Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Milan, Italy

Day 2: Arrive Milan/Stresa After arriving in Milan, we drive to the international resort of Stresa on lovely Lake Maggiore, straddling the border be­­­tween Italy and Switzerland. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s welcome dinner. D

Day 3: Stresa This morning we visit Villa Taranto, home to one of Europe’s most beautiful botanical gardens, where ornamental fountains, sculpture, and waterfalls accent the diverse array of flora. After returning to our hotel, there’s time to relax lakeside before a late afternoon cruise to Isola Bella, the beautiful Borromean island set in the middle of Lake Maggiore. Fully occupied by 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and its extravagantly landscaped gardens, the island offers lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Following a guided tour of the palace and gardens, we enjoy dinner here. B,D

Day 4: Stresa/Milan We depart this morning for Milan, where we visit such highlights as 14th-century Castello Sforzesco, a fortified castle that once hosted such luminaries as da Vinci and Bramante. We take a guided walk past the celebrated La Scala opera house and the awe-inspiring marble Duomo, one of the world’s largest churches with 135 spires and some 3,400 statues. Then we’re free to explore on our own before returning to Stresa late afternoon. B

Day 5: Stresa/Santa Margherita We leave Stresa this morning, traveling south to Italy’s tiny Liguria region, the narrow coastal plain whose capi­tal is seafaring Genoa. Our destination is the Italian Riviera resort town of Santa Margherita, with its lovely palm-lined esplanade overlooking a picturesque harbor. B,D

Day 6: Santa Margherita/Portovenere/Cinque Terre The rugged coastline from Santa Margherita to the five towns of the Cinque Terre region (literally, “five lands”) virtually bursts with scenic and cultural significance. Dramatically situated at the edge of vertical vineyard-clad cliffs, the towns here once could be reached only by sea, and even today, no road connects them all (though walkers can use an ancient footpath). From Portovenere, we tour comfortably by boat today along this striking coastline – called the Riviera Levante – stopping along the way in the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza. We return to our hotel late this afternoon and dine there tonight. B,D

Day 7: Santa Margherita/Portofino This morning we travel by boat to the renowned – and beautiful – resort town of Portofino, a former fishing village where palatial yachts now crowd the port and the good life is celebrated. We have free time to wander the colorful streets and visit the chic boutiques and galleries here before we return to our hotel mid-day. The remainder of the day is at leisure. B

Day 8: Santa Margherita/Pisa/Tuscany Moving on today, we continue our route south to Tuscany where our first stop is Pisa, known for its splendid 11th-century Duomo, Baptistry, and campanile – also known, of course, as the Leaning Tower. After a guided walking tour, we’re free for lunch on our own before we travel on to our lodgings in Tuscany, where we dine tonight. B,D

Day 9: Tuscany/Florence We spend today touring and exploring wondrous Florence, a living monu­ment to the Renaissance and crown jewel of Tuscany. Our day includes a guided morning walking tour followed by free time. Together we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime “David” and his pieces for the papal tombs; and the Duomo, with its stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. There’s time on our own to stroll the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio, with its many jewelry shops; visit renowned museums and churches; shop for leather goods and artful Florentine paper; and to enjoy lunch on our own at a typical Florentine restaurant. We return to our villa in time for dinner there tonight. B,D

Day 10: Tuscany/Siena/Castellina in Chianti Today we visit the walled city of Siena, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and ochre-colored buildings and ancient ramparts vividly evoke its medieval past. Fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe’s greatest public squares; its Duomo, with pillars of black and white marble, is one of Italy’s finest, with masterpieces by Donatello and Michelangelo. Following a guided walking tour that includes an inside visit to the Duomo, we have free time to explore on our own. Then we return to our villa via Castellina in Chianti, where we visit a local winery for a tour and tasting; only in this region is authentic Chianti Classico produced. B,D

Day 11: Tuscany/Volterra/San Gimignano We encounter classic Tuscany today as we visit first nearby Volterra, set high on a bluff some 1,800 feet above the valley below. A fortress-like town, Volterra was a center of Etruscan art and commerce from the 9th century BCE through the 4th century. On our walking tour here we explore the maze of medieval alleys and see some of the white alabaster carvings for which the city is renowned. After free time for lunch on our own, we continue on to the classic hill town of San Gimignano, whose 13 remaining watchtowers have left its skyline looking much as it did in medieval times. We enjoy a brief walking tour of this town known for its churches and museums that house important works of art; and for its smart shops and art galleries. B,D

Day 12: Tuscany/Venice Leaving Tuscany today we travel through the Veneto region to Venice, arriving early this afternoon. The remainder of the day and evening is free to begin savoring this wondrous city on our own. B

Day 13: Venice This morning we take a guided walk through vast St. Mark’s Square, deemed “Europe’s most magnificent drawing room” by Napoleon Bonaparte. The afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration. Tonight we bid “arrivederci” to Italy and to our ­fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 14: Depart for U.S. We depart early this morning for our connecting flights to the U.S. B

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