Northern Italy & Paris Highlights Tour

Day 1. Milan
Arrival to Milan international airport. Reception and private transfer to your hotel, 4 star Hotel Brunnelleschi. Accommodation in a Superior Double room. This hotel is a historical superior hotel located only 400 metres from the Piazza Duomo.

Day 2. Milan (Breakfast)
After breakfast, a half -day private excursion of Milan, Italy's fashion and finance powerhouse. Lining the city's busy streets you will find striking medieval architecture and arresting modern design. Explore the main piazzas and charming backstreets of this bold city with your guide.
Visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo da Vinci's mural The Last Supper, which he painted on the refectory wall at the request of his patron, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. With dimensions of 15 by 29 feet, this beloved mural covers the entire large wall. Continue onto the magnificent Castello Sforzesco which houses Michelangelo's last unfinished masterwork, the Rondanini Pieta. Later, admire the Duomo, the great Cathedral of Milan, a striking example of Gothic architecture, built to accommodate the entire city in the 14th century and the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanue.Wander the neighbourhood of Navigli, with its canal-side cafés and old-fashioned gelaterie (ice-cream shops).

Day 3. Milan - Venice (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the rail station for the 1st class train to Venice. The journey will take 2 ½ hours. We shall have an English-speaking assistant waiting for your arrival. Arrival and private transfer by water taxi to your hotel, the Hotel Splendid Suisse in Venice. Accommodation in a deluxe double room.

Day 4. Venice (Breakfast)
After breakfast, a half - day private excursion of Venice. This tour consists of a walk in the St. Mark's Square area, where you will have the opportunity to go into the Basilica and the bell tower and walk around the outside of the Doge's Palace, official residence of Venetian rulers in the Middle Ages. We will include entrance fees for the Doge's Palace. A visit to the Bridge of Sighs, followed by a visit to one of the famous cafés around the square. You will see the centuries old Rialto fish & produce markets, the shops along the Rialto Bridge, as well as many other merchants in this historic area. We will also share some of our favorite lesser traveled areas, and some local lore as we guide you through this captivating city. Along the way you will have ample opportunity to take pictures, sample traditional Venetian food and drink, and of course, have a little gelato. Return to your hotel.

Day 5. Venice (Breakfast)
Enjoy a visit to the Murano and Burano islands by comfortable speedboat.

Day 6. Venice - Paris (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station/airport for the trip to Paris. Arrival to Paris, reception and private transfer to your hotel, The Balzac. Accommodation in a Superior Double room.

Day 7. Paris (Breakfast)
After breakfast, a walking and private car tour visiting some of the highlights of Paris. Split by the River Seine, the tour will include passing across Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris dating back over 400 years, followed by Notre Dame Cathedral, a 12 century Gothic masterpiece. Dating back to 1163, Notre Dame is the cathedral of Paris and the seat of the Archbishop of the city.
You shall visit the ubiquitous Eiffel Tower, the icon of Paris and France which was completed in 1889. A trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. (We shall endeavour to accommodate this when first arriving but there may be a queue or the tower may even be closed due to weather and other factors). We shall visit the basilica of Sacre Coeur in the hilltop quarter of Montmartre. Once, one of the world's most influential artistic centres, today it is a splendid place to walk around sampling a coffee or for a little shopping. Some free time will be provided for you at leisure. Return to your hotel. Entrances to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur are included.

Day 8. Paris (Breakfast)
After breakfast, a 3 hour guided visit to the Louvre, the great Parisian Museum and also the most visited museum in the world. The museum opened its doors on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings and today houses over 35,000 objets d'art with such famous works as the Mona Lisa by da Vinci, the Wedding feast of Cana by Veronese and Liberty Guiding the People by Delacroix; in addition to great sculptures such as Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace to name but a few. The guide will be with you for 3 hours. This is a semi- private (small group) guided trip of the main highlights and you can continue the stay at your own leisure. Transfer to the museum is included but not the return transfer.

Day 9. Paris - Versailles (Breakfast)
Today we will leave Paris and head to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, lying just outside of Paris. Today is a semi-private tour. A royal chateau which was embellished by the Sun King Louis IV in the 17 century, this magnificent chateau with its vast grounds is an incredible testimony to the heights of royal extravagance.
This is a half day, semi-private (small group) tour to the magnificent Palace of Versailles. After the tour, return to your hotel.

Day 10.Paris (Breakfast)
After breakfast, free day at leisure.

Day 11. Paris (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.

Day 1. Milan
Day 2. Milan (Breakfast)
Day 3. Milan - Venice (Breakfast)
Day 4. Venice (Breakfast)
Day 5. Venice (Breakfast)
Day 6. Venice - Paris (Breakfast)
Day 7. Paris (Breakfast)
Day 8. Paris (Breakfast)
Day 9. Paris - Versailles (Breakfast)
Day 10.Paris (Breakfast)
Day 11. Paris (Breakfast)

• Accommodation at selected 4 star hotels
• All private transfers
• Flight Venice - Paris in economy class
• Indicated tours in a combination of private and small group service
• All applicable taxes

• International flights
• Tickets for La Traviata - TBC
• Meals not specified
• Travel insurance