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Day 1: Depart the USA
Begin your thrilling journey by departing the USA on an overnight flight to enchanting Italy. Enjoy meals and beverages onboard.
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Day 2: Arrive Milan - Abano Terme
Arrive in captivating Italy and meet your Tour Director before departing on a scenic transfer to Abano Terme, your home for a four-night stay in the heart of the Veneto region. Nestled at the foot of the picturesque Colli Euganei, Abano Terme has been renowned since Roman times for its mineral rich thermal springs. Today, it stands as one of Europe’s premier spa destinations, offering manicured gardens, tranquil promenades, and an authentic Italian atmosphere designed for relaxation and renewal. This evening, settle in and enjoy a welcoming dinner at your hotel as your Italian journey begins.
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Day 3: Abano Terme - Lake Garda - Sirmione - Verona - Abano Terme
Depart Abano Terme for a scenic journey to Lake Garda, Italy’s largest and most picturesque lake, framed by vineyards, olive groves, and alpine peaks. Arrive in the enchanting peninsula town of Sirmione, where you see the 13th-century Scaliger Castle standing proudly overlooking the harbor. Stroll Sirmione’s cobbled lanes lined with colorful façades, boutiques, cafés, and enjoy sweeping lake views, as you unwind lakeside in this relaxed setting. Continue to romantic Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage city rich in Roman and medieval heritage. Marvel at the remarkably preserved Verona Arena, beautifully showcased from the outside and still used today for opera performances. Wander through Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, surrounded by frescoed palaces and vibrant cafés. Later, you visit the Romeo and Juliet House, with access to its historic courtyard and the legendary balcony that inspired Shakespeare’s timeless love story. After a day of breathtaking scenery, history, and romance, return to Abano Terme.
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Day 4: Abano Terme - Maranello (Ferrari) - Modena - Abano Terme
Discover the essence of Italy’s Motor Valley and culinary capital on a guided excursion to Maranello and Modena. Begin in Maranello with admission to the legendary Ferrari Museum. Explore historic Ferrari road cars, Formula 1 champions, and rare limited edition models while learning how the Prancing Horse became a global icon of speed, innovation, and Italian excellence. Continue to Modena for a guided walk through its UNESCO-listed historic center. Visit the magnificent Modena Cathedral, admire Wiligelmo’s medieval sculptures, stroll through Piazza Grande, and view the iconic Torre Ghirlandina rising above the skyline. Enjoy free time to savor Modena’s flavors, perhaps tortellini in brodo or tagliatelle al ragù, browse elegant boutiques, or relax at a café that embraces the city’s refined aperitivo culture. Before returning to Abano Terme, visit a traditional producer of Balsamic Vinegar di Modena for a guided tasting. Learn about the meticulous barrel-aging process behind this world-renowned delicacy. A perfect day blending Ferrari, Romanesque art, and authentic Emilia-Romagna gastronomy.
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Day 5: Abano Terme - Free day - Venice Optional Tour
Today is yours to enjoy in elegant Abano Terme, relax at the spa, browse local boutiques, or join an optional excursion to unforgettable Venice. Upon arrival, board a vaporetto (waterbus) to the world-famous Piazza San Marco, the heart of the Floating City. Your guided walking tour reveals the highlights of Venice’s historic center, including entrance to the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, celebrated for its shimmering mosaics and opulent interior. See the Gothic splendor of the Doge’s Palace and the iconic St Mark’s Campanile rising above the square. As you stroll through Piazza San Marco, your guide shares captivating stories of Venice’s maritime power, artistic legacy, and timeless allure. Following the guided tour, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Wander along narrow calli, cross picturesque bridges, browse artisan workshops and Murano glass boutiques, or relax at a café overlooking the canals. You may choose to glide through the waterways on a gondola, or discover hidden courtyards and quiet piazzas that reveal Venice’s unmistakable romance.
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Day 6: Abano Terme - Bergamo - Lake Maggiore - Verbania
Depart Abano Terme for a scenic journey into Lombardy to discover romantic Bergamo. Explore the enchanting Città Alta, dramatically perched above the plains and encircled by the UNESCO-listed Venetian Walls of Bergamo. With your guide, wander medieval cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards, and stone stairways that preserve the city’s authentic character. Admire the elegant Piazza Vecchia, see the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and the ornate Cappella Colleoni. Enjoy sweeping vistas across the Lombard plain, with Alpine peaks visible on clear days. Continue to Verbania on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where elegant villas and lush gardens reflect in deep blue waters. Check in for a relaxing three-night lakeside stay, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
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Day 7: Verbania - Lake Como - Stresa - Bellagio - Verbania
Depart from Verbania for the breathtaking beauty of Lake Como. In Stresa board a scenic ferry cruise across its shimmering waters. Pass postcard-perfect villages such as Cernobbio, Moltrasio, and Torno. Here, pastel façades and stone houses cling to the mountainside. Admire legendary lakeside estates, including Villa d’Este and Villa Erba, each framed by manicured gardens and alpine foothills. The dramatic scenery offers endless photo opportunities. Capture elegant villas, hidden harbors, and church towers reflected in crystal-clear waters. Arrive in enchanting Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Enjoy free time to explore its cobblestone lanes, artisan boutiques, and lakeside promenade, where the three branches of the lake meet. Return by ferry to Como, savoring one last sweep of Lake Como’s spectacular scenery. Then, journey back to Lake Maggiore and your hotel for a relaxing evening at leisure.
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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Day 8: Verbania - Lugano, Switzerland, and Monte San Salvatore - Verbania
Cross the Italian-Swiss border into sophisticated Lugano, where the sparkling waters of Lake Lugano meet the dramatic Swiss Alps. On your guided walking tour, explore the refined historic center, stroll the palm-lined lakeside promenade, and visit lively Piazza della Riforma, framed by pastel neoclassical architecture and elegant cafés. Admire the Renaissance façade of the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, overlooking the lake. Wander through elegant streets such as Via Nassa, famous for its stylish boutiques, Swiss watches, chocolate shops, and artisan stores that reflect Lugano’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and blend of Swiss precision and Italian flair. Scenic waterfront viewpoints provide postcard-worthy panoramas of boats, forested hills, and distant Alpine peaks. Then board the historic funicular for a dramatic ascent up Monte San Salvatore, often called the “Sugarloaf of Switzerland.” As the car climbs steeply through forested slopes, breathtaking vistas unfold with every passing moment. At the summit, spectacular 360-degree panoramas stretch across Lake Lugano’s winding shoreline, rolling green valleys, charming lakeside villages, and the majestic Alpine chain shimmering on the horizon, a true highlight of your Swiss experience. After descending, return to Verbania and gather for a memorable Farewell Dinner.
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
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Day 9: Verbania - USA, or extend your stay with an optional Milan extension
Today, return to the airport for your flight back to the USA, reflecting on memories of Abano Terme, elegance, Renaissance cities, sparkling lakes, and Alpine grandeur. Alternatively, embrace the opportunity to extend your stay with an optional Milan extension to continue your journey of discovery.
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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