Rome to Florence, Alps & Dolomites - 13 days

Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence. We depart from our pick up point 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.

Meeting Point: Hotel St. Martin, Via S. Martino della Battaglia, 58, 00185 Roma RM, Italy before 7:15 AM.

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 - Milan. After breakfast, you will transfer from the hotel to the station, where you independently board the designated train to Milan. On arrival, meet your driver for the included transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at leisure.

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.

You will have the morning at leisure to explore Milan. You may wish to browse the city’s boutiques, enjoy a coffee in a lively café, or wander through its elegant streets, soaking up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we meet our local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the centre of the city. We begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gateway with both Roman and medieval roots, before continuing along Corso Venezia. Our walk takes us through the Giardini Indro Montanelli and past the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, before reaching Viale Manzoni. From here, we see the world-famous Teatro alla Scala from the outside and admire the striking façade of the Milan Cathedral, known as the Duomo.

The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, the imposing fortress that once served as a residence for Milan’s ruling families. We round off the day with a relaxing aperitivo, before you have free time once again and then return to the hotel for the night.

Milan - Peschiera del Garda - Trento - Caldaro (Kaltern) - Bolzano. Today, we begin our journey by travelling to Peschiera del Garda, a lakeside town on the southern shore of Lake Garda, known for its waterfront views and charming historic centre.

We then continue to Trento, where we see the Castello del Buon Consiglio, once home to the prince-bishops, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, a fine example of Renaissance architecture. After a relaxed lunch, we follow Italy’s oldest wine route to Caldaro (Kaltern), a town renowned for its lake and excellent wines. After, we will make our way to Bolzano, where we will spend the night.

Bolzano - Merano - Vipiteno - Bolzano. This morning, we make our way to Merano, a town celebrated for its festive Christmas market and vibrant cultural traditions. We take time to explore the old town, after which you have free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we continue to Vipiteno, a charming Alpine town with a rich medieval character. Its colourful houses, narrow lanes, and the impressive Torre delle Dodici, or Twelve O’clock Tower, create a picture-book setting. Here, you can wander through the streets, sample local specialities, or browse for souvenirs.

Later, we return to Bolzano, where we see the Gothic Duomo and stroll along Via dei Portici, the city’s lively arcaded street. With its blend of Alpine and Mediterranean influences, Bolzano offers a distinctive atmosphere. The evening is then yours to relax or discover more at your own pace.

Bolzano - Bressanone - Brunico - Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva - Cortina d'Ámpezzo. We begin our day in Bressanone, a picturesque town in the Eisack Valley. Here, we see the impressive medieval cathedral, dating back to the 10th century, and experience the town’s unique Austrian-Italian character. We also enjoy the relaxed Alpine setting with a taste of the region’s wines.

Our journey continues to Brunico, where colourful medieval streets invite us to explore. From the town, we admire views towards Kronplatz mountain, which dominates the surrounding landscape.

Later, we travel to the beautiful Lake of Braies, framed by dramatic Dolomite peaks. If access is restricted, we visit Lake Anterselva instead, an equally scenic spot known for its clear waters and peaceful setting. The day ends in Cortina, where we gather for dinner at the hotel and spend the night in the heart of the Dolomites.

Cortina dÁmpezzo - Lake Misurina - Lake Dobbiaco - San Vito di Cadore - Cortina dÁmpezzo. After breakfast, we set out to discover the breathtaking landscapes around Cortina d’Ampezzo. We take in sweeping views of the Dolomites and pause to admire the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the region’s most striking landmarks.

Our journey continues to Lake Misurina, the largest natural lake in the Dolomites, where the surrounding peaks are beautifully reflected in its waters. We then visit Lake Dobbiaco, noted for its vivid emerald tones.

From here, we travel on to San Vito di Cadore, a picturesque village framed by the UNESCO-listed peaks of Mount Antelao and Mount Pelmo. Later, we return to Cortina, where you have free time to unwind before enjoying dinner together at the hotel.

Cortina dÁmpezzo - Bassano del Grappa - Milan. This morning, we depart from Cortina d’Ampezzo and travel to Bassano del Grappa, a picturesque town at the foot of the Venetian Prealps. As we stroll through its cobbled streets, we encounter medieval towers, elegant Venetian palaces, and traditions shaped by centuries of history.

A highlight of our visit is the Ponte degli Alpini, the famous wooden bridge designed by Andrea Palladio, which crosses the Brenta River and provides wonderful views of the town and mountains.

We then visit the Museo della Grappa to learn about the origins of Italy’s celebrated spirit, with a tasting included to showcase the region’s craftsmanship. In the afternoon, we continue on to Milan for our overnight stay.

After our final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time to further explore or grab some last-minute souvenirs before your onward transfer to the airport. Safe Travels!