Beginning amid the luxury of Lake Como and ending in the canals of Venice, this tour showcases the best of northern Italy and the Italian Riviera. Along the way, you’ll visit the picturesque villages of Cinque Terre and the cosmopolitan city of Milan. Indulge yourself in what the Italians call il dolce far niente—“the sweet art of idleness.”

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Milan aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Lake Como Region

Touch down in Milan, gateway to the Italian Alps. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after clearing customs and assists with your transfer into Italy’s pristine lakes region, a haven for those who like alpine views and beautifully landscaped gardens. Arrive at your hotel in the region of Lake Como, probably the best known of Italy’s lakes for its magnificent villas and luxurious lifestyle. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Lake Como Region

This morning, your tour director leads a sightseeing tour of the lake, surrounding towns and the region. You’ll also have an included visit to Villa Carlotta (seasonal; When Villa Carlotta cannot be visited, a funicular ride to Brunate will be included instead). This noble estate, completed in 1743, features a 14-acre garden with more than 500 species of exotic flowers, plants and trees. Banana trees, orchids, cactus and eucalyptus are among them. The interior is equally impressive with sculptures by artist Antonio Canova. His most famous, Cupid and Psyche, depicts the mythical lovers in passionate embrace. Later, join an optional excursion perfect for romantics: a Lake Como cruise, including a stop at Bellagio. The excursion offers unparalleled views of the lake and includes a meal at a local restaurant.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Villa Carlotta (seasonal)

$75 CAD

Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio This excursion begins with a scenic cruise of Lake Como. Here you’ll see some of Italy’s most genteel estates set amid splendid gardens with flowering paths. This unforgettable cruise up the lake takes you past charming lake towns to visit lovely Bellagio. Please note: Departure time for this excursion depends on the season and is offered March through October.

Day 4 - Italian Riviera

Travel south to Italy’s coast and the region officially called Liguria but better known as the Italian Riviera. Here, artists from Byron to Shelley and celebrities from Bogart to Bacall adopted il dolce far niente, Italian for the “sweet art of idleness.” Like the French version, the Italian Riviera blends old-fashioned luxury with modern facilities. Arrive later at your hotel. After a short break for check-in, regroup for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - Italian Riviera

Today’s unforgettable highlight is a full-day excursion to the Cinque Terre, a collection of five small towns hugging the Riviera coast. Long a popular local escape, the picture-perfect towns also take you back in time to Old World Italy. Each has its own charms: Monterosso, the largest of the group; Vernazza, with forts dating from the Middle Ages; vineyard-laden Corniglia; pastel-housed Manarola; and Riomaggiore, with its dramatic sheer cliffs. You’ll travel to two of the villages (by boat or train, depending on the weather) with free time included for exploring and shopping.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 6 - Italian Riviera

Today, opt to join a guided tour of the Carrara Marble Caves, where you’ll learn how one of the world’s foremost sculptural materials is quarried, carved, and used in Roman architecture and Renaissance sculpture such as Michelangelo’s David. Those who stay behind will also have plenty of activities from which to choose, or you can relax by the beaches of the Riviera.
Included meals: breakfast

$49 CAD

Carrara Marble Caves Discover one of the world's most sought-after sculptural materials, and the stories behind the land from which it's quarried. This guided tour covers everything from the excavation of Italy's famous stone to its use in ancient Roman architecture and Renaissance masterpieces such as such as Michelangelo's David.

Day 7 - Milan

Leaving the Riviera, travel north to Milan, a 2,500-year-old capital city. On a guided afternoon sightseeing tour, view the masterpieces that managed (some say, miraculously) to survive the modern era: the Gothic Duomo; the Galleria, an early inspiration for the modern shopping mall; and La Scala Opera House, where Maria Callas performed Verdi’s operas. You’ll also visit the imposing Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance castle built by one of Italy’s most famous soldiers, Francesco Sforza. This afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore Milan on your own. You may choose to visit the small convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie for a long look at The Last Supper, Leonardo’s famous depiction of the biblical event. The painting has outlasted everything from extensive World War II bombing raids to failed attempts at restoration. Access to the convent is heavily monitored. Reassemble this evening for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrance: Castello Sforzesco

Day 8 - Milan

Today, you can take an optional excursion to the Swiss city of Lugano, where you’ll take a scenic walking tour that features the botanical gardens of Ciani Park, the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli—home to the largest Renaissance fresco in Switzerland—the Church of San Rocco, Piazza della Riforma and the Via Nassa shopping center. Or, take a free day in Milan and learn how different it is from southern Italian cities. Historic yet increasingly modern, the city has been frequented by war and total or partial destruction following armed conflict—in 539, 1157 and 1944. For that reason, Milan’s vast antiquity has been reduced. Instead, it has developed into a cutting-edge metropolis, famous for its chic fashion, nightlife, arts and technology.
Included meals: breakfast

$39 CAD

Lugano Cross the Swiss border to enjoy a panoramic bus tour of Lugano, a prominent Swiss city. Next, take a scenic walking tour that features the botanical gardens of Ciani Park, the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli—home to the largest Renaissance fresco in Switzerland—the Church of San Rocco, Piazza della Riforma and the Via Nassa shopping center. Please note: This excursion involves a 90 minute transfer from Milan to Lugano.

Day 9 - Venice

Prepare for two days of enchantment and wonder, as you travel to Venice. After some free time to begin your explorations of Venice’s winding waterways, gather with your group for this evening’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 10 - Venice

Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Doge’s Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. Continue on to view the 900-year-old Basilica of St. Mark, a rich mosaic of Byzantine, Romanesque and Islamic influences entombing the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist. This afternoon, consider joining an optional gondola ride with music.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Doge's Palace

$65 CAD

Gondola Ride with Music More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, join your fellow travelers for a tour through the canals of Venice. A musician serenades you as your gondola cruises through the city. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits. A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person. Advanced reservations are required.

Day 11 - Venice

A Go Ahead representative helps you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(in the case of early morning departures, breakfast many not be provided)