Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome to Bologna
After leaving Rome early, you'll head north through the Italian countryside toward Orvieto. This medieval town sits traffic-free, and you'll want to see the vibrant cathedral there. From Orvieto, it's on to Parco Naturale Le Balze, where you can walk around and take in the striking rock formations that inspired Leonardo da Vinci's work. You'll grab lunch at a small hamlet, then continue driving to Bologna for your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Orvieto Cathedral
- Explore Parco Naturale Le Balze
Optional Activities
- Explore Orvieto at own pace
- Lunch stop in Piantravigne hamlet with authentic Italian cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Orvieto Cathedral Parco Naturale Le Balze - Day 2
Ravenna - Bologna
In the morning, you'll take a half-day trip to Ravenna to see its remarkable mosaic work and eight UNESCO-listed sites, including where Dante Alighieri is buried. By lunchtime you're back in Bologna. The afternoon is yours to spend as you like, wandering through the famous porticos, checking out the oldest university in the Western world, or trying local Ragu alla Bolognese at a restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day trip to Ravenna
Optional Activities
- Explore Ravenna's mosaic masterpieces and UNESCO sites
- Visit Dante Alighieri's resting place
- Stroll along Bologna's UNESCO-listed porticos
- Visit Bologna's ancient university
- Sample Ragu alla Bolognese
Landmarks/POIs Ravenna Mosaic Sites University of Bologna - Day 3
Bologna to Padua
Starting in Porto Tolle, there's an optional boat trip down the Po River where you might see rare migratory birds (lunch included if you go). Later you'll head to Este, a town with 3,000 years of history where you can walk the city walls or visit the moated Medieval castle. By evening you'll arrive in Padua, where you'll stay for the next three nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip along the Po Delta with lunch included
- Free time in Este to stroll along city walls
- Visit Este's moated Medieval castle
Landmarks/POIs Po Delta Este Medieval Castle - Day 4
Venice - Padua
Today you're heading to Venice, the Floating City built on 118 islands with 177 canals. A two-hour guided walking tour covers St Mark's Square and other highlights. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, check out gondolas, visit galleries, or just wander through the Renaissance architecture. You'll head back to Padua early in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Two-hour guided walking tour of Venice including St Mark's Square
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride
- Explore renowned galleries
- Free exploration of Venice
Landmarks/POIs St Mark's Square Venice Canals - Day 5
Valdobbiadene - Padua
Starting at Villa Pisani, you'll explore art exhibitions inside this late baroque building that Napoleon once owned. Next is Valdobbiadene where there's an optional prosecco tasting for you to try. Then to Bassano del Grappa to sample Grappa or see the castle and famous old bridge. By evening you're back in Padua for your final night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Villa Pisani with art exhibitions
Optional Activities
- Prosecco tasting at Valdobbiadene
- Grappa tasting at Bassano del Grappa
- Visit Bassano del Grappa castle
- Explore Bassano del Grappa's famous old bridge
Landmarks/POIs Villa Pisani Bassano del Grappa - Day 6
Verona - Garda - Milan
You'll visit Verona, the setting of Romeo and Juliet, with time to see the famous balcony, a grand Roman Colosseum, and ancient piazzas. From there, you'll head to Lake Garda to take in the views of clear waters and Dolomite peaks that people have loved since Roman times. Later you arrive in Milan for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Romeo and Juliet balcony in Verona
- Explore Verona's Roman Colosseum
- Stroll through Verona's ancient piazzas
- View Lake Garda
Landmarks/POIs Juliet's Balcony Verona Roman Amphitheatre Lake Garda - Day 7
Milan
This is your free day in Milan. You can visit da Vinci's Last Supper (book ahead), the Gothic Duomo, or walk through luxury shopping streets like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Quadrilatero della Moda. Join locals for aperitivo drinks, or simply wander around and enjoy what the city offers, from art to food to fashion.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit da Vinci's Last Supper
- Explore the Duomo (Gothic cathedral)
- Stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Explore Quadrilatero della Moda luxury shopping district
- Join locals in aperitivo tradition
Landmarks/POIs Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano) Milan Cathedral (Duomo) Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Day 8
Milan to La Spezia
Early morning you'll leave Milan and drive to La Spezia, a charming port town. After checking in, a short train ride takes you to Cinque Terre where you have the afternoon and evening to explore freely. You might choose Monterosso for its beaches, Manarola for wine tasting, or Riomaggiore, Vernazzo, and Corniglia for the views. The train brings you back to La Spezia for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Cinque Terre as part of Cinque Terre Card
Optional Activities
- Visit Monterosso
- Explore Manarola and local wines
- Visit Riomaggiore, Vernazza, or Corniglia
Landmarks/POIs Cinque Terre Monterosso Manarola Riomaggiore Vernazza Corniglia - Day 9
Pisa - Lucca - Florence
Leaving La Spezia, you'll first stop in Pietrasanta, where Michelangelo sourced marble for sculptures. Then it's a couple of hours in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli with time for lunch. After that, you'll head to Lucca to walk along the well-preserved city walls and check out the charming squares. By evening you arrive in Florence for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Pietrasanta where Michelangelo selected marble
- View the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles)
- Explore Lucca's city walls
- Stroll through Lucca's charming squares
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Campo dei Miracoli Lucca City Walls - Day 10
Florence
You have the full day to explore Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, head to the Uffizi Gallery to see 'The Birth of Venus', or go to the Galleria dell'Accademia for Michelangelo's David (book in advance). Grab local pasta, pizza, wine, and gelato. In the afternoon, check out Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Your second night here means you can enjoy the squares, restaurants, and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the Duomo
- Explore Uffizi Gallery to see 'The Birth of Venus'
- Visit Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David
- Sample local cuisine and gelato
- Explore Palazzo Pitti
- Visit Boboli Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Florence Cathedral (Duomo) Uffizi Gallery Galleria dell'Accademia Palazzo Pitti Boboli Gardens - Day 11
San Gimignano - Siena - Montepulciano
Heading out of Florence, you'll travel through Tuscany's Chianti wine region and stop at medieval hill-towns. San Gimignano has 14 soaring towers and you'll enjoy a leisurely lunch with local food. Continuing on, you reach Siena, a red-brick city known for Gothic architecture and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. By evening you're in Montepulciano for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit San Gimignano's 14 towers
- Lunch with local delicacies at San Gimignano
- Explore Siena's Gothic architecture
- Visit Piazza del Campo
Landmarks/POIs San Gimignano Siena Piazza del Campo - Day 12
Pienza - Montepulciano
You'll explore Montepulciano on your own first, then head to Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the 'Ideal City'. An included wine tasting at Solaria Winery in Montalcino lets you try Brunello red wine. Later you visit Bagno Vignoni to see the ancient spa and walk through the archaeological park where spring water flows. You're back in Montepulciano for your second night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting and tour of Solaria Winery in Montalcino
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Montepulciano
- Explore Pienza
- Visit Bagno Vignoni thermal springs
Landmarks/POIs Montepulciano Pienza Solaria Winery Bagno Vignoni Val d'Orcia - Day 13
Maremma - Rome
Heading south from Tuscany to the Maremma region, you'll explore Etruscan history at the Sovana Necropolis and the Vie Cave, a Bronze Age network of tuff roads. You'll walk through the medieval town of Sovana and grab lunch there. After that, you'll continue to Capodimonte on picturesque Bolsena Lake for your final stop before the journey back to Rome.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Sovana Necropolis
- Visit the Vie Cave Bronze Age roads
- Explore medieval town of Sovana
- Visit Capodimonte on Bolsena Lake
Landmarks/POIs Sovana Necropolis Vie Cave Sovana Bolsena Lake Capodimonte
