Depart Omaha on flight to Milan (two connections). Meals: On Plane

Arrival Milan, Italy. Upon arrival, clear customs and meet the local driver and guide who will be with the group the entire stay. Transfer to city center and enjoy a short city tour of Milan. Milan is universally recognized as the economic capital of Italy but also known for its outstanding architecture and fashion industry. The stock exchange has resided in the city since 1808. On the city tour, see important landmarks and plenty of time on the main plaza to discover the Victorian covered shopping galleries and the city’s most eye-catching landmark the gothic Duomo. Continue to Turin (Torino). Dinner and overnight at city center 4* BW Plus Hotel GENOVA Meals: On Plane, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. A sweet start to your Northern Italy tour! Discover the historic center of Turin through the eyes of chocolate, tasting the traditional products of local producers and learning about their centuries old connections to Turin, Piedmont and Italian history. Visit Turin's talented master chocolatiers. Start with hot chocolate, which was also appreciated by the royal court. Next, discover the king of Turin chocolate, gianduiotto. Finally, roam the Risorgimento and taste the legendary bicerin, a mythical hot drink made with coffee, chocolate and cream. Lunch on own. In the afternoon, choose to visit the Royal Palace or the National Automobile Museum. Dinner at leisure. Overnight Turin. Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart into the Piedmont mountains to a small village where we will arrive at a well-known culinary school and participate in a cooking lesson. Lunch will feature their regional specialties. We will work off our lunch on a light hike through the hills learning about the art of truffle hunting. The Alba region is known for its white truffles or perhaps we should call them Earth’s gold as some of them can bring over $3,000 per pound! No wonder the hunter’s display their finds in glass jewelry cases to be sold to cooks and individuals. A truffle is a tuber and they are usually hunted using scent sniffing dogs who locate the underground treasures. We will learn all about the truffle and sample different types. Continue to a winery: visit the cellar and taste the typical wines of northern Italy. Dinner on own. Overnight Turin. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast and checkout. Depart to La Granda, an association promoting the Piedmont cattle breed. This story is a fantastic example of rejuvenation of an almost extinct breed to creating a specialty market for its meat and other products. The domestic breed is known for its double muscling resulting in higher lean-to-fat ratio and less marbling. Visit a Piedmont cattle farm. Afterwards, visit La Granda butchery and processing to see the full circle and enjoy lunch at their unique grocery store / restaurant. A fantastic example of value-added production. We continue towards Maggiore Lake. Dinner and overnight at hotel located on Maggiore Lake. 4* HOTEL VILLA PARADISO Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This day is dedicated to visit the Borromeo's Islands, a highlight of a stay at Lake Maggiore. Board a private boat. Isola Bella reveals its striking Baroque palace and lush Italianate gardens. Enjoy some. Time to explore. We continue by boat to the tiny island, Isola Pescatori, a quaint fishing village with narrow streets lined with charming houses and seafood restaurants. Free time for lunch and shopping. Continue to the last stop, Isola Madre, visiting a stunning English-style botanical garden with a villa. Return to Hotel. Dinner included. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, depart to discover the “elegant” Lake Como. Como, a picturesque city nestled at the southern tip of Lake Como is a delightful experience rich in history, stunning landscapes, and charming architecture. Enjoy a tour of the town including the beautiful 14th-century Dome with its remarkable, richly decorated facade and its interior with its magnificent tapestries, the Broletto, the former municipal palace, the church of San Fedele and the characteristic narrow streets. Lunch on own in Como. In the afternoon, continue to Lake Garda. Later in the afternoon, stop at the pretty village of Sirmione, on the shores of Lake Garda, for a stroll to discover its historic center and the Scaliger family castle (exterior). Dinner and overnight in Lake Garda region.4* LEONARDO HOTEL LAGO DI GARDA WELLNESS & SPA Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast departure towards the Treviso region, set at the foot of the Alps, north of Venice. Visit a water buffalo farm. Learn about raising the water buffalo and their importance in Italy’s mozzarella cheese production. It is thought that the buffalo was introduced in Roman times and it is a recognized breed since 2000. Sample the fresh cheese and discover the taste of “real” buffalo mozzarella. Lunch at the farm In the afternoon, continue into the rolling hills of Prosecco, declared in 2019 part of UNESCO heritage a cultural landscape, where the work of winemakers has helped create a unique setting. Visit a Prosecco winery with tasting. Prosecco is a sparkling white wine and is primarily made from the Glera grape. It is often characterized by fruity and floral notes, including green apple, pear, peach, and honeysuckle. It usually has a crisp acidity, making it refreshing. Continue to Venice outskirts. Dinner and overnight 4* Hotel BW TRITONE in Venice-Mestre. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Full day dedicated to explore Venice. After an early breakfast, depart to Venice by train or public bus departing directly from hotel and then by private boat along the Grand Canal. Disembark at the Rialto Bridge to enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Visit Rialto’s local market, which has existed for centuries. Venice built its wealth as a great mercantile city and emporium: at this market, there would have been banks, silk sellers, insurance companies, jewelers. Today, the market is mostly known for its fresh fish and vegetables. Finish the visit with “ciccheti” (venetian tapas) and a “ombra” a glass of wine in a typical “bacaro” (wine bar). Free time for lunch on own and shopping. Around 4pm, transfer by private boat to the island of Burano where, after a stroll amongst the colorful fisherman’s houses, we will enjoy our farewell dinner in a typical trattoria. Return to hotel in Venice-Mestre for final overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast. Transfer to Venice airport for flight home. Arrive home on the same day. Meals: Breakfast, On Plane