Italy: Fantasia all Italy Escorted Tour - 17 Days

Rome • Assisi • Siena • Florence • Bologna • Venice • Verona • Franciacorta • Bergamo • Lake Garda • Como • Bellagio • Milan • Bernina Express • Peschiera del Garda • Trento • Bolzano • Merano • Vipiteno • Bressanone • Brunico • Lake Braies/Lake Anterselva • Cortina d’Ampezzo • Lake Misurina • Lake Dobbiaco • San Vito di Cadore • Bassano del Grappa • Milan

FANTASIA COMBO

Italian Masterpieces, Magical Lakes, Alpina & Dolomiti

Experience the best of Italy on an unforgettable 17-day journey from Rome to Milan, combining Italy’s iconic cities, legendary lakes, world-class cuisine, scenic rail journeys and the spectacular Dolomites.

Begin in Rome, discovering the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, before traveling through the heart of Italy to Assisi, Siena and Florence. Continue to Bologna and Venice, enjoying local culinary experiences, traditional Venetian cicchetti and a Spritz or Prosecco.

Discover Verona and the Franciacorta wine region, followed by the beauty of Lake Garda, Sirmione, Como and Bellagio. In Milan, enjoy guided sightseeing and an Italian aperitivo before experiencing the spectacular Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps.

The journey continues into northern Italy and South Tyrol, visiting Peschiera del Garda, Trento, Kaltern, Bolzano, Merano, Vipiteno, Bressanone and Brunico. Explore the breathtaking Dolomites, including Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Lake Misurina, Lake Dobbiaco and San Vito di Cadore.

Conclude your Italian adventure in Bassano del Grappa, with a visit and tasting at the Museo della Grappa, before returning to Milan.

Highlights include: Rome's ancient monuments, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, Verona, Franciacorta wine tasting, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Bellagio, Milan, the Bernina Express, South Tyrol and the spectacular Dolomites.

itinerary & prices

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN ROME

Welcome to Rome!

Upon arrival at Rome Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.

Use your included Hop-On Hop-Off panoramic bus ticket to begin exploring Rome. The ticket is valid for one day and allows you to hop on and off at eight stops while enjoying multilingual commentary.

The evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Rome.

DAY 2 – ROME: COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL

Breakfast

After breakfast, depart from your hotel for a guided tour of Rome's extraordinary archaeological area.

With your professional guide, explore the legendary Colosseum, the iconic Flavian Amphitheater once used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Continue to Palatine Hill, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Rome, and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

The tour concludes at the Roman Forum, once the center of political, religious and commercial life in ancient Rome.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Rome.

DAY 3 – ROME • ASSISI • SIENA • FLORENCE

Breakfast & Lunch

Depart Rome at approximately 7:15 AM by deluxe coach and travel to Assisi, a beautiful medieval hill town surrounded by ancient walls.

Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its magnificent frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue.

Enjoy lunch in Assisi before continuing to Siena, a UNESCO-listed city famous for its distinctive shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the historic Palio horse race.

Continue through the picturesque Tuscan countryside to Florence.

Check in at your hotel.

Overnight in Florence.

DAY 4 – FLORENCE

Breakfast & Lunch

Discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, on a guided sightseeing tour.

See the magnificent Duomo, Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce Basilica.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional Tuscan restaurant.

The afternoon is free for independent exploration, shopping and sightseeing, or you may choose an optional excursion to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Florence.

DAY 5 – FLORENCE • BOLOGNA • VENICE

Breakfast & Local Food Experience

After breakfast, depart Florence for Bologna, famous for its historic porticos, elegant squares and exceptional culinary traditions.

Explore the city center, including Piazza del Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio.

Enjoy a local gastronomic experience featuring traditional and contemporary specialties, including a light street-food lunch at a local eatery.

Continue to Venice.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Venice.

DAY 6 – VENICE

Breakfast & Local Food Experience

Transfer to Piazza San Marco for a guided exploration of Venice.

