Typically 8-12 guests, with a maximum of 16.
Italy beyond the famous postcards
A more layered Northern Italy.
Vineyard roads disappearing into misty hills. Elegant arcaded cities. Hidden Renaissance palaces, slow lunches, Barolo wines and evenings beneath lantern-lit piazzas. Italy's Secrets of the North is designed for travelers who value atmosphere, culinary culture and meaningful pacing.
From Piemonte and Turin to Parma, Mantua and Bergamo, the Journey reveals a sophisticated side of Italy that rewards curiosity and leaves room to breathe.
11 days10 hotel nights
8-12 guestsMaximum 16
4 chaptersPiemonte to Bergamo
From $8,879Per person, double occupancy
Why Now Journey
Small group by design.
The original itinerary combines thoughtful logistics with a relaxed pace: expert guiding when context matters, included signature experiences, and enough leisure time to make the places feel personal.
Character, location and service shape each hotel choice.
Private touring and local English-speaking guides where described.
Regional dinners, Barolo, Parma specialties and aperitivo moments.
Included Milan arrival transfer, luxury ground transportation and hotel city taxes.
Journey by chapters
Four stays. One unhurried story.
The route moves naturally from wine country to culinary heartland, Renaissance Mantua and Bergamo's hilltop finale.
CHAPTER 01
Piemonte & Turin
Vineyards, royal Turin and Barolo's celebrated wine roads.
Days 1-3 · 3 nightsCHAPTER 02
Parma
Italy's culinary heart, experienced through its city and signature flavors.
Days 4-5 · 2 nightsCHAPTER 03
Mantua
Renaissance heritage, the Gonzaga legacy and a lakeside aperitivo.
Days 6-7 · 2 nightsCHAPTER 04
Bergamo
Città Alta, Venetian walls and a relaxed Lombardy finale.
Days 8-11 · 3 nightsExplore the Complete Journey
The Complete Itinerary
Download the detailed 11-day guide for easy sharing, planning notes or offline review.
Chapter One
Days 1–3
Piemonte & Turin
Vineyard country, royal Turin and the celebrated wine roads of Barolo open the Journey with an elegant Northern Italian rhythm.
Days 1–3
Piemonte & Turin
Three days connect the Langhe countryside, Turin's royal elegance and a curated Barolo experience.
Day 1 · Piemonte
Arrival into Italy's Hidden North
Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and join the included group transfer into Piemonte's rolling vineyard country. Hilltop villages, winding wine roads and misty green hills set a slower Northern Italian rhythm.
After time to settle in, join the signature Discovery Walk and gather for a Piemonte Welcome Dinner featuring regional specialties, local wines and the hospitality that defines the region. Piemonte's cuisine may include handmade tajarin, agnolotti, truffles, aged cheeses and velvety Barolo.
Included today
- Milan Malpensa group arrival transfer
- Discovery Walk
- Piemonte Welcome Dinner
Where We Stay · 3 nights with breakfast
Deluxe Hotels Collection: Relais San Maurizio or similar. A restored former monastery amid the vineyards, balancing countryside serenity with access to Turin.
Day 2 · Turin
Turin & the Elegant North
Journey into one of Italy's most sophisticated and underrated cities. Once the country's first capital and home to the House of Savoy, Turin is shaped by grand boulevards, arcades, royal architecture and historic cafés.
A guided walking tour connects graceful piazzas, café-lined avenues and the grandeur of Turin's royal past. The afternoon is at leisure back in Piemonte for spa time, the countryside or a glass of wine. Dinner with the Tour Captain is optional.
Today's rhythm
- Guided Turin walk
- Royal and café culture
- Leisure afternoon
- Optional dinner
Overnight
Continue at Relais San Maurizio or a comparable Deluxe property in Piemonte.
Day 3 · Langhe & Barolo
The Wine Roads of Piemonte
Immerse yourself in the Langhe, where vineyard hills, medieval castles and storybook villages form one of Italy's most celebrated culinary landscapes. The day follows the Barolo region and the home of the wine known as the King of Wines.
A Now Journey exclusive brings a curated Barolo tasting overlooking the vineyards, pairing exceptional wines with local morsels and regional flavors. Dinner with the Tour Captain is optional.
Included today
- Scenic Langhe touring
- Barolo wine experience
- Regional food pairings
Overnight
Final night at Relais San Maurizio or a comparable Piemonte property, with breakfast.
Chapter Two
Days 4–5
Parma
Italy's culinary heart is experienced through its graceful center, artisan traditions and signature regional flavors.
Days 4–5
Parma
Two days pair Parma's refined streets and piazzas with the food culture that has made Emilia-Romagna celebrated around the world.
