Itinerary

DAY 1: Milan
Upon arrival, you will check into Milan’s 5-star Hotel Principe di Savoia for a 2-night stay. Take the rest of the day to explore this vibrant city, which is rich in art, history and culture. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner is at a local restaurant.

DAY 2: Milan
Begin your visit to Milan with a half-day tour featuring some of its many architectural and cultural masterpieces. See the dominating Duomo, the world’s third largest church and iconic symbol of Milan, followed by the famed La Scala Opera House and the prestigious shopping arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele. Continue with a visit to the Sforza Castle, home to an art gallery featuring famous works by Bellini, Tiepolo, Titian and Michelangelo. Your afternoon is highlighted by the viewing of Milan’s legendary masterwork—Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, at the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 3: Milan, Lake Garda & Verona
Today’s journey through the scenic Lombardy region brings you to Lake Garda, flanked by gently sloping hills of vineyards and surrounded by olive and lemon orchards and medieval towns. The majestic Dolomites looming in the distance provide shelter to the lake’s balmy climate and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Stop at Sirmione to visit the old fortified town and stroll the picturesque piazzas before taking a boat across the lake to Bardolino, continuing on to Verona to check in to your historic hotel for two nights.

DAY 4: Verona
While the city of Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is perhaps most famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This morning’s tour includes a highlight of “the house of Juliet.” Your walking tour continues inside the city’s ancient walls to see many of its historical buildings and landmarks including the Arena, Italy’s third largest Roman amphitheater and the Old Market Square. Then visit Piazza dei Signori (Lord’s Square), which bears signs of the Scala Seigniory and the Venetian domination. Your tour concludes at a home-hosted lunch with students and their families. The rest of your day is at leisure.

DAY 5: Verona & Lake Lugano
The picturesque Valpolicella region is known for its viticulture and olive trees. During your scenic journey, stop to sample varieties of olive oil and see how it is pressed and bottled. Continue to Lake Iseo, cradled in a deep glacial valley, and enjoy a lakeside pizza lunch surrounded by its unrestrained beauty and elegance. Later you arrive at Switzerland’s gorgeous Lake Lugano, and check in to the Hotel Spendide Royal, where you will have balcony rooms with views of the lake for the next three nights.

DAY 6: Lugano
Today you discover Lugano, at the crossroads of North and South Europe where Swiss perfection meets Italian joie de vivre. Lugano boasts the country’s third most important financial center while its parks, gardens, villas and the scenic lake give it the quaint character of a small town. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely lunchtime cruise on Lake Lugano, taking in the scenic landscapes along its banks. The rest of the day is free to further explore the unique culture of this town.

DAY 7: Lugano & Lake Como
Today is a full-day trip to Italy’s most famous lake—the romantic and beautiful Lake Como. Embark on a private boat cruise past splendid Italian villas to Tremezzo and stop to visit Villa Carlota, known for its gardens overlooking the lake. Then, cross the lake again to stop where the waters divide at Bellagio, the “pearl of Lake Como,” offering infinite views of the Alps and Villa Serbelloni, home of the Rockefeller Foundation. Take a stroll through the village streets, under the lakeside porticoes, and along the steps lined with restaurants and shops before returning to Lugano for an evening at leisure.

DAY 8: Lake Lugano & Zermatt
Departing Lugano, you visit the incredible medieval Castel Grande in Bellinzona, a group of fortifications looming over the entire Ticino valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Locarno, a quaint town with Mediterranean flair situated on the tip of Lake Maggiore, for your scenic train journey winding slowly on bridges and viaducts to Domodossola. Your day of majestic travel continues with a motorcoach ride across the spectacular Simplon Pass to Tasch, followed by an Alpine train ride to Zermatt. For two nights, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn from the balcony of your room at Hotel National. Beautiful Lake Lugano borders Italy and Switzerland.

DAY 9: Zermatt
The glittering peaks of the Swiss Alps beckon as you begin your walking tour of Zermatt, a classic Alpine town. Stroll through this car-free village and gateway to the nearby Matterhorn, regarded as one of the world’s natural wonders, before visiting the village museum. Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this area’s rustic charm.

DAY 10: Zermatt & Lake Maggiore
Today you retrace your steps back from Zermatt to Tasch and over the Simplon Pass, built by Napoleon as a military route, through the D’Ossola valley to today’s final destination, beautiful Lake Maggiore. Encircled by mountains, this scenic lake has grand hotels, formal gardens and wonderful villas lining its shores. After checking in to the Hotel Regina Palace, where you have a balcony, lake-view room, the rest of your day is free.

DAY 11: Lake Maggiore
To unlock the lake’s charm, you will experience it fi rst-hand by private boat. Explore its picturesque center, the Borromean Islands including Isola Bella, almost entirely occupied by the Borromeo family palace and gardens, as well as Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre. Tonight you will be hosted in the home of a local family for dinner.

DAY 12: Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta
Today you travel to Lake Orta, a tiny romantic lake, and visit the must-see town of Orta San Giulio with its cream-colored houses and center square, Piazza Motta. Then, tour the UNESCO World Heritage protected Sacro Monte chapel and the Island of St Julius, nestled into the natural landscape. The rest of your day is at leisure, followed by a Farewell Dinner at your hotel.

DAY 13 Lake Maggiore
This morning, depart for your flight back to the U.S. or to Rome for a wonderful 3-night extension in this eternal city.

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