Best of Italy in Autumn: 14-Day Romantic Tour

From this vantage point, your destination for today is not more than a few hundred yards away. The Borromean Islands are a series of diminutive specks of land that make up some of the only islands in the entire lake. As Italian wealth grew during the Renaissance period, elites constructed villas and palaces here that are still seen today. No better example of this wealth can be found then at Isola Bella and its magnificent Baroque estate. You can even visit the chamber where Napoleon, also known as the little corporal, found tranquility and comfort on a visit in 1797.

To best take in the views before your departure from Stresa, a spot in the sun is recommended as you enjoy a final espresso or croissant from the doting hotel staff. Meeting you at the curb, a private driver will guide you from this lakeside retreat down to the lowlands of this picturesque region. Your destination will be the capital of Italian car making and the Piedmont region, Turin. Your driver will expertly guide you through the narrow streets to the city center and the doorstep of your luxury hotel. From here, a short walk is all that separates you from many of the attractions of this breathtaking city.

After you’ve had a chance to relax, settle in, and explore your immediate neighborhood, your adventure in Turin will take a turn for the tasty. Autumn in the region of Piedmont is known for its colorful festivals and charming villages that are all centered around a particular type of mushroom found in the fertile ground of this region. After breakfast, you will embark on a day trip to the neighboring community of Alba. The soil surrounding Turin is rich in nutrients and the perfect environment for the famous white truffles to grow in abundance. After the short journey through the picturesque countryside and an informative orientation, you will enjoy a guided tour of Alba in search of your very own truffles.

With a little luck, you will wake up to your final day in Turin with a bag full of truffles. Today, you will explore the impressive and regal history of the royal families that called Turin home throughout the centuries. After breakfast, you will meet your guide for a historically-based tour. Walking past numerous examples of neoclassical and contemporary architecture, you will make your way to the Palazzo Reale, or Royal Palace for the House of Savoy. Your tour will also include access to the Museum of Antiquity, which presents an array of Roman and Greek archaeological finds. At the end of the tour, your guide will answer any last-minute questions you have before giving you the afternoon to spend at your leisure.

Finally, the day has come for your transfer to Florence. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city center. Luckily for you, Florence in November is a sight that is seldom seen by most high season travelers, and you will have few crowds to distract you from this incredible city. After settling into your luxury accommodation, a veritable kaleidoscope of activities await you. From museums to cooking classes, your first evening in the jewel of Tuscany is yours to spend however you like.

Easily the most prominent figure on the city skyline is the Il Duomo, which is the massive dome that sits on the Cathedral of Florence. At the entrance to the cathedral, your guide will greet you and provide you with an orientation of the various sights and features. After exploring the interior, you will make your way through narrow passageways to the piercing sunlight of the top of the dome. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the red-tiled roofs that surround you before returning to the ground level.

A trip to Tuscany would not be complete without enjoying the tasty product of the vineyards from the surrounding hillsides. The viticulture practiced here dates back to pre-Roman times, and the improvement of techniques and methods are evident in the many wine types that can be found. Your guide through the history of this winemaking region will meet you at your hotel. Together, you will embark on a day trip to the hilltop community of Montepulciano. Here, you will be able to meet with vineyard experts, enjoy a tour of an operating wine cave, and survey the views of the surrounding countryside.

Easily one of Florence’s biggest claims to fame is its status as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Nowhere is this artistic heritage more evident than at the Uffizi Gallery. This impressive art collection boasts renowned artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Michelangelo. In August, it is not uncommon to wait in line for hours, but during your visit in November, the crowds will be much more manageable. As you walk past Florentine paintings and Renaissance sculptures, the true talent of these experts will come to life.

After breakfast, you will retrace your steps to the conveniently located train station. Here, you will board your first-class coach and continue your journey to the legendary capital of Italy. After arriving at Rome’s Termini train station, a private driver will transfer you to your accommodation. Within strolling distance from your hotel are the fabled Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Colosseum, and a variety of other noteworthy attractions. Whether you want to kick your feet up with an aperitif at a local café or enjoy a jaunt around your new surroundings, there will be plenty to see and do in the Eternal City.

Along with comfortable weather and a decrease in crowds, a November arrival to Rome will have overlap with the annual Roman Jazz Festival. Performances are held in an amphitheater, and over the years, this celebration of all things jazz has included performances by Miles Davis, BB King, and other master musicians. As you plan your time around visiting the many attractions presented by Rome, consider attending a Jazz show.

Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic Church as well as the smallest sovereign state in the world. A short drive from your hotel will lead you to the gates of this impressive city. The arms of the church will embrace you upon entrance to St. Peter’s Square, and here, you will be met by your private guide. Your guide will first escort you through the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica before venturing on to the numerous paintings, frescoes, and tapestries of the Vatican Museum. Your tour will conclude at the famous Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo spent months decorating the ceiling with Biblical images.

Your final full day in Rome will take a turn for the ancient as you descend into the city’s Republican and Imperial past. You will indulge in a tour of this nebulous world of myth and fact during a tour of the Roman Colosseum and the Forum. Meeting you at the entrance to these sights, your guide will walk you through the fascinating and violent history of the Flavian amphitheater before you descend into the ruins of ancient Rome. At one stretch of steps, you can still see the indentations where Roman children played an ancient game.

This morning, you will depart this memorable country fully satisfied with the experiences you encountered. After enjoying a final sip of espresso and a chat with the friendly barista, you will be met at your hotel by private transfer to the nearby international airport.