurinorum, the forerunner of modern Turin. Centuries later, the city would undergo its greatest transformation under the powerful dukes of the House of Savoy, who made Turin a regal showpiece with magnificent baroque architecture during their long sovereignty. Designated the capital of the Duchy of Savoy in 1563, Turin served as the first capital of unified Italy from 1861 to 1865, with Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy reigning as the first king of the independent nation.
On a guided walk around this elegant city, admire landmarks like the iconic Mole Antonelliana that rises dramatically against the backdrop of the majestic Alps. Originally conceived as a synagogue, it now houses the National Museum of Cinema. Make your way into Piazza San Carlo, fronted by stately arcaded buildings and the side-by-side baroque churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo. Stop here at Caffè San Carlo to enjoy Turin’s signature beverage, bicerin, a scrumptious, layered drink made with espresso, melted dark chocolate and frothed milk. Next, cross the Piazza Castello to the opulent Royal Palace of Turin, a UNESCO-listed Residence of the Royal House of Savoy. Take a guided tour of the lavishly decorated royal apartments and a remarkable armory containing impeccably preserved weapons, suits of armor and horse armor.
Afterward, step inside the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, and enter the baroque Chapel of the Holy Shroud. Built to house the linen cloth believed by some to be imprinted with the face of Christ, this splendid chapel was designed by Guarino Guarini, a 17th-century mathematician and architect. The intricately constructed dome featuring six levels of overlapping arches is a testament to his exceptional skills. Please note: The Shroud of Turin relic is not available for public viewing as it is rarely displayed and only at the discretion of the Pope. (Moderate)
On your way to lunch at a nearby restaurant, stop to see the impressive Porta Palatina, a Roman-era gate.
Free Time: Explore Turin on your own. For suggestions on sightseeing, dining and shopping, please consult with your Travel Director.
Day 4 | Alba | Grinzane Cavour | Barolo
Turin Palace Hotel
B | L
Alba. Today, travel from Turin into the heart of Piedmont’s Langhe-Roero landscape, a breathtaking panorama of mist-shrouded, rolling hills blanketed with verdant grape vines and dotted with medieval castles. Winegrowing and winemaking traditions run deep here with archaeological evidence of Etruscan terracotta storage jars and cultivated grape seeds from as early as the fifth century B.C. Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Langhe-Roero region produces two of Italy’s most prestigious wines, Barbaresco and Barolo, from the Nebbiolo grape, along with acclaimed wines from Barbera and Dolcetto grapes. Get acquainted with inviting Alba, the Langhe’s biggest town, known for its white truffles, sought-after wines, and its chocolate and hazelnuts (Ferrero Rocher and Nutella originated here.) Stroll with your guide along the Via Vittorio Emanuele, which stretches through the picturesque old town, and see its medieval towers and churches, such as the baroque Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. (Moderate)
Castle of Grinzane Cavour. At this beautiful hilltop castle built largely in the mid-14th century, take in marvelous views of the expansive Langhe countryside, and learn about grape growing and the historic production of Piedmontese wines at the castle’s museum. (Moderate)
Barolo Winery with Lunch. At a premier Barolo estate in the Langhe wine-producing appellation, indulge in a wine tasting and a lunch of regional cuisine. (Moderate)
Free Time: Return to Turin for time at leisure and dinner plans of your own.
Day 5 | Genoa | Sestri Levante
Hotel Vis à Vis
B | L
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart by motor coach for Genoa, Liguria’s capital city, which boasts rich seafaring traditions as one of Italy’s greatest medieval maritime republics.
Genoa. Once you arrive, get a broader perspective of the city and its bustling port, one of Italy’s busiest, from atop Spianata Castelletto, a scenic overlook. Pause afterward for lunch together at a restaurant before your walking tour through the medieval old town. On your walk, appreciate the grandeur of Via Garibaldi, lined with Renaissance and baroque palazzi that once housed Genoa’s most illustrious families, an architectural ensemble recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This collection of 42 private residences known as the Palazzi dei Rolli in the Strade Nuove, or new streets, was devised as an urban planning project in the late 16th and early 17th centuries during the peak of Genoa’s dominance in trade and banking. Under the “hospitaggio” system established at the time, the Doge, the republic’s head of state, would choose a palace and that noble family was expected to host visiting dignitaries such as popes, members of royalty and ambassadors.
