Italian Lakes , 5 Terre and Venice 11 Night 12 Days

After breakfast you will take a walking tour of the city center, Piazza Cavour, a magnificent square that overlooks the lake, and the monumental Piazza Duomo,built in 1927. Then you will proceed to the Broletto, home of the town hall, and the majestic Cathedral, the interiors are worth a visit thanks to the paintings, the altars and the decorated tapestries. In the afternoon enjoy a two-hour panoramic cruise of Lake Como to the enchanting village of Bellagio. On your cruise, admire the lakeside villas set in tropical gardens. The mild Mediterranean climate ensures an abundance of exotic and rare plants to thrive year round. Docking at the town of Bellagio, one of the most famous towns on the lake, you can follow the steep alleys running up from the lake and stop for a coffee or gelato at one of the lively cafes housed in grand historic buildings. Return by boat to Como for dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

After breakfast, you will check out your room and board the coach for a private transfer from Lake Como to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. You will arrive at your hotel in Sirmione, the so called “Pearl of the Lake”, set along a narrow peninsula on the southern part of the lake. After check in, you will enjoy strolling around the town, with its narrow medieval streets, the old Scaliger Fortress, the striking Roman Villas and the Catullo Caves, known as the most imposing archaeological area in Northern Italy. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (meals: B. D.)

Lake Garda offers many off-the-beaten path gems, such as Torri del Benaco and Bardolino. You will enjoy a full day excursion on these Lake shores. The mild climate makes Bardolino ideal for vineyards—so it’s no surprise that its hilly and picturesque landscape produces the famous Bardolino red wine. Then you will continue to Torri del Benaco, one of the lake’s smaller towns, with a lovely harbor filled with colourful fishing boats and an imposing Scaliger Castle. Return to Sirmione for dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

After breakfast and hotel check-out you will be transferred, by private coach, to the city of Parma. Whatever your interests may be, Parma won’t let you down. The heart of Parma is its square, Piazza Duomo. See the buildings that dominate the square, the Duomo, the adjoining Campanile (bell tower) and the striking Battistero (baptistery). Parma is famous all around the world for its fine cheese (parmigiano or parmesan) and prosciutto and you will have a great opportunity to taste these extraordinary culinary traditions. Your driver will then take you to your hotel in La Spezia. Check in, dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the embarkation point where you will meet your private guide for an excursion of the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre means ‘five lands’, and Italy’s famous Cinque Terre are five perilously-perched villages strung along a short stretch of cliffs of the Region: Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. You will have lunch in a local restaurant in Monterosso. In the afternoon your guide will take you to Portovenere, a very picturesque village set on a slope behind a traditional harbor. Time at disposal to explore the old town. Return to the hotel in La Spezia for dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

After breakfast, you will check out your room and board your private coach to Florence. A city-size shrine to the Renaissance, Florence offers frescoes, sculptures, churches, palaces and other monuments from the richest cultural flowering the world has known. Meet your guide for a half day walking guided tour of the city center. You will see the square of the Cathedral with the Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, the church of Santa Maria Novella and finally a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where the original Michelangelo’s David is exhibited. The rest of the afternoon is free. Hotel check in, dinner and overnight in Florence. (meals: B. D.)

This morning we will take you to Lucca for a full day excursion. Your local guide will meet you in the city center. Most of the attractions in Lucca today show its ancient history: from the trace of the Roman amphitheater that can be seen in the shape of the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to the archaeological remains under the 12th century church of Saints Giovanni and Reparata (the first city cathedral, located just around the corner from the present-day cathedral of San Martino), to the various towers and villas from the 12th to 16th centuries. Return to Florence in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

After breakfast, you will check-out from your hotel in Florence and board your private coach for a comfortable transfer to the city of Venice. Along the way you will stop in Bologna, the capital of the prosperous Emilia Romagna region. A stroll in the city to enjoy its medieval streets and the beautiful porticos. After lunch we will proceed to the unique town of Venice, where your private water taxi will take you to the centrally located hotel. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant. (meals: B. D.)

Venice is eternally beautiful and culturally vigorous. This morning we will have a half day walking tour of the city. We also see from outside the Bridge of Sights and St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most valuable churches in the world with over 4000 feet of mosaic artwork. After lunch you can relax on a gondola with a tour through the inner canals. Back to the hotel and dinner in a local restaurant. (meals: B. D.)

Today you visit Rialto Fish Market (not open on Sundays) and experience a unique lunch inside a private Palazzo overlooking the Gran Canal. You will meet our English speaking guide near the Rialto Bridge and start your culinary adventure as locals do – at the Rialto Fish Market. This is where the seafood restaurants in Venice buy their fish daily. For lunch you will be hosted by a Venetian countess in her Palazzo, a memorable aperitif overlooking the Gran Canal followed by a tasty buffet lunch. Free afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (meals: B. D.)

Transfer by private coach from hotel to airport in Venice.