Day 4 · Parma
The Wine Road to Parma
Travel through scenic countryside as Piemonte's vineyard hills give way to Emilia-Romagna's agricultural heartland. Settle into central Parma, close to refined streets, lively piazzas and the city's celebrated culinary culture.
A late-afternoon Discovery Walk leads through the graceful historic center before an included Parma Welcome Dinner at a beloved local restaurant, introducing Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and the region's extraordinary cuisine.
Included today
- Luxury ground transportation
- Parma Discovery Walk
- Parma Welcome Dinner
Where We Stay · 2 nights with breakfast
Deluxe Hotels Collection: Grand Hotel di Parma or similar, selected for classic elegance, modern comfort and access to the historic center.
Day 5 · Parma
Food, Culture & Italian Life
Explore Parma's elegant piazzas, ochre façades and arcaded streets while discovering why food here is inseparable from culture and everyday life. Historic alimentari and artisan boutiques reveal Parmigiano Reggiano at different stages of aging, delicate Prosciutto di Parma, focaccia, regional wines and other specialties.
The curated tasting may also introduce handmade pasta, balsamic delicacies, artisan chocolates and gourmet shops. The afternoon is at leisure for cafés, aperitivo, boutiques or independent discovery. Dinner with the Tour Captain is optional.
Included today
- Guided culinary discovery
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Prosciutto di Parma
- Regional wine and morsels
Overnight
Second night at Grand Hotel di Parma or a comparable Deluxe property, with breakfast.
Chapter Three
Days 6–7
Mantua
Renaissance heritage, the Gonzaga legacy and a lakeside aperitivo reveal a quieter city largely untouched by mass tourism.
Days 6–7
Mantua
Two unhurried days explore Mantua's palaces, piazzas, arcades and enduring Renaissance atmosphere.
Day 6 · Mantua
Arrival in Mantua
Continue east to a Renaissance city surrounded by lakes and largely untouched by mass tourism. Quiet piazzas, noble palaces, frescoed halls and weathered arcades preserve Mantua's authentic, unhurried character.
After hotel check-in, a Discovery Walk introduces the historic center and the legacy of the Gonzaga family. The evening brings an included Lombardy Welcome Dinner with regional specialties and wines.
Included today
- Scenic transfer
- Mantua Discovery Walk
- Lombardy Welcome Dinner
Where We Stay · 2 nights with breakfast
Deluxe Hotels Collection: Grand Hotel San Lorenzo or similar, a refined base in the historic center blending modern comfort with Renaissance atmosphere.
Day 7 · Mantua
Mantua & the Renaissance
Discover the artistic and cultural legacy created under the Gonzaga family. Piazzas, hidden courtyards, elegant arcades and traces of Giulio Romano reveal how this compact city became one of Renaissance Italy's great centers.
The afternoon is free for a literary café, Palazzo Ducale or quiet wandering. At evening, gather for a Now Journey exclusive lakeside aperitivo with regional wines and small local specialties. Dinner is optional.
Included today
- Gonzaga and Renaissance exploration
- Leisure afternoon
- Lakeside aperitivo
Overnight
Second night at Grand Hotel San Lorenzo or a comparable Mantua property, with breakfast.
Chapter Four
Days 8–11
Bergamo
Città Alta, Venetian walls and sweeping Lombardy views create a relaxed hilltop finale to the Journey.
Days 8–11
Bergamo
The final chapter balances guided discovery, leisure, aperitivo and a farewell dinner above the Lombardy plains.
Day 8 · Bergamo
To Bergamo
Arrive in one of Northern Italy's true hidden gems, known for its beautifully preserved Upper City, Venetian walls and sweeping Lombardy views.
After hotel check-in, join a Discovery Walk through the enchanting Città Alta. As evening light settles across the hills and stone bell towers begin to glow, gather for an included Bergamo Welcome Dinner.
Included today
- Transfer to Bergamo
- Città Alta Discovery Walk
- Bergamo Welcome Dinner
Where We Stay · 3 nights with breakfast
Deluxe Hotels Collection: Relais San Vigilio or similar, a hillside retreat chosen for historic character, quiet elegance and sweeping views.
Day 9 · Bergamo
Discovering the Upper City
Ascend by funicular into Bergamo's medieval heart. Within the UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, narrow lanes, stone archways, hidden piazzas and cafés reveal centuries of Venetian and Lombard influence.
The day explains why Bergamo has become a favorite insider destination: refined without pretension and cinematic without crowds. At sunset, enjoy an included aperitivo overlooking rooftops and the Lombardy plains. Dinner is optional.
