Best of Tuscany, Bologna, Como & Bernina Express

Your journey of historical destinations and breathtaking views begins today as you arrive in Italy. Transferring independently, make your own way to our first beautiful base, Montecatini Terme. This picturesque spa town is set in the Tuscan countryside and divided into two parts: The lower town is known as Montecatini Terme, while on the hill above us is the Old Town of Montecatini Alto.

After checking into our perfectly positioned hotel for three nights, you have some free time to settle in and get your first look at the region. If time allows, you could ride the funicular up to Montecatini Alto for breathtaking views over Tuscany.

Return to the hotel this early this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers before we sit down to dinner together. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Dinner

Today is a vacation highlight as we travel by rail to the "Jewel of the Renaissance," Florence. We walk to the railway station this morning for the short trip, and on arrival, enjoy a tour of the city's treasures. Our guide takes us to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Signoria, the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Repubblica. Afterward, we visit the Accademia Gallery, with included admission to see one of the world's most beloved sculptures, Michelangelo's "David."

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Apart from breathtaking buildings and pretty piazzas, Florence has an astounding collection of Renaissance art, which you can find in its galleries, churches and Medici palaces. If you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery, booking ahead is essential. Another wonderful way to experience Florence is to stroll across the river to wander amongst the Mediterranean and historic ornamental plants of the Boboli Gardens, carefully maintained to fit Renaissance design.

We make our return journey by train and then have a free evening to dine locally. Overnight Montecarini Terme.

• Breakfast

A day of rich traditions and picture-postcard views lies ahead today as we board our coach mid-morning to venture into the Tuscan countryside to Tenuta Torciano. This sprawling wine estate, situated outside of San Gimignano in the heart of wine country, has been family-owned and operated for 13 generations.

Here, we learn about the Italian art of pizza making, with our chef expertly guiding every step from ingredient selection to dough making and baking. We utilize seasonal ingredients to make delicious pizzas, and then we enjoy a pizza lunch alongside a tasting of the exceptional wines produced on the estate.

From here, we continue to San Gimignano, whose 14 ancient towers welcome us to this hill town. Enjoy a free afternoon to wander the medieval streets of its historic center - a UNESCO World Heritage site - before we return to our Montecatini hotel this evening. For dinner, you could explore the nearby restaurant options, perhaps enjoying some more Tuscan cuisine, such as steak Florentine. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Gaze upon the rolling vineyards and hill towns of Tuscany this morning as our coach takes us north to Bologna. A tapestry of terracotta medieval structures, Roman ruins and contemporary architecture lines the streets of this renowned locale, and we encounter their distinctive beauty on a guided tour.

Our route features the historic buildings that frame Piazza Maggiore, as well as Neptune's Fountain, Palazzo Re Enzo, Palazzo D'accursio, Piazza della Mercanzia and the Basilica of Santo Stefano. A highlight comes as we approach the "Two Towers," Asinelli and Garisenda, whose slightly leaning profiles stand as city symbols.

There is free time to find lunch or continue exploring before we continue the afternoon with a gastronomic tour. Get acquainted with the region's flavors as we explore a colorful medieval market, artisan shops, a chocolate factory, and groceries, while mingling with locals. Each stop provides a deeper understanding of why Bologna is regarded as Italy's culinary capital.

We depart Bologna after our tour, continuing to our hotel in Parma, where we check in for two nights and have dinner. Overnight Parma.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A UNESCO World Heritage-listed Creative City of Gastronomy and the capital of the Food Valley, Parma is a lesser-visited gem. In addition to being known for some of Italy's greatest culinary contributions, it charms with elegant piazzas, Romanesque buildings and rich culture that extends beyond the table. We uncover its ambiance and historical architecture on a morning walking tour. Weave past Palazzo Ducale, the Baptistery, Piazza Garibaldi, the Duomo and the 16th-century university.

We continue our explorations with a coach journey to Langhirano, where we visit a Parma ham factory. We witness the making of prosciutto from salting fresh ham to the curing process. Afterward, we enjoy a tasting of the savory, yet slightly sweet, meat and sit down to a lunch featuring local products.

Upon returning to Parma this afternoon, you are free to continue exploring Parma's best features - and flavors - at your own pace. The city center features numerous shops offering authentic tastes of the Emilia-Romagna region, including balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and artisanal cured meats, as well as restaurants featuring local specialties. Overnight Parma.

• Breakfast, Lunch

The romantic scenery of Lake Como and the Italian Alps beckons this morning as we begin our journey toward idyllic Como. Our route pauses as we arrive in the stylish city of Milan, where distant views of the Alps hint at the beauty ahead.

A guide meets us upon arrival, and together, we set out on a guided tour. We visit the 14th-century Gothic Duomo, known for its high altar and artistic stained glass windows, and enjoy admission to its rooftop, where breathtaking views of the city abound. Our tour continues to Castello Sforzesco and Montenapoleone, Milan's high-end shopping street.

You can continue exploring independently or find lunch in one of the atmospheric cafés. We then reboard the coach for the final leg to Como, whose backdrop includes the Alps and shores dotted with luxurious villas, orange trees and sunlit village squares. Arriving mid-afternoon, we check into our hotel, from which you can get your first glimpse of the lake or wander the city center ahead of our group dinner. Overnight Como.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a guided walk through Como. This destination is renowned for its lake views and gardens, and has a historical importance that we can appreciate as we explore. Look upon the classical medieval buildings and the impressive Gothic Duomo, and admire the charms of the Old Town while learning its stories. We then head to the shores of Lake Como to board a boat cruise to Bellagio.

Lush views surround us as we cross the water. Watch out for tucked-away villas nestled along the shore, and admire the pretty lakeside villages which are synonymous with the region. Docking in Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como," you have a free afternoon to soak up the views and history. Wander along the flower-bedecked promenade or through the streets of the lower town in search of an al fresco café for lunch.

Reboarding our boat, we cruise back to Como, where there is a free evening to have dinner locally, perhaps in one of the elegant restaurants overlooking Lake Como. Overnight Como.

• Breakfast

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, crossing the Alps on the Bernina Express is an incredible experience. While most passengers journey from Switzerland to Italy, today, we follow it in reverse, traveling from Tirano to St. Moritz.

After transferring to Tirano by coach, we settle into our panoramic carriages and prepare for a journey of exceptional scenery on a UNESCO-listed route. Winding out of our Italian valley town, the train spirals the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio and begins climbing. Enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier before we cross the Bernina Pass and make our way up to Ospizio Bernina at more than 7,300 feet above sea level. Mountain views continue to guide our journey through the Engadine Valley to St. Moritz.

Stepping off the train, you can lunch independently before some free time to see local highlights. From Lake St. Moritz to Via Serlas and the 12th-century Leaning Tower, there is much to uncover in this stylish resort. Our coach takes us back to Como later this afternoon, and we have dinner together on arrival. Overnight Como.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Brimming with culinary delights and spellbinding scenery, this Italian expedition provided a memorable glimpse at the offerings of the northern regions. We explored Tuscany from our charming base in Montecatini Terme, visiting Michelangelo's David in Florence and a 300-year-old estate in San Gimignano, where we learned about pizza-making and wine. From here, we experienced the flavors of Bologna and Parma, and then spent three nights beside stunning Lake Como. Topping off all of this with a ride on the UNESCO-listed line of the Bernina Express created a journey to treasure.

Your vacation comes to a close this morning as you check out of our hotel and begin your onward travels home independently.

• Breakfast