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Italian Riviera - Como, Milan & Cinque Terre
October 17 - 25, 2026
Join Belinda Jensen and Defined Destinations on an unforgettable Italian escape, October 17–25, 2026, where the scenery shifts daily from alpine lakes and stylish cities to dramatic coastlines and colorful seaside villages. After experiencing the elegance of Lake Como and the energy of Milan, the journey continues to the Italian Riviera and the coastal charm of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Here, mountains rise behind pastel towns, the Ligurian Sea is always close, and villages cling to the cliffs of Cinque Terre. Explore on foot or by train, take in sweeping coastal views, and visit the iconic harbor of Portofino. While on the Riviera, enjoy a classic Italian cooking class followed by a shared meal, along with a vineyard visit featuring a light lunch and wine tasting.
Throughout the trip, savor classic Italian meals, fresh seafood, handmade pasta, regional wines, and flavors that reflect each place we visit. This is Italy at its most engaging, relaxed yet full of discovery, with unforgettable landscapes and food at the heart of the experience.
Highlights & Inclusions:
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Hosted by Belinda Jensen (formerly of KARE 11)
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Optional Airfare included from Minneapolis
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Daily Breakfast
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Welcome & Farewell Dinners
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Professional Tour Director throughout the journey
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Local Italian Guide
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Boat excursion on Lake Como to Bellagio & Varenna
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Italian Winery tour & tasting with light lunch
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Seaside stay in Santa Margherita Ligure with excursion to Portofino
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Day trip to the Cinque Terre by scenic train
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Explore the Cinque Terre by foot or by train
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Italian vineyard visit with wine tasting
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Centrally located 4-star hotels throughout
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Leisure time for your own experiences
Day 1: Saturday, Oct. 17
Fly To Italy
Your overnight flight to Italy begins today. Settle in and enjoy the journey as you head toward a week filled with memorable scenery, exceptional food, and authentic Italian experiences. The group flight departs the United States on October 17, 2026, arriving in Italy on October 18, 2026. Complete flight details, including times and flight numbers, are listed below.
Day 2: Sunday, Oct. 18
Arrive In Milan, Italy
Buongiorno, Italy! The group flight arrives at 9:25 AM at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, where your Italian guide will join the group before we transfer by private coach into Milan(airport transfers are included if you book the group flight or arrive with the group or before the group flight).
We begin with a guided introduction to Milan’s historic center, anchored by the magnificent Duomo di Milano, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals, celebrated for its intricate spires and white marble façade. Just steps away, stroll through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century glass-covered arcade and one of Europe’s great meeting places.
Milan is also considered the birthplace of the aperitivo tradition, and you’ll pass historic cafés where this pre-dinner ritual began and remains a cherished part of daily life. Along the way, your guide shares stories of the city’s artistic legacy, including its connection to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and how Milan continues to evolve following its role as a host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Following the tour, check in to your centrally located hotel near the Duomo. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner hosted by Belinda and a chance to toast the days ahead.
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 3: Monday, Oct. 19
Lake Como - Bellagio & Varenna
After breakfast, travel north toward the Italian Alps to the storied shores of Lake Como, a destination long favored by aristocracy, artists, and modern-day celebrities. The lake’s dramatic setting—steep mountains plunging directly into deep blue water—sets the tone for the day.
From Como, board a private boat to explore two of the lake’s most beloved villages. Bellagio, often called the “Pearl of the Lake,” charms with its stone stairways, elegant villas, and lakeside cafés. Across the water, Varenna offers a quieter, more romantic feel, known for colorful houses, flower-lined walkways, and peaceful waterfront paths.
Enjoy time to wander, shop, or simply sit along the water before returning to Milan in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own this evening—an ideal opportunity to experience Milan’s aperitivo culture or discover a neighborhood trattoria near the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Piedmont & The Riviera
This morning, leave Lake Como and travel by private coach through the rolling vineyards of Piedmont, a region renowned for its world-class wines. Stop at a family-run winery for a guided tour of the cellars, followed by a tasting of their vintages and a light lunch paired with local specialties. Continue south to the beautiful seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure on the Italian Riviera. Nestled between hills and the sea, this elegant town offers palm-lined promenades and lively piazzas. Enjoy the evening at leisure to discover its coastal charm.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Wednesday, Oct. 21
Santa Margherita Ligure & Cinque Terre
Today is dedicated to exploring the legendary Cinque Terre, where historic villages cling dramatically to cliffs above the Mediterranean.
We depart Santa Margherita Ligure for the Cinque Terre by train, traveling along one of Italy’s most picturesque stretches of coastline. Upon arrival, guests may choose to hike between select villages along scenic coastal trails, while others remain with our local guide and continue comfortably by train. This flexible approach allows everyone to experience the Cinque Terre at their own pace.
Each village has its own distinct character, from colorful harbors and narrow lanes to terraced vineyards carved into steep hillsides. This region is also the birthplace of pesto, traditionally made with local basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Santa Margherita Ligure in the afternoon. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Thursday, Oct. 22
Portofino & Santa Margherita
Board a public boat this morning for a scenic ride along the Ligurian coast to Portofino, once a humble fishing village and now one of Italy’s most photographed harbors. Enjoy free time to explore the small piazza, browse boutiques, or walk up for postcard-perfect views.
