Tour Inclusions

12 Nights
18 Meals 12 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Hotel
Driver
Tour Leader

Italian Indulgence

13 days
Italy
Max 18 Passengers

Overview

An intoxicating mix of ancient cities and imagination-firing landscapes, Italy is a land where unforgettable experiences lie around every corner. Savour every moment of this adventure as you journey from enchanting Tuscan villages to tranquil lake-side retreats – sampling an abundance of tantalising flavours and local wines along the way.

Worth Noting…

Considering a March or November departure? Some activities may be unavailable; however, we’ll always offer an equally as memorable alternative.

Tour Starts/Ends
1 Overnight Stop
Day Stop

Tour Highlights

Learn to cook a delicious Tuscan meal in a traditional countryside villa
Join a truffle hunt with a local farmer and his dog amongst the scenic hills of Alba
Bask in the wonders of Lake Maggiore on a scenic boat tour of the Borromean Islands
Take in the exquisite scenery and opulent atmosphere of Lake Como

Gallery

Tour Itinerary

Expand Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Rome (Italy)
They say all roads lead to Rome – and that is where we’ll begin our delightful Italian adventure. After meeting the group, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: The Guardian Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Dinner
Day 2 - Rome – Assisi – Perugia
After breakfast, our route will whisk us away to awe-inspiring Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis. After getting to know the famous hilltop town a little better on an orientation tour, we’ll move on to Perugia – the medieval capital of the Umbria region. Accommodation: Hotel Fortuna (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 3 - Perugia – Siena – Rural Tuscany
Introducing Siena: a magnificent Gothic city bursting with fabulous architecture. After exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town centre with our Tour Leader, we’ll make tracks for tonight’s idyllic accommodation: a country villa hotel set amidst the rolling Tuscan countryside. For dinner this evening, we’ll come together to indulge in some superb local cuisine. Accommodation: Villa Pitiana (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 4 - Rural Tuscany
Interested in learning a few Italian culinary secrets? You’re in luck! Today our friendly hosts will help us to prepare a classic Tuscan lunch. After indulging in our creations, the afternoon will be ours to take in the panoramic countryside views or take a dip in the pool. Accommodation: Villa Pitiana (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Lunch
Day 5 - Rural Tuscany – Florence – Lucca
Today we’ll turn our attention to Florence: the birthplace of the Renaissance and home of some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces. A local guide will bring the city alive as we stroll by the likes of the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio on a walking tour. Then, as the afternoon turns to dusk, we’ll press on to lovely Lucca. Accommodation: Hotel Alla Corte degli Angeli (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 6 - Lucca – Pisa – Lucca
Prepare to see an Italian icon up close today as we pay a visit to the Campo Dei Miracoli: home to the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa. There will be plenty of time for photographing this iconic landmark and uncovering the acoustic wonders of the Baptistry of St John before returning to Lucca. This afternoon, we’ll have the chance to explore the cobblestone streets at our own pace. Accommodation: Hotel Alla Corte degli Angeli (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 7 - Lucca – Camogli and Portofino – Ligurian Riviera
It’s time to experience the glitz and glamour of the Italian Riviera! Today we’ll make stops at romantic Camogli and glittering Portofino before settling along the Ligurian Riviera. This evening, take some time to wander along the beautiful seafront– taking in the pastel-coloured houses and elegant hotels. Accommodation: Europa Hotel Design Spa 1877 (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 8 - Ligurian Riviera – Barolo – Asti – Langhe Region
Away from the coast and onwards to Barolo, in Piedmont: a region of rich red wines and luxurious cuisine. There’s a treat in store for the bon vivants among us – we’ll be visiting a local distillery near Asti to taste some local liquors. Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey to the enchanting Langhe region where we’ll enjoy some free time before a sumptuous group dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Santa Vittoria (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 9 - Langhe Region – Alba – Lake Orta – Lake Maggiore
Rise and shine – this morning we’ll venture to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Piedmont region. We’ll head out into the rolling hills of Alba to join a truffle hunt with a local farmer and his dog. Later, we’ll hit the road to the captivating Lake Orta: a tranquil retreat sitting pretty at the bottom of the imposing Monte Mottarone. Then: from one blissful Italian lake to another! Lake Maggiore will be the final stop on today’s scenic journey. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 10 - Lake Maggiore
Today we’ll leave dry land behind us and set sail for the Borromean Island: a charming collection of islets located in the western corner of the lake. Get ready to explore idyllic Isola Madre and the pretty harbour of Isola dei Pescatori. We’ll also wander around the Baroque Borromeo Palace on Isola Bella with a local guide before we return to shore. After a light lunch, we’ll have some free time to spend at our leisure. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Majestic (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Lunch
Day 11 - Lake Maggiore – Lake Como – Sondrio
After bidding a fond farewell to Lake Maggiore we will venture along the shores of stunning Lake Como. Passing lakeside villages draped in opulence, here we’ll receive a rare insight into how the rich and famous live. Continuing our journey, we’ll stop to taste some local wine before arriving at Sondrio – our home for the night. Accommodation: Grand Hotel della Posta (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 12 - Sondrio – Lake Molveno – Trento
Today we’ll shine the spotlight on one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy: the spectacular Lake Molveno – a swathe of iridescent blue that lies at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. Then, our Tour Leader will take us on a leisurely stroll around the mountain city of Trento before we settle in for tonight’s farewell dinner. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Trento (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 13 - Trento – Verona – Venice
Filled with impressive ruins and romantic hotspots, fair Verona beckons today. After taking in the city highlights on an orientation tour, we’ll board the mini-coach one last time for the journey to our show-stopping finale: the floating city of Venice.
- Meals
  - Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

