Day 1 – Arrival in Venice & First Taste of the Lagoon

Arrive at Venice Airport and pick up your rental car, marking the beginning of your Italian road adventure. Drive to Mestre, where you’ll check into a comfortable 4-star hotel, perfectly positioned for easy access to Venice. If you wish, head into the lagoon city for your first encounter with Venice, wandering canals, bridges, and hidden squares. Let yourself get lost among reflections on the water and quiet corners away from the crowds. Enjoy a coffee or aperitivo as gondolas glide past. Return to Mestre in the evening, resting before your alpine escape.

Accomodation in Mestre:
A modern 4-star hotel set within a large green park area, offering convenient access to Venice while ensuring a peaceful stay. Guests benefit from an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and contemporary common spaces. Accommodation is in a Standard Double Room, comfortable and well-equipped, ideal for resting after full days of exploration.

Car Rental Information:

• Pick-up: Venice Airport at 12:00 pm (time to be confirmed according to flight schedules)
• Drop-off: Rome train station at 6:00 pm
• Vehicle: Peugeot 3008 Automatic or similar
• Deposit: No security deposit required
• Insurance: Fully included

Please note: a one-way rental supplement of €76.92 applies. This fee is not included and must be paid locally at the rental desk at pick-up.

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Day 2 – Venice at Leisure, Between Icons and Hidden Corners

After breakfast, make your way from Mestre to Venice using your included 1-day transport pass, which covers both the train connection and unlimited vaporetto travel within the city. Step back into the lagoon and enjoy a full day at your own pace, free to follow your curiosity. Discover Venice’s iconic landmarks or drift off the main routes into quieter sestieri, where everyday life unfolds along narrow calli and peaceful canals. Glide across the Grand Canal by vaporetto, hop between neighborhoods, and pause whenever something catches your eye—be it a hidden church, a lively campo, or a sunlit canal. Enjoy lunch in a traditional bacaro or settle into a café for people-watching. As evening approaches, return to Mestre, carrying with you the rhythm and magic of Venice before continuing your journey.

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Day 3 – Into the Dolomites & Cortina d’Ampezzo

This morning, drive north as the landscape transforms into towering peaks, alpine valleys, and dramatic mountain passes. Arrive in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, long associated with elegance, mountain culture, and breathtaking scenery. Explore the town and its surroundings, stopping at panoramic viewpoints and enjoying the fresh mountain air. The Dolomites’ iconic limestone formations create a powerful sense of scale and wonder. Take time for a relaxed lunch with views that feel almost unreal. Check into your 4-star mountain hotel, surrounded by silence, stars, and nature.

Accomodation in Cortina:
A refined 4-star alpine hotel surrounded by nature, combining mountain charm with elegant hospitality. The property features a wellness area, a gourmet restaurant, and warm interiors inspired by traditional Alpine style. Guests stay in a Standard Double Room, offering comfort, intimacy, and modern amenities.

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Day 4 – Lake Braies & Alpine Icons

Today is dedicated to one of the Dolomites’ most photogenic gems: Lake Braies. Walk the scenic trail that circles its emerald waters, framed by towering peaks and mirror-like reflections. The atmosphere here is serene, cinematic, and deeply calming. Continue to another nearby alpine highlight, chosen for its natural beauty and tranquility. Pause often to absorb the silence and light of the mountains. Return to your hotel in the afternoon to relax, perhaps with a spa moment or a sunset view. Dinner is at leisure, wrapped in alpine stillness.

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Day 5 – Tre Cime di Lavaredo & High-Altitude Drama

Set out early toward the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the most iconic hiking areas in the Alps. Walk along well-marked trails offering jaw-dropping views of these famous peaks. The landscape feels raw, powerful, and timeless, with every step revealing a new perspective. Take breaks to enjoy the silence and vastness around you. Later, continue to another scenic stop, such as a mountain pass or alpine meadow. Return to your hotel fulfilled and inspired by a day immersed in pure nature.

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Day 6 – Arrival at Lake Garda & Private Lake Cruise

Leave the mountains behind and drive south toward the softer, sunlit landscapes of Lake Garda. Upon arrival, take time to soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere that defines this elegant lakeside region. In the afternoon, enjoy a private 90-minute boat cruise, gliding across the shimmering waters past refined villas, secluded coves, and picturesque shorelines. The light, the reflections, and the gentle pace set the tone for a relaxed transition from the Dolomites to the lake. After the cruise, check into your lakeside hotel and enjoy a peaceful evening by the water.

Accomodation in Desenzano del Garda:
An elegant 4-star hotel located near the shores of Lake Garda and within walking distance of the historic center. Guests can enjoy a panoramic terrace, outdoor swimming pool, spa facilities, and a highly regarded restaurant. Accommodation is in a Standard Double Room with Lake View, offering beautiful scenery and a relaxing atmosphere.

