Incredible Northern Italy self-drive tour with wine tastings

An oenophile's dream tour across sun-soaked Northern Italy - includes charming hotel stays, four wine tastings, flights, car hire, and optional Venice

Lovers of fine wine and romantic rolling landscapes, rejoice: on this self-drive experience, you'll embark on a journey of discovery across Northern Italy's most iconic wine areas. All throughout this wonderful escape, you'll be guaranteed the chance to soak up the country's most scenic, historic and culinary charms - whether you choose to spread the trip across seven nights, or push the boat out with a 10-night adventure.

You'll start in Langhe, home to the notable Barolo and Barbaresco wines, followed by historical Monferrato and Franciacorta, Italy's answer to France's Champagne. Rest for a while and refresh your senses on the quiet shores of Lake Iseo, before heading on to the breath-taking hills of Collio, tucked away in the northeastern part of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, and famous for its production of Ribolla Gialla. Here makes a picturesque final destination to end your trip in style, or you could opt to add a further three nights in Treviso, complete with a jaunt into the Prosecco hills and even an optional tour of Venice.

Day 1: UK - Castellinaldo d'Alba

After boarding your flight from the UK to Torino Airport, you'll arrive into Northern Italy's Langhe area. Pick up your travel documents and hire car, and journey onwards to your first port of call, Castellinaldo d'Alba. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring your surroundings before an overnight stay.

Day 2: Langhe

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll spend a full day visiting the Langhe and, at its heart, the town of Alba with its medieval centre and historic charms aplenty. Explore the Langhe via the road that crosses the towns of Monforte d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte, making your way across a landscape of castles, age-old villages and shimmering vineyards as you go.

Best of all, you'll enjoy a tasting session of sparkling wine in typical cellars, whose galleries have been part of the UNESCO-listed underground cathedrals of wine since 2014. Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo are the names of the titled wines produced here that you can get to know along the way. Complete the day with dinner in a local restaurant, before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Castellinaldo d'Alba.

Day 3: Monferrato

After breakfast at the hotel, spend a day exploring the Langa Astigiana and the town of Asti, characterised by its red-brick towers and rich wine production heritage. In your free time, visit the Collegiate Church of Saint Secundus, the Baptistery of San Pietro, and the Palazzo Alfieri. In the afternoon, hop back into your hire car and travel past the ever-charming towns of Isola d'Asti, Nizza Monferrato, Canelli, Castiglione Tinella, Castagnole delle Lanze, and Costigliole d'Asti, upon which you'll enter the lands upon which the Moscato d'Asti sparkling wine is produced. You'll visit a local winery and enjoy a succulent wine tasting, before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Franciacorta

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and journey onwards to Franciacorta. Arrive at your hotel in the hamlet of Ome, where you'll check in and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 5: Lake Iseo

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the city of Iseo, home to the Pieve di Sant'Andrea church and Oldofredi Castle. If time allows, why not book yourself a boat trip to Monte Isola? Crowned by a small sanctuary and set in the middle of Lake Iseo, this large verdant island is an impressive sight, with a summit that peaks at 600 metres. In the afternoon, visit a local winery for an indulgent tasting of Franciacorta sparkling wine, before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart towards Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Arrive at your hotel in Buttrio, where you'll check in before enjoying free time to explore your surroundings.

Day 7: Collio

After breakfast at the hotel, spend the day visiting the Collio area, famous for the production of Ribolla Gialla wine. Visit the town of Capriva del Friuli, home to the historic houses of Castello di Spessa and Villa Russiz. Then, head to the town of Cormons, an iconic local destination from where you can enjoy far-reaching panoramas across Collio. Spend some time exploring the town's historic heart, and perhaps lace up your walking boots for a journey along the Vigne Alte nature trail, clad in serene vineyards and woodland. You'll cap off the day with a visit to a local winery and a wonderful wine tasting. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Friuli-Venezia Giulia - UK or Treviso (optional)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for Venice Marco Polo Airport, where you'll drop off your hire car and board your return flight to the UK. Alternatively, if you've opted for a 10-night tour, make tracks for the area of Treviso and check into your hotel, upon which you'll have the afternoon free to spend at your leisure.

Day 9: Prosecco hills (optional)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day of discovery in the land of Prosecco, surrounded by rolling hills of UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit a winery renowned for the production of DOCG Prosecco Superiore; enjoy a tasting here as you soak up panoramic views across vineyard-clad hills, with the Alps in the distance. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Venice (optional)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at leisure in Venice or opt to explore the city with the help of a knowledgeable guide. You'll be shown around iconic landmarks, through small streets and across picture-perfect squares, all the while soaking up stories of the city's rich history. Your guide will take you to Rialto Bridge, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy views of the Grand Canal, before culminating in a stop at the Piazza San Marco. The tour ends here, after which you can spend the rest of the day at your own pace, and return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 11: Venice - UK (optional)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and travel to Venice Marco Polo Airport, where you'll drop off your hire car and board your return flight to the UK.