During this luxurious, 12-day vacation to Italy, you can indulge in mouthwatering chocolates, enjoy spectacular views, and experience the magnificent culture of Italy and France. The marvels of Italy and France will come to light during your custom-tailored, seniors tour of Europe, which will immerse you in its cafe culture, the captivating prestige of Vatican City, and the majestic collection of artworks that are on display in the Louvre. Travel from Rome to Paris to uncover ancient ruins, elegant...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – Introductory Tour of Rome
Your flight will arrive at Fiumicino Airport, where your private transfer will greet you at customs and escort you to your hotel in the heart of Rome. Once you arrive at your luxurious accommodation, you will be provided with some time to settle in to the charms of your suite before meeting your private guide in the lobby for an introductory exploration of the city. This tour will lead you to many of the iconic sites of Rome, including the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – Vatican City and the Colosseum
Day 3
Florence – Indulge in a Tour of Florence
Day 4
Florence – Uncover Renaissance Beauty
Day 5
Bologna – The Gastronomy of Emilia Romagna
Day 6
Monterosso – The Villages of Cinque Terre
Day 7
Dolceacqua – Towns along the Italian Riviera
Day 8
Nice – View the Cote d’Azur
Day 9
Nice – Revel in the Charms of Nice
Day 10
Paris – Pastry and Sweets Tour
Day 11
Paris – Highlights Tour of Paris
Day 12
Paris – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Witness the fascinating details of Michelangelo’s Pieta, which can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica
- Indulge in the delectable flavor of authentic prosciutto di Parma when visiting a family-run prosciutto farm in Emilia Romagna
- Delight in the tasty flavors of chocolate, pastries, and a classic kouignettes during a Confections Tour of Paris
- Discover the magnificent works of Renaissance artists that are on display in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
- Delight in a visit to the Leaning Tower when touring Pisa’s renowned Piazza dei Miracoli
- Explore the treasured villages along the Italian Riviera and the protruding bridge at Dolceacqua
- View the amazing work of Mark Chagall in the Marc Chagall National Museum when traversing the elegant streets of Nice
- Marvel at the magnificent collection of art and archeological artifacts from around the Mediterranean during a private tour of the Louvre Museum
- Learn how to make perfume and delight in the enjoyable aromas of a perfume factory in the charming village of Eze
Detailed Description
The drama of Italy and France will highlight the splendors of history and culture during your luxurious, 12-day tour of France and Italy, which will allow you to bask in the flavors of traditional gastronomy and celebrate the brilliant flavors of the regions. You will be provided with an immersive tour of the Italian Riviera and the gorgeous palaces that can be found along the elegant streets of Nice. You can also indulge in the favored flavors of Parisian chocolate as you wander the medieval arcades of Bologna.
Your adventure in Europe will begin with your arrival at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, where your private transfer will escort you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. You will have two nights to explore the treasures of the Eternal City, which will showcase its telling past and architectural brilliance with its monuments, such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. After traveling to Florence, you will be led to the hilltop town of Orvieto, where the town’s Gothic cathedral offers a glimpse of shimmering frescoes. Once in Florence, you will have two nights to discover the history, art, and beauty that emanates from the city’s marvels, such as the Duomo and the artworks of the Uffizi and Accademia galleries.
The splendor of Italy will continue to reveal itself to you when you arrive in Bologna to celebrate the gastronomy of the Emilia Romagna. During your time in the region, you will explore the skyline of its medieval architecture in addition to uncovering the quintessential flavors of prosciutto di Parma when visiting a family farm. With two nights on the Italian Riviera, you will visit Pisa for insight into the magnificent architecture that can be found at the Sacred Field and Leaning Tower before enjoying the delicious, seaside charms of Cinque Terre. Here, you can follow the trails or ride the train between Monterosso to Riomaggiore. In the village of Dolceacqua, you can wander through the main street to experience its charismatic ambiance and unique bridge before crossing the border into France.
You will have two nights in Nice that will celebrate the beauty of the Cote d’Azur. You will be provided with time to explore the Old Town Nice and the beautiful villages around the French Riviera, such as the hilltop village of Eze. Afterward, you will travel by high-speed train to Paris for two nights. You can embrace your introduction to Paris with a confectionary tour of the St. Germain neighborhood and a private tour that will highlight the grandeur of the city’s monuments from the Eiffel Tower to the marvels of the Louvre Museum.
Starting Price
$5,400 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 6891 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.
