2026 Classic Journey: Italian Lakes to Rome
Day 1: Milan Arrival & City Tour
Your tour departs from your hotel in the heart of Milan at 3:00 PM. Set out for a panoramic city tour with a local guide and discover this cosmopolitan city’s historic role as a capital of art, fashion and finance. The highlight of your tour will be a visit to the magnificent Duomo di Milano, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This cathedral, one of the world’s largest, took nearly six centuries to complete after construction began in 1386. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group.
(D)
Day 2: Lake Como
Depart Milan for a scenic day trip to Lake Como, renowned for its dramatic alpine backdrop and elegant villas. Enjoy free time in Como to explore independently. You might choose to relax by the sparkling waters, take a cruise to one of the charming lakeside villages, or stroll through the lush gardens of historic villas. Indulge in local cuisine at a waterfront café as you wish, and soak in the breathtaking mountain views. Return to Milan for a free evening.
(B)
Day 3: Lake Garda and Masi Winery
Travel to Sirmione, a picturesque town of fairytale architecture and natural beauty known as “the pearl of Lake Garda.” Enjoy a short orientation tour of the lively town center with its Roman ruins, medieval churches, thermal springs, and a moat-surrounded castle. Enjoy free time for lunch. Continue toward Verona and arrive at your hotel near the city. In the evening, venture into the Valpolicella wine region for a tour of the renowned Masi Winery and its cellars, followed by dinner.
(B, D)
Day 4: Verona & Venice
Start the day with a walking tour of Verona, famed as the setting of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” then enjoy time to explore independently. The town center is filled with historic architecture from Roman, medieval, and Renaissance times, as well as lively piazzas and scenic river views. Travel on to Venice and dine with your group in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 5: Murano Glass & Venice Sightseeing
Start your morning by crossing the Venetian Lagoon to Murano Island to explore its centuries-old glassmaking tradition by watching a demonstration by artisans at a historic factory. Return to Venice for a guided walking tour. The rest of the day is yours to discover the city’s enchanting canals, romantic architecture, and labyrinthine streets independently, and savor local cuisine as you please.
(B)
Day 6: Bologna & Florence
Stroll through Bologna on a walking tour with your tour director and discover this vibrant city, celebrated for its medieval towers and a legendary food scene. With free time for an independent lunch, you’ll have some time to taste why Bologna is known as the culinary capital of Italy. Continue to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, where you’ll dine at your hotel with your group.
(B, D)
Day 7: Florence Accademia & Walking Tour
Discover this amazing city of art, architecture, and genius, beginning with a guided visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Continue on a walking tour with a local guide, passing highlights like the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy a Tuscan lunch in the heart of the city. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore and dine as you please.
(B, L)
Day 8: Rome & Vatican Museums
Travel south through the rolling landscapes of Tuscany and the green hills of Umbria to Rome, where you will visit the Vatican Museums with a local guide. Marvel at Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and his Pieta inside St Peter’s Basilica. Your evening is free to savor Roman cuisine and stroll the historic streets as you wish.
(B)
Day 9: Colosseum & Rome Sightseeing
Discover the wonders of Rome as you explore with a local guide, seeing evocative ruins, glorious architecture, and hidden piazzas. Tour the legendary Colosseum, where gladiators once battled before roaring crowds. The afternoon is yours to experience this magnificent city as you please, before joining up again with your group for a farewell dinner.
(B, D)
Day 10: Tour ends in Rome
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Experience the enchantment of Verona, the legendary setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and be charmed by its picturesque piazzas, romantic atmosphere, and rich history.
- Marvel at the magnificent Duomo in Milan as you discover the Italian capital of fashion and design, with its cosmopolitan atmosphere blending centuries of culture with modern style.
Dining Experiences:
- 9 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 5 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Lake Como
- Lake Garda
- Masi Winery Tour & Dinner
- Michelangelo’s David at Accademia Gallery
- Milan Duomo and City Tour
- Murano Glass Demonstration in Venice
- Roman Colosseum
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica
- Verona Walking Tour
Hotels:
- Duo Milan Porta Nuova, Milan (2)
- Hotel Veronesi La Torre, near Verona (1)
- Hotel Continental Venice, Venice (2)
- Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton, Florence (2)
- NH Collection Roma Giustiniano, Rome (2)