Milan and Lake Como & cruise from Renaissance-infused Mantua to the Canals of Venice (port-to-port cruise)

Milan - Lake Como - Milan - MANTUA - VALDARO - Verona(1) - OSTIGLIA - ROVIGO - PORTO VIRO - Padua(1) - CHIOGGIA - VENICE - MAZZORBO - VENICE

You’ll check into your 4-star hotel in Milan or Lake Maggiore and enjoy dinner.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. We’ll head to Como for a guided tour of the city. Built along the banks of a calm lake, Como is an invitation to rest and relaxation. We’ll visit the remarkable cathedral, which was built over a period of 400 years. The interior contains important tapestries and paintings, mainly dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll take the Brunate funicular railway to the summit, where you’ll have a great view of the lake and city below. We’ll return to Como and enjoy a boat tour of the lake. After our excursion, we’ll return to Milan by coach. Dinner and accommodations at a hotel.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city to get an overview of what it has to offer. Dynamic, trendy Milan also contains old-fashioned charm, monuments, quaint neighborhoods, and a veritable architectural and artistic heritage that stands out on its own in sublime Italy. We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to discovering the historic center, including a visit to the cathedral. The vast, Gothic-style cathedral took five centuries to complete and is covered with white and pink marble. The roof is adorned with openwork pinnacles and spires crowned with sculptures overlooking the city. The more sober inside is impressive in its grandeur: it can hold up to 40,000 people at one time. We’ll hit the road for Mantua (an approximate 2-hour drive) and board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city on your own.

This morning, join us on an optional excursion CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: A guided tour of Mantua, where the House of Gonzaga ruled for almost 400 years. Although Mantua is not well known, it is one of the most artistically rich and romantic cities in northern Italy. We'll head downtown to see the imposing Ducal Palace (closed on Monday). The House of Gonzaga called the monumental complex home between 1328 and 1707. One of the most splendid rooms we'll visit is the Bridal Chamber decorated with a series of fresco and oil paintings by Andrea Mantegna. We'll then stroll to the historic city center to visit the Rotonda di San Lorenzo and the Basilica of Sant'Andrea.

You're free to do as you please in the afternoon.

Or enjoy an optional tour of the Ferrari Museum in Modena (not included in packages). Car lovers will not want to miss this chance! The museum focuses on the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari sports car brand. Their website says it best: “The Museo Enzo Ferrari is more than just a museum. It is a spectacular immersive experience that combines a dizzying mix of unique ingredients. Visitors not only get to admire the stunning cars displayed in the futuristic 2,500 square metre main pavilion but are also treated to a spectacular audio-visual show to tell the magical story of Enzo Ferrari’s 90 years.”

At the end of the day, we will sail towards Valdaro.

This morning, the optional excursions are:

- CLASSIC: Visit Verona and its amphitheater or the Giusti Gardens.(3) Departing Rovigo, we'll head by coach to Verona, the City of Love made famous by Shakespeare's legendary tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We'll visit Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta) to see the balcony where she stood when Romeo declared his love. Verona encapsulates 2,000 years of history from an architectural, urban, and artistic point of view. The amphitheater, the historic symbol of the city, is a fantastic example of its longevity and influence.

- DISCOVERY: Verona through its gastronomy.

We'll return on board in Ostiglia and spend the afternoon cruising.

We'll spend the morning cruising.

This afternoon, join us on an optional excursion CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: A guided tour of Padua, the home of Saint Anthony. The city surrounds its medieval center with charming squares and palaces. Il Santo, the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, sits among these and contains the remains of the city's patron saint.

As you enjoy the tour, the ship will cruise to Chioggia.(2) For those who decide not to join us on the excursion, you will be transferred from Porto Viro to Chioggia. Enjoy some free time in Chioggia.After our tour, we'll return on board and begin to cruise to Venice. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city on your own.

This morning, we offer two optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Square. You’ll discover Saint Mark’s Square and its famous basilica (exteriors) and take a tour inside Doge’s Palace, the official residence of Venetian dukes and the seat of the government until 1797. The current palace dates back to the 14th century and is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. A trek to the top of the Golden Staircase brings you to massive works by Tintoretto and Veronese and gives you access to the antechambers and a magnificent view from the balcony.

- DISCOVERY: Venice and the Dorsoduro district.

Free afternoon in Venice. Take the time to discover or rediscover the most romantic city in the world and join the Rialto, the city's emblematic bridge, located on the Grand Canal. From the bridge you will have a breathtaking view of the canal and the historic buildings that surround it.

Morning cruise in the Venice lagoon. From the sun deck, you will contemplate the silhouettes of churches and palaces silhouetted against the horizon. At the heart of this labyrinth of canals and islands, you will enjoy a unique experience admiring the landscapes and the ballet of the numerous boats using the channels. You will reach the island of Mazzorbo connected by a pedestrian bridge to the charming island of Burano.

Enjoy exploring Burano—known for its traditional lacemaking and picture-perfect homes—on your own.

Optional excursion CLASSIC/ DISCOVERY: discovery of Murano island. Departure by private boat to the island of Murano, famous for its glass production. Visit a workshop to watch a glassblowing demonstration.

Sailing to Venice.

Gala's evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.