Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and get settled into your accommodation before heading to a 6pm welcome meeting. After that, your leader takes you on an orientation walk as the city comes alive in the evening. If you land earlier in the day, there's time to wander around at your own pace, grab a fresh baguette and croissant, maybe picnic by the Eiffel Tower, or check out the Louvre and Champs-Élysées. There's an optional group dinner available if you want to meet everyone tonight.
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
- Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Visit Eiffel Tower
- Visit Louvre Museum (must be prebooked in advance)
- Walk Champs-Élysées
- Welcome dinner with group
- Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure
- Palace of Versailles
- Arc de Triomphe
- Musee d'Orsay
- Rodin Museum
- Napoleon's Tomb & Les Invalides Army Museum
- Da Vinci Code Walking Tour
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Louvre Museum Champs-Élysées 
- Day 2
Paris to Lausanne
The morning is yours to spend however you like in Paris, walking along the River Seine, checking out Montmartre, or sampling some local pastries. After lunch, you'll catch a train to Lausanne, Switzerland, a French-speaking city sitting on Lake Geneva where the International Olympic Committee is headquartered. Once you reach your hotel, there's an optional orientation walk with your leader if you're interested. The evening is free to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk (optional)
Landmarks River Seine Montmartre Lake Geneva International Olympic Committee headquarters 
- Day 3
Lausanne
After breakfast, you'll visit Lausanne Cathedral, a Gothic structure with views of the city from the top. Stop by a local bakery for pastries before the afternoon opens up for free time. You can take a boat tour on Leman Lake, visit the Olympic Museum, try wine tasting at Lavaux Vineyards (a UNESCO World Heritage site), or join a chocolate-tasting tour if any of those interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lausanne Cathedral
- Bakery stop for local pastry
Optional Activities
- Boat tour on Leman Lake
- Visit Olympic Museum
- Wine tasting at Lavaux Vineyards
- Chocolate-tasting tour
- Visit to Plateforme 10 museum
Landmarks Lausanne Cathedral Lavaux Vineyards Leman Lake Olympic Museum - Day 4
Lausanne to Lucerne
You'll walk to the station and take a train to Lucerne, enjoying Swiss scenery along the route. You'll arrive in time for lunch in this medieval city known for its colorful architecture and mountain views. Your leader takes you to walk the Museggmauer Walls, the ramparts that once protected the town, and then you'll visit the Hinter Misegg farm with its alpacas and other animals. The evening is yours to rent a paddle boat, take the Cityboat, or wander around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk on the Museggmauer Walls with local leader
- Visit Hinter Misegg farm
Optional Activities
- Rent paddle boat on the lake
- Hop on the Cityboat
Landmarks Museggmauer Walls Hinter Misegg farm - Day 5
Lucerne
Today you're doing the 3-hour Silver Tour to Mount Pilatus. You'll start from Lucerne's main railway station and travel along Lake Lucerne's shores to Alpnachstad, then ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway up to the summit for Alpine views. Coming down, you'll take an aerial cableway and panorama gondola on the 'Dragon Ride'. There's fine dining and hiking options at the top, and your afternoon is free for other activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mount Pilatus Silver Circle Tour (includes railway, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and panorama gondola)
Landmarks Mount Pilatus Lake Lucerne Alpnachstad - Day 6
Lucerne to Bellinzona
After a relaxed morning, you'll leave Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express. A short 30-minute regional train takes you to Arth-Goldau, then you board the scenic train traveling through central to southern Switzerland, passing mountain views, lakes, villages, and rolling hills. You'll arrive in Bellinzona in the late afternoon for a quick orientation walk with your leader. The evening is free to explore the three medieval castles and Alpine views, or ask your leader for dinner suggestions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk in Bellinzona
Landmarks Bellinzona medieval castles - Day 7
Bellinzona
You'll take a bus to a trailhead for an easy hike with incredible Alpine views and bird's eye perspectives of the city, then wander back to Bellinzona. Your afternoon is free to visit the Castle of Bellinzona or check out the Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri, a suburban villa with gardens, historical architecture, and regional art from the 19th century to today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led hike with mountain and city views
Optional Activities
- Visit Castle of Bellinzona
- Visit The Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri
Landmarks Castle of Bellinzona Villa dei Cedri - Day 8
Bellinzona to Rome
Travel day to Rome starts with a morning train to Milan, then you'll change trains for Italy's capital. As you travel, the scenery shifts from Swiss mountains to Italian terracotta hues. Once you arrive in Rome, your leader takes you on an orientation walk. The city has the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum (one of the Seven Wonders). Your afternoon and evening are free to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Vatican City, or Trastevere's winding streets for pasta and gelato.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk in Rome
Optional Activities
