Treasures of Northwestern Italy - WAITLIST ONLY!

Sold out! Please email dartmouth.alumni.travel@dartmouth.edu to join the waitlist.

Set off on a wonderful, seven-night journey that pairs Italy’s beautiful Piedmont region with its breathtaking coastline along the Ligurian Sea. It’s a winning combination of scenic splendor, historical riches and delicious food and wine! Enjoy three nights in Turin, Piedmont’s elegant capital, and four nights in Sestri Levante, known for its lovely bayside scenery and laid-back vibe. Tour the sumptuous Royal Palace of Turin and head out into the stunning, vineyard-lined Langhe landscape, where Piedmont’s renowned wines are produced, for visits to small towns and a winery lunch and tasting. Admire Genoa and enjoy outings around the spectacular Italian Riviera, including picturesque Cinque Terre National Park and Portofino! 

Event Itinerary

Day 1: Depart for Turin, Italy

• Depart from your gateway city on overnight flights to Turin

Day 2: Arrive in Turin

• Transfer to Turin Palace Hotel
• Welcome reception and dinner

Day 3: Turin

• Guided walk through Turin
• Sample bicerin, Turin's signature layered espresso, chocolate, and frothed milk drink, at the historic Caffè San Carlo
• Guided tour of the Royal Palace of Turin, a UNESCO-listed Savoy residence
• Visit the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and the baroque Chapel of the Holy Shroud
• Free evening

Day 4: Alba / Grinzane Cavour / Barolo

• Enter the UNESCO-listed Langhe-Roero wine country
• Walking tour of Alba, the Langhe's largest town, famed for white truffles, acclaimed wines, and as the birthplace of Ferrero Rocher and Nutella
• Visit the hilltop Castle of Grinzane Cavour
• Wine tasting and regional lunch at a premier Barolo estate
• Free evening

Day 5: Genoa / Sestri Levante

• Walking tour through Genoa's medieval old town, including the UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi
• See the Christopher Columbus House and Cathedral of San Lorenzo
• Guided visit to the 14th-century Palazzo Ducale
• Continue to the seaside town of Sestri Levante, with enchanting views over the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales

Day 6: Sestri Levante

• Guided walk through Sestri Levante's charming old town
• Hands-on Italian cooking lesson: make traditional pesto alla Genovese and watch a chef demonstrate focaccia techniques
• Free afternoon and evening

Day 7: Porto Venere / Cinque Terre National Park

• Guided walk through Porto Venere
• Explore Manarola, one of the five pastel-hued Cinque Terre villages clinging to dramatic coastal cliffs
• Scenic coastal cruise past Corniglia and Vernazza
• Waterfront lunch
• Return to Sestri Levante by train; free evening

Day 8: Santa Margherita / Portofino

• Coastal drive to Santa Margherita
• Boat cruise to chic Portofino
• Free time to explore Portofino's waterfront promenade and boutiques
• Farewell reception and dinner

Day 9: Depart for Home

• After breakfast, transfer to Genoa Airport for return flights home