Fantastic Italian Masterpieces, Magical Lakes, The Alps & Dolomites Combo | 17 Day Escorted Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
Breakfast daily, five meals, three local food experiences and a Franciacorta tasting lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like the way this journey combines Italy’s great art cities and northern lakes with the spectacular landscapes of South Tyrol and the Dolomites. Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como and the Bernina Express are followed by beautiful alpine towns including Merano, Bressanone and Brunico, before reaching the mountain lakes and dramatic peaks around Cortina. It’s an exceptionally varied way to experience Italy from its historic cities to the high Alps.
Is this tour for you?
This is a long and active escorted journey, best suited to travellers who enjoy variety and are comfortable moving regularly. There is extensive city walking, coach touring, rail and boat travel, mountain and lakeside stops and frequent changes of scenery. If you prefer a slow holiday with long stays in one place, there are gentler options. If you want to experience just how diverse Italy can be — from ancient Rome to the high Dolomites — the breadth of this itinerary is its great strength.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
Few Italian itineraries offer this much change in landscape. The journey begins in Lazio among the great cultural centres of Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna and Venice before moving through Verona and Franciacorta to the shores of Lake Garda and Lake Como. Milan follows, together with the spectacular alpine rail journey of the Bernina Express.
But rather than ending there, this tour continues deeper into northern Italy. Trento, Bolzano, Merano, Vipiteno, Bressanone and Brunico introduce the distinctive character of Trentino-Alto Adige, where Italian and Alpine cultures meet in the architecture, food, language and landscape.
The final days belong to the mountains. Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva, Lake Misurina, Lake Dobbiaco and the scenery around Cortina take you into the heart of the Dolomites before the route turns south again through Bassano del Grappa. It is a substantial journey, but for travellers who love both Italy's cultural cities and its extraordinary mountain landscapes, it brings the two together beautifully.
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
- Scenic drive through Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige
- Visits to Bolzano, Merano, Vipiteno, Bressanone and Brunico
- Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva, plus Lake Misurina and Lake Dobbiaco
- Scenic drive around the lakes near Cortina
- Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Rome
Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Use the included panoramic bus ticket for an easy introduction to the capital or simply settle in and enjoy the atmosphere of your first evening in Italy.
Day 2 - Rome
Explore ancient Rome with a guided visit to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free for your own sightseeing.
Day 3 - Assisi, Siena And Florence
Travel north through Umbria to Assisi, where sightseeing and lunch are followed by a visit to medieval Siena. Continue through Tuscany to Florence for the overnight stay.
Day 4 - Florence
Discover Florence's Renaissance landmarks with a local guide and enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant. The afternoon is free, with the option of joining an excursion to Pisa.
Day 5 - Bologna And Venice
Continue to Bologna for sightseeing and a local gastronomic experience before travelling onwards to Venice.
Day 6 - Venice
Explore Venice with a guide, then enjoy spritz or prosecco with cicchetti before a free afternoon among the canals, bridges and piazzas of this remarkable city.
Day 7 - Verona, Franciacorta And Bergamo
Visit Verona before continuing to the vineyards of Franciacorta for a light lunch and wine tasting. Later, travel to Bergamo for the overnight stay.
Day 8 - Lake Garda
Spend the day around Lake Garda, including beautiful Sirmione, a scenic boat journey and Desenzano del Garda. Return to Bergamo for dinner.
Day 9 - Como, Bellagio And Milan
Visit Como and travel by boat to Bellagio, one of the loveliest towns on the Italian Lakes. Cross to Cadenabbia before continuing to Milan.
Day 10 - Bernina Express
Travel to St Moritz and board the Bernina Express for an unforgettable rail journey through the Alps to Tirano, passing high mountain landscapes, villages and dramatic scenery before returning to Milan.
Day 11 - Milan
Enjoy some free time before a guided walking tour of Milan, finishing near Castello Sforzesco with an aperitivo.
Day 12 - Lake Garda, Trento And Bolzano
Leave Milan and begin the alpine extension of the journey. Travel via Peschiera del Garda to Trento before following a scenic route through wine country around Kaltern an der Weinstrasse and arriving in Bolzano. Here, Italian and Central European influences begin to mingle in a distinctly South Tyrolean setting.
Day 13 - Merano, Vipiteno And Bolzano
Explore elegant Merano and the beautifully preserved alpine town of Vipiteno before returning to Bolzano. Spend time in its historic centre, where arcaded streets, colourful buildings and a mountain backdrop reveal a very different side of Italy.
Day 14 - Bressanone, Brunico, Lake Braies Or Lake Anterselva And Cortina
Continue through South Tyrol to Bressanone and Brunico before heading into increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. Depending on access conditions, visit either beautiful Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva, then continue towards the Cortina area for the overnight stay.
Day 15 - Lakes Around Cortina
A day among the Dolomites brings some of the tour's most memorable landscapes. Explore the area around Cortina with visits to Lake Misurina, Lake Dobbiaco and San Vito di Cadore, surrounded by jagged peaks, forests and clear alpine lakes.
Day 16 - Bassano Del Grappa And Milan
Leave the Dolomites and travel south to Bassano del Grappa, an attractive Veneto town with a long association with its namesake spirit. Enjoy a grappa tasting before continuing to Milan for your final overnight stay.
Day 17 - Milan
After breakfast, the tour concludes in Milan.
Tour Highlights
- Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan
- Lake Garda, Lake Como and Bernina Express
- South Tyrol towns including Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone
- Cortina and the Dolomite lakes
- Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva, Lake Misurina and Lake Dobbiaco
- Bassano del Grappa tasting experience
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
- Cortina area: B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina
- Bolzano: Stadt Hotel
Hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard if required.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This itinerary includes extensive city walking, alpine and lakeside stops, cobbled streets, coach touring and regular hotel moves. 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.
- Lake Braies may be replaced by Lake Anterselva if access conditions require a change.
- 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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