Included today
- Funicular ascent
- Upper City exploration
- Sunset aperitivo
Overnight
Continue at Relais San Vigilio or a comparable Bergamo property, with breakfast.
Day 10 · Bergamo
Leisure in Lombardy
Your final full day is open for the Upper City, long lunches, boutique shopping or cafés tucked into hidden corners. The unstructured time is an intentional part of the Journey's slow-travel rhythm.
In the evening, gather one final time for the included Special Journey Farewell Dinner, celebrating the stories, friendships and discoveries shared across Northern Italy.
Included today
- Full leisure day
- Special Journey Farewell Dinner
Overnight
Final night at Relais San Vigilio or a comparable Bergamo property, with breakfast.
Day 11 · Departure
Arrivederci, Northern Italy
The Journey concludes this morning after breakfast. An optional departure transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) can be requested and should be confirmed with your Journey Designer.
You leave with more than memories: the feeling of having experienced a quieter, richer and more intimate side of Italy that many travelers never see.
Planning note
- Optional Malpensa departure transfer
- Confirm flight timing before arranging transportation
Journey concludes
No hotel is included after checkout. Additional nights and extensions can be planned separately.
Where we stay
Four character-rich bases.
The itinerary currently presents a Deluxe Hotels Collection. Exact properties are confirmed for each departure and may be replaced by a comparable hotel.
Relais San Maurizio or similar
A restored former monastery amid vineyard country, selected for understated luxury, historic character and a peaceful setting within reach of Turin.
Grand Hotel di Parma or similar
Classic elegance and modern comfort with a position that supports easy exploration of the historic center and Emilia-Romagna's culinary treasures.
Grand Hotel San Lorenzo or similar
A refined city-center retreat balancing modern comfort with the atmosphere of Mantua's Renaissance heart.
Relais San Vigilio or similar
A hillside stay overlooking the city, chosen for historic character, quiet elegance and memorable Lombardy views.
2026-2027 Limited Series
Dates & pricing.
Prices are in US dollars, per person, based on two guests sharing a room. Availability is not implied and should be confirmed before purchasing airfare.
2026 · Hosted departure
October 26-November 5
$8,879Deluxe Hotels Collection
Hosted by Pascal Locatelli
2027
April 20-30
$8,879Deluxe Hotels Collection
True small-group touring
2027
October 1-11
$8,879Deluxe Hotels Collection
True small-group touring
Deposit: $1,000 per person. Solo supplement: $3,200 for a private double room used by one guest. International airfare is not included. Optional dinners and the optional departure transfer are separate. Final payment is due 90 days before departure; wait for operating confirmation before purchasing airfare.
Guest perspective
Travel that feels personal.
Small groups make room for distinctive hotels, comfortable transportation, shared conversation and attentive support.
“You always feel like your happiness is of greatest importance to the Now Journey team.”
TripAdvisor
50+ five-star reviews
Read traveler feedback about Now Journey's planning, hosting and small-group approach directly at the review source.
Read Reviews on TripAdvisorFrequently asked questions
Good to know before you go.
The original tour guidance is retained here, including activity, leisure time, group size and operating confirmation.
How active is Italy's Secrets of the North?
The activity level is leisurely to moderate. Most guided touring occurs in the mornings and generally involves 45-90 minutes of walking, often in shorter segments with stops. Guests should be comfortable with historic sidewalks, cobblestones and occasional stairs, but may opt out of an activity and enjoy leisure time.
How much leisure time is included?
Slow Travel is central to the itinerary. Many afternoons and evenings remain open for the hotel, cafés, galleries, boutiques, gardens and independent dining. The goal is to experience each destination rather than simply pass through it.
How many guests travel together?
The Limited Series typically travels with 8-12 guests and never more than 16. The smaller group supports more comfortable transportation, distinctive hotels and personal attention.
What kind of traveler is the best fit?
Guests tend to value meaningful experiences over rushed sightseeing, authentic local culture, boutique hotels, food and wine, conversation and a flexible, curious approach. Many are drawn specifically to Northern Italian architecture, wine country and under-the-radar cities.
When should I purchase airfare?
Each departure is intentionally limited in size. If minimum participation is not met, funds paid directly to Now Journey are refunded. Final payment is due 90 days before departure, and an operating decision is made no later than 100 days before departure. Wait until the Journey is confirmed before purchasing airfare.
Begin your Northern Italy story
Ready to discover Italy's quieter side?
Tell us the departure that interests you and the kind of pace you enjoy. A Journey Designer will help you decide whether Italy's Secrets of the North is the right fit.