- Visit Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Visit Pantheon
- Tour Vatican City
- Explore Trastevere
Landmarks Colosseum Trevi Fountain Roman Forum Palatine Hill Pantheon Vatican City Trastevere 
- Day 9
Rome
You'll visit Cooperativa Coraggio, an Intrepid Foundation partner in the countryside that restores unused public lands through organic, sustainable agriculture. You'll watch a cooking demonstration using fresh locally harvested products, then sit down to the prepared lunch. Back in Rome, your evening is free. Check out Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, St Peter's Basilica, or grab espresso at streetside cafes. There's an optional final group dinner with wine if you want to celebrate your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Cooperativa Coraggio using fresh, locally harvested products)
Included Activities
- Visit Cooperativa Coraggio
- Cooking demonstration and lunch at Cooperativa Coraggio
Optional Activities
- Visit Piazza Navona
- Visit Spanish Steps
- Visit Via Condotti
- Visit Piazza Venezia
- Visit St Peter's Basilica
- Final dinner with group
Landmarks Cooperativa Coraggio Piazza Navona Spanish Steps St Peter's Basilica 
- Day 10
Rome
This is a free day to explore Rome at your own pace until the 6pm group meeting. Wander where you want, see what you want, and come back for the meeting later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 11
Rome to Florence
You have a free morning in Rome, and if you just arrived, there's an optional leader-led orientation walk covering Spanish Steps, Colosseum, and Roman Forum. Then you'll head to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Later, you'll catch a train to Florence, Tuscany's cultural heart and home to Renaissance masterpieces. After checking in, your leader takes you on an orientation walk, then you explore at your own pace and discover Tuscan delicacies with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Optional leader-led orientation walk
- Leader-led orientation walk in Florence
Landmarks Spanish Steps Colosseum Roman Forum St Peter's Basilica - Day 12
Florence
Today is free to explore Florence on foot, checking out Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. You can visit the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries, or see Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset views over the city rooftops. In the evening, join locals in the passeggiata, a leisurely social stroll between Piazza Beccaria and Piazza della Repubblica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Pitti Palace
- Visit Ponte Vecchio
- Visit Piazza della Signoria
- Visit Santa Croce Church
- Visit Uffizi Gallery
- Visit Galleria dell'Accademia (see Michelangelo's David)
- Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo
- Passeggiata (leisurely social stroll)
Landmarks Pitti Palace Ponte Vecchio Piazza della Signoria Santa Croce Church Uffizi Gallery Galleria dell'Accademia Piazzale Michelangelo Piazza Beccaria Piazza della Repubblica - Day 13
Florence to Lucca
After a relaxed morning, you'll board a train to Lucca, one of Tuscany's hidden gems. This medieval city has centuries-old buildings, beautiful churches, wide piazzas, and narrow streets all within ancient city ramparts. You're staying in the city center for easy access to sights, restaurants, and bars. There's a local tradition of strolling along the top of the city walls surrounding the old city, and you can do exactly that.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bicycle Tour through Serchio River valley and Tuscan countryside
Landmarks Lucca city walls - Day 14
Pisa - Lucca
This morning you'll head out on a cycling tour following the scenic Serchio River through Tuscan countryside. Later you'll catch a train to Pisa to see the world-famous Leaning Tower, built in the 12th century on shifting sand and clay, plus the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and Pisa Baptistry. Stroll past high-end boutiques and specialty shops, then return to Lucca with an evening free. Head to a local bar for Prosecco and fresh focaccia with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese, enjoyed in the shadow of Palazzo Pretorio.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycling tour along Serchio River
- Half-day trip to Pisa including Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistry
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Piazza dei Miracoli Pisa Duomo Pisa Baptistry Serchio River Palazzo Pretorio - Day 15
Lucca to La Spezia
You'll travel by train to La Spezia, a medieval port town and gateway to Cinque Terre. The town's name comes from its historic importance in the spice trade. La Spezia is your base for exploring five tiny villages wedged into coves between cliffs: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. After lunch, explore at your own pace. Take a ferry or bus to pretty Portovenere, walk Via del Prione's pedestrian zone to harbor gardens, or visit Lerici village across the Bay of Poets for a waterside dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Day trip to Cinque Terre including Cinque Terre Pass
Optional Activities
- Ferry or bus to Portovenere
- Walk Via del Prione and harbor gardens
- Visit Lerici village
Landmarks Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Manarola Corniglia Vernazza Monterosso al Mare Portovenere Lerici - Day 16
La Spezia
This morning you'll hike through olive groves and vineyards on the Cinque Terre Trails, a path that once connected the villages and was the only way to travel through the region. After your hike, you can continue walking through the countryside past narrow paths, steep cliffs, and foot bridges, or take a train to a nearby town. Find lunch in one of the villages and relax in the vibrant atmosphere before heading back to La Spezia later today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cinque Terre Trails hike through olive groves and vineyards
