After months of seating charts, vendor emails, and RSVP chasing, we are SO ready for this. Studies show massage therapy significantly reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) — so this is basically doctor's orders.

Lake Como is one of Italy's most breathtaking lakes, its deep glacial waters stretching between dramatic Alpine peaks and elegant 19th-century villas. A boat ride across its shimmering surface is the most romantic way to take it all in — we can't wait.

What better way to explore a city than on foot, a little breathless, for 13.1 miles? The Romeo and Juliet Half Marathon takes runners through the heart of Verona — the same streets that inspired the world's most famous love story. One of us signed up willingly. The other is a very good sport.

Naturally, after running a half marathon through the city, dinner felt non-negotiable. Verona is famous for its aperitivo tradition — locals gather at golden hour for a Aperol spritz and cicchetti before sitting down to eat. We'll be skipping nothing on that menu.

A few years back, Kolby became a Certified Specialist of Wine and always wanted to visit Tuscany because it seemed similar to California's Paso Robles wine region. The Chianti region alone is home to some of Italy's most celebrated wines — from the bold Brunello di Montalcino to the elegant Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, both built on the Sangiovese grape. We'll also be keeping an eye out for Super Tuscans — the rule-breaking blends that put Italian wine on the world map.

The Douro Valley's history runs deep — Port wine was once floated down the river on traditional Rabelo boats to Porto for aging and export. While Port is iconic, we're bigger fans of Portugal's dry wines — Vinho Verde, Alentejo, Dão, and the underrated dry Douro reds. Our plan is simple: float down one of Europe's most beautiful rivers, stop at vineyards along the way, and taste as much as possible.

Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest cities, home to medieval castles, sweeping hilltop views, and some of the best seafood on the continent. Dinners here are an event — long, leisurely, and delicious. Madi is also very excited about a Zara that reportedly takes up an entire city block. We'll be doing both.

Venice is unlike anywhere on earth — 118 islands connected by canals, bridges, and centuries of history. We'll be there during Aqua Alta season, so we'll gondola or boat through the canals if the water cooperates, and if not, we'll be exploring Murano's legendary glassblowing, and the colorful island of Burano.

Bologna is nicknamed 'La Grassa' — the Fat One — and it earns it. Birthplace of ragù Bolognese, mortadella, and tortellini, it's widely considered Italy's food capital. It's also home to the oldest university in the Western world, founded in 1088, giving it a lively locals energy that most tourist cities don't have. We're eating everything.

Venetian cuisine is deeply tied to the lagoon — fresh seafood, squid ink risotto, and cicchetti bars around every corner. After a day of exploring canals and islands, a long leisurely dinner for two in one of the world's most romantic cities sounds just about perfect.

From the Uffizi's Renaissance masterpieces in Florence to the mosaic-covered domes of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, this trip is stacked with the kind of history you can't quite get from a photo. We're planning to see Michelangelo's David in person, climb Clérigos Tower in Porto for the best skyline view in the city, and wander the terraced gardens of Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como (yes, the one from Star Wars and James Bond).