See the magnificent St. Mark's Square, the exterior of Doge's Palace and the famous Bridge of Sighs.

After the tour, enjoy a traditional Venetian Spritz or Prosecco with cicchetti, the small savory snacks for which Venice is famous.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore Venice independently. Wander along the canals, browse artisan shops or discover the city's quieter corners.

Overnight in Venice.

DAY 7 – VENICE • VERONA • FRANCIACORTA • BERGAMO

Breakfast, Light Lunch & Wine Tasting

Depart Venice and travel to Verona, one of Italy's most historic and romantic cities.

Enjoy a guided tour featuring its Roman ruins, medieval architecture and Renaissance palaces. See Juliet's House and famous balcony, associated with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Continue to the Franciacorta wine region, renowned for its sparkling wines.

Enjoy a light lunch accompanied by a local wine tasting.

Continue to Bergamo for your overnight stay.

Overnight in Bergamo.

DAY 8 – BERGAMO • SIRMIONE • DESENZANO DEL GARDA • BERGAMO

Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, depart for Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.

Enjoy a panoramic journey along the western shore, with views toward the Brenta Dolomites and surrounding landscapes.

Arrive in Sirmione, one of Lake Garda's most picturesque towns. Take a scenic boat tour along the lake, admiring the shoreline, castle and the Grottoes of Catullus.

Enjoy free time for lunch.

Continue to Desenzano del Garda, known for its elegant lakeside promenade and historic center with Venetian influences.

Return to Bergamo for dinner.

Overnight in Bergamo.

DAY 9 – BERGAMO • COMO • BELLAGIO • MILAN

Breakfast

After breakfast, depart for Lake Como and enjoy a visit to the picturesque town of Como.

From Como, board a boat to Bellagio, an elegant lakeside village situated where the lake's three branches meet.

Enjoy time to explore Bellagio's charming streets, historic villas, gardens and waterfront.

Lunch is at leisure.

In the afternoon, take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where your driver will meet you for the journey to Milan.

Overnight in Milan.

DAY 10 – MILAN • BERNINA EXPRESS • MILAN

Breakfast

After breakfast, meet your driver and travel toward St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Enjoy free time in St. Moritz before boarding the spectacular Bernina Express.

Experience one of Europe's most scenic railway journeys as the train travels through the Swiss Alps, crossing the Bernina Pass and passing alpine villages, dramatic mountain scenery and impressive engineering landmarks.

Arrive in Tirano, where your driver will meet you for the return journey to Milan.

Overnight in Milan.

DAY 11 – MILAN

Breakfast & Local Food Experience

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Milan.

In the afternoon, meet your local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city.

Begin at Porta Venezia and continue along Corso Venezia and through the Giardini Indro Montanelli.

Pass the Galleria d'Arte Moderna and continue along Viale Manzoni.

See the exterior of the legendary Teatro alla Scala and admire the magnificent façade of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo).

The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco.

Relax with an Italian aperitivo/happy hour, including one drink before enjoying free time.

Overnight in Milan.

DAY 12 – MILAN • PESCHIERA DEL GARDA • TRENTO • KALTERN • BOLZANO

Breakfast

Depart Milan and travel to Peschiera del Garda, a charming fortified town on the southern shore of Lake Garda.

Continue to Trento, where you can admire the impressive Castello del Buonconsiglio and Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral.

Enjoy lunch at leisure.

Continue along Italy's historic Wine Route toward Kaltern an der Weinstraße (Caldaro), known for its lake, vineyards and wine production.

Continue to Bolzano.

Overnight in Bolzano.

DAY 13 – BOLZANO • MERANO • VIPITENO • BOLZANO

Breakfast

Travel to Merano, an attractive Alpine town known for its spa tradition, cultural heritage and historic center.

Enjoy time to explore the old town and have lunch at leisure.

Continue to Vipiteno, a picturesque town characterized by medieval architecture and Alpine scenery.

Stroll through the historic streets, enjoy local cuisine and browse the shops.

Return to Bolzano in the afternoon.

Explore the city, including its Gothic-style Duomo and Via dei Portici, the main historic shopping street.

The evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Bolzano.

DAY 14 – BOLZANO • BRESSANONE • BRUNICO • LAKE BRAIES/LAKE ANTERSELVA • CORTINA

Breakfast & Dinner

Depart Bolzano for Bressanone, a charming town in the Eisack Valley known for its historic cathedral and distinctive Austrian-Italian character.

Continue to Brunico, where you can explore its colorful medieval streets and enjoy views toward the surrounding mountains.

Continue to Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee), one of the most spectacular lakes in the Dolomites, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.

If Lake Braies is inaccessible, the itinerary will visit Lake Anterselva instead.

Continue to Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Cortina.

DAY 15 – CORTINA • DOLOMITE LAKES • SAN VITO DI CADORE • CORTINA

Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the spectacular landscapes surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Admire panoramic views of the Dolomites, including the iconic peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Continue to Lake Misurina, the largest natural lake in the area, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Visit Lake Dobbiaco, known for its distinctive emerald-colored waters.

Continue to San Vito di Cadore, a charming Alpine village surrounded by the UNESCO-listed Dolomite peaks of Mount Antelao and Mount Pelmo.

Return to Cortina for free time.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Cortina.

DAY 16 – CORTINA • BASSANO DEL GRAPPA • MILAN

Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Cortina and travel to Bassano del Grappa, a historic town at the foot of the Venetian Prealps.

Explore the charming cobbled streets, medieval towers and elegant Venetian architecture.

Visit the famous Ponte degli Alpini, designed by Andrea Palladio and crossing the Brenta River.

Visit the Museo della Grappa to learn about the history and production of Italy's famous grappa.

Enjoy a grappa tasting before continuing to Milan.

Overnight in Milan.

DAY 17 – MILAN

Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure.

Arrivederci, Italy!

Meals: 5 Meals + 3 Local Food Experiences + 1 Light Lunch & Wine Tasting

HOTELS

Rome – 4★

• Hotel St. Martin

• Hotel Diana Roof Garden

Florence – 4★

• Hotel Raffaello

• Hotel Una Vittoria

Venice – 3★

• Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna – Tronchetto area

• Hampton by Hilton Venice Isola Nuova – Tronchetto area

Bergamo – 4★

• Hotel Cappello D'Oro

Milan – 4★

• Hotel Concorde

• Hotel Ramada Plaza

Cortina – 3★

• B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina

Bolzano – 4★

• Stadt Hotel

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Rome airport arrival transfer

• Rome Hop-On Hop-Off panoramic bus

• Skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

• Assisi, Siena and Bologna

• Lunch in Assisi

• Guided Florence sightseeing

• Traditional Tuscan lunch

• Bologna local food experience

• Venice guided sightseeing

• Spritz/Prosecco & cicchetti experience

• Guided Verona sightseeing

• Franciacorta light lunch & wine tasting

• Lake Garda and Sirmione boat experience

• Como and Bellagio

• Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps

• Guided Milan sightseeing

• Milan aperitivo with one drink

• Peschiera del Garda and Trento

• Scenic drive along the historic South Tyrol Wine Route

• Merano, Vipiteno, Bressanone and Brunico

• Lake Braies or Lake Anterselva

• Scenic Dolomite drives around Cortina

• Lake Misurina and Lake Dobbiaco

• San Vito di Cadore

• Bassano del Grappa

• Grappa tasting

• Milan airport departure transfer

Important Notes:

• City tax is not included and is payable directly at the hotel.

• Drinks are not included with meals unless specifically included as part of an experience.

• Lake Braies may be substituted with Lake Anterselva if access is unavailable.

EXCLUSIONS
• Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned
• City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)
• Personal expenses, international airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver

City Tax - Please note that rates do not includes city taxes when needed. City tax will be paid directly at the reception hotel desk upon arrival or at the check-out according to the local city board procedure. The city tax will change according to hotel category.