Accommodation

- 12 nights in hand-picked accommodation

The Crew

- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

- Premium mini-coach transportation

Reviews

210 reviews

Reviews Rating

10th April 2025
Review rating

The tour director and driver were excellent, highly professional and knowledgeable. They went out of their way to make the trip comfortable and enjoyable. Places on the itinerary were wonderful and left us wanting more time there. The overall trip was great and having a small group approach makes it much more personal and friendly. The only thing preventing a 5 star review is some inconsistency in quality of hotels. All were clean and comfortable but quality of service and amenities was more varied than anticipated on a trip at this price point.
7th April 2025
Review rating

The tour leader did a very good job. Being fluent in both English and Italian meant that we always understood what was required of us. Our driver was excellent. He negotiated the difficult driving conditions,(narrow roads with frequent U bends) excellently. He was by far the best tour driver I have ever travelled with.
6th April 2025
Review rating

The Italian Indulgence tour with Backroads Touring was, overall, a truly memorable experience. Our tour leader was exceptional—an Italian who spent her school years in Australia, she spoke both English and Italian fluently and had an intuitive understanding of both cultures. Her commentary on landmarks, local cuisine, and daily life added real depth to the tour. Our driver was equally outstanding: cheerful, professional, and highly skilled at navigating narrow streets and tight schedules, all while handling luggage without complaint. The itinerary was rich and well-paced, covering over 2,000 km in 13 days from Rome to Venice. We enjoyed a diverse range of activities including a truffle hunt, a pasta-making class with a head chef, scenic ferry rides, and visits to castles, cathedrals, and stunning rural and coastal landscapes. Each day brought new flavors and beautiful locations, and I was genuinely sad when the tour ended. However, the reason I am giving this tour four stars instead of five is due to Backroads Touring's lack of communication. During registration, their online chat support was helpful, but persistent issues—such as our profiles showing as incomplete despite being assured they were fine—remained unresolved. More concerning was the total lack of communication after final payment. While they were quick to remind us when the balance was due, we received no further updates—not even a welcome message, itinerary confirmation, or meeting instructions. This was particularly stressful: we arrived in Rome still uncertain about when or where we were supposed to meet the group. The silence raised serious doubts and even made me question whether the tour was real, especially since the final payment deadline (60 days out) coincided with the end of the window to dispute a credit card charge. Backroads Touring delivers an exceptional tour on the ground, but the pre-trip experience needs significant improvement. A simple confirmation email in the final week with basic arrival instructions would have prevented a great deal of unnecessary stress. I would recommend the tour—but with the caveat that travelers may need to be patient and persistent in the lead-up.