Continue by boat to Camogli, a lively seaside town known for its tall, colorful buildings and strong maritime traditions. Lunch and time to explore are at your leisure before returning to Santa Margherita Ligure by private coach.
This evening, dinner is included at the hotel—a relaxed end to a beautifully scenic day.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, October 23
Santa Margherita & Cooking Class
This morning features an included hands on Ligurian cooking experience at a local venue, one of the highlights of our time on the Italian Riviera. Guests are invited to take part in preparing classic regional dishes, including the traditional method of making pesto using a mortar and pestle, a practice deeply rooted in Ligurian culture and passed down through generations. For those who prefer, the morning may instead be enjoyed at leisure exploring Santa Margherita Ligure independently.
After lunch for those participating in the cooking experience, the group returns to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy Santa Margherita Ligure at your own pace, whether that means a seaside walk, shopping, or a café stop along the promenade. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Cooking Class Lunch
Day 8: Saturday, October 24
Genoa & Milan
After checking out, depart for Genoa, one of Europe’s great historic port cities and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. A guided walking tour introduces the heart of the old city, known for its narrow lanes, grand palaces, and centuries-old maritime wealth.
After time for lunch on your own, continue to Milan Malpensa. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner hosted by Belinda, and an opportunity to reflect on the week, share favorite moments, and celebrate an unforgettable journey through northern Italy.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 9: Sunday, October 25
Fly Home or Extend your stay
After breakfast, transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport for your flight home. You’ll return with lasting memories of elegant cities, glittering lakes, colorful coastal villages, and the shared moments that made this journey through northern Italy so special.
For guests wishing to continue their travels, Milan is a natural gateway to explore more of Italy or onward destinations throughout Europe.
(Please refer to the group flight details for return-home scheduling.)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Important Information About Group Flights (if you choose included airfare)
If you choose to book the group included airfare flight, please be aware that seat assignments are not provided by the airline until the day of check-in. This is standard airline policy for group reservations.
If you require a specific seat type, such as an aisle, window, or an upgraded seat in Delta comfort, premium or first class, we recommend not purchasing a group ticket. Instead, we’d be happy to provide you with a separate quote that allows for specific seat selection (choose land only option when booking).
While airlines will make every effort to seat you next to your traveling companion, this cannot be guaranteed.
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your flexibility when booking group flights!
FLIGHT DETAILS ON DELTA AIRLINES/SKYTEAM
GROUP FLIGHT DETAILS
OUTBOUND – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026
Delta Air Lines Flight #1048
Depart: Minneapolis (MSP) – 12:45 PM
Arrive: Atlanta (ATL) – 4:21 PM
Delta Air Lines Flight #174
Depart: Atlanta (ATL) – 6:15 PM
Arrive: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – 9:25 AM (Sunday, October 18, 2026)
RETURN – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026
Delta Air Lines Flight #8306 (operated by Air France)
Depart: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – 6:55 AM
Arrive: Paris (CDG) – 8:35 AM
Delta Air Lines Flight #153
Depart: Paris (CDG) – 10:20 AM
Arrive: Minneapolis (MSP) – 1:55 PM
Why choose to travel to Italy with us!
This Italian journey with Defined Destinations is special not just for where we go, but for how the experience is designed. From the elegance of Lake Como to the relaxed rhythm of the Italian Riviera, the itinerary unfolds naturally, giving you time to truly enjoy each destination.
Staying just steps from the sea in Santa Margherita Ligure allows you to settle into coastal life, while memorable days in Cinque Terre and Portofino deliver iconic scenery. Along the way, included experiences such as a classic Italian cooking class and a vineyard visit with a light lunch and wine tasting bring the regions and their traditions to life.
Belinda Jensen will be traveling alongside the group, sharing the experience in a relaxed and natural way. Defined Destinations is a Minneapolis based travel company that believes the details matter, from well chosen hotels to thoughtful pacing and attentive support. The result is an Italian experience that feels easy, personal, and genuinely memorable.
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Tour Price:
LAND ONLY RATE
$5799
PER PERSON
(Based on 2 people in a room) INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
AIRFARE INCLUDED RATE
$7299
PER PERSON
(Based on 2 people in a room) AIRFARE INCLUDED OUT OF MSP
LAND ONLY - SINGLE RATE
$6799
PER PERSON
(Based on 1 person in a room) LAND ONLY - AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
AIRFARE INCLUDED RATE
$8299
SINGLE RATE
(Based on 1 person in a room) AIRFARE INCLUDED OUT OF MSP
Trip Deposit
A $500 non-refundable per person deposit is due at the time of registration. When you book a trip, your deposit secures your seat and allows us to confirm hotels and services on your behalf. These deposits are paid directly to our hotel partners, who require them to hold space for our group. For this reason, deposits are non-refundable if you cancel. We appreciate your understanding, as this policy ensures that every guest has guaranteed accommodations and a smooth travel experience.
Final Payment
July 1, 2026
