10-Day Romantic Getaway to Northern Italy

After breakfast, your English-speaking tour guide will meet you outside of your hotel, and, together, you will embark on an excursion through Venice. The soaring domes of St. Mark’s Basilica will draw you to the vast square at the edge of this floating city, and the local musicians will serenade you with their accordions as you enter the breath-taking Basilica that houses the bones of Jesus’ disciple Mark. As the sun begins to set and the sky turns various hues of pink and purple, you and your partner will set off on a romantic gondola ride down the main waterway of Venice: the Grand Canal.

This morning, you will begin your private tour on the island of Murano, where artisans practice the timeless art of glass-blowing. Revered throughout the world for their beautiful glass, you will receive individual demonstrations of molten liquid as it is effortlessly transformed into immaculately crafted glass art. Your guide will then lead you toward the outskirts of the island, and the scenery will change. The shops will be behind you, and before you will be the wooden Ponte Longo, which is the long bridge that guides you to another island that is far from where any crowd or tour group can be found. This is Mazzorbo, and it is the best-kept secret in all of Venice.

Riding first class on the high-speed Frecciarossa train is all a part of the experience when visiting Italy. You and your partner will board the train at Santa Lucia Train Station in Venice and you will arrive in the center of Milan about two hours later. Your private transfer will greet you as you disembark from the train and drive you to your luxurious accommodation. From there, your expert guide will lead you on an intriguing, walking tour of the city and the infamous Duomo before introducing each of you to your own personal shopper for the day. Together, you will meander through Milan’s premium shopping districts, including the Quadrilateral, and discover some of the world’s elite new trends.

This morning, the fresh air will greet you as your private driver pulls into the charming, lakeside village of Varenna. The passerella, or lakeside promenade, will guide you on a beautiful walk around the edges of the village and to a quiet beach. You can snuggle up side by side on the benches, go swimming in the clear blue water, or continue your walk and hike up to the ruined hilltop castle of Castello di Vezio. Later in the afternoon, you will meet your guide at your hotel to tour the impeccably manicured gardens of two villas that were built in the late 1800s: Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.

Your relaxing morning will begin quietly as the mountain mist lifts and unveils the sprawling beauty of the lake. You can sip your freshly made cappuccino as the delicate foam gives way to the dark espresso underneath. In the afternoon, you will join your guide on a private boat tour around the lake and visit the larger town of Bellagio, which is known as the “Pearl of the Lake.” The cobblestone streets past the waterfront will lead you to the quaint shops through the main town of Bellagio, which are full of uncommon treasures.

After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to your exclusive accommodation in the heart of Portofino, and, from here, you can begin your adventure. From the coast, you can hike up a steep hill that looks out over Portofino and the sheltered harbor. At the top, you will reach a medieval castle that has sweeping views of the city and the sea. Descending back down the hill, you will meet your guide, who will lead you on a kayak tour through the Portofino harbor.

Today, you will embark on a memorable journey with your personal guide as you hike through Cinque Terre. The paths begin on the outskirts of each town and wind through vineyards, locals’ backyards, and along the glorious Ligurian Sea. Once in the villages, you can rest at a local cafe or enjoy a homemade gelato. While each village is unique, there are also many similarities to them. You will frequently see other hikers that sit in the shade, exhausted. There are also small souvenir shops that line the main lanes, and there are fruit stands that will be set up outside of the grocery stores.

Today, with a local guide, you will set out on a walking food tour of Genoa and be introduced to all of the tasty delicacies. By strolling through the streets, you will discover one of the oldest chocolate shops in Italy, learn about the different varieties of focaccia, and taste creamy gelato. Your guide will pamper you with samples of mouth-watering sweets along the way, such as pan dulce, sweet bread, and gobeletti, which are jam tartlets that are considered by many to be the city’s oldest dessert. Once your walking tour is complete, you and your partner will don your personalized apron and learn how to cook like a local.

The morning sun will shine through your windows, gently summoning you. The servers downstairs will be eager to make you a custom breakfast, and you will have the morning to relax. Your private transfer will pick you up in the lobby and transport you to Genoa Airport.