Day 1 Milan, ItalyArrive in Milan

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Grand Hotel et de Milan. A transfer is included from Milan's Malpensa Airport or Linate Airport to Grand Hotel et de Milan, close to the La Scala Opera House and the city's celebrated fashion district. Please join us to meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at a welcome reception followed by dinner this evening.

Experience Milan's wealth of art and architecture on a guided walking tour where you'll see the famed La Scala, the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - home to some of the oldest shops and restaurants - and the Duomo, the grand cathedral of Milan. Step inside the Ambrosiana Library, one of Europe's first public libraries, home to priceless works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and other Renaissance masters. Following lunch, the rest of the day is free to explore as you wish - perhaps visiting the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to take in Leonardo da Vinci's mural The Last Supper, which he painted on the refectory wall at the request of his patron.

Journey to Tremezzo this morning to visit Villa Carlotta. Set on the shores of Lake Como, this 17th-century villa is renowned for its botanical gardens, adorned with sculptures, stairways, and fountains, as well as its beautiful lake views. A private boat ride across the lake to flower-lined Bellagio includes free time and is followed by an afternoon cruise showcasing the grand villas of the rich and famous. Tonight, dinner is at your hotel overlooking the mountain-ringed shores of Lake Maggiore.

Translated as "beautiful island," Isola Bella - one of the Borromean Islands - is beloved for its extraordinary gardens, complete with sculptures, terraces, white peacocks, and vibrant florals. After a private boat cruise, enjoy a guided tour of the Baroque 17th-century palace, followed by time at leisure in the gardens. Continue to Isola dei Pescatori for a seasonal lunch, then return to Stresa by boat, where the remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beauty of the lake.

Today's travels take you across lush rural landscapes to ancient Bergamo, where you'll explore its walled medieval center - straight out of a storybook illustration - with a local guide; visit the Piazza Vecchia, the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Cappella Colleoni. After a wine tasting and tasty lunch at an agriturismo in the Franciacorta region, your northern Italy vacation continues to Verona, land of Romeo and Juliet, where your accommodations at the Due Torri Hotel are not far from the famous balcony that recalls Shakespeare's timeless tragedy.

Verona is probably best known as the home of Shakespeare's tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet… and of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Valentine and Proteus. But, Verona is so much more. In honor of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for its Roman amphitheatre, the third largest after the Colosseum in Rome and still used for operas and other cultural entertainment, and other buildings that have survived since Roman times... as well as for its outstanding wine and cuisine. A walking tour this morning reveals the many charms of the city; the afternoon is free to continue your explorations on your own. Enjoy dinner with wine at a local ristorante tonight.

Today highlights some of Italy's greatest culinary and cultural exports - Ferrari, cheese, and balsamic vinegar. Travel to Modena to visit a Parmigiano Reggiano factory, where you'll witness the process from milk to wheel - and, of course, enjoy a tasting. You'll then hear the story of Enzo Ferrari, driver and creator of Scuderia Ferrari in the 1930s, at the Enzo Ferrari Museum. Later, a guided visit reveals the art of balsamic vinegar making - an elaborate process of rendering grapes and decanting must into wooden barrels. Your visit is memorable, as is the sampling of this aromatic staple of gourmet cooking aged from 18 to 25+ years! Journey on to the celebrated university town of Bologna, where food, fashion and culture reign supreme. Dine this evening at a local restaurant.

Surrounded by hills, the dusky red buildings, marble-floored ancient porticoes and wide piazzas contribute to the distinctly Renaissance feel in the center of Bologna, a bastion of food, fashion and culture. Home of the world's oldest university, the Alma Mater Studiorum, founded in 1088, notable scholars such as Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarca once walked its streets. A walking tour this morning reveals sights that they may well have seen centuries ago - including the university's magnificent Archiginnasio, the Church of San Domenico, Piazza Santo Stefano, and the city's iconic Two Towers. After time to explore on your own, learn the secrets of Bologna's cuisine in a cooking demonstration by a chef.

Travel to Venice, "The Floating City," by high-speed train; upon arrival, board a private boat and cross the lagoon for lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, set out on a boat excursion with a private lecturer, gliding past lesser-known islands that reveal Venice as a maritime city shaped as much by water as by stone. Your destination is Burano, long associated with the fine art of lacemaking and easily recognized by its vividly painted homes lining quiet canals. In the late afternoon, return to Venice by boat, then take a water taxi through the city's waterways to your hotel, set in a prime, historic location that feels unmistakably Venetian and places you close to many of the city's most iconic sights. The evening is free to explore as you please.

Begin the day with a walking tour that introduces Venice from the outside in, offering a clear sense of the city's layout, history, and enduring relationship with the water. Pass through historic streets and along canals, with a brief stop near the Rialto Bridge and an external introduction to St. Mark's Square, before continuing on your own. Late morning and afternoon are free to explore as you please - perhaps lingering in a neighborhood café, wandering quieter backstreets, or revisiting a favorite view. This evening, gather for a Tauck-exclusive private Venetian music recital, an intimate performance that reflects the city's long musical tradition. The journey concludes with a farewell reception.

Tour ends: Venice.Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Gritti Palace / The St.Regis Venice to Venice's Marco Polo International Airport and / or Santa Lucia train station. Please allow 3 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.