Learn more about these palaces from your guide, and see other highlights including the Christopher Columbus House, believed to be the birthplace of the famed navigator, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo with its black-and-white striped façade. Finish with a guided visit at the 14th-century Palazzo Ducale, the residence of the Doges who ruled the influential Republic of Genoa. (Moderate)
Continue to Sestri Levante, a seaside jewel tucked in a curve of the Riviera di Levante along the Italian Riviera. Check in to the Hotel Vis à Vis, which offers enchanting views overlooking two serene bays, the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales.)
Free Time: After getting settled, enjoy convenient access to the town from the hotel via a private lift. Restaurants, shops and gelato are steps away from there! If you have a taste for freshly caught seafood, try some local specialties such as stuffed anchovies or spaghetti ai frutti di mare.
Day 6 | Sestri Levante
Hotel Vis à Vis
B | L
Enrichment: The Riviera di Levante: A Painter’s Palette. This alluring coastal landscape, a dramatic contrast of sea, rugged cliffs, colorful villages and intense Mediterranean light, has been a source of endless inspiration for artists. A local expert delves into these creative efforts across time.
Sestri Levante. This charming resort town has long been a favorite getaway of Italians, who’ve been enticed by its sandy beaches, vibrant dining scene and easygoing vibe. This morning, walk through the old town with your guide to see its delightful architectural gems, including façades painted with trompe l’oeil effects that create ornate, fanciful illusions, an imaginative decorative touch used throughout Liguria. (Moderate)
AHI Connects | Italian Cooking Lesson. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to combine fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese and olive oil into a true pesto alla Genovese sauce! You’ll also pick up some great tips as a local chef demonstrates techniques for the tastiest focaccia bread. Then, tuck in for lunch — buon appetito! (Moderate)
Free Time: Relax and enjoy Sestri Levante’s laid-back atmosphere. Dinner is at leisure.
Day 7 | Porto Venere | Cinque Terre National Park
Hotel Vis à Vis
B | L
Cinque Terre National Park. In a country celebrated for its scenic beauty, the coastal Cinque Terre villages stand apart for their arresting splendor. Once so remote that they were accessible only by boat or a network of mule trails, the five pastel-hued villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — hug steep cliffs and ravine slopes at the very edge of the Ligurian Sea. For centuries, residents cultivated grapes, olives and lemons in this challenging terrain by hand-building drystone wall terraces into the mountainsides. Together with Porto Venere, often considered the sixth village, the Cinque Terre communities have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Begin with a guided walk around Porto Venere, an ancient Roman seaport by the Gulf of La Spezia, also known as the Gulf of Poets for the many writers attracted to this idyllic setting, including Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and D. H. Lawrence. Continue to Manarola, set on a rocky outcrop, for a winding walk through the village down to its lively marina popular with sunbathers and swimmers. Next, marvel at the spectacular coastline from the water on a short cruise from Manarola, passing hilltop Corniglia and Vernazza. After disembarking in Vernazza, take a seat for lunch at a waterfront trattoria before returning to Sestri Levante later this afternoon by train. (Active)
Free Time: Make your own plans for dinner in Sestri Levante. As the day draws to a close, perhaps you’ll join the evening passeggiata and meander along the promenade by the shoreline.
Day 8 | Santa Margherita | Portofino
Hotel Vis à Vis
B | D
The Italian Riviera. Travel the coastal road to lovely Santa Margherita, and admire the town’s waterfront trove of fishing cottages, elegant luxury hotels and the gleaming yachts of visiting jetsetters. From there, board a boat and cruise to chic Portofino, “Port of the Dolphin.” Once a small fishing village, Portofino is now renowned as a playground for the rich and famous, filled with expensive hotels, fine seafood restaurants and boutique brands. Soak up its ambience along the waterfront promenade by the picture-perfect harbor. After some free time in Portofino, return to Santa Margherita by motor coach. Select a nice spot for lunch on your own before rejoining the group to head back to Sestri Levante. (Moderate)
Your Italian sojourn concludes with a wonderful Farewell Reception and Dinner this evening at the hotel’s Olimpo restaurant, where you can savor fabulous panoramic views over the bays.
Day 9 | Depart for gateway city
B
After breakfast, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for a group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer depart for Genoa Airport for your return flights home. Your Travel Director will provide the details.
