Italian Masterpieces & the Magical Lakes Tour

Welcome to Rome! Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Use your Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket to explore Rome’s iconic landmarks from a different perspective. Hop on and off at any of the eight stops along the route and enjoy the commentary available in 12 languages. The ticket is valid for one day. After the tour, enjoy the evening at your leisure and return to your hotel for an overnight stay at Hotel St. Martin, Hotel Diana Roof Garden or similar.

After breakfast, depart from your hotel for an included guided tour of Rome’s extraordinary Archaeological Area. Meet your professional guide and begin your 2.5-hour journey through history. Equipped with a personal radio receiver and earphones, explore the legendary Colosseum, the iconic Flavian Amphitheater where Ancient Romans gathered for gladiator battles and wild animal hunts. Continue to Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of Rome. From here, enjoy panoramic views of the city. The tour concludes at the Roman Forum, once the center of Roman life. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at Hotel St. Martin, Hotel Diana Roof Garden or similar. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart at 7:15 a.m. by deluxe coach to Assisi, a medieval town surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, featuring frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue and enjoy a lunch in Assisi. Continue to Siena, UNESCO-listed and famous for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and Palio horse race. Later, travel through Tuscany’s countryside to reach Florence. Check in at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Raffaello, Hotel Una Vittoria or similar. (B, L)

Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Tuscan restaurant. In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional visit to Pisa, with its Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Raffaello, Hotel Una Vittoria or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast in Florence, head to Bologna. Explore the city center with its iconic porticos and historic sites, including Piazza del Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio. Discover Bologna’s gastronomic heritage through a vibrant light local lunch, offering traditional and contemporary treats. Enjoy a light street food lunch at a local eatery. Later, continue your journey to Venice. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay at Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto), Hotel Delfino (Mestre) or similar. (B, L)

Transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover Venice’s highlights with a guided tour. Visit the Doge’s Palace (outside) and cross the Bridge of Sighs. Afterward, enjoy a glass of spritz or prosecco with cicchetti, traditional Venetian snacks. Relax and soak in the atmosphere. Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s canals, artisan shops, or quiet corners on your own. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto), Hotel Delfino (Mestre) or similar. (B)

After breakfast, visit Verona, a city rich in history and culture. Explore Roman ruins, medieval structures, and Renaissance palaces on a guided tour. Don’t miss Juliet’s house and balcony, famous from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Then, travel to Franciacorta, known for its ideal winemaking soil, for a light lunch with local food and wine. After this, head to Bergamo and overnight at Hotel Cappello D’Oro or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, set off for Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Enjoy a panoramic tour along the west coast, passing the Brenta Dolomites and Moraine Hills, surrounded by lush vegetation. In Sirmione, take a boat tour to admire its picturesque shores, the Castle, and the Grottoes of Catullus. After free time for lunch, head to Desenzano del Garda with its elegant lakeside promenade and historical center that reflects traces of Venetian influence. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Cappello D’Oro or similar. (B, D)

After breakfast, enjoy a brief visit to Como, renowned for its breathtaking views of Lake Como and the surrounding Alps. From Como, you will embark on a boat to Bellagio,an elegant village nestled at the junction of the lake’s two southern branches, famous for its charming streets, luxury hotels, historic villas, and lush gardens. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where you will meet your driver and begin your journey to Milan. Overnight at Hotel Concorde, Hotel Ramada Plaza or similar. (B)

After breakfast, meet your driver and travel to St. Moritz for some free time. Then, board the Bernina Express and enjoy one of the world’s most scenic train rides through the Swiss Alps. Marvel at alpine villages, tunnels, and breathtaking mountain views as you cross the Bernina Pass toward Tirano. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you back to Milan. Overnight at Hotel Concorde, Hotel Ramada Plaza, or similar. (B)

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, meet your local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city. Begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gate with medieval and Roman origins, and continue to Corso Venezia. Walk through the Giardini Indro Montanelli, pass by the Galleria d’Arte Moderna and continue along Viale Manzoni. From the outside, see the iconic Teatro alla Scala and admire the majestic façade of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo). The tour ends at Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortress, followed by a relaxing aperitivo. Free time before returning to your hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel Concorde, Hotel Ramada Plaza or similar. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Arrivederci! (B)