Italian Treasures & Mediterranean Discovery

Welcome to Stresa, set along the shores of Lake Maggiore at the edge of Italy's Alpine lakes region. As arrival times vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing through the afternoon, giving you time to settle in and take in Stresa at your own pace. As evening falls, cruise to Isola dei Pescatori, gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner that sets the tone for your journey.

Today, an Impact Moment brings you right into the mountains to an ancient village where locals dedicate their time to preserving historic buildings and long-held traditions. Walk the village with those keeping its story alive, then sample their artisanal cheeses paired with regional wines. Back in Stresa, the rest of the day is yours. Wander piazzas and lakeside paths, or maybe you'll join an optional cruise to Isola Bella for a visit to the lakeside Borromeo Palace, a Baroque work of art.

Set out for a glacial lake tucked into the foothills of the Alps: Lake Orta. Climb aboard a boat and set off for the island of San Giulio, where a cloistered convent and a serene lakeside path set a contemplative tone. As afternoon rolls in, head south to the Ligurian coast, where the Italian Riviera opens before you, revealing a different pace and personality of Italy. Arrive in Chiavari early this evening and settle in for a 2-night stay.

The morning unfolds at an easy pace in Chiavari, with time to stroll along the sea, or wander the town's portico-lined streets. Then, pause for lunch at a restaurant renowned among locals for its cheese-filled focaccia. The chef shares a few traditional techniques before you set off for Portofino, one of Italy's most iconic coastal towns. Spend time exploring at your own pace, whether that means walking the waterfront or slipping into narrow lanes above the marina.

Veer off the beaten path to visit one of Italy's natural wonders: the Carrara marble quarries. An off-road drive through the Apuane Mountains traces the routes carved by generations of quarrymen. Learn how this stone shaped Italian art and architecture, including Michelangelo's statue of David. Leaving the coast and quarries behind, this afternoon all roads lead to Tuscany. Deep in the countryside, settle in for your 4-night stay in a historic Tuscan villa.

This morning, travel through Tuscany's vineyard-lined hills toward San Gimignano, where medieval towers define the skyline of this hilltop town. After exploring the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”, head into the Chianti countryside and visit a family-owned villa. Tour the house and grounds, then roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking lesson rooted in regional tradition. Sit down together for a Tuscan dinner and, of course, local Chianti wine. Salute!

Florence – the city where the Medici shaped power, artists rewrote rules, and names like Galileo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci still echo through daily life – is yours to explore in your own way. It's your choice! Walk with a local guide, seeing the Piazza del Duomo, the Baptistery's Gates of Paradise, and historic squares like the Signoria and Santa Croce -OR- explore the Zeffirelli Foundation Museum, dedicated to one of Italy's great storytellers of cinema and opera. Enjoy free time to explore Tuscany's stunning capital, returning to your villa by early evening.

Today is a day of dolce far-niente (sweet do-nothing) at your Tuscan villa. Stroll the surrounding countryside or just take in the views from your favorite spot in the garden.

This afternoon, you may choose to embark on an optional truffle hunt led by a local expert and trained truffle-sniffing dogs. As you wander along unpaved trails, learn about the fascinating world of truffles and the techniques used to forage them. A truffle-themed dinner hits the spot before returning to your villa in the evening.

Did you know the Emilia region of Italy is considered “Food Valley” – and today, that's where you're headed as you travel north to visit a family-owned acetaia. Tour the attic where balsamic vinegar has aged for generations, learning how patience and tradition shape every barrel.

After a light lunch featuring these flavors, continue to Venice, the city built on water. This slice of Italy hits differently as daily life unfolds along canals instead of streets. Settle in for your final 2-night stay in one of the most romantic places in the world.

Spend the day in Venezia, a city shaped by water, art, and architecture. Walk the city with a local guide, seeing St. Mark's Square, the Bell Tower, and the Bridge of Sighs as stories of daily life unfold.

Later, travel by boat to Murano as a local demonstrates the art of glass-blowing, carrying on a centuries-old island tradition. The afternoon is yours to explore Venice at your own pace. Lose yourself along the canals and experience first-hand the enchantment of this timeless city. Perhaps take an optional gondola cruise to enjoy one of Venice's most famous pastimes. As evening falls, gather for a farewell dinner to toast new friends and say arrivederci to Italy.

