Fantastic Italian Masterpieces & the Magical Lakes Combo | 12 Day Escorted Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, three meals, three local food experiences and a Franciacorta tasting lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like the way this tour combines Italy’s great art cities with the very different landscapes and flavours of the north. Rome, Florence and Venice are followed by Bologna’s food traditions, the vineyards of Franciacorta, beautiful Lake Garda and Lake Como, before the Bernina Express takes you into spectacular Alpine scenery. It’s a wonderfully varied way to experience many of Italy’s highlights in one journey.
Is this tour for you?
This is best suited to travellers who enjoy an energetic escorted itinerary and would rather see a wide range of Italy than spend several nights in each place. There are frequent moves, extensive walking in historic cities, boat journeys and rail travel. In return, you experience an unusually broad mix of Italy's art, history, food, wine, lakes and mountain scenery in less than two weeks.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
For a first substantial journey through Italy — or for anyone wanting to revisit the classics without stopping there — this itinerary covers an impressive amount of ground. It begins in Lazio with the history of Rome, Assisi and Siena, continues through Renaissance Florence and wonderfully food-focused Bologna, and then reaches the incomparable canals and piazzas of Venice.
From there, the character of the journey changes. Verona leads into the vineyards of Franciacorta and the landscapes of northern Italy, with time on Lake Garda and Lake Como before reaching Milan. Bellagio, Sirmione and Bergamo add smaller-scale places between the major cities, while local food and wine experiences help give the route some regional flavour.
The Bernina Express is a fitting final highlight. Travelling through the Alps between St Moritz and Tirano adds dramatic mountain scenery to an itinerary already rich in art, architecture, food and beautiful landscapes. It is a busy journey, but one with remarkable variety.
Inclusions
- Arrival transfer from Rome airport to the hotel
- Rome hop-on hop-off panoramic bus ticket
- Guided Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill visit with skip-the-line access
- Visits to Assisi, Siena and Bologna
- Lunch in Assisi and lunch in Florence
- Guided tours in Florence, Venice, Milan and Verona
- Bologna gastronomic experience with one drink included
- Spritz and cicchetti experience in Venice
- Light lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta
- Lake Garda and Lake Como sightseeing with scenic boat transfers
- Bernina Express rail journey
- Milan aperitivo with one drink included
- Departure transfer from Milan hotel to the airport
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Rome
Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Your included panoramic bus ticket gives you an easy first look at the Eternal City and the freedom to begin exploring at your own pace.
Day 2 - Rome
Step back into ancient Rome on a guided visit to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. With the major archaeological sights covered, the remainder of the day is free for your own discoveries.
Day 3 - Assisi, Siena And Florence
Travel north into Umbria and visit Assisi, beautifully positioned on the slopes of Mount Subasio and forever associated with St Francis. After lunch, continue into Tuscany and Siena, one of Italy's great medieval cities, before crossing the Tuscan countryside to Florence.
Day 4 - Florence
Discover Florence with a guide and see the landmarks of the city that helped shape the Renaissance. Enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant before a free afternoon — perhaps for galleries, shopping, another wander along the Arno or an optional visit to Pisa.
Day 5 - Bologna And Venice
Continue to Bologna, a city Italy Touring particularly associates with excellent food as much as handsome arcades and medieval architecture. Explore the city and enjoy a local gastronomic experience before travelling onwards to Venice.
Day 6 - Venice
Transfer into Venice and explore the historic centre with a guide, including the magnificent setting of Piazza San Marco. Afterwards, enjoy a very Venetian pause over spritz or prosecco and cicchetti. The afternoon is free to wander the canals and calli at your own pace.
Day 7 - Verona, Franciacorta And Bergamo
Visit romantic Verona before heading into Franciacorta, one of Italy's most respected sparkling-wine regions. Enjoy a light lunch and wine tasting, then continue to Bergamo, whose historic upper town provides a lovely contrast to the larger cities already visited.
Day 8 - Lake Garda
Spend the day around Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. Explore beautiful Sirmione, enjoy a boat trip on the lake and visit Desenzano del Garda before returning to Bergamo for dinner.
Day 9 - Como, Bellagio And Milan
Travel to Lake Como and continue by boat to Bellagio, wonderfully positioned where the lake divides into its two southern branches. Cross to Cadenabbia and then continue to Milan, exchanging lakeside villas and mountain views for Italy's sophisticated northern capital.
Day 10 - Bernina Express
Today brings one of the great scenic rail journeys of Europe. Travel to St Moritz before boarding the Bernina Express for a spectacular journey through high alpine landscapes, mountain villages and dramatic passes to Tirano. Return to Milan after a memorable day in the Alps.
Day 11 - Milan
Enjoy some free time in Milan before joining a guided walking tour of the city. Finish near Castello Sforzesco with an aperitivo — an appropriately Milanese way to mark your final evening.
Day 12 - Milan
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and conclude your journey.
Tour Highlights
- Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna and Venice
- Guided visits in Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan
- Franciacorta light lunch and wine tasting
- Lake Garda, Lake Como and Bellagio
- Bernina Express alpine rail journey
- Milan aperitivo experience
Accommodation
Accommodation is planned in comfortable hotels selected for an escorted touring route.
- Rome: Hotel St Martin or Hotel Diana Roof Garden
- Florence: Hotel Raffaello or Hotel Una Vittoria
- Venice: B&B Venezia Laguna or Hampton by Hilton Venice Isola Nuova in the Tronchetto area
- Bergamo: Hotel Cappello D'Oro
- Milan: Hotel Concorde or Hotel Ramada Plaza
Hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard if required.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This itinerary includes extensive city walking, museums and archaeological sites, cobbled streets, boat transfers, rail travel and coach touring. Travellers should be comfortable walking at a steady pace and standing during guided visits.
Exclusions
- City tax is not included and is payable directly at the hotel.
- Drinks are not included with meals unless specifically noted as part of an experience.
- Personal expenses, optional experiences and travel insurance are not included.
Important Notes
- Prices are per person in AUD.
- The 3 June 2027 departure carries special Milan fair-date pricing.
- Hotels, itinerary details and inclusions may change and should be reconfirmed before booking.
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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