You’re on your way to Italy.Ahead lies a journey that explores its food, history, and everyday life — from lakeside towns and working villages to iconic cities that have shaped culture for centuries.Tonight is about anticipation, as the flavors, stories, and rhythms of It ... Read More

You’re on your way to Italy.

Ahead lies a journey that explores its food, history, and everyday life — from lakeside towns and working villages to iconic cities that have shaped culture for centuries.

Tonight is about anticipation, as the flavors, stories, and rhythms of Italy start to come into focus.

Welcome to Stresa, set along the shores of Lake Maggiore at the edge of Italy’s Alpine lakes region.

As arrival times vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing through the afternoon, giving you time to settle in and take in Stresa at your own pace.

As evening falls, cruise to Isola dei Pescatori,* gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner that sets the tone for your journey.

Today, an Impact Moment brings you right into the mountains to an ancient village where locals dedicate their time to preserving historic buildings and long-held traditions.

Walk the village with those keeping its story alive, then sample their artisanal cheeses paired with regional wines.

Back in Stresa, the rest of the day is yours.

Wander piazzas and lakeside paths, or maybe you’ll join an optional cruise to Isola Bella for a visit to the lakeside Borromeo Palace, a Baroque work of art.** Set out for a glacial lake tucked into the foothills of the Alps: Lake Orta.

Climb aboard a boat and set off for the island of San Giulio, where a cloistered convent and a serene lakeside path set a contemplative tone.

As afternoon rolls in, head south to the Ligurian coast, where the Italian Riviera opens before you, revealing a different pace and personality of Italy.

Arrive in Chiavari early this evening and settle in for a 2-night stay.

The morning unfolds at an easy pace in Chiavari, with time to stroll along the sea, or wander the town’s portico-lined streets.

Then, pause for lunch at a restaurant renowned among locals for its cheese-filled focaccia.

The chef shares a few traditional techniques before you set off for Portofino, one of Italy’s most iconic coastal towns.

Spend time exploring at your own pace, whether that means walking the waterfront or slipping into narrow lanes above the marina.

Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy’s natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries.

An off-road drive through the Apuane Mountains traces the routes carved by generations of quarrymen.

Learn how this stone shaped Italian art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Leaving the coast and quarries behind, this afternoon all roads lead to Tuscany.

Deep in the countryside, settle in for your 4-night stay in a historic Tuscan villa.*** Head into the Chianti countryside and visit a family-owned villa.

Tour the house and grounds, then roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking lesson rooted in regional tradition.

Sit down together for a Tuscan lunch and, of course, local Chianti wine.

Salute! In the afternoon, travel through Tuscany’s vineyard-lined hills toward San Gimignano, where medieval towers define the skyline of this hilltop town and explore the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”.

Florence – the city where the Medici shaped power, artists rewrote rules, and names like Galileo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci still echo through daily life – is yours to explore in your own way.

It’s your choice! Walk with a local guide, seeing the Piazza del Duomo, the Baptistery’s Gates of Paradise, and historic squares like the Signoria and Santa Croce -OR- explore the Zeffirelli Foundation Museum, dedicated to one of Italy’s great storytellers of cinema and opera.

Enjoy free time to explore Tuscany’s stunning capital, returning to your villa by early evening.

Today is a day of dolce far-niente (sweet do-nothing) at your Tuscan villa.

Stroll the surrounding countryside or just take in the views from your favorite spot in the garden.

This afternoon, you may choose to embark on an optional truffle hunt led by a local expert and trained truffle-sniffing dogs.

As you wander along unpaved trails, learn about the fascinating world of truffles and the techniques used to forage them.

A truffle-themed dinner hits the spot before returning to your villa in the evening.

Did you know the Emilia region of Italy is considered “Food Valley” – and today, that’s where you’re headed as you travel north to visit a family-owned acetaia.

Tour the attic where balsamic vinegar has aged for generations, learning how patience and tradition shape every barrel.

After a light lunch featuring these flavors, continue to Venice, the city built on water.

This slice of Italy hits differently as daily life unfolds along canals instead of streets.

Settle in for your final 2-night stay in one of the most romantic places in the world.

Spend the day in Venezia, a city shaped by water, art, and architecture.

Walk the city with a local guide, seeing St. Mark’s Square, the Bell Tower, and the Bridge of Sighs as stories of daily life unfold.

Later, travel by boat to Murano**** as a local demonstrates the art of glass-blowing, carrying on a centuries-old island tradition.

The afternoon is yours to explore Venice at your own pace.

Lose yourself along the canals and experience first-hand the enchantment of this timeless city.

Perhaps take an optional gondola cruise to enjoy one of Venice’s most famous pastimes.

As evening falls, gather for a farewell dinner to toast new friends and say arrivederci to Italy.

Wake up in Venice and depart for home with stories and connections of la dolce vita in Italia.

There are no inclusions for this tour.