16 Days 
4 Countries 
12+ MealsItinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Milan, Italy
Welcome to Italy! Arriving off your international flight, clear customs, and immigration, then transfer to your hotel at Lake Maggiore. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2 - Lake Como
Spend a full day touring through Italy’s Lake District to picturesque Lake Como. Walk the narrow streets and the waterfront of Como Town on a Guided City Tour. Later, take a Boat Tour of Lake Como and enjoy the views of elegant villas and gardens that serenely pass by, stopping to explore some lake side villages such as Bellagio & Varenna, with time to savour both the flavours and views, with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the lake.
Day 3 – Lake Orta
This morning head to Lake Orta, one of the least known Italian Lakes, yet considered to be the most characteristically Italian. Explore the small medieval town of San Giulio, surrounded on three sides by the lake, offering incredible views, wonderful for wandering the cobbled streets and alleys. Enjoy a short boat trip on the lake to the Island of San Giulio for an enjoyable lunch on a charming lakeside terrace. In the afternoon, visit the Villa Taranto Gardens at Verbania, one of Italy’s premier gardens. Spread over 16 acres with 20,000 plants of botanic value and more than 80,000 blooming bulb specimens.
Day 4 – Lake Maggiore to Lake Garda
This morning, depart the hotel meandering through Italy’s Lake District to the next destination, Lake Garda, staying in a beautiful location, steps away from the main square of Desenzano, at a charming lakeside hotel. Share a lovely evening with your fellow travellers at dinner.
Day 5 - Mantua
After a relaxing morning, visit UNESCO-listed Mantua, designated as the Italian Capital of Culture and Gastronomy. During your Guided City Tour, view the many elegant palaces and surrounding lakes, while learning just how significant of a role Mantua played in the history of opera. With plenty of free time, Mantua is sure to keep you entertained.
Day 6 - Verona
Venturing out this morning to visit another UNESCO-listed city, Verona. Famously known as the city where Romeo and Juliet took place, Verona offers history, beautiful architecture, great food, and culture. During the Guided City Tour, you will see the famous Juliet’s Balcony, the Roman Theatre, built in 1st Century AD, and more. After leisure time to explore on your own, board the coach and track back to Lake Garda, but not before making a detour to Borghetto. A small hamlet built on the water, with a 14th century fortified bridge and ancient watermills, it is no wonder this hamlet is designated Italy’s most beautiful village. Enjoy a taste of the famous handmade tortellini that Borghetto is known for at dinner this evening.
Day 7 - Lake Garda
Spend today travelling up Lake Garda’s scenic eastern shoreline, watching the green mountains, quaint villages and crystal-clear waters pass you by. With plenty of free time to explore a handful of lakeside towns such as Lazise, Cisano, Bardolino, Garda, Torri del Benaco and Malcesine. Stopping to visit an Olive Oil Museum in Cisano and take in a Wine Tasting and Tour that includes the vineyard and cellar at Bardolino.
Day 8 – Lake Garda
Today is your day to experience aspects of the Northern Lakes that most appeal to you. With plenty of options, you may choose to spend the day wandering the narrow alleyways and the Castello Scaligero, an ancient fortress, at the quaint medieval village of Sirmione, just a short drive away. Or maybe you simply want to relax by venturing out to the beach across from the hotel.
Day 9 - Embarkation Day
It’s time to say farewell to the Northern Lakes of Italy and make way to your floating home for the next seven nights, the RCCL’s ‘Explorer of the Seas’, but not before a quick stop at a Parmigiano Factory for a tasting and tour!
Day 10 - At Sea
Spend the day exploring all the cruise ship has to offer… spa day anyone?
Day 11 - Santorini, Greece
Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages, and fiery volcanic activity.
Day 12 - Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Athens offers a looking glass back in time into Greece’s powerful ancient civilization. Art lovers, epicureans and history buffs will be delighted by the ancient ruins, museums and tavernas of this picturesque town.
Day 13 - At Sea
Spend today onboard the cruise ship. Lounge on the sundeck, take in a show, or enjoy an intimate dinner at one of the specialty restaurants.
Day 14 - Kotor, Montenegro
A tiny port in the already tiny country of Montenegro, Kotor is a larger-than-life world of mighty forts and towering sea cliffs, and the air filled with the refreshing smell of the ocean.
Day 15 – Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is one of the Dalmatian Coast’s best kept secrets, and adventure in this tucked away treasure teems with centuries of charm.
Day 16 – Disembarkation Day
Arrivederci! This morning disembarking the ship, transfer to Bologna airport for your flight home. Alla porssima (Until next time).
Dates & Pricing
Dates & PricingDouble Occupancy
Spacious Balcony (4B): $8,896.25
Balcony (2D): $8,496.25
Oceanview (4N): $7,796.25
Inside (4V): $7,596.25
Single Occupancy
Spacious Balcony (4B): $12,666.25
Balcony (2D): $11,866.25
Oceanview (4N): $10,486.25
Inside (4V): $10,146.25
All prices are per person, land only and include all taxes and fees. Prices are in CAD.
Not included in price:
- International airfare
- Airline baggage fees for additional or over-sized luggage
- Airline fuel surcharges if there is a change in fuel prices
- Gratuities for Tour Director and Driver
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses
- Travel Insurance
- Pre or post tour arrangements
Tour Highlights
Tour Highlights
Multi-Night Stays
Sometimes a day just isn't enough to take in all a place has to offer. Enjoy Multi-night stays at Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda.
RCCL's "Explorer of the Seas"
Spend seven nights onboard the RCCL "Explorer of the Seas" with the option of either a Spacious Balcony Room, Balcony Room, Outside Room, or an Inside Room Category. The Cruise has 4 unique ports of call - Santorini, Athens, Kotor, and Zadar.
Included Meals
During the land portion of the tour, all breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included. During the cruise portion, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included, within the main dining halls.
City Tours of Como Town, Mantua & Verona
Enjoy an in-depth, locally guided, City Tour of Como Town, Mantua & Verona.
Boat Tour of Lake Como
Take a boat tour on Lake Como, one of the best ways to see the area. Enjoy the views of elegant villas and gardens and stop at some lake side villages, such as Bellagio & Varenna, for some free time to explore.
Tour of Lake Orta & San Giulio
Explore the small medieval town of San Giulio, surrounded on three sides by the lake, offering incredible views, wonderful for wandering the cobbled streets and alleys. Enjoy a short boat trip on the lake to the Island of San Giulio for an enjoyable lunch on a charming lakeside terrace.
Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto
Located in Verbania, and is considered to be one of Italy's premier Botanic Gardens. It spreads over 16 acres with over 20,000 plants and 80,000 blooming bulb specimens. The gardens were founded in 1931 as a result of Captain Neil Eacharn's passion for botany.
Olive Oil Museum
The museum is made up of 11 rooms, dealing with different species of oil and olive trees. The rooms go into detail about traditional and innovative ways of harvesting, the mythology related to olive oil and the goddess Athena, how it shaped the landscape of Italy, and the usage of olive oil, spanning from ritual, sport, fool, scents and more.
Wine Tasting & Tour at a Bardolino Vineyard
Take a walk through the vineyards, have a close look at the entire production process, visit the grape reception area, the barrel room, warehouse and the bottling line, on this in depth tour. At the end of the tour, enjoy a wine tasting as you hear details about the history and technique of production for each wine that is tasted.
Parmigiano Factory Tour & Tasting
From blade of grass to the cheese wheel aged for 100 months, in a two hour tour, you can see every step, from the soil that feeds the animals to the production of the finest Parmigiano - Reggiano!