The Elegant Art of Italy: Lake Como to Rome

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa. A transfer is included from Milan's Malpensa Airport to Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa in Menaggio, on Lake Como. Upon arrival, travel through the beautiful northern Italian countryside from Milan to your 5* 19th-century grand hotel in beautiful Menaggio on the shores of bejeweled Lake Como. Meet your fellow traveling companions at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel.

Your travels take you by private boat to visit Villa del Balbianello; set on a wooded peninsula that juts into the lake, it was built in the late 18th century on the site of a Franciscan monastery. Noted for its exquisite landscaping and sculpture, the villa features spectacular terraced gardens ablaze with magnolias, cypresses, azaleas and more against dramatic views of the distant Alps and the famous shore of Lake Como, and appeared as a location in the James Bond film Casino Royale and in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones. Cruise to the lovely village of Bellagio for lunch, and some free time to explore, before returning to Menaggio late afternoon; spend the evening as you wish.

Visit the Veneto region for a lunch at a wine relais in the countryside, paired with exquisite local wines and regional specialties. Savor the flavors of this renowned wine-producing area, surrounded by rolling vineyards and the region's picturesque charm. Continue on to Venice, uniquely designed along an intricate system of canals within a lagoon; transfer by private boat to your fabulous hotel in the heart of the city, where Venetian charm and modern elegance create an unforgettable stay.

Start the day in Venice with guided visits to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) and the Doge's Palace, an extraordinary palace that was once the seat of Venetian government. Spend the rest of the day and evening experiencing more of Venice at your leisure – perhaps exploring the small islands of the Venetian Lagoon; viewing one of the world's largest collections of Venetian art at the Galleria dell'Accademia; or visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a head-turning display of modern art housed in Guggenheim's former home on the Grand Canal, the 18th-century Palazzo Venier dei Leoni; your Tauck Director can offer recommendations.

Travel by high-speed rail today from Venice to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Get an introduction to the city's architectural landmarks and great artists from a local art historian; view Lorenzo Ghiberti's bronze doors with detailed panels at the Baptistry, part of the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiori complex. Your art lecture is a fitting prelude to today's visit to Galleria dell'Accademia, Europe's oldest art school and home to many of the world's most beloved paintings and sculpture, including Michelangelo's famed statue of David. Later, a walking tour explores the historical center of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have dinner this evening at a Florentine osteria, known for Tuscan specialties.

Begin your day immersed in the artistic and cultural treasures of Florence on a guided walking tour, led by a local guide, taking you along the historic Ponte Vecchio to the renowned Uffizi Gallery. Here, marvel at masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and other Renaissance legends during your visit. Your visit  concludes on the museum's terrace, offering breathtaking views of the city and the option to linger longer. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore Florence at your leisure, diving into its vibrant streets, hidden gems, and architectural wonders as you please.

Travel Italy through lush Tuscan landscapes this morning, featuring olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards, including the region that produces Chianti wine. Stop in the medieval hill town of Siena, and wander through its narrow centuries-old streets. See the Piazza del Campo where the Palio bareback horse race is held, and visit the Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. Travel on to the beautiful Val D'Orcia for a two night stay in the most beautiful part of Tuscany. Dinner is at leisure in your hotel.

Step into Tuscany's timeless rhythms with a guided visit to Chiusi, once a powerful Etruscan city. Explore its archaeological treasures and hilltop cathedral, uncovering layers of history beneath the quiet charm of this ancient town. Later, follow vineyard-lined roads to a local winery for a tour and lunch with wine pairings. This evening, back at Fonteverde, enjoy a relaxed apericena – a casual gathering with drinks and Tuscan bites best savored as the sun dips behind the hills.

Journey to Rome this morning for a two-night stay in the heart of the city; upon arrival, experience an insider's view of Imperial Rome from a local guide on a panoramic sightseeing drive around the city that may include views of the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, Palatine Hill, the Colosseum and more, learning historical insights about landmark locations along the way. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then the remainder of the day is afternoon is free to explore Rome as you please. 

During your two-day stay in Rome, enjoy a guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability; the day and time of the visit may vary), where centuries of art and history culminate in Michelangelo's masterwork. Beyond the tour, the rest of your time is free to explore the Eternal City at your own pace — perhaps pausing in lively piazzas, stepping inside a neighborhood church, or sampling authentic Roman cuisine in a local trattoria.

Tour ends: Rome. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The St. Regis Rome to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino; allow 3 hours for check-in.