Colosseum to Como - 12 Days

From £3,934£328 per day Save 9%

Who is this trip for

Age range

0 - 99

Start / End

  • Rome
  • Milan

Physical rating

2/5

Group size

1 - 25

Meals included

16

Highlights

  • Rome - Discover the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry
  • Siena - Stroll through Piazza del Campo, the striking square at the heart of this medieval city
  • Florence - Explore Renaissance treasures including the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Santa Croce
  • Bologna - Wander beneath the elegant porticos and enjoy local street food in the historic centre
  • Venice - Admire St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace exterior and the iconic Bridge of Sighs
  • Verona - See Juliet’s balcony and discover Roman ruins on a guided city tour
  • Lake Garda - Cruise from Sirmione to Desenzano, passing medieval castles and Roman remains along the shore
  • Lake Como - Sail to Bellagio, famed for its villas, gardens and elegant lakeside setting
  • St Moritz - Ride the Bernina Express across alpine passes, villages and viaducts on a spectacular rail journey
  • Milan - View the Duomo, Teatro alla Scala and Castello Sforzesco on a guided city walk and enjoy free time to wander along the canals of Navigli

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Summary

Discover the heart of Italy and beyond on this 12-day journey from Rome to Milan. Begin with sightseeing of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the Eternal City before travelling through Assisi, Siena and the Renaissance treasures of Florence. Enjoy Bologna’s food culture, glide through Venice’s canals, and wander Shakespearean Verona with a stop for wine tasting in Franciacorta. Highlights also include a boat trip on Lake Garda, the elegance of Lake Como, and a spectacular ride on Switzerland’s Bernina Express. Round your tour off in stylish Milan, with guided touring and free time to explore your way.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

    Welcome to Rome. After meeting your driver at the airport, transfer to the hotel. You can then make use of your included Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket to discover the city’s iconic landmarks from a new perspective. With eight stops along the route, you are free to hop on and off as you please, while listening to the informative commentary available in 12 languages. The ticket is valid for one day. Your first evening in Rome is at leisure.

  • Day 2

    Exploring Rome

    This morning, we set out from the hotel for a guided tour of Rome’s remarkable Archaeological Area. With a professional local guide, we begin a 2.5-hour journey through history. Using personal radio receivers and earphones, we explore the legendary Colosseum – the vast Flavian Amphitheatre where Romans once gathered for gladiatorial contests and wild animal hunts.

    We then continue to Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of the city, offering sweeping views across Rome. The tour concludes at the Roman Forum, once the bustling heart of political and social life. We have included "skip the line" tickets for key attractions, so there's less time spent queuing and more time spent exploring Ancient Rome. After the tour, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore at leisure.

  • Day 3

    Assisi & Siena to Florence

    Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence. It's time to leave the Italian capital. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart at 7:15 a.m. by deluxe coach for Assisi, a medieval town encircled by ancient walls. Here we visit the Basilica of St Francis, home to celebrated frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, before enjoying an included lunch in Assisi.

    We then continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the traditional Palio horse race. Our journey then takes us through the rolling Tuscan countryside before arriving in Florence, where we check in to the hotel.

  • Day 4

    Exploring Florence

    Today we explore Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Our visits include the magnificent Duomo with Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, followed by Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. We then enjoy lunch in a traditional Tuscan restaurant.

    In the afternoon, you may choose to spend time at leisure in the city or join an optional excursion to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. If you'd like to take in one of the city's galleries, such as the Uffizi, then we strongly recommend that you prebook. Dinner this evening is at leisure.

  • Day 5

    Bologna & Venice

    Florence - Bologna - Venice. After breakfast in Florence, we travel to Bologna. Here we explore the historic city centre, with its elegant porticos and landmarks such as Piazza del Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio. We also discover Bologna’s rich gastronomic heritage with a light street food lunch at a local eatery, sampling both traditional and contemporary flavours. Later, we continue our journey to Venice.

  • Day 6

    Exploring Venice

    We transfer to Piazza San Marco for a guided tour of Venice’s highlights. Our visits include the Doge’s Palace (exterior) and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards, we pause to enjoy a glass of spritz or prosecco accompanied by cicchetti – traditional Venetian snacks – before taking time to relax and absorb the atmosphere.

    The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, whether strolling along the canals, experiencing a romantic gondola ride, browsing artisan shops or seeking out Venice’s quieter corners.

  • Day 7

    Verona, Wine Tasting & Bergamo

    Venice - Verona - Franciacorta - Bergamo. Leaving Venice, we travel to Verona. On a guided tour we explore its Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Renaissance palaces, including a visit to Juliet’s house and balcony, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

    We then continue to Franciacorta, known for its ideal winemaking soil. Here we enjoy a light lunch of local food paired with regional wine. Later, we head to Bergamo for our overnight stay.

  • Day 8

    Lake Garda Day Trip

    Bergamo - Lake Garda - Bergamo. We're embarking on a day trip to Lake Garda today, Italy’s largest lake. A panoramic drive along the west coast reveals views of the Brenta Dolomites and the Moraine Hills, framed by lush vegetation.

    In Sirmione, we take a boat tour to admire the town’s picturesque shores, its medieval castle and the ancient Grottoes of Catullus. After free time for lunch, we continue to Desenzano del Garda, with its elegant lakeside promenade and historic centre that still bears traces of Venetian influence. We return to Bergamo for an included dinner and overnight.

  • Day 9

    Exploring Lake Como

    Bergamo - Lake Como - Milan. After breakfast, we make a short visit to Como, celebrated for its stunning views over Lake Como and the surrounding Alps. From here, we embark on a boat trip to Bellagio, an elegant village set at the junction of the lake’s two southern branches, known for its narrow streets, luxury hotels, historic villas and lush gardens. Lunch is at your leisure.

    In the afternoon, we take the ferry to Cadenabbia, where we meet our driver and continue to Milan for an overnight stay.

  • Day 10

    Bernina Express Train From St Moritz

    Milan - St Moritz (Switzerland) - Tirano (Italy) - Milan. We're popping into Switzerland today as we meet our driver after breakfast and travel to the resort town of St Moritz, where there is time at leisure to explore.

    We then board the Bernina Express for one of the world’s most scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps. The route crosses the Bernina Pass, with sweeping views of mountain peaks, alpine villages and spectacular viaducts. On arrival in Tirano, our driver will be waiting to return us to Milan. Consider heading into the popular Navigli canal district for dinner and a drink this evening.

  • Day 11

    Exploring Milan

    The morning is free for you to explore Milan at your own pace. In the afternoon, we meet our local guide for a three-hour walking tour through the heart of the city.

    We begin at Porta Venezia, a historic gate with Roman and medieval origins, before continuing along Corso Venezia. The walk takes us through the Giardini Indro Montanelli and past the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, then along Viale Manzoni.

    From the outside, we see the world-famous Teatro alla Scala before admiring the majestic façade of the Duomo. The tour concludes at Castello Sforzesco, the city’s medieval fortress, followed by a relaxing aperitivo.

  • Day 12

    Milan

    Your tour comes to an end today, after breakfast and hotel check out. An included transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight.

What's Included

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 11, Lunches: 4, Dinners: 1

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • May 26

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    Thu 21 May 2026 > Mon 1 Jun 2026
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Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

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