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Day 7 – Sirmione, Sigurtà Garden Park & Wine Tasting

Start the morning in Sirmione, a true jewel of Lake Garda, set on a narrow peninsula stretching into the lake. Explore its charming historic center, stroll along the lakeside paths, and admire its iconic castle. Continue to Parco Giardino Sigurtà, with entrance tickets included, for a leisurely walk through one of Italy’s most beautiful landscaped gardens, filled with flowers, water features, and wide green spaces. In the afternoon, head inland for a wine tasting experience, discovering local wines and regional flavors in a relaxed countryside setting. Return to your hotel enriched by a day of beauty, nature, and refined pleasures.

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Day 8 – Cinque Terre: A Car-Free Coastal World

Drive toward the Ligurian coast and reach La Spezia, gateway to the Cinque Terre. Leave your car behind and step into a car-free world, where trains and footpaths connect colorful villages clinging to the cliffs. Check into your 4-star hotel and receive your 2-day train and hiking pass, essential for exploring this protected area. Visit Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza, connected by scenic routes and dramatic views. Enjoy dinner overlooking the sea, lulled by the sound of waves.

Accomodation in La Spezia:
A stylish 4-star boutique hotel with a contemporary design, ideally positioned as a gateway to the Cinque Terre. The hotel offers inviting common areas and a modern, welcoming ambiance. Stay is arranged in a Junior Suite, providing additional space, refined décor, and enhanced comfort.

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Day 9 – Cinque Terre & Gulf of Poets by Boat

Spend the morning continuing your exploration of the Cinque Terre, discovering additional villages or panoramic viewpoints. In the afternoon, board a boat for a coastal cruise toward the Gulf of Poets, long loved by writers and artists. Sip an aperitivo onboard as the coastline unfolds in golden light. The combination of sea, cliffs, and villages creates a truly poetic atmosphere. Return to La Spezia in the evening, carrying the memory of salt air and endless horizons.

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Day 10 – Chianti Hills & Tuscan Countryside

Depart the coast and drive into the rolling landscapes of Chianti, where vineyards, olive groves, and stone villages shape the horizon. Enjoy a leisurely drive with spontaneous stops for photos or small village visits. This day is intentionally unstructured, allowing space for discovery. Arrive at your charming agriturismo in the Florentine hills, surrounded by nature and tranquility. Settle in and enjoy the slower rhythm of the countryside. Dinner is at leisure, perhaps under the stars.

Accomodation in San Casciano Val di Pesa:
A charming 4-star countryside resort set among vineyards and rolling Tuscan hills. The property features a spa, outdoor pool, manicured gardens, and a serene, authentic atmosphere. Guests stay in a Superior Room, elegantly furnished and overlooking the surrounding landscape.

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Day 11 – Florence: Renaissance Icons & Timeless Art

Drive into Florence for a day immersed in Renaissance splendor. Begin with a private 2-hour guided walking tour, uncovering the city’s artistic and historical heart through its streets, squares, and timeless landmarks. In the afternoon, enjoy included access to the Boboli Gardens, where you can explore at your own pace among manicured terraces, classical statues, fountains, and sweeping views over Florence. This balance of expert insight and leisurely discovery offers a deeper connection to the city’s cultural soul. Return to the countryside in the evening, enriched and inspired.

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Day 12 – Monteriggioni, San Gimignano & Tuscan Cooking

Visit the perfectly preserved walled village of Monteriggioni, then continue to San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers. Wander cobbled streets and artisan shops at your own rhythm. In the afternoon, enjoy a private cooking class, learning traditional Tuscan recipes step by step. End the experience with a dinner tasting of the dishes you prepared, paired with local wines. This is Tuscany at its most authentic, convivial, and unforgettable.

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Day 13 – Drive to Rome & Arrival in the Eternal City

Depart Tuscany and drive south toward Rome. Return your rental car upon arrival, concluding the self-drive portion of the journey. Spend the afternoon exploring Rome independently, absorbing its contrasts and atmosphere. Walk through historic neighborhoods or enjoy a café stop in a lively piazza. Overnight in Rome, preparing for your final discoveries.

Accomodation in Rome:
An exclusive 4-star luxury inn located in the heart of Rome, just steps from one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The property offers contemporary interiors and personalized service. Accommodation is in a Junior Suite, spacious and refined, perfect for an indulgent city stay.

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Day 14 – Ancient Rome & Trastevere

Begin the day with a private guided tour of the Colosseum, including entrance tickets. Step into the heart of Ancient Rome, uncovering stories of emperors, gladiators, and the rise of an empire. In the afternoon, explore Trastevere at your own pace, one of Rome’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. Wander through narrow lanes, hidden churches, and lively squares, where local life unfolds at a relaxed rhythm.
If you wish, step into the nearby Botanical Garden, a peaceful green haven tucked behind Trastevere, ideal for a quiet interlude among exotic plants and shaded paths (entrance tickets available for purchase on site). As evening falls, enjoy a final Italian dinner surrounded by timeless charm and authentic Roman ambiance.

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Day 15 – Departure from Rome

A private transfer takes you to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Depart for the USA carrying memories of landscapes, flavors, and moments that will stay with you long after the journey ends.