We arrive in Milan and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times vary, we have no group activities planned during the day. This evening, we meet our Odysseys Tour Director and fellow travelers for a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner at our hotel.

We discover this world capital of design and fashion, and Italy’s center of commerce and finance, on today’s tour which features the multi-spired Milan Cathedral (Duomo), the world’s third largest; the historic La Scala opera house; and the landmark Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the city’s grand arcaded shopping mall. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Brera Picture gallery, housing works by Caravaggio, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, and other great masters.

A tour highlight is in store today as we travel to Italy’s celebrated Lake District, where we enjoy a cruise on stunning Lake Como in the foothills of the Alps. Flanked by grand villas, palm trees, and wooded mountainsides, the lake and its surroundings have drawn visitors since Roman times. Following our cruise, we have free time for lunch and to explore on our own in this beautiful setting.

En route to Verona today, we stop in historic and beloved Bergamo. Here, we ride a funicular to the Città Alta (Upper Town), with its fortified city walls, cobblestone alleys, Renaissance architecture, and dramatic views that stretch to the Alps. After lunch together, we continue to Verona. Late this afternoon, we attend a one-hour opera performance at a palace near our hotel before dining together at a local restaurant.

Rich in history, art, and culture – and of course, Shakespearean connections – Verona retains monuments from its 1^st-century CE Roman era, as well as from its thriving medieval period. Highlights of our morning tour here include the Porta Nuova, the Neoclassical gate we pass through that signifies our entrance to Old Verona; Piazza delle Erbe; the 14^th-century Scaliger Tombs; and Verona Arena, built in 30 CE and still used today. We also see Juliet’s balcony on the 13^th-century home of the Del Capello family, said to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The afternoon is at leisure with dinner on our own.

After a free morning for independent exploration, we embark on an immersive wine experience at the historic estate of the Gaetano Bertani family, pioneers of Verona winemaking. We tour the frescoed rooms and romantic gardens of the Neoclassical manor house and walk through the vineyards lush with ancient grape varieties for Amarone and Valpolicella Classico. Our tour concludes with a tasting that showcases the region’s unique terroir. This afternoon, we make our way to Venice, arriving in time for dinner on our own.

This morning’s guided walking tour features Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), with its fantastic Basilica; the romantic Bridge of Sighs; and the Rialto district with its bustling market. The rest of the day is ours to enjoy this timeless city as we wish. Cruise the waterways via the Vaporetto – Venice’s public waterbus system – or a gondola, explore an outer island like Murano or the Lido, enjoy fresh local seafood and refreshing gelato, or simply lose yourself on a stroll around this world-class floating city.

We leave Italy’s Veneto region today for Emilia-Romagna, stopping first in Modena, known especially for its culinary heritage – and as the birthplace of the Ferrari. We visit the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari, then visit a family-run acetaia, where we learn about the making of balsamic vinegar, a Modena specialty. Then we travel to Bologna and dine tonight at our hotel.

We get our first taste of this lively historic capital and largest city in Emilia-Romagna on a morning walking tour of grand Piazza Maggiore and its highlights: Basilica of San Petronio, with its half-finished marble façade; 12^th-century Asinelli Tower; and the Fountain of Neptune. We also see the Teatro Comunale opera house and stroll through Quadrilatero Market, abounding with fresh local foods of all kinds – and some of Italy’s best street food. The remainder of the day is free to explore as we wish and for lunch and dinner on our own in this city renowned for its fine cuisine.

Today is free for independent exploration, perhaps to explore some of the nearly 25 miles of porticoes (a UNESCO site) dating to the Middle Ages that start in the well-preserved city center; to see the Michelangelo sculptures in San Domenico Basilica; or to explore more of Bologna’s impressive food scene. Tonight, we savor a small group highlight as we attend a private cooking class where we make Bologna’s traditional tortellini, tagliatelle, and ragu – and then enjoy our handiwork for dinner.

We travel today to Florence, “cradle of the Renaissance” and storied city of arts and culture. Our first stop: San Lorenzo Market, where we can browse the outdoor stalls and have lunch on our own at the indoor Central Market. This afternoon’s touring takes in the historic city center (a UNESCO site), where we see: the Baptistry, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Santa Maria del Fiore – the fabled Duomo of Brunelleschi’s dome. Then, we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David and his sculptures for the papal tombs.

On this morning’s excursion to Scuola del Cuoio, we learn about Florence’s time-honored leather-making process and watch artisans as they craft fine bags, jackets, and other items. This afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Today we visit the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery of paintings and sculpture, home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and La Primavera, da Vinci’s Annunciation, and other masterpieces by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Fra Angelico, among others. Then we have the rest of the day to explore Florence as we wish. Tonight, we celebrate our adventure and bid arrivederci to Italy at a farewell dinner.

We transfer to the airport this morning for our return flight to the U.S.