Northern Italy: Florence, Bologna + Milan

On arrival at the airport or rail station, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to the deluxe Hotel Santa Maria Novella in a superior room, set on the historic piazza of the same name in the heart of town.

Rich in history, art and modern-day culture, Florence offers so much to enjoy. Today you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your exploration based upon your interests. Just choose one of these included half-day tours and let your private guide immerse you in the city they love and know so well! 
 
Half-Day Walking Tour: Join your personal guide for a narrated stroll designed to immerse you in all of Florence’s celebrated splendor. Enhanced by historical insights and colorful anecdotes, your sightseeing tour will include the city’s best known highlights including Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Cathedral – capped by Brunelleschi’s spectacular cupola. You’ll walk through lovely public squares like the Piazza della Signoria and see the world-famous Ponte Vecchio. This 3-hour tour is offered daily. Some blackout dates may apply.
 
Half-Day Walking Tour with The Academy: Begin your sightseeing with a privately guided tour encompassing Florentine highlights like Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Duomo, the spectacular Cathedral begun in the 13th century and topped by one of Brunelleschi’s most significant architectural achievements. Then cap off this enriching experience with a privately guided tour through the Academy Museum, home to Renaissance masterpieces including some of Michelangelo’s most famous works like the David and the unfinished Prigioni. This 3-hour tour is offered daily except Monday. Some blackout dates including Dec 25 may apply.
 
Half-Day Walking Tour with Uffizi Gallery: Enhanced by the historical knowledge and cultural perspectives of your private guide, a walking tour is the best way to experience Florentine treasures up-close. After seeing highlights like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, you’ll continue to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery for a privately guided visit. Home to one of the world’s finest collections of European paintings, you’ll see works by noted Renaissance masters like Raphael, Michelangelo and Botticelli. This 3-hour tour is offered daily except Monday. Some blackout dates including Dec 25 may apply.
 
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With an unbeatable heart-of-it-all location close to some of the city’s most notable landmarks, our deluxe hotel is the perfect base for enjoying this glorious city at your own pace.  Meals B

If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a variety of excursions throughout the region that you might choose to enhance or even extend your stay in Florence. CLICK HERE to see our Privately Guided Tours from Florence.

Leaving Florence behind, this morning’s chauffeured journey to Bologna will take about 90 minutes. On arrival, check in in to your guestroom at the deluxe Grand Hotel Majestic Già Baglioni. This afternoon, you’ll join your guide to explore this captivating city – heralded for its fine food and culture. It is also home to one of the world’s oldest universities and famous Italian companies like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati. Mortadella sausage, Balsamic vinegar and Bolognese spaghetti are just some of its culinary specialties. Enhanced by your guide’s deep knowledge and insights, your private tour includes historic landmarks like the Torre degli Asinelli, a soaring defensive tower from the 12th century, and the Basilica of San Petronio that dominates the Piazza Maggiore, the 13th-century town square that remains the vibrant heart of the city. Of course, no guided tour would be complete without experiencing some of Bologna’s gastronomic specialties! So you can be sure that your guide will take you to some of their favorite spots where you can sample sweet and savory delights accompanied by some local wine. Meals B

Our hotel’s unbeatable location near the bustling Piazza Maggiore and other city landmarks makes it an ideal base for experiencing more of Bologna’s charms at your own pace.  Meals B
 
If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a variety of excursions throughout the region that you might choose to enhance your stay. 

Leaving Bologna behind, the first stop this morning will be the historic town of Parma where your personal resident guide will be waiting to take you on a walking tour. Stroll through the historic quarter to see notable landmarks including the Romanesque 12th-century Cathedral and the Teatro Regio, one of Italy’s premier opera venues. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour of the Baptistery of Parma, famed for its magnificent interior and regarded as one of Europe’s most important medieval monuments. After sightseeing, continue to Milan and check in to your deluxe room at The Rosa Grand Hotel . Meals B

The capital of Italy’s northern Lombardy region, Milan is famed as a global center for fashion and design. It is also an important financial hub and home to significant architectural monuments. Today you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your exploration to your own interests and style. Just choose one of these included private tours and join your personal guide to explore the city they love and know so well.
 
Walking Tour: With expert narration from your guide, you’ll see some of Milan’s most notable landmarks including the Royal Palace, Sforza Castle and the famed La Scala Opera House. You’ll also explore impressive public spaces like the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II; with its extravagant, barrel-vaulted, glass ceiling, this 19th-century shopping gallery is home to some of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious shops and restaurants. Follow your guide to the heart of the fashion district, along via Montenapoleone and up to via della Spiga, and enjoy shops and ateliers that are true works of art and symbols of style, before returning to piazza Duomo, where the tour ends. This 4-hour tour begins in front of Bar Camparino in Galleria at Piazza Duomo 21. It is offered daily except Monday. Some blackout dates may apply.
Please Note: Due to limited availability, this walking tour does not include entrance to The Last Supper. Tickets may be requested as an optional addition at an extra cost, but are subject to availability at the time of booking.
 
Evening Walk + Apericena in the Navigli District: Celebrate Milan’s signature ritual—the apericena—with your private guide in the vibrant Navigli district. Once a working-class canal zone and now a creative hub, this lively neighborhood is filled with authentic charm.
As you stroll along its historic waterways and hidden courtyards, you’ll stop at local favorites to enjoy traditional bites: a board of regional cheeses and charcuterie with wine, flavorful mondeghili meatballs, and a crisp fritto misto paired with prosecco. Along the way, gain insight into the city’s past and present as reflected in its architecture, food, and evening rituals. This 3-hour experience begins at 5:30 PM at the Roman columns of San Lorenzo. It is offered daily. Some blackout dates may apply.

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After breakfast, your car and driver will take you to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. Or extend your travels with us to beautiful Lake Como—or anywhere in Italy and beyond. We can arrange your transportation, fine hotels, memorable dining, and expertly guided sightseeing.  Meals B