Wake up in Venice as your first journey through Italy comes to an end, taking with you wonderful memories and new connections made along the way. Your Connected Trip continues today as you make your own way to the starting point of your Viking cruise.

Embark your ship in Chioggia and settle into your stateroom. Chioggia is a charming fishing community steeped in its age-old seafaring traditions. It is also the gateway to Venice, famed for its wondrous patchwork of graceful piazzas, tranquil canals, artful footbridges and Gothic splendor. All things Venetian begin in St. Mark's Square, where its elegant campanile, or bell tower, rings over the rooftops, and the Byzantine-Gothic St. Mark's Basilica seems to preside over all. Beyond St. Mark's and away from the crowds, Venice is a hushed and intriguing city to explore on foot, with medieval echoes marking every step.

The Venetian Republic ruled Adriatic waves for a millennium. During the 8th century as the Roman Empire began to decline, many Europeans fled to Venice and its neighboring towns, including Chioggia. Merchants put their skills to use, and the city-state was soon thriving. The Venetian Lagoon's canal banks feature buildings influenced by Byzantine and Islamic architecture, reflecting Venice's powerful trading network. The first vaporetto traversed the Grand Canal in 1881; alongside the gondolas, these iconic Venetian water buses are at the heart of Venice's transport network.

Šibenik is the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast. The remarkable architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site spans the centuries, having witnessed the rise and fall of empires, from Byzantine to Venetian. In its remarkably preserved Old Town, narrow cobblestone streets lead past medieval houses and churches, all surrounded by four historic fortresses, including the imposing St. Nicholas Fortress. St. James Cathedral, built by several architects in the Gothic and Renaissance styles over a century, is the most important Renaissance structure in Croatia.

Located at the heel of Italy's boot, Bari boasts a sunny, palm-lined promenade, romantic honey-toned balconied houses, welcoming courtyards, and Romanesque and baroque churches. It is pure pleasure to take in the distinct Mediterranean atmosphere of this picturesque port, with colorful fishing boats bobbing on the turquoise harbor. History and culture take center stage at the splendid Norman-Swabian Castle; the Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas, named for the city's patron saint; and the Petruzzelli Theater, one of Italy's most important opera houses.

Crotone, according to Ovid, was named by Hercules himself in memory of a friend he had accidentally slain. Today, it is the capital of its eponymous province, a region known for its pristine waters, untouched mountains and vast forests. As the gateway to a landscape bestowed with great natural beauty, Crotone prides itself in its deep historical roots, which can be traced back to the 7th century BC in the city's archaeological museum and the ruins of two redoubtable fortifications, the Castle of St. Charles V and Le Castella, situated on a small peninsula south of the city.

Sicily has been shaped by countless civilizations, from Greek to Byzantine to Roman. When it fell under Spain's purview in the 17th century, it was celebrated as one of Europe's ten great cities. Surrounded by undulating mountains, orange and olive groves and vineyards are plentiful. During World War II, Messina was the destination of the unofficial “Race to Messina” between US General Patton and British Field Marshall Montgomery. In the end, Patton arrived just hours before his British comrade, receiving credit for securing Sicily.

Naples boasts a long history in a stunning seaside setting and is known mostly for its pizza. The city has long been a major center of Italian culture and was the seat of a powerful independent kingdom for 500 years. So great was its sway that it lured the region's finest architects and artists. In the grand Piazza del Plebiscito, the grand and sweeping public square, the San Francesco di Paola Church flaunts a colonnaded facade reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome, and the Royal Palace overlooks Neapolitans with statues of all the kings of Naples peering out from alcoves.

For centuries, Rome ruled much of Europe, building a vast empire from the power of emperors. More than 2,500 years of history live in the city's streets. Ancient structures recall those heady days when the cheers of 80,000 spectators roared from the Colosseum, citizens mingled in the Forum and senators asked the gods for guidance at the Pantheon. Along with the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, this rich pocket of Italy is one of the world's greatest repositories of history and civilization. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.