Drive to the Swiss border via the freeway in the morning. In the afternoon, we are about to arrive in Switzerland through Basel which is a key transportation hub for France, Germany, and Switzerland. After this, we will continue to the well-known city in central Switzerland, Lucerne. If we have enough time, you can have a sightseeing tour in Lucerne, visiting the famous Lion Monument that is a tribute to Swiss royalty and bravery as well as the landmark Chapel Bridge.
During Swiss Itinerary: Chinese lunch/dinner (standard: group meal:6 dishes + 1 soup) €25-30 (Prices vary with cities)
The following day we will depart for Italy. We will arrive at the Fashion Capital, Milan around noon. Our first stop is the majestic Duomo di Milano which is often labeled as the third-largest cathedral in the world and the architectural symbol of Milan. Later you can browse through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II nearby. It is a grand arcade filled with luxury brands, sparkling shining glass. In the afternoon we will drive to Venice.
Explore Venice— renowned as the City of Water and listed in the world’s top ten travel attractions this morning. Then take a water taxi to the famous St. Mark’s Square. The St. Mark’s Basilica with much Byzantine style is a must for you to visit. There are more sights of course including the Bridge of Sighs connecting palaces and former prisons, the Grand Canal that used to be the most bustling place, and distinctive shopping alleys. If you prefer the waterway travel, you can choose to take a conventional gondola to enclose the whole beauty of this city through canals.
After this, we will head to a renowned glass factory to learn about Venice’s centuries-old glass-blowing process. Then in the afternoon, we will leave for the Eternal City and the capital of Italy— Rome.
Local Venetian Squid Ink Pasta Set: €30 per person (includes salad, squid ink pasta, fried seafood, dessert, and a glass of red wine)
Our Complimentary Offer will be today: a one-hour Citywalk in Rome, accompanied by a local tour guide, to wander in the “country of flourishing” in Shakespeare’s eyes and the “great city” hailed by Byron.
Our suggested route: Spanish Steps— Pantheon— Piazza Navona/ Fontana del Moro— Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola— Piazza Venezia (about 1.5 hours)
A refreshing day will start by visiting Rome’s most iconic landmarks: the Roman cultural marvel— the Colosseum built in 72 AD, the Arch of Constantine, the grand Altare della Patria, and the Trevi Fountain, also known as the wish-making fountain.
For the afternoon, leave for Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.
Citywalk reminder: Each tourist will be provided with a headset. We will make a brief stop at key sights and you can seek the best spot to take photos. As this activity is physically demanding, we advise you to wear comfortable sneakers and baggy garments; if it is disrupted by force majeure (such as bad weather, traffic restriction, or strike), we will have the right to temporarily cancel this activity and all tourist attractions are not available for the tourists.
This morning you will whizz to Florence. Visit the Piazzale Michelangelo located on the hill, from where you can have a bird view of the whole of Florence, the Renaissance city. Moreover, this city is full of attractions like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore built in the 13th century and the third largest cathedral in the world, and the Ponte Vecchio which hosted many small shops in the Middle Ages. You can also visit the Basilica of Santa Croce where Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli rest.
Besides Florence also witnessed the birth and development of Italian leather craftsmanship. Do not miss the high-quality and practical leather goods of those leather companies.
In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was originally used as the cathedral’s bell tower. However, while its ground was unstable, it still stood firm for centuries. This misfortune eventually makes it an interesting tourist attraction.
After this, we will drive to a nearby city of Port city Genoa for hotel check-in. A tour to Genoa is not included.
Florentine Steak Meal: €35 per person (includes pizza, homemade Bolognese pasta, 1 kg of steak for four people, dessert, and Italian wine)
For the morning, we will head for the French Riviera in southern France. At about noon, we will reach the small principality of Monaco’s capital— Monte Carlo. It is located between mountains and sea. With beautiful scenery, this place becomes a vacation paradise for the rich around the world. You can get a panoramic view of Monaco’s scenes from the hilltop of the Prince’s Palace.
The next station is the relaxing resort city— Nice. The beauty of the Bay of Angels and the famous Promenade des Anglais will absolutely surprise you.
We will continue our trip at Cannes, the world-renowned host city for the Cannes Film Festival. The star-studded pavement marked with handprints has witnessed international stars’ appearances in this city. I highly recommend taking photos at the festival venue.
An advanced industry in Southern France is its perfume. En route, we will meet a small town famous for perfume production. Our agenda is to stop here and visit local fragrance factories. You can find your favorite perfume here. In the afternoon, we will leave the French Riviera and drive to a city near Avignon for overnight accommodation. Also, we will not pass or stop at Avignon.
In the morning, we will drive straight to Paris and arrive around dusk. If drop-offs at designated points are required, we will send them first before returning to our hotel.