You’ll begin your European journey with an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain

Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s energetic capital! Check into your centrally located hotel and settle in before a brief orientation walk and a Welcome Dinner at your hotel.

Explore vibrant Madrid on foot, walking through Plaza Sol and Plaza Mayor, savoring city views, and passing multiple other historic monuments. Later, visit the city’s Mercado Central for an included tapas tasting! Then in the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Museo del Prado, one of the world’s premier art galleries that houses around 7,000 paintings. This evening is at your leisure, with dinner on your own.

Included Features:

• Walking tour of Madrid
• Museo del Prado guided visit

Cultural Connection:

• Tapas tasting at Mercado Central

Enjoy a free day to pursue your own interests with recommendations provided by your City Host. Wander the city’s many squares, shop for espadrilles and other classic Spanish products, and get your fill of tapas. Enjoy an included dinner at your hotel this evening.

This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel, board a high-speed train to Barcelona and begin your main journey!

Included Features:

• High-speed train ride to Barcelona

Today your journey to Italy begins with an overnight flight to Italy’s fashion epicenter, Milan.

You’ll arrive in Milan today. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, you’ll be met at the airport by one of our representatives who will assist you with your transfer to your Stresa hotel, where you’ll enjoy a lake-view room. Get settled in and, later, attend a Welcome Briefing and Dinner with your City Host at the hotel.

Set off on a private Lake Maggiore cruise to the enchanting Borromean Islands, a trio of tiny islands settled in the 16th and 17th centuries by an aristocratic Italian family. Your adventure begins on Isola Madre, where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of its English-style botanical gardens. Continue on to Isola Bella for a tour of its stunning baroque palace, with time to explore its lovely grounds and Italian gardens. Conclude your island tour on picturesque Isola dei Pescatori, where you’ll have an opportunity for lunch on your own or some shopping in the quaint fishing village.

Upon return to Stresa, you can explore more of Stresa on your own. Later, an enlightening lecture offers an inside look at the daily life in Italy’s lakes region.

This evening, you’ll be amazed at the stunning views of Lake Maggiore from Stresa’s only rooftop bar — in your hotel! The La Palma Sky bar is the perfect idyllic setting to unwind and savor the Italian experience. You’re free to dine as you wish tonight at any of the delectable restaurants in Stresa.

Included Feature:

• Private boat tour to Isola Bella, Madre, and Pescatori

Cultural Discovery:

• Lecture about daily life in Italy’s lakes region

After breakfast, you’ll depart Stresa by private boat for one of the most illustrious parts of the Italian Lakes — Lake Como. Here, movie stars like George Clooney come to play, and movies like Casino Royale are filmed. 

On a guided tour, you’ll take in the town’s neoclassical villas on a walk that leads you to the historical center, watched over by the towering duomo. You’ll then depart by private boat for Bellagio, another town hugging the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a panoramic view of the lake along the way, known as the “Amalfi Coast road of Lake Como.” Once in Bellagio, set off on another walking tour that introduces you to a classic Italian medieval town known as a borgo. You’ll have free here to shop, photograph, and dine on your own. Your time in Bellagio will conclude by hopping on a ferry to Cadenabbia, where you’ll transfer back to Stresa by motorcoach. Dinner is on your own in Stresa.

Included Features:

• Walking tours of Lake Como and Bellagio with private boat transportation

Today you'll board a private motorcoach to Milan, Italy's city of the future. Famed for its ties to art, fashion, and design, you'll enjoy a guided panoramic and walking tour of the city's historic center. This area is home to its most famous landmarks, including the Duomo di Milano, the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle shopping arcade, and the Teatro alla Scalla opera house. After your tour, you'll have time for lunch on your own before heading to the Milan train station, where you will board a high-speed train to Venice, where you’ll join Day 2 of the base program. We’ve coordinated with a private luggage transfer service, so you can simply relax and enjoy the day while we take care of the details! When you check into your Venice hotel, your luggage will be waiting for you.

Included Features:

• Panoramic and walking tour of Milan
• High-speed train transfer

Depart Venice today by high-speed train to Milan. There will be a private luggage transfer service, so you can simply relax and enjoy the day knowing the details have been handled!

Upon arrival in Milan, you’ll have a guided panoramic and walking tour of Milan’s historic city center before lunch on your own. Afterward, you’ll transfer to Stresa by motorcoach. When you check into your Stresa hotel, your luggage will be waiting for you. Get settled in and later enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Included Features:

• Panoramic and walking tour of Milan
• High-speed train transfer

Set off on a private Lake Maggiore cruise to the enchanting Borromean Islands, a trio of tiny islands settled in the 16th and 17th centuries by an aristocratic Italian family. Your adventure begins on Isola Madre, where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of its English-style botanical gardens. Continue on to Isola Bella for a tour of its stunning baroque palace, with time to explore its lovely grounds and Italian gardens. Conclude your island tour on picturesque Isola dei Pescatori, where you’ll have an opportunity for lunch on your own or some shopping in the quaint fishing village.

Upon return to Stresa, you can explore more of Stresa on your own. Later, an enlightening lecture offers an inside look at the daily life in Italy’s lakes region.

This evening, you’ll be amazed at the stunning views of Lake Maggiore from Stresa’s only rooftop bar — in your hotel! The La Palma Sky bar is the perfect idyllic setting to unwind and savor the Italian experience. You’re free to dine as you wish tonight at any of the delectable restaurants in Stresa.

Included Feature:

• Private boat tour to Isola Bella, Madre, and Pescatori

Cultural Discovery:

• Lecture about daily life in Italy’s lakes region

After breakfast, we’ll depart Stresa by private boat for one of the most illustrious parts of the Italian Lakes — Lake Como. Here, movie stars like George Clooney come to play and movies like Casino Royale are filmed.

On a guided tour, you’ll take in the town’s neoclassical villas on a walk that leads you to the historical center, watched over by the towering duomo. You’ll then depart by private boat for Bellagio, another town hugging the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a panoramic view of the lake along the way, known as the “Amalfi Coast road of Lake Como.” Once in Bellagio, set off on another walking tour that introduces you to a classic Italian medieval town known as a borgo. You’ll have free here to shop, photograph, and dine on your own. Your time in Bellagio will conclude by hopping on a ferry to Cadenabbia, where you’ll transfer back to Stresa by motorcoach. Dinner is on your own in Stresa.

Included Features:

• Walking tours of Lake Como and Bellagio with private boat transportation

Today, you’ll transfer to Milan and fly home from its airport.

Today, you’ll leave Barcelona on a high-speed train bound for Madrid. Upon arrival, you’ll be whisked away on a panoramic tour of Spain’s capital city. Afterward, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner on your own in this city of gastronomical delights.

Included Feature:

• Panoramic Madrid tour

Explore vibrant Madrid on foot, walking through Plaza Sol and Plaza Mayor, savoring city views, and passing multiple other historic monuments. Later, visit the city’s Mercado Central for an included tapas tasting! Then in the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Museo del Prado, one of the world’s premier art galleries that houses around 7,000 paintings. This evening is at your leisure, with dinner on your own.

Included Features:

• Walking tour of Madrid
• Museo del Prado guided visit

Cultural Connection:

• Tapas tasting at Mercado Central

Enjoy a free day to pursue your own interests with recommendations provided by your City Host. Wander the city’s many squares, shop for espadrilles and other classic Spanish products, and get your fill of tapas. Enjoy an included dinner at your hotel this evening.

After breakfast, depart for the Madrid airport for your flight home.