Italian Treasures
May 13, 2023 - May 27, 2023
SOLD OUT!
May 13 - 27, 2023
15 Days, 14 Nights | Maximum 24 Guests
ALL NEW ITINERARY!
Experience Italy’s most charming treasures with Maritime Travel’s own Italy expert, Charline Fortier.
Past guests still rave about these small-group adventures. Visit some of our all-time favorite destinations, plus discover some lesser-known gems that rank high on Charline’s must-see list! Our new Italian Treasures tour has been enhanced and expanded to include the best of Assisi, Tuscany, Florence, Cinque Terre, and gorgeous Stresa on a beautiful Italian lake. Join Charline as she reveals some of Italy’s best-kept secrets; giving an insider’s take on her favourite trattorias, hotels, and specialty shops.
Highlights:
• Three nights in Tuscany
• Stay in an historic 19-room Tuscan villa
• Wine pairings
• Cooking class – including wine
• Private tour of Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
• Two nights in Cinque Terre
• Three nights in Stresa on Lake Maggiore
• Lots of free time of shopping & exploring
• Fun, Laughs, and Memories to last a lifetime
Includes:
• Airport transfer, meet & greet
• 14 nights hotel accommodation
• 14 breakfasts, 6 dinners with wine and 2 lunches with wine
• Land transportation by luxury motorcoach
• Services of Maritime Travel’s own escort, Charline Fortier, plus private local guides
• Lots of extras
Charline Fortier 
Our Italy Expert
This intimate, worry-free, Italian adventure is designed and hosted by our own Charline Fortier, a Maritime Travel counsellor for more than 30 years. Charline is an expert on all things Italian, and has been to Italy more than 30 times – on her own, with her wine-expert husband, and hosting groups. “I feel more at home in my beloved Italy, than I do in Canada,” she will tell you. Charline loves to share her secrets… whether it’s a favourite restaurant where she’s friends with the owners, the best little gelato shop, or the best shoe store in town. Charline speaks Italian, English and French.
"Charline was amazing as a host, very
knowledgeable and gave us lots of tips and
free time. The food and wine were
awesome.” -Past Guest
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Contact your local travel advisor for more details!
Itinerary
Friday, May 12 -
Overseas travel to Rome, Italy.
Saturday, May 13 -
Arrive at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. You will make your way to the Hilton Airport hotel which is connected to Terminal Two. After checking in to your room, you can take some time to rest, relax, and refresh after your flight. This evening we will get together to meet Charline and your travelling companions as we enjoy some light snacks and a glass of wine. D
Sunday, May 14 -
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart the
busy city of Rome and make our way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Assisi. Pilgrims have been coming to Assisi since the 13th century to venerate St Francis who was born and buried here, but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy the beauty of this postcard perfect town. Framed by the long, undulating hills of Umbria and the forests of Monte Subasio, Assisi is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world, and one of Italy’s most spellbinding gems. Welcome Dinner this evening. BD
Monday, May 15 -
Today is a free day in Assisi, explore the town, do a little shopping or just relax, but first we will enjoy a tour of the Basilica with our private guide. As Assisi was built on a hill, comfortable walking shoes are a must for today or spend the day on the hotel terrace soaking in the fabulous view of the surrounding countryside. B
Tuesday, May 16 -
This morning, after breakfast, we check out and
make our way to Tuscany, where we’ll stay for the next 3 nights. Enroute we will stop at the small Roman hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, known for its centuries-old, natural, thermal baths. There will be free time to explore. Lunch is on your own. We continue on to our main destination, Pienza, one of Italy’s prettiest hilltop towns and our home for the next 2 nights. The area is known for its delicious Pecorino Cheese. After checking into our hotel, we will visit a local farm where we will enjoy a cheese-making demonstration and a light supper with wine before returning to our hotel for the evening. BL
Wednesday, May 17 -
Today is a free day to explore the charming, medieval town of Pienza, with its lovely shops, beautiful views, and the historic Palazzo Piccolomini - birthplace of Pope Pius II. Charline will be happy to give you some suggestions of things to see and do. B
Thursday, May 18 -
Following breakfast, we depart Pienza and make
our way to our home for the next night. Our charming 19-room historic villa is located in the heart of Tuscany, near San Casciano in Val di Pesa. We’re in one of Charline’s favourite regions. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner paired with local wines. BD
