6-Day Central Europe Tour: Switzerland, Italy, Vatican City, France from Lucerne【Product Code: 8720】

Our tour begins at the design and couture-conscious city of Milan. Highlights include Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping arcade in the world; the legendary opera house La Scala; the storied Sforza Castle; and the ostentatious Milan Cathedral. After enjoying the many delights of Milan, you'll head to another vintage Italian city: Venice. 

Milan Cathedral

Domm de Milan is the cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Dedicated to the Nativity of St Mary, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan, currently Archbishop Mario Delpini. The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete. It is the largest church in Italy (the larger St. Peter's Basilica is in the State of Vatican City), the third largest in Europe and the fifth largest in the world.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Spend the morning in the company of a knowledgeable local guide as you explore Venice, the most magical of cities. Begin with a waterbus ride to San Marco Island, a memorable crossing of the lagoon that gives you a real taste of the city's charm as you approach the dreamy spires and distinctive waterside buildings. Once on the island you’ll be led around some of Venice's best-known locations, beginning in the Piazzo with the Basilica di San Marco, a stunning piece of Byzantine architecture. You'll also see the legendary Bridge of Sighs, which appears on many a postcard or picture of Venice and connects the old prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. Afterwards you’ll have a chance to see some traditional Venetian craftwork at close quarters with a demonstration by Murano glassblowers; their exquisite creations make excellent souvenirs. Of course, the ultimate Venice activity is to ride through the warren of waterways on a gondola, and for most people this optional excursion is a must. Step aboard, relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Transfer to Rome in the afternoon.

Basilica di San Marco

Bridge of Sighs

Gondola

Your day in Rome starts with a visit to the smallest country in the world, The Vatican City, which lies at the heart of the Italian capital. Here you’ll marvel at St Peter's Basilica, home to Pope Francis and arguably the most significant site in Christianity. The exquisitely beautiful Basilica has been present here for almost 1,700 years and contains a bewildering collection of paintings, frescoes and design crafted by some of humanity’s most famous artists, which you can explore. Alternatively, you can choose to add on the optional Sistine Chapel tour to view Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. Next you’ll see the famous Trevi Fountain, the lavish Baroque showpiece where people flock to throw coins into the water – an action which is said to ensure that you’ll return to the city again one day. After lunch, take a step even further

back in time as you visit Italy's unrivalled Roman relics. An optional guided tour of the Colosseum, built in AD 72, is highly recommended. History comes to life as you imagine yourself witnessing gladiatorial combat inside the spectacular Amphitheatre, or alternatively you can walk at your leisure around the outside to admire the facade of this ancient wonder. After the Colosseum, get up close to the nearby Arch of Constantine, which dates back to the fourth century AD, then spend some further free time enjoying Rome, sampling the rich and creamy delights of “gelato” Italian ice cream. Next, you can visit the magnificent Basilique Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri near Piazza della Repubblica before transferring to Arezzo in the late evening for stay.

St Peter's Basilica

Sistine Chapel

Trevi Fountain

Colosseum

Arch of Constantine

Your voyage of cultural discovery continues as you get to know Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to some fabulous architecture and fine art. Begin the day by taking in a wonderful panoramic overview of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, which boasts glorious vistas over the red roofs, Arno River and ancient city walls out towards the surrounding countryside. Next you can see a demonstration of the traditional craft of leather working at close quarters in a local workshop, and you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase some of the high-quality leather items for which the city is famous. From here you'll enjoy a guided walk around Florence's many highlights, including the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, the Piazza del Duomo and Campanile Tower. You’ll pass the Uffizi Gallery, which contains one of the most notable art collections in Florence. You’ll have free time to see the city further, to shop or to watch the world go by from a street side cafe, before travelling on to your next destination, Pisa. Here you are free to wander, but be sure to have your camera ready to get a shot of the iconic Leaning Tower, the famous bell tower in the ‘Square of Miracles’, which also contains the centuries-old Cathedral and Baptistery, after that we are transferring towards a city nearby Genoa in the late evening for stay. 

Piazza del Duomo

Uffizi Gallery

Square of Miracles

A breath-taking drive along one of Europe’s most famous stretches of Mediterranean coastline awaits as you say arrivederci to Italy and head for Monaco. This small principality, home to the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix. A walking sightseeing tour here takes you to the grand Prince's Palace, where you’ll have some free time to soak up the refined atmosphere, before continuing on to view the 1920s Courthouse, the Cliffside Oceanographic Museum, and the Cathedral, where Grace Kelly is buried. We then travel a little further to visit the famous Fragonard Perfume Factory. Here you’ll be taken on a fascinating guided tour around this working factory. Next it’s Nice, where you’ll stop for lunch to sample some excellent local cuisine and warm-hearted hospitality. Your journey continues to Cannes, where many a movie star has enjoyed the sweet smell of success. Be sure to take the opportunity to snap some photos of the Palais des Festival, home to the city’s annual international film festival, before transferring to overnight in a city nearby Avignon. Please note we will not visit the city Avignon. 

Monaco

NICE

Take a well-earned rest today as you sit back and enjoy great views of the changing rural charms of the French countryside on the journey north to Paris, where the Green Line tour finishes.