NORTHERN ITALY UNVEILED

Settling into the Italian Alps

Upon arrival at the airport and after clearing customs and baggage claim, your private chauffeur will greet you in the arrivals hall to transfer you in style to your luxury accommodation. Take the rest of the day to unwind and settle into the warm, authentic traditions of the Aosta Valley, surrounded by the dramatic natural beauty of the Italian Alps.

Peaks, Vistas & High-Altitude Dining

After breakfast, set out for Val Ferret for an exhilarating guided trek. The trail offers breathtaking vistas of the Mont Blanc massif and the iconic Grandes Jorasses. Return to Courmayeur—a charming Alpine town rich in character—to stroll along the elegant Via Roma.
Board the futuristic Skyway Monte Bianco cable car to reach its highest station, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Take in sweeping 360-degree views, savor an authentic Valdostan lunch in a high-altitude setting, and finish your day with fine dining at an acclaimed local restaurant.

Glacial Amphitheaters & Ancient Roman Heritage

Begin your day in Valnontey, a picturesque hamlet tucked away in Italy’s oldest national park, Gran Paradiso. Walk past traditional stone-and-wood chalets and follow a scenic trail toward Valmianaz, pausing to admire the delicate ecosystem of the Prà Suppiaz peat bog. Continuing along the path, you'll reach the spectacular glacial amphitheater of Valnontey and Pont de l'Erfaulet.
Enjoy a rustic picnic featuring regional Valdostani specialties before traveling to Aosta. Known as the "Rome of the Alps," this historic frontier town is rich in Roman ruins and medieval heritage. Conclude the day with a gourmet dinner.

Mining Trails & Tailored Culinary Arts

Spend the morning exploring the historic mining trails of La Thuile, where old rail tracks, mine entrances, and stone shelters tell the story of the region’s industrial past.
In the afternoon, tailor your day with your choice of an immersive Italian cooking class, an plein-air painting workshop, or an exclusive wine tasting experience. Cap off the evening with a fine dining meal.

Lakeside Quietude & A Night Inside the Fortress

Journey to Chamois, the highest municipality in the Aosta Valley and one of Italy’s most peaceful villages. Accessible only by cable car, this completely car-free sanctuary has preserved its authentic stone-and-wood charm. Walk along quiet paths to pristine Lake Lod, where you will enjoy a relaxed lakeside picnic.
In the afternoon, descend to Fort Bard, a formidable 19th-century military fortress that historically guarded the pass between France and Italy. Step into history as you explore its ramparts, then spend a unique night staying inside the fortress walls in the restored old garrison quarters.

Fairy-Tale Estates & Alpine Pilgrimages

Visit Gressoney-Saint-Jean to tour Castel Savoia, a 19th-century fairy-tale villa built for Queen Margherita of Savoy. Admire its eclectic architecture, carved wooden ceilings, and sweeping views of the Lyskamm Glacier and Monte Rosa.
Bid farewell to the Aosta Valley as you head toward Piedmont to visit the Oropa Sanctuary, the largest Marian shrine in the Alps. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop, this sacred site offers a peaceful retreat. Wander through its grand arcaded galleries before retiring to your room located within the sanctuary complex itself.

Ancient Footsteps & Baroque Elegance

Early risers may join optional morning prayers in the Old Basilica. After breakfast, take a guided tour of Oropa’s artistic treasures, including the 13th-century wooden statue of the Black Madonna.
Trace part of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route through farmland, woodlands, and historic villages. By late afternoon, arrive in Turin, Piedmont's elegant capital—famous for royal architecture, the invention of espresso machines, and world-class chocolates. Enjoy dinner at a fine dining restaurant.

Opulent Living & Savoy Treasures

Begin your morning at a historic café in Piazza San Carlo, enjoying a classic Italian coffee amidst opulent gold leaf, marble, and velvet decor. Take a guided walking tour through the Quadrilatero Romano, marveling at Roman ruins, medieval towers, and Baroque architecture.
Explore Porta Palazzo (Europe’s largest open-air food market), the Church of La Consolata, and the Turin Duomo. Continue across Piazza Castello to the Royal Palace of Savoy, visiting the Royal Armory and the masterwork Scala delle Forbici. Finish with panoramic views over the city from the top of the Mole Antonelliana before dinner.

Literary Abbeys & Quaint Countryside Museums

Depart early for the Sacra di San Michele, an ancient abbey perched high on Mt. Pirchiriano that inspired Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. Discover the 12th-century Zodiac Door, the Staircase of the Dead, and the Bell'Alda Tower.
Next, tour the Royal Castle of Racconigi, exploring its grand interiors, greenhouses, and parklands famous for nesting storks. Savor lunch at a local trattoria before visiting Bra to explore two quirky gems: the Typewriter Museum and the Vintage Bicycle Museum. Transfer to your countryside hotel in the Langhe wine region.

Vineyard Trails, Modern Art & Legendary Vintages

Embark on a guided trekking trail through vineyards, hazelnut groves, and countryside estates. Learn about sustainable winemaking from renowned producers like the Ceretto family.
Visit La Morra for sweeping balcony views over the UNESCO-designated Langhe landscape. Stop by the iconic Big Red Bench and the vibrant, rainbow-colored Barolo Chapel, redesigned in 1999 by artists Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett.
After a traditional lunch, visit the immersive Wine Museum (WiMu) inside Barolo Castle to explore the history of Italy's most celebrated wine.
Optional Experience: End your afternoon with a breathtaking sunset hot-air balloon flight over the rolling vineyards of the Langhe.

Subterranean Vaults & Hemingway’s Lakefront Haunts

Discover the Underground Cathedrals of Canelli—a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of miles of subterranean tuff-stone cellars where sparkling wines mature. Enjoy a guided tasting of prestigious local vintages.
Continue to Neive, officially recognized as one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages, for lunch and a leisurely walk. In the afternoon, head to the shores of Lake Maggiore. Savor a classic cocktail at the famous bar where Ernest Hemingway once sat, as noted in A Farewell to Arms:
"The Grand-Hôtel & des Iles Borromées was open... I sat on a high stool and ate salted almonds and potato chips. The Martini felt cool and clean."

Private Islands, Baroque Palaces & Botanical Marvels

Spend the day discovering the enchanting Borromean Gulf—a landscape Gustave Flaubert once called "the most voluptuous place I have ever seen."
Board a private boat to Isola Madre to tour its botanical gardens filled with rare subtropical plants and peacocks. Next, explore the charming fishing village and narrow alleyways of Isola dei Pescatori. Finally, marvel at Isola Bella, famous for its grand Baroque palace and ten-tiered terraced gardens that resemble a fairy-tale tiara floating on the water.

Sacred Waters & The Trans-Alpine Express

Travel to Lake Orta, widely considered Italy’s most romantic lake. Stroll through the picturesque cobblestone village of Orta San Giulio and take a short boat ride to San Giulio Island to walk the serene "Path of Silence and Meditation."
After lunch, travel to Domodossola to board the iconic Centovalli Express. Sit back as this scenic slow-train journey takes you across 83 bridges, through 31 tunnels, and across deep gorges, wild mountains, and waterfalls between Italy and Switzerland.

Lakeside Mornings & Private Transfers

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast overlooking Lake Maggiore before your private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.