Welcome to Venice, nicknamed the City of Bridges for its 435 structures connecting more than 121 islands, and where your gluten free adventure begins. You’ll meet your transfer at the airport and make your way to your hotel via car and water taxi, a common form of Venetian transportation. Later tonight, join your Local Leader and fellow travelers for a meet and greet before your initiation into Italian cuisine with your meal of the trip – a delicious gluten free and vegan dinner at a fabulous local restaurant. (d)

Grab some comfortable walking shoes and prepare to navigate the cobblestoned streets of Venice today with a walking tour of the city, including St Mark's Square and the Basilica, Doges’ Palace, Accademia Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas has been practically unchanged for 600 years. After admiring the sites, enjoy the afternoon like Venetians do with a Spritz apertif at a local bar. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore. Perhaps immerse yourself in Venetian culture with a classical music concert inside the Santa Maria della Pieta Church, which served as composer and musician Antonio Vivaldi’s base for violin lessons and concerts. Or perhaps you’d like to see Venice’s landmarks from a different perspective as your gondolier navigates his iconic boat through the canals and passageways. Cap your evening off with a cocktail at the infamous Harry’s Bar, a Venetian staple dating back to 1931 and the meeting place for aristocrats and celebrities alike over the years, including Katherine Hepburn, Joe di Maggio, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. (b, l)

Say ciao to Venezia this morning as your foodie adventure continues in Italy’s stunning Lakes district. An area of unrivaled beauty full of unique landscapes, the views along the way are awe-inspiring. En route, you’ll stop in Valpolicella and visit the Tenuta Sant’Antonio wine cellar where you’ll taste one of their sumptuous wines and snack on some gluten free grissini, a crispy Italian breadstick. Your next stop brings you to a local farmhouse in Franciacorta where you’ll fill up on a 3-course lunch with wine pairings. Your drive ends at your hotel and home for the next three nights: Stresa! A charming, elegant, peaceful lake town, Stresa is known for its luxurious resorts and hotels and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. (b, l)

Start your day off in typical Italian fashion with an espresso and be properly caffeinated as you prepare to explore “the jewel of Lake Maggiore” and the Borromean Islands, a small group of lake islands. Home to picturesque villages, villas and gardens, these three islands showcase the grand baroque style of the 17th century and peaceful lifestyle of Italian island life. On Isola Bella, follow in the footsteps of aristocrats like Napoleon and his wife Josephine or Caroline of Brunswick, the Princess of Wales, as you stroll through the island’s Palace and botanical gardens. Leave your real-life fairytale behind as you return to Stresa where your Local Leader can help to suggest a place to dine with gluten free and vegan options. End your evening with a walk along the lakefront, some gluten-free gelato in hand. (b, d)

Switzerland awaits! This morning, you’ll hop on board the Centovalli train in Domodossola and head to Locarno. The name of the railway – Centovalli – translates to ‘100 Valleys’ which gives you an idea of just how scenic this route will be. Travel through mesmerizing landscapes, narrow valleys, rocky gorges, and quaint towns before reaching Locarno, an Italian-speaking resort city located at the base of the Alps. Enjoy the views and time to explore Locarno – there's plenty to do! Observe the Roman antiquities at the Museo Civico, ride the funicular to the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso for breathtaking views of the city below. Or perhaps watch as hawks, owls, and eagles swoop above you at a Falconry show, a tradition with roots that trace back to the Persian and Arabian cultures that introduced the sport to Europe centuries earlier. Tonight, you’ll head back to Stresa for a three-course dinner that showcases the best gluten free and vegan options that Northern Italy has to offer! (b, d)

Your journey through the Lakes district continues today as you bid farewell to Stresa and head for Italy’s third largest lake, the beautiful and shimmering Lake Como. Hop on a ferry for a short ride across the lake to Bellagio, an ancient peninsula home to winding streets and extraordinary views. During your free time to explore the town, be sure to check out the exotic trees in the botanical gardens of beautiful Villa Melzi or visit the Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden with amazing views of the lake. Stop for an afternoon espresso in the quiet Piazza della Chiesa before exploring the 11th-century, Romanesque architecture of Basilica di San Giacomo. Your day ends with your arrival in the international capital of fashion and design, the modern metropolis of Milan. There are options galore for gluten free and vegan dining options tonight! (b, d)

The history and beauty of Milan comes alive on a walking tour of the city with an Insider Expert. Explore inside the Duomo di Milan, Italy’s largest church, as well as discover the city’s famous plazas and stroll through the fashion district. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own. Indulge in some shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a lively,19th-century glass-topped shopping mall, or stroll along one of two remaining canals in the Navigli neighborhood, an area known for its welcoming atmosphere and culinary delights to both locals and visitors alike. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers will say arrivederci all’Italia as you toast to your adventures over a delectable dinner at Linfa Restaurant. (b, d)

Your adventure ends today as you depart at any time for the airport and your travels home. (b)