We will visit the gardens of Villa Balbianello, a monastery converted into a summer house in the eighteen century. You will recognize it as it has been shown in movies like Star Wars, Episode 2, and Casino Royale.

Our guide will explain how the Gallery and the Cathedral were built and some unique details about them.

After breakfast, we will leave Milan to visit the Riviera Ligure. Enchanted, fairytale-like sceneries await all along with it. Beloved by the writers that have told their story to the world, towns like Portofino, Porto Venere, Cinque Terre, and the Gulf of Poets greet us one after the other, as we work our way down the coast. After arrival at La Spezia and check-in at our hotel, we will proceed to the port where we will embark to visit by traghetto the famous Porto Venere. (If the weather does not permit, we will arrive in Porto Venere by bus). Beloved by poets and artists, Portovenere is a feast for the eyes. A place to swim, sunbathe, and stroll among natural wonders, while taking in the impressive historical structures that surround you. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’ll win you over from the first glance, and linger in your memories for years to come. In the late afternoon, we will go back to La Spezia to enjoy a delicious dinner in a local trattoria.

After Breakfast, we will depart on foot to visit via train the extraordinary Cinque Terre where we will spend the day. Cinque Terre comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The inhabitants of Cinque Terre benefit not only from its pristine waters but from its natural environment, where wild nature is interspersed with vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards, creating a precious bond between man, his traditions, and this breathtaking stretch of coast. Be prepared to climb up and down hills and cliffs and bring appropriate shoes. Open shoes and sandals are not permitted there – you will be fined and escorted outside the park!

fter breakfast, we will visit Parma, a city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, famed for Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto. We will dedicate this day to enjoy the delicacies of the area in a gastronomic tour where we will learn how the Parmesan cheese is elaborated and have the opportunity to taste homemade pasta and other delights along with the local wines.

Venice is ranked as the most beautiful (and romantic) city in the world. There is truly no place on earth like Venice. This city, built on the waters of the Adriatic Sea is dreamlike with its elaborate architecture, art-filled palaces, a palpable history that dates back over 1,000 years, and its network of picturesque canals. Venice consists of a tight cluster of islands around the Grand Canal, an iconic waterway plied by gondolas, water taxis, and canal boats. Since there are no cars in the city, we will walk or take a boat to see its many sites. After breakfast, we will make our way towards Piazza San Marco, where our tour guide will be waiting for us to share some of the history and sights of this extraordinary city. Then, we will enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the local restaurants. The rest of the day will be dedicated to enjoying Venice on your own, maybe taking a gondola trip, exploring its many channels, or doing some shopping.

fter breakfast, we will take the Vaporetto to visit Murano, an island near Venice famous for its unique glass production. Although very close to Venice, the atmosphere in Murano is totally different. Stepping off the boat brings us to a different world: a quieter, almost melancholic island, complete with its own Grand Canal, fascinating glass shops, and romantic sidewalk cafes. Murano has been occupied since Roman times, and each century brought its own architectural style to the island. We will watch a blowing glass demonstration and visit the island. Afterward, we will continue to visit Burano, a small island known for its lacework and brightly colored houses. In the evening, we will meet to celebrate a special dinner in Venice.

After breakfast, we will depart to visit Verona, made famous by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of the Shrew. It is unknown if Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy, but his plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities. The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. In fact, it has one of the nicest medieval centers in Italy. We will visit the historic Verona with our local guide on foot, where we will find Juliet’s balcony, the Arena (outside), and Piazza Delle Erbe, once the city’s Roman forum. We will finalize the day with dinner to commemorate our time together and share memories. After dinner, we will proceed to Milan Malpensa and spend our last night there.

After an early breakfast, departure to the airport and flight to USA. Buon viaggio ed a presto!