Day 1: Journey to Turin
We'll journey from London to Paris on the Eurostar.
From Paris, we travel on a fast TGV train south passing Burgundy and Lyon.
After Lyon, the train slows and the terrain becomes mountainous, offering breath-taking views of the Alps. Our journey takes us through Chambery and Modane before entering Italy, where the train passes Bardonecchia and Olux.
We'll arrive in Turin in the late afternoon, where we stay for two nights. Enjoy free time in the evening to settle into the hotel and explore the local area.
Day 2: Turin
This morning, we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Turin, exploring the history and architecture in the heart of the city. Turin boasts some of the best architecture in Italy in a stunning range of styles, including Renaissance, Rococo, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau. And dominating the skyline is the Mole Antonelliana, with a distinctive aluminium spire that appears on the Italian two-cent coin.
Turin is one of Europe’s great chocolate-making cities, home to famous chocolatiers and Italian chocolate brands like Ferrero Rocher. It is known for its patisserie and chocolate shops, many of which haven't changed since the 18th century. While exploring the tree-lined boulevards and fascinating architecture, we'll enjoy some chocolate tastings and learn more about the history of chocolate making.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy time exploring Turin at leisure. Boasting the largest pedestrian area in Europe, the city centre is a walker’s paradise: its arcades are beautifully decorated with coffered ceilings and impressive columns, which makes exploring the city an absolute pleasure.
Turin is also home to several museums. The Museo Egizio is home to one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities, encompassing sculptures, reconstructed temples and intricate tomb paintings. There are also many scenic parks spread across the city, including Parco del Valentino, with its beautiful botanical garden.
Perhaps visit the famous Lingotto, home to Fiat’s former rooftop test track, or enjoy the local food in one of the city’s many pleasant squares. And look out for Bicerin - the city’s traditional hot drink of espresso, chocolate and milk.
Day 3: Turin to Venice
After breakfast, we travel across Italy's northern regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and the Veneto on the high-speed train.
Signature Experience:
This afternoon, enjoy an introduction to Venice on a gondola ride taking in the city's style and elegance. Marvel at the architecture as you glide along the iconic canals and under a plethora of bridges.
Day 4: Venice
Today, explore Venice on foot with a guided walking tour revealing many famous sights, including Doge’s Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style, and the legendary Bridge of Sighs.
On our tour, we'll visit one of the world's most opulent cathedrals, St Mark's, the final resting place of St Mark the Apostle. Walk across the 12th-century marble floors and marvel at the walls and vaulted ceilings, covered with 4,000 square metres of 13th-century, coloured mosaics.
This afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish, perhaps take a trip to the island of Murano, famous for its exquisite, coloured glass. For art lovers, visit the Gallerie dell'Accademia with world-class masterpieces or the Guggenheim for modern art. Alternatively, climb the Campanile bell tower for unrivalled views of the city, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance.
Day 5: Venice to Rome
This morning, we'll leave Venice, taking the high-speed train to Rome. Enjoy the scenery as it transitions from flat terrain to long tunnels cut through the hills and mountains of the mighty Apennines Mountain range, and marvel at the views as we follow the Tiber Valley towards Rome.
In Rome, spend the afternoon settling into the four-star hotel, where we'll stay for three nights, and begin exploring the local area at leisure.
Signature Experience:
Enjoy the gastronomic delights of Trastevere, Rome’s vibrant Jewish quarter filled with exciting nightlife and the locals’ favourite restaurants. Our evening stroll includes a tasting of local wines and cheeses, iconic Roman pasta dishes, modern street food and gelato while listening to lesser-known stories from the Eternal City.
Day 6: Rome
After breakfast, we take a sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. The monuments here are legendary, like the Trevi Fountain, built onto the side of a Renaissance palace, where - legend has it - you must toss a coin into it to ensure a return visit to Rome.
Next, we visit the picturesque Piazza Navona, Rome's most famous square, lined with cafes and restaurants. We'll stroll down the 18th-century Spanish Steps; once the haunt of artists and models, it is now simply the place to be seen. At the bottom is the Piazza di Spagna, home to the poet Keats and visited by Milton, Byron and Shelley, who all drew inspiration from the unique capital city.
This afternoon will be free for you to explore at leisure.
Day 7: Ancient Rome & Colosseum
Holding sway over much of the ancient world for 500 years, Rome was the greatest empire of its time. Ruled first by a series of consuls, then by Julius Caesar and a series of other emperors. Between them, they created a unique legacy, the remains of which we see today, including one of the most famous centres of entertainment the world has ever seen: the Colosseum. We'll find out more about Ancient Rome on a guided tour of the Colosseum this morning.
After free time for lunch, we'll spend the afternoon in Frascati, famous for its wine production. Frascati wines are typically light and dry with a distinctive taste that makes them perfect for pairing with food.
Signature Experience:
This afternoon, we'll visit one of the most historic wine estates in the area to learn about the artisanal winemaking traditions that have been kept alive in this region. We tour a Frascati vineyard producing a selection of Frascati wines, which we will enjoy along with some delicious local delicacies.
Day 8: Rome to France
First thing this morning, we begin our journey to France by high-speed train.
Our first train takes us from Rome to Milan, with lovely views of the Tiber and Arno Valleys as we run north out of the Italian capital. Our journey from Florence to Bologna will take us through a series of tunnels, passing under the Apennine Mountains. We'll then travel northwest across the North Italian Plains with views of farmlands, fields and woods.
From Milan, we'll travel through the heart of Switzerland, arriving in France in the early evening, where we stay for one night with dinner.
Day 9: Return Home
We continue our journey back to the UK, travelling to Paris by TGV through the stunning French countryside and then from Paris to London by Eurostar through the channel tunnel.
