Romantic self-drive from Lyon to Venice

Lyon

Day 1: Welcome to Lyon!

Welcome to France! Arrive at the airport in Lyon, your first stop on this exceptional multi-country tour, then enjoy a private transfer to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to rest and relax after your travels, getting yourself ready for the two incredible weeks ahead of you.

Lyon

Day 2: Take a multisensory tour of Lyon

Today's walking tour will take you through the most beautiful neighborhoods of Lyon, inviting you to discover the secrets of its heritage. With its 162 classified historical buildings, some dating as far back as the Middle Ages, it's a wonderful city to explore through its architecture.

From a strong culinary heritage to silk weaving, local traditions continue to be handed down from generation to generation. You'll explore these and more on today's culturally-rich tour, which includes a meeting with a silk expert, and a cable car ride with incredible views. To fully understand the city’s excellent reputation, you'll even tuck into a few gourmet tasting experiences.

Lyon - Beaujolais - Lyon

Day 3: Explore the vineyards of Beaujolais

Set out today to explore the southern Beaujolais, taking in the beauty and diversity of this hilly region. Often compared to Italy's Tuscany, it is dotted with hilltop villages built from golden stone, and offers a gentle pace of life.

Of course, the region is best known around the world for its famous Beaujolais Nouveau wine, and today your driver-guide, also a local wine-lover, will pass on his passion for the region as you explore together.

Lyon - Lucerne

Day 4: Journey through scenic Switzerland

Today, make your way to the car rental agency in Lyon to pick up your vehicle, marking the start of your self-drive adventure through Europe! You'll hit the road to Switzerland's Lucerne, whose lakeside setting and impressive mountain panoramas are truly unforgettable.

Upon your arrival here, take time to explore: wander the picturesque medieval town squares lined with fountains and historic houses; walk the medieval battlements, and explore cobbled alleys and hidden garden courtyards. End your day at one of Lucerne’s many restaurants, trying a plate of delicious rosti.

Lucerne

Day 5: Spend a day in scenic Lucerne

You'll get to spend the entire day in Lucerne, which despite its small size, offers many sights to explore. Make the most of your time in this scenic spot, and fill your day with all the experiences you wish to enjoy most!

Be sure to visit the Chapel Bridge, one of the city's main and most-photographed landmarks. The bridge was constructed in the first half of the 14th century as a part of the city's fortifications. Adjacent to it is the Water Tower, an octagonal structure built in around 1300 and used over the centuries as an archive, treasury, prison, and torture chamber.

Lucerne - Milan

Day 6: Continue on to fashionable Milan

From Lucerne, you'll first drive through the mountains to Ticino, an Italian-speaking Swiss region that's home to Lugano - a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings, complemented by a lovely Mediterranean flair. The historic city center, with its squares and arcades, is traffic-free and home to numerous Italianate Lombardy-style buildings.

Cross the border into Italy and relax for a while on the shores of Lake Como, before continuing to the great city of Milan for an overnight stay.

Settle down in Milan, exploring the iconic cathedral and admiring Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, before seeking out a delicious dinner - minestrone milanese or risotto alla milanese, perhaps? Don't miss trying ossobuco and tortelli di zucca (pumpkin fritters), best enjoyed with a glass of sparkling red or white wine.

Milan - Volastra

Day 7: Drive along the Mediterranean Sea coast

Today, take a drive along the Mediterranean Sea coast in search of Cinque Terre's boundless beauty. Tucked away in a particularly mountainous kink of the Italian Riviera, these villages have over time been shaped by their profound isolation. Today their exquisite ruggedness still presents a few challenges for accessibility: although they can all be reached by car, you’ll need nerves of steel to conquer the narrow cliff-edge roads, as well as deep pockets to pay for parking!

If you’re traveling by car, leaving it in nearby La Spezia is a smart move - there are secure parking facilities at the train station. You'll bed down for a few nights at a hotel in Volastra, one of the oldest villages in the area.

Volastra - Riomaggiore - Volastra

Day 8: A full day of Cinque Terre sightseeing

Dive deep into the wonders of Italy's Cinque Terre today, beginning your tour of its UNESCO sites at daybreak. First up is Riomaggiore, a quaint medieval town dating back to the 13th century. 

Next, you'll head over to Manarola to walk the famous Via dell'Amore (Path of Love) - you will soon discover that it is one of the most beautiful routes in all of Italy! You'll be perched high above the sea, with lovely mountains and wilderness all around you.

