Essential Italy: Rome to Milan—14 Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 0
Depart the U.S. for Rome
Day 1-3
Arrive at airport, transfer to hotel, at specified time meet tour guide and fellow tour members. 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.
Day 4-6
From Rome we travel by train to Chiusi where we meet the driver of our private van and drive to the farmhouse where we will stay. Using this as our base, we will take day trips to Tuscan hill towns such as Siena, Montepulciano, and Pienza. We will visit Etruscan tombs, explore markets, visit a local winery or enoteca and soak in the thermal, mineral pools at Bagni Vignoni.
Day 7-9
We take a short train ride to Florence, walk to our hotel to check in and then a stroll through Renaissance Florence. You will have free time interspersed with planned visits to important sites, including The Academia (David) and Uffizi (Gothic & Renaissance art). A visit to nearby Pisa is also scheduled. We will picnic at sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo, enjoy a gelato at Vivoli, for those willing, a climb to the Dome of the Duomo, shopping in il Mercato Centrale and il Mercato San Lorenzo and, not to be missed, join the Italians in the traditional evening passeggiatta.
Day 10-11
We take an early 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 perhaps an evening Bacari tour.
Day 12
A early morning train to Milan and, after our hotel check in, a visit to important sites in Milan, including the La Scala Opera House, the Milan cathedral and Da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.”
Day 13-14
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 00
An early morning train to the Malpensa airport and fly home, dreaming of Italia…
Day 0
Depart the U.S. for Rome
Day 1-3
Arrive at airport, transfer to hotel, at specified time meet tour guide and fellow tour members. 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.
Day 4-6
From Rome we travel by train to Chiusi where we meet the driver of our private van and drive to the farmhouse where we will stay. Using this as our base, we will take day trips to Tuscan hill towns such as Siena, Montepulciano, and Pienza. We will visit Etruscan tombs, explore markets, visit a local winery or enoteca and soak in the thermal, mineral pools at Bagni Vignoni.
Day 7-9
We take a short train ride to Florence, walk to our hotel to check in and then a stroll through Renaissance Florence. You will have free time interspersed with planned visits to important sites, including The Academia (David) and Uffizi (Gothic & Renaissance art). A visit to nearby Pisa is also scheduled. We will picnic at sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo, enjoy a gelato at Vivoli, for those willing, a climb to the Dome of the Duomo, shopping in il Mercato Centrale and il Mercato San Lorenzo and, not to be missed, join the Italians in the traditional evening passeggiatta.
Day 10-11
We take an early 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 perhaps an evening Bacari tour.
Day 12
A early morning train to Milan and, after our hotel check in, a visit to important sites in Milan, including the La Scala Opera House, the Milan cathedral and Da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.”
Day 13-14
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 00
An early morning train to the Malpensa airport and fly home, dreaming of Italia…
