Rest your legs on a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Malpensa airport aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Breakfast (in flight), Dinner

After you touch down in Malpensa airport and clear customs, a Go Ahead representative will collect you from the airport and escort you to your hotel in Stresa. Take some time to wander around nearby Lake Maggiore, soaking in views of alpine hills and snowcapped peaks in the background. Later, savor your first authentic Italian meal at your welcome dinner.

Breakfast

Travel into a region famed for its classic Italian landscapes as you make your way to picturesque Lake Orta. Here, explore the nearby town of San Giulio’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Sacro Monte. Once a popular destination for religious pilgrims, Sacro Monte is comprised of dozens of small, fresco-lined chapels and ornate statues dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. After strolling along the trail that meanders among the lakeside chapels, relax and enjoy lunch in the village. Then, hop aboard a water taxi and cruise to San Giulio Island. This tiny island is home to a massive, ancient monastery. Look inside this sacred structure before heading back to the mainland and returning to your hotel in Stresa.

Breakfast

Kick back on the glamorous Lago Maggiore, a destination renowned for its breathtaking surrounds and celebrity-laden shores. With a full day to yourself, you’re free to hike, bike, seek out la dolce vita at a nearby spa or just sunbathe between trips to the gelaterias. If you feel like exploring with fellow travelers, join an optional group excursion to the lake’s Borromean Islands. This small archipelago still belongs to the infamously wealthy Borromeo family, and each small island is full of incredible architecture and vibrant gardens.

Optional Excursions

Islands of Lake Maggiore $99* pp

The Borromean Islands, a three-island archipelago on the western arm of Lake Maggiore, prove that great things come in small packages. Cruise to Isola Bella, a tiny isle that boasts a 16th-century palace and stunning, terraced gardens. After exploring the estate, hop back on your boat and sail around Isola Madre, the largest island in the chain. End your excursion on Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island), the only continuously inhab¬ited member of the group, with 50 year-round residents. The traditional fishing village contin¬ues to pride itself on its heritage—look out for fishermen untangling their nets on shore. You’ll have the chance to sample the island’s special¬ties during an included lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Breakfast, Lunch, Wine tasting, Dinner

Leave the waters of Lake Maggiore behind for rolling vineyards during an included stop on your way to the Dolomites. Arrive in Valpolicella, a countryside setting acclaimed for its olive groves and superior wine vintages. Embark on your Tour Director- led walk, beginning in the town of San Giorgio. Explore the Romanesque ancient pieve (rural church) before heading downhill to the Serego Alighieri Estate. Property of the direct descendants of poet Dante Alighieri, the estate is now a fully functional winery and olive oil producer. After taking in the region by foot, sit down for a taste of its best fare and famous labels: Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto. After lunch, head to Bolzano, a town set against the Dolomite mountain range UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the rest of the evening winding down with your group over dinner.

Breakfast

Discover Bolzano (or Bozen in German), a city comprised of two very distinct cultures. Part Italian, part Austrian, the citywide divide is tangible from its architecture right down to its beer. A local guide introduces you to the charming contrasts, starting in the main city square, Piazza Walther. From there make your way through the famous open markets on to the Gothic-style Duomo, dedicated to the assumption of the Virgin Mary. Next, step into Piazza del Grano. Once home to the city’s grain market, the square remains the heart of Bolzano’s medieval village. After touring the main streets, including Via Laubengasse with its famed arched windows, you’re free to continue exploring on your own. This afternoon, opt to join the group for a cable car ride above Ritten’s green landscapes and a walk to view its towering Earth Pyramids.

Optional Excursions

Earth Pyramids & Panoramic Landscapes of Ritten $95* pp

Experience the stunning landscapes of Northern Italy up close (and from nearly every angle). Begin by boarding one of the world’s longest-running cable cars and riding through the Dolomite-dotted skies to Soprabolzano, a provincial village set on a plateau. From here, jump aboard the panoramic railway to Collalbo, soaking in views of rolling pastures and soaring limestone peaks along the way. Once in Collalbo, journey on foot to one of Italy’s most surreal sights: the towering Earth Pyramids. After viewing these pinnacle formations, make your way back toward town, pausing to eat dinner at a local restaurant on the Ritten Plateau. Following your meal, recline and digest on your bus ride back to Bolzano.

Breakfast

Cable car

Take in the Dolomites from Alpe di Siusi, a sprawling meadow set amidst surreal limestone peaks. Trails of all levels wind through the flower-lined, sheep-dotted pastures, allowing walkers to absorb the serenity that fills the area. Board a cable car and ride to the village of Compatsch to begin your walk on the scenic Bullaccia Ring Trail. Along the way, take in panoranic views of the surrounding stone spires and mountain valleys below. Take some time to eat lunch and grab a beer or glass of wine at a nearby rifugio, or explore at your own pace. Following your return to Bolzano, spend the evening as you like.

Breakfast, Dinner

Wave goodbye to the Dolomites as you travel south from Bolzano to the sunny shores of the Italian Riviera, stopping en route to enjoy some free time for lunch. After settling into your Riviera hotel, raise a toast to your new locale at tonight’s group dinner.

Breakfast

Clinging to the cliffs of the Riviera coastline sits Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Translating to “Five Lands” in Italian, Cinque Terre encompasses five very distinct villages, all bound by a relaxed vibe and bright clusters of color-washed homes. Get a taste for the unique flavors of each village as you walk the peaceful promenades that connect them. Start your journey in the arty outpost of Riomaggiore and walk the Via dell’Amore (“Walkway of Love”). Find sweeping views of the sea and mountains at every turn as you make your way to the sun-bleached walls and ravines of Manarola. Your next stop is Vernazza, where you’ll have free time to refresh and refuel before continuing to Monterosso. As you walk toward the village’s sandy beaches, absorb the local scenery from high and low, traversing cliff-top bridges, terraced vineyards and low-lying valleys teeming with olive groves and lemon orchards. Later this evening, kick back and recuperate from the day’s adventures upon returning to your hotel. (Please note: Depending on the season and local trail closures, the activities and sequence of your walks in Cinque Terre may change.)

Breakfast, Dinner

Trade the jetset glamour of the Riviera for the tranquility of the Tuscan countryside as you head toward Florence. On the way, make a stop in the town of Lucca, where a local guide gives you the lay of the land. Walk along the two-mile stretch of Renaissance-era walls that enclose the city for impressive views of the classic red-tiled rooftops, medieval churches and swathe of cypress trees below. Descend into the center of town to view the Palazzo Pfanner, San Martino Cathedral, Guinigi Tower, San Frediano’s Church and San Michele in Foro. Cap off your tour with free time to peruse the local shops and enjoy your first Tuscan meal. After lunch, continue to Florence, where you’ll gather with your fellow travelers for one last dinner.

Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Bid farewell to Florence as a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your flight home.