Colosseum to Como - 12 days

Welcome to Rome. After meeting your driver at the airport, transfer to the hotel. You can then make use of your included Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket to discover the city’s iconic landmarks from a new perspective. With eight stops along the route, you are free to hop on and off as you please, while listening to the informative commentary available in 12 languages. The ticket is valid for one day. Your first evening in Rome is at leisure.

This morning, we set out from the hotel for a guided tour of Rome’s remarkable Archaeological Area. With a professional local guide, we begin a 2.5-hour journey through history. Using personal radio receivers and earphones, we explore the legendary Colosseum – the vast Flavian Amphitheatre where Romans once gathered for gladiatorial contests and wild animal hunts.

We then continue to Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of the city, offering sweeping views across Rome. The tour concludes at the Roman Forum, once the bustling heart of political and social life. We have included "skip the line" tickets for key attractions, so there's less time spent queuing and more time spent exploring Ancient Rome. After the tour, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore at leisure.

Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence. It's time to leave the Italian capital. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart at 7:15 a.m. by deluxe coach for Assisi, a medieval town encircled by ancient walls. Here we visit the Basilica of St Francis, home to celebrated frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, before enjoying an included lunch in Assisi.

We then continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the traditional Palio horse race. Our journey then takes us through the rolling Tuscan countryside before arriving in Florence, where we check in to the hotel.

Today we explore Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Our visits include the magnificent Duomo with Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, followed by Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. We then enjoy lunch in a traditional Tuscan restaurant.

In the afternoon, you may choose to spend time at leisure in the city or join an optional excursion to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. If you'd like to take in one of the city's galleries, such as the Uffizi, then we strongly recommend that you prebook. Dinner this evening is at leisure.

Florence - Bologna - Venice. After breakfast in Florence, we travel to Bologna. Here we explore the historic city centre, with its elegant porticos and landmarks such as Piazza del Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio. We also discover Bologna’s rich gastronomic heritage with a light street food lunch at a local eatery, sampling both traditional and contemporary flavours. Later, we continue our journey to Venice.

We transfer to Piazza San Marco for a guided tour of Venice’s highlights. Our visits include the Doge’s Palace (exterior) and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards, we pause to enjoy a glass of spritz or prosecco accompanied by cicchetti – traditional Venetian snacks – before taking time to relax and absorb the atmosphere.

The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, whether strolling along the canals, experiencing a romantic gondola ride, browsing artisan shops or seeking out Venice’s quieter corners.

Venice - Verona - Franciacorta - Bergamo. Leaving Venice, we travel to Verona. On a guided tour we explore its Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Renaissance palaces, including a visit to Juliet’s house and balcony, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

We then continue to Franciacorta, known for its ideal winemaking soil. Here we enjoy a light lunch of local food paired with regional wine. Later, we head to Bergamo for our overnight stay.

Bergamo - Lake Garda - Bergamo. We're embarking on a day trip to Lake Garda today, Italy’s largest lake. A panoramic drive along the west coast reveals views of the Brenta Dolomites and the Moraine Hills, framed by lush vegetation.

In Sirmione, we take a boat tour to admire the town’s picturesque shores, its medieval castle and the ancient Grottoes of Catullus. After free time for lunch, we continue to Desenzano del Garda, with its elegant lakeside promenade and historic centre that still bears traces of Venetian influence. We return to Bergamo for an included dinner and overnight.

Bergamo - Lake Como - Milan. After breakfast, we make a short visit to Como, celebrated for its stunning views over Lake Como and the surrounding Alps. From here, we embark on a boat trip to Bellagio, an elegant village set at the junction of the lake’s two southern branches, known for its narrow streets, luxury hotels, historic villas and lush gardens. Lunch is at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where we meet our driver and continue to Milan for an overnight stay.

Milan - St Moritz (Switzerland) - Tirano (Italy) - Milan. We're popping into Switzerland today as we meet our driver after breakfast and travel to the resort town of St Moritz, where there is time at leisure to explore.

We then board the Bernina Express for one of the world’s most scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps. The route crosses the Bernina Pass, with sweeping views of mountain peaks, alpine villages and spectacular viaducts. On arrival in Tirano, our driver will be waiting to return us to Milan. Consider heading into the popular Navigli canal district for dinner and a drink this evening.

The morning is free for you to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, we meet our local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city.

We begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gate with Roman and medieval origins, before continuing along Corso Venezia. The walk takes us through the Giardini Indro Montanelli and past the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, then along Viale Manzoni.

From the outside, we see the world-famous Teatro alla Scala before admiring the majestic façade of the Duomo. The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, the city’s medieval fortress, followed by a relaxing aperitivo.

Your tour comes to an end today, after breakfast and hotel check out. An included transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight.