History has many guises across France and Italy. From legendary art to vineyards, gondoliers to glorious domes, cliffside towns to cobbled lanes, these are two countries that take history into the modern-day. Explore the highlights of both on a private 17-day tour, where insider guides will help you unravel secrets from the past. Experience Rome, Florence, and Tuscany before Cinque Terre, Milan, and Venice. Then, fly to France for a visit to Paris, Burgundy, and Champagne. To discover other itineraries...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – Stop, Rest, Relax
Land in Rome and relax since history is everywhere, so you don’t need to go looking for it. Barely steps from the hotel you will find the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. A little further down the road, the Colosseum looms large. As you walk, you will find old piazzas, places to sip on a coffee, and watch the world go by. You may be tired after the flight, so nothing specific will be planned for today. However, the heart of Rome is a good place to relax. Most of the city is pedestrianized and it will be astonishing how many postcard sights are clustered close to your hotel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – Highlights of the Ancient Empire and Vatican
Day 3
Florence – The City of Renaissance
Day 4
Florence – A Day Trip to Siena
Day 5
Florence – Tuscany Vineyards and Cathedral Domes
Day 6
Cinque Terre – A Leaning Tower and Colors on the Cliffs
Day 7
Cinque Terre – Relaxing and Taking It Easy in Coastal Italy
Day 8
Milan – Many Surprises to Discover
Day 9
Venice – First Impressions of the City on the Water
Day 10
Venice – A Gondolier Takes You All Around
Day 11
Paris – Arrival and Exploration Along the Seine
Day 12
Paris – Handcrafted Personal Tour of Paris
Day 13
Beaune – Old-World Beauty in Burgundy
Day 14
Burgundy – A Day Spent Among Historical Vineyards
Day 15
Reims – Another Evocative City From the Past
Day 16
Reims – Private Champagne Region Tour
Day 17
Paris – Final Night in Paris
Day 18
Paris – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Luxuriate amid the vineyards of Champagne before feasting your eyes on Notre-Dame de Reims
- Feel the allure of past centuries as a gondolier takes you through the canals of Venice
- Embrace the time of empire as you tour the major highlights of Ancient Rome
- Customize your time in Paris and discover your own postcards in the City of Lights
- Surround yourself with Renaissance beauty in the heart of Venice
- Soak up old-world France as you explore the Burgundy region, with stops in Dijon and Beaune
- Gaze out across the water from the colorful towns of Italy’s Cinque Terre, a good place to catch your breath on a busy itinerary.
Detailed Description
In France and Italy, history will surround you on your custom tour of Europe. The history whispers from the walls of palaces, piazzas, and leaning towers. You find heritage on landscapes carpeted with vines as well as villages that cling to the cliffs. Not everything is old though. High-speed train services make travel a breeze. Sit back in the first-class carriages and relax, as you watch the countryside roll by the window. When you arrive at a new destination, a local guide will lead the way and take you behind the scenes to reveal how these places function. You’ll do more than see the history. You’ll come to understand why these places have made such an impact on world history.
Your time in Italy will start in Rome. There’s a day to wander the mind-boggling sights, then a day to explore the Vatican and Ancient Rome with a guide. After a short train ride, you’ll arrive in Florence to explore the city, discover Siena, and taste wine in Tuscany. Then, visit Pisa on your route to Cinque Terre, where five colorful towns hang on rugged cliffs. It will be a good time to catch your breath before you visit Milan and Venice, where you will see so many of Italy’s ultimate attractions. With private guides, the daily tours can be personalized and adjusted to your interests, particularly the cities’ art scenes.
The second half of your trip will begin in Paris where you will experience the art, food, and walking the River Seine. Then you escape into really old-world France. Start in Burgundy, with day trips to Dijon and Beaune, the places from the past. Then travel on to Champagne, another destination for wine tasting and culinary indulgence. Taste and tour with winemakers, spend leisurely evenings on alfresco terraces and get a feel for France’s decorous history. You’ll return to Paris for the final evening where there is always another restaurant or bar to try.
Zicasso offers a variety of France and Italy vacations. Be sure to browse the trips reviews for France and Italy.
Starting Price
$6,439 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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