Continue on to Monterosso, an ancient fishing village considered to be the Pearl of Cinque Terre. Relax on its lovely beaches and jump into refreshing crystalline waters. Finally, you'll take a boat across to Vernazza, whose natural port has kept it safe from invaders for centuries.

Volastra - Florence

Day 9: Marvel at beautiful Florence

Saying goodbye to the villages of Cinque Terre, you'll embark on the first part of today's tour, devoted to the beautiful hills surrounding Florence.

Start with a panoramic bus ride along tree-lined roads to reach the Etruscan-Roman village of Fiesole, with stunning views of Florence and the Arno Valley. Admire the central square of the tiny village before heading into Florence, driving along the famous Lungarni on the riverbank to reach the Basilica di Santa Croce and its historic square.

Your guide will take you into the unique heart of the city to admire the imposing architecture of Palazzo Vecchio and the famous statues of Loggia dei Lanzi. The tour finishes inside the Uffizi Gallery, where you can admire unique Renaissance masterpieces by great artists including da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael.

Florence - Siena

Day 10: Immerse yourself in magical San Gimignano

From Florence you'll take the 75-minute drive to Siena, where you'll check into your hotel. Then, embark on an afternoon tour of Chianti, a region filled with dense oak forests and cypress trees, to discover its famous wine cellars.

After the day’s crowds have dispersed, you'll head to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed San Gimignano to explore this romantic town of towers. You'll have free time to visit its impressive church or explore the Civic Museum and Town Hall. Alternatively, shop in artisan boutiques for leather goods and hand-painted pottery; savor local flavors across food shops and wine bars; or discover the town’s many hidden beauties.

At sunset, you'll dine in a beautiful farmhouse overlooking the San Gimignano towers and the rolling, vine-covered hills, before returning to your hotel in Siena.

Siena

Day 11: Explore the south of Tuscany

With Siena as your base, spend the day discovering southern Tuscany on your own - this region has so much to offer! It boasts countless amounts of art and incredible architecture, sandy beaches and hot springs to relax at, mountains for hiking adventures, vineyards and wineries, and olive groves and cypresses across its spectacular landscape.

Sometimes it seems that no matter how many days you plan on spending in Tuscany, you'll never quite get enough. Its most representative destinations are Montalcino and Montepulciano, famous for their excellent red wines; Pienza and its Renaissance square; and San Quirico d'Orcia with its gardens. The smaller villages of Bagno Vignoni and Buonconvento also hold their own special charms.

Siena - Florence - Venice

Day 12: Travel from Florence to Venice

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Siena, your day will begin with a drive back to Florence, where you'll drop off your rental car and make your way to the train station, for a transfer to Venice. On arrival, make your way to your hotel for check-in and get some rest, with the evening at your disposal to relax and unwind.

Venice

Day 13: The many wonders of Venice

Venice is one of the most stunning cities on Earth. It's home to numerous beautiful churches, palaces and museums, as well as fine shops and restaurants serving excellent food. Its Jewish Quarter is a hauntingly beautiful and secret corner of the Cannaregio district, close to the bustling Strada Nova.

To explore Venice and learn about its secrets, the best way is with a guide by your side. Over today and the rest of your tour, you will embark on a series of individual excursions to help you deep dive into this very special part of Italy.

Venice

Day 14: Seek out Venice's highlights

Spend the day marveling at Venice's attractions. Skip the queue into the Doge’s Palace, where you will learn about its history as well as view the grandiose chambers and works of Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese.

Your guide will leave you in the Doge's Palace to allow you more time to explore its sumptuous rooms. Then, after your lunch break, you'll embark on a Grand Canal boat tour: this private experience will take you along the prettiest highway in the world, passing all the gorgeous buildings and palaces. It will also traverse the smaller canals to give you an overview of the city.

Venice

Day 15: Farewell, Venice!

The last day of your adventure has arrived, but worry not: you've still a program of excursions to enjoy in Venice before you go!

First is a 30-minute gondola ride, taking you along the majestic Grand Canal with all its unique palaces, then in and around the smaller canals - a peaceful and quiet way to enjoy the beauty of this unique water city.

Your next tour starts in Saint Mark’s Square, where your knowledgeable English-speaking guide will talk you through the square's history, main monuments and landmarks. Skip the queue at the entrance to Saint Mark’s Basilica, to gaze in awe at its magnificent gold mosaics.

Finally, you'll enjoy a private transfer to the airport, in time for your return flight home.