Northern Italy: Milan to Rome

Welcome to Milan, a fast-paced metropolis at the cutting edge of Italy’s design industry, attracting artists, photographers and fashionistas from all across the globe. Upon arrival at the airport, a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to take you to your centrally located hotel on one of the city’s elegant streets. Here you’ll meet your fellow travelers and Pack Leader before heading out for a welcome dinner at a typical Milanese restaurant with superb views of the cathedral. Saluti!

For your first full day, there’s an exciting itinerary in store. First up, you’ll travel to Parma where you’ll discover the intricate processes of crafting traditional Parmesan cheese. You’ll follow this up with a visit to the Balsamic vinegar factory in Modena (with plenty of tastings along the way). Then it’s time to check out Italy’s most exclusive export with a visit to the Ferrari Museum – and a chance to get behind the wheel of one of the world’s fastest streetcars. Accompanied by a professional instructor, you’ll have the option to take to the road for a 10-minute test drive, feeling the power of nearly 700 horsepower thrumming beneath your feet. Exhilarated and energized, you’ll continue on to Bologna for the next part of your adventure. 

Today is yours to explore Bologna at leisure. One of Italy’s best-looking cities – and home to the country’s oldest university – you’ll discover lavish porticoed walkways, beautiful historic plazas and a storied medieval centre with a mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic architecture. Bologna is also world-renowned for its rich food scene and there’s much more to try beyond spaghetti bolognese. Think classic lasagna and tagliatelle drenched in ragu (a slow-cooked meat sauce), handmade stuffed pasta like tortellini, and local specialities such as salami and mortadella. Your Pack Leader can recommend the best cafes, restaurants and wine bars to visit. You might also want to visit FICO, a 25-acre theme park entirely dedicated to food. 

Leave Bologna behind as you travel to the Renaissance city of Florence, home to an incredible array of artistic treasures – and possibly the world’s best gelati. To help you get your bearings, you’ll start with a walking tour and introduction to the city with an expert local guide. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace – perhaps taking in the famous heritage sights of Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery (book ahead) and the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Or maybe you might visit Florence’s renowned artisan workshops, where gold and silversmiths, leather makers and perfumers keep centuries-old traditions alive and are masters of their craft.

After breakfast, you’ll be met by an English-speaking chauffeur and travel across the bucolic Tuscan countryside to Siena. You’ll have time to explore this compact Gothic town, with its beautiful central Campo square, before continuing to the stunning hilltop town of San Gimignano. One of Tuscany’s most recognisable sights, the skyline of medieval towers is visible from miles around. From here, you’ll visit the nearby castle of Verrazzano – once home to the explorer who discovered the Bay of New York – for a tour of the centuries-old wine cellars and a tasting of the finest Chianti. Later, you’ll return to Florence for a relaxed evening at your boutique hotel. 

Arrivederci Florence – next you’re onto Rome. Arriving by train, your introduction to Italy’s charismatic capital will be on a Vespa sidecar adventure. Sit back and enjoy this stylish ride as you take in one breathtaking location after another. Navigating the labyrinthine streets, you’ll feel like you’re in a classic movie as you ride past famous sights including the Roman Forum, Colosseum and even Vatican City. You’ll be dropped off back at your boutique hotel, ideally positioned for setting out on foot. Enjoy an atmospheric evening strolling from one piazza to the next before heading out for a farewell dinner with views to die for on the highest rooftop in the city.

It’s now over to you to make your own way to your next destination. Interested in extending your trip? Why not continue your adventure with our Southern Italy tour, which will see you journey from Rome to Naples and on to Puglia – one of the country’s most traditional and untouched regions.