Fantastic Italian Masterpieces, Magical Lakes & Liguria Combo | 15 Day Escorted Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, three meals, five local food experiences and a Franciacorta tasting lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like the variety of this journey, combining Italy’s great art cities and northern lakes with the very different character of the Ligurian coast. Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como and the Bernina Express are followed by Portofino and the Cinque Terre, with food and wine in Sestri Levante, Ferrari at Maranello and a traditional balsamic vinegar experience near Modena adding even more local flavour.
Is this tour for you?
This tour will suit travellers who want to see a lot and are comfortable with an active pace. Fifteen days brings considerable variety, but also regular hotel changes, walking through historic centres, boat and rail travel and some long touring days. If the appeal is waking up to very different parts of Italy as the journey unfolds — art cities one week, lakes and Alps the next, then the Ligurian coast — the pace is rewarded with an exceptional range of experiences.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
This is a wonderfully varied journey for travellers who want to experience more than one version of Italy. The opening days follow a classic route through Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna and Venice, rich in art, architecture and history. Verona and Franciacorta then lead you into the lakes, with time around Lake Garda and Lake Como before Milan and the alpine landscapes of the Bernina Express.
And then Italy changes again. The journey turns south towards Liguria, where colourful towns cling to a rugged Mediterranean coastline. Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Sestri Levante and Cinque Terre bring sea views, boats, local rail journeys and a completely different atmosphere from the cities and lakes that came before.
The final day on the road is equally Italian in a different way, pairing the Ferrari Museum at Maranello with a traditional acetaia near Modena. Art cities, wine country, lakes, mountains, Riviera villages, fast cars and balsamic vinegar may sound like an unlikely combination — but together they make this one of the most diverse itineraries in the Fantastic collection.
Inclusions
- Core Rome to Milan art-cities, Lakes and Bernina Express touring
- Guided tours in Florence, Venice, Milan and Verona
- Franciacorta light lunch and wine tasting
- Lake Garda and Lake Como sightseeing with scenic boat transfers
- Liguria food and wine tasting in Sestri Levante
- Cinque Terre Card
- Guided tour of the Ferrari Museum
- Acetaia experience and lunch in Modena with two glasses of wine included
- Departure transfer from Venice hotel to the airport
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Rome
Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Begin exploring with the included panoramic bus ticket or simply settle in and enjoy your first evening in the capital.
Day 2 - Rome
Join a guided visit to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, stepping into the heart of ancient Rome before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 3 - Assisi, Siena And Florence
Travel through Umbria to Assisi for sightseeing and lunch, then continue into Tuscany and medieval Siena. Later, cross the Tuscan countryside to Florence for your overnight stay.
Day 4 - Florence
Discover the Renaissance city of Florence with a local guide and enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant. The afternoon is free to explore independently or join an optional excursion to Pisa.
Day 5 - Bologna And Venice
Continue to Bologna, celebrated for both its handsome historic centre and its extraordinary food culture. Enjoy sightseeing and a local gastronomic experience before travelling to Venice.
Day 6 - Venice
Explore Venice with a guide before enjoying spritz or prosecco accompanied by cicchetti. The afternoon is free for your own wanderings through the city's canals, bridges, campi and hidden lanes.
Day 7 - Verona, Franciacorta And Bergamo
Visit Verona before continuing into the vineyards of Franciacorta for a light lunch and wine tasting. Later, travel to Bergamo for the overnight stay.
Day 8 - Lake Garda
Discover Lake Garda with visits including Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda, together with a scenic boat journey. Return to Bergamo for dinner.
Day 9 - Como, Bellagio And Milan
Travel to Como and continue across the lake to beautiful Bellagio. After time among the lake and mountain scenery, cross to Cadenabbia and continue to Milan.
Day 10 - Bernina Express
Travel into the Alps to St Moritz and board the Bernina Express. The train winds through spectacular mountain landscapes and villages on its journey to Tirano before you return to Milan.
Day 11 - Milan
Enjoy free time in Milan before a guided walking tour through the city, finishing near Castello Sforzesco with an aperitivo.
Day 12 - Milan, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Sestri Levante And La Spezia
Leave Milan and head for the Ligurian coast, where the scenery changes dramatically. Visit elegant Santa Margherita Ligure and, when sea conditions allow, travel by boat to tiny, glamorous Portofino. Continue to Sestri Levante for a local food and wine experience before reaching La Spezia.
Day 13 - Cinque Terre
Today is devoted to the Cinque Terre, where colourful villages sit between steeply terraced hillsides and the Ligurian Sea. Using the local rail network and your Cinque Terre Card, explore the villages with time to wander, take in the coastal views and find somewhere for lunch before returning to La Spezia.
Day 14 - Maranello, Modena And Venice
Turn inland into Emilia-Romagna for a day that celebrates two very different Italian traditions. Visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello before continuing to a traditional acetaia near Modena to discover the region's celebrated balsamic vinegar, with tasting and lunch included. Continue to Venice for the final overnight stay.
Day 15 - Venice
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and conclude your journey.
Tour Highlights
- Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan
- Lake Garda, Lake Como and Bernina Express
- Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino and Cinque Terre
- Sestri Levante food and wine tasting
- Ferrari Museum in Maranello
- Modena balsamic vinegar experience with lunch
Accommodation
Accommodation is planned in comfortable hotels selected for an escorted multi-region 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
- La Spezia: Hotel Allegroitalia La Spezia 5 Terre
Hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard if required.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This itinerary includes extensive city walking, boat and rail transfers, coastal village visits, uneven surfaces and a busy combination-tour pace. Travellers should be comfortable walking at a steady pace and managing regular hotel moves.
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.
- Coastal boat services may be adjusted for weather or sea conditions.
- 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.
Gallery
Explore Emilia-Romagna, discover more of Lazio, Liguria travel guide or browse all Italy tours
Ready to travel?
Tell us about your plans and our team will get back to you with everything you need to know about Fantastic Italian Masterpieces, Magical Lakes & Liguria Combo | 15 Day Escorted Tour 2027.
- We respond within 1 business day
- Your details are kept completely private
- Happy to speak by phone
- Australia-based team, Italy experts
Fantastic Italian Masterpieces & the Magical Lakes Combo | 12 Day Escorted Tour 2027
Journey from Rome to Milan on a 12-day Fantastic Combo escorted tour through some of Italy's great art cities before slowing the scenery down among vineyards, lakes and mountains. Florence, Venice and Verona are joined by Lake Garda, Lake Como, Bellagio and a spectacular journey on the Bernina Express.
Ligurian Coast Tour
Discover the dramatic beauty of the Ligurian coast, where colourful seaside villages, historic towns and spectacular cliffside landscapes combine with art, culture and coastal charm.
Fantastic Southern Lights Combo: Rome, Sorrento, Capri & Puglia | 12 Day Escorted Tour 2027
Experience two wonderfully different sides of southern Italy on a 12-day Fantastic Combo escorted journey from Rome to Bari. Discover ancient Pompeii, Sorrento and the island of Capri before travelling east to the trulli, whitewashed towns, baroque cities and wonderful food traditions of Puglia.