Friday, May 19 -
Later this morning we will enjoy a private cooking class at our villa, and learn how to prepare some Tuscan specialties. The result will be our delicious lunch! Later, we will bid farewell to our villa hotel and head for Firenze! Upon arrival in Florence we will make a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for an amazing view of this majestic city. We will check into our centrally located hotel, our home for the next three nights. The balance of the evening will be on your own to rest and explore. Be sure to ask Charline for some suggestions for dinner! BL
Saturday, May 20 -
This morning, following breakfast at our hotel, we’ll have a private tour with a local guide to help orient you. The rest of the day is free to explore some of the popular spots, but also some off-the-beaten-path places. The day is yours for shopping. Charline will point you in the right direction and highlight some of the best places for the best prices. Leather, silk, jewelry, shoe stores, handbags, clothing – you will be overwhelmed. B
Sunday, May 21 -
You can’t possibly see and experience all that is Florence in just one day. That’s why today is yours to continue your explorations, and perhaps pick up some of the Italian treasures you you saw but didn’t purchase yesterday. This evening, Charline has a treat in store, as she takes you to one of her favorite trattorias. BD
Monday, May 22 -
Following breakfast, it’s time to say ciao to Tuscany, as we make our way to the beautiful Cinque Terre region, particularly, Levanto, our home for the next two nights. We will enjoy a welcome lunch upon arrival at our hotel. BL
Tuesday, May 23 -
Today is a completely free day. Following breakfast, you can set out on your own to explore the five famous villages of Cinque Terre, or join Charline, who will lead the way. You may also opt to visit the lovely beach located in our small village of Levanto. You can also consider a day trip to visit Portofino. Charline can help get you on your way. Today, lunch and dinner are on your own. B
Wednesday, May 24 -
Following breakfast, we say goodbye to Levanto and Cinque Terre and make our way to the lovely lakeside resort town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, just west of Milan, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, known for its Alpine splendor. B
Thursday, May 25 -
Good morning, Stresa! This is your day to explore this beautiful town, which is an absolute northern treasure. The day is free to roam the tiny streets, visit the three islands located in the middle of the spectacular lake, or to just relax at one of our hotel’s two swimming pools. B
Friday, May 26 -
After breakfast, the day is free to continue your explorations, and to perhaps soak up the incredible views from our rooftop terrace. On our last evening we will join together for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. We will raise our glasses to new friends, experiences, and memories to last a lifetime. BD
Saturday, May 27 -
After breakfast, we will say farewell to charming northern Italy and board our coach for the final leg of our journey together and make our way to the nearby Milan airport. B
B = BREAKFAST L = LUNCH D = DINNER
Terms & Conditions:*Some itinerary details are subject to change. Price is per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $2200. Cancellation Policy: Once full payment has been received, the tour is considered non-refundable. A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person required at time of booking. Deposit is fully refundable if tour does not occur. Full payment required by March 1, 2023. Minimum number of 14 persons required to guarantee departure.
Liability: Travel arrangements made by Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes are subject to the terms, conditions and tariffs set out by our suppliers. Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes will not assume liability for any refunds, losses, damage, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death, loss of, or damage to, or delay in baggage or other property, delay, inconvenience, upset, disappointment, stress, frustration, or loss of enjoyment or loss of holiday time resulting from:
(i) the act or fault or omission by any party other than by Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes or its employees;
(ii) mechanical breakdown, government action, weather, strike or any other action beyond its control;
(iii) being denied access to aircraft due to contravening the airlines conditions of carriage;
(iv) the traveller missing flight connections or departures or failing to follow instructions of tour representatives.
For your security and peace of mind, we recommend you purchase Travel Insurance.