Essential Italy: Milan to Rome—14 Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 0
Depart the U.S. for Milan (Malpensa airport)
Day 1
(1 night) Arrive at airport, meet tour guide and fellow tour members, then take the
shuttle bus and metro to our hotel in the center of Milan. We will have an introductory walking tour of Milan and then free time until meeting in the evening to stroll through Milan’s fashion district and have cichetti (little bites) and prosecco to celebrate our arrival in Italy.
Day 2-3
(2 nights) This morning after breakfast we will board a local tour bus and visit important sites in Milan, including the La Scala Opera House, the Milan cathedral and Da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.” In early afternoon we board the train for the short ride to the village of Varenna on Lago di Como. You will have free time to explore Lake Como, taking the ferry to Bellagio and other towns around the lake, perhaps even hiking to the castle ruins on the hill above Varenna for the breathtaking views.
Day 4-5
(2 nights) We take a train to Venice and then a vaporetto to our hotel to check-in and then free time to explore, looking past the crowds to see the treasures of this magical city. Walk along the canals, ride in a gondola, visit the produce and fish markets and the many other unique shops. We will have tours by local guides of the Doges Palace & St Marks Basilica and an evening Bacari tour.
Day 6-8
(3 nights) We take a train to Florence, a walk to our hotel and then a walking tour of Renaissance Florence. You will have free time interspersed with planned visits to important sites, including The Academia (David) and Uffizi (Gothic & Renaissance art). A picnic at sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo, gelato at Vivoli, a climb to the Dome of the Duomo, shopping in il Mercato Centrale and il Mercato San Lorenzo and joining the Italians in the evening passeggiatta are all experiences not to missed.
Day 9-11
(3 nights) From Florence we travel by train to Chiusi, where we pick up rental cars and drive to the farmhouse in Contignano. Using this as our base, we will take day trips to Tuscan hill towns such as Siena, Montepulciano, Orvieto and Pienza. We will visit Etruscan tombs, explore markets and festivals, visit a local winery or enoteca and soak in the mineral pool at Bagni Vignoni.
Day 12-14
(3 nights) In the morning we return to Chiusi and hop on a train to Rome. We will explore the ancient ruins (colosseum, Roman Forum) with a local guide, visit St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum and take a moonlit walk through the Baroque piazzas of Rome. After some time on your own, we’ll say arrivederci after our last dinner together.
Day 00
Taxi or metro to airport and fly home, dreaming of Italia…
Day 0
Depart the U.S. for Milan (Malpensa airport)
Day 1
(1 night) Arrive at airport, meet tour guide and fellow tour members, then take the
shuttle bus and metro to our hotel in the center of Milan. We will have an introductory walking tour of Milan and then free time until meeting in the evening to stroll through Milan’s fashion district and have cichetti (little bites) and prosecco to celebrate our arrival in Italy.
Day 2-3
(2 nights) This morning after breakfast we will board a local tour bus and visit important sites in Milan, including the La Scala Opera House, the Milan cathedral and Da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.” In early afternoon we board the train for the short ride to the village of Varenna on Lago di Como. You will have free time to explore Lake Como, taking the ferry to Bellagio and other towns around the lake, perhaps even hiking to the castle ruins on the hill above Varenna for the breathtaking views.
Day 4-5
(2 nights) We take a train to Venice and then a vaporetto to our hotel to check-in and then free time to explore, looking past the crowds to see the treasures of this magical city. Walk along the canals, ride in a gondola, visit the produce and fish markets and the many other unique shops. We will have tours by local guides of the Doges Palace & St Marks Basilica and an evening Bacari tour.
Day 6-8
(3 nights) We take a train to Florence, a walk to our hotel and then a walking tour of Renaissance Florence. You will have free time interspersed with planned visits to important sites, including The Academia (David) and Uffizi (Gothic & Renaissance art). A picnic at sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo, gelato at Vivoli, a climb to the Dome of the Duomo, shopping in il Mercato Centrale and il Mercato San Lorenzo and joining the Italians in the evening passeggiatta are all experiences not to missed.
Day 9-11
(3 nights) From Florence we travel by train to Chiusi, where we pick up rental cars and drive to the farmhouse in Contignano. Using this as our base, we will take day trips to Tuscan hill towns such as Siena, Montepulciano, Orvieto and Pienza. We will visit Etruscan tombs, explore markets and festivals, visit a local winery or enoteca and soak in the mineral pool at Bagni Vignoni.
Day 12-14
(3 nights) In the morning we return to Chiusi and hop on a train to Rome. We will explore the ancient ruins (colosseum, Roman Forum) with a local guide, visit St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum and take a moonlit walk through the Baroque piazzas of Rome. After some time on your own, we’ll say arrivederci after our last dinner together.
Day 00
Taxi or metro to airport and fly home, dreaming of Italia…