Optional Activities
- Via dell'Amore trail
Landmarks Cinque Terre Trails - Day 17
La Spezia to Rapallo to Portofino to Asti
You'll start with a scenic train ride from La Spezia to coastal Rapallo. After dropping off your luggage, head to the harbor to catch a ferry to Portofino. Explore its colorful streets, boutiques, and waterfront cafes. For some adventure, you can climb the winding path to the Portofino Lighthouse at Punta del Capo for panoramic views over the Ligurian Sea. Later, you'll take a relaxing train ride to Asti, where a thriving food scene awaits for a memorable evening meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk and boat ride on Portofino Peninsula (includes ferry to Portofino)
Optional Activities
- Climb to Portofino Lighthouse at Punta del Capo
Landmarks Portofino Lighthouse Portofino Ligurian Sea - Day 18
Asti
You'll travel to the nearby rural village of Castagnole Monferrato to visit a local winemaking family's home and sample their Ruche wines. This grape variety is unique to the region, grown in just seven small villages in Asti province, producing ruby-red, intense, and aromatic wine. After lunch, you'll head back to Asti, a medieval town that once sat on trade routes between Turin, Milan, and Genoa. Today it's known for some of Europe's finest wines and truffles. You might catch the Piazza del Palio's large open-air market if it's market day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local winemaking family's home)
Included Activities
- Village winery visit, wine tasting, and lunch in Castagnole Monferrato
Optional Activities
- Bike hire
- Visit Archaeological Museum
Landmarks Castagnole Monferrato Piazza del Palio - Day 19
Asti to Lake Como (Bellagio)
You'll take a train to Milan, then continue to Bellagio, a village on Lake Como's coast known for cobbled lanes, elegant buildings, and Villa Serbelloni Park with 18th-century terraced gardens and lake views. You'll explore this area of natural beauty and unique landscapes in the afternoon. Your hotel sits on Lake Como's shores where you can soak up the serenity. Your leader will have great dinner recommendations for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry pass for Lake Como
Landmarks Bellagio Villa Serbelloni Park Lake Como - Day 20
Bellagio (Lake Como)
This morning you'll explore Bellagio village and take a short countryside walk to discover Villa Melzi estate, a grand white villa near the water surrounded by rare and exotic plant life. The rest of the day is free. You can take ferries to Lake Como areas like Varenna, Cadenabbia, or Villa del Balbianello (recognizable from James Bond and Star Wars films). Stroll manicured Italian gardens at Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo or visit Cadenabbia for food or an aperitif. Simply strolling and admiring beautiful views is an ideal way to spend the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio visit
Optional Activities
- Take ferry to Varenna
- Take ferry to Cadenabbia
- Visit Villa del Balbianello
- Visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
Landmarks Villa Melzi Varenna Cadenabbia Villa del Balbianello Villa Carlotta Tremezzo - Day 21
Lake Como to Venice
You'll leave the lakes district behind and travel by private vehicle to Milan. From there, you'll catch a train to Venice, the grand city of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches, and gondolas, practically unchanged for 600 years. Venice is built over 100 small islands connected by 400 bridges. Your local leader takes you on a walk around streets behind Piazza San Marco to learn about the complex canal system and introduces you to traghetto, the local way of crossing canals. The rest of the day is free. Start at the Grand Canal, stroll the Rialto Bridge, browse shops selling Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. For dinner, seek out Venice's distinctive culinary heritage: rich risottos, salted cod, and creamy polenta.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Venice
- Traghetto ride (local canal crossing method)
Landmarks Piazza San Marco Grand Canal Rialto Bridge - Day 22
Venice
Today is free to explore Venice at your own pace. Visit the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace, and Piazza San Marco with its golden Basilica. Take a vaporetto (water bus) to San Giorgio island to climb the bell tower for the best views of Venice. You can take an iconic gondola ride through the waterways. Wander through Palazzo Ducale, filled with paintings by Italian masters. Later, join your leader for a cicchetti stop as a real Venetian would. Tonight, join your group for a celebratory dinner of Venetian specialties like fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cicchetti stop with leader (Venetian-style snack and wine tasting)
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Canal
- Visit Rialto Bridge
- Visit Doge's Palace
- Visit Piazza San Marco
- Climb San Giorgio bell tower via vaporetto
- Gondola ride
- Explore Palazzo Ducale
Landmarks Grand Canal Rialto Bridge Doge's Palace Piazza San Marco San Giorgio island Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore Palazzo Ducale - Day 23
Venice
No planned activities today. You can depart your accommodation whenever you're ready. Your adventure doesn't have to end here. If you'd like to spend more time in Venice, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange post-tour accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
