From Lyon to Venice: A 15-Day Romantic Road Trip through Wine, Alps & Italian Icons

Welcome to France and the beginning of a beautifully paced European escape. On arrival in Lyon, your private driver will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel, giving you a smooth and comfortable start to the journey. The rest of the day is intentionally relaxed, giving you time to settle in, refresh and ease into the rhythm of the city. Lyon is a wonderful first chapter: elegant, walkable, historic and deeply connected to French gastronomy. Enjoy a calm walk near your hotel, pause for a first glass of local wine or simply rest before the coming days of culture, cuisine, vineyards, mountain scenery and romance.

Today introduces you to Lyon through its layers of history, craftsmanship and flavor. With your guide, wander through some of the city’s most characterful neighborhoods and discover how medieval streets, Renaissance facades, hidden passageways and grand squares all tell the story of a city shaped by trade, artistry and culinary excellence. Lyon’s heritage is not only architectural. It is also found in its silk-making traditions, family recipes and the pride of local artisans who keep old savoir-faire alive. During the day, meet a silk expert, take in sweeping city views by cable car and enjoy gourmet tastings that reveal why Lyon is considered one of France’s great food capitals. The evening is yours to choose a romantic bistro, a classic bouchon or a quiet wine bar for dinner.

Explore the south of Beaujolais, a beautiful region of rolling hills, villages perched on the top of hills and acres of vineyards. Like Tuscany, Beaujolais has a soft light and is a perfect region to explore for one day as the French wine country. You will be driven in the day by your own personal driver who will take the back roads and explain to you the history and the different traditions of winemaking of the region. You will have the opportunity to visit several villages and to admire the breathtaking views of the region. You will also have the opportunity to taste some of the best wines of the region, including some of the elegant and serious wines that Beaujolais produces in addition to the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. This day trip will be particularly appreciated by couples who love the scenery and the good food and wine and who are looking for a different experience from the usual city break. In the evening, you will return to Lyon for your last night in the city.

This morning, collect your rental car in Lyon and begin the self-drive portion of your European journey. The route carries you toward Switzerland and the postcard-perfect city of Lucerne, where lake, mountains and medieval streets create one of the most romantic settings in Central Europe. Upon arrival, take time to explore at your own pace. Walk through cobbled lanes, admire historic townhouses and painted facades, cross charming squares or walk along the lakefront as Alpine peaks rise in the distance. Lucerne’s compact old town is made for slow discovery, with fountains, hidden courtyards and inviting restaurants around every corner. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Swiss dinner, perhaps trying rosti or another comforting local dish after your scenic day on the road.

Today is dedicated to enjoying Lucerne in your own rhythm. Though small in size, the city is rich in beauty and atmosphere, making it ideal for a leisurely day of exploration. Start with the iconic Chapel Bridge, one of Switzerland’s most photographed landmarks. Moreover, take time to admire the Water Tower beside it, a historic structure that has served many purposes over the centuries. From there, follow the lakeside promenades, browse local shops or climb toward the old city walls for wider views over the rooftops and water. You may wish to take a boat trip on Lake Lucerne, linger over coffee in the old town or enjoy a mountain excursion if the weather is clear. However you choose to spend it, this day offers a beautiful pause between France and Italy.

Continue your drive through Switzerland’s picturesque mountains and head to the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, Ticino. From here you’ll travel down to the Lugano area where you can take in the Mediterranean like surroundings. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade of one of the lakes surrounded by beautiful villas and lush green gardens in a large park. From here take a short trip into Italy and visit the shores of Lake Como before continuing your journey to Milan. Trendy and cosmopolitan, this city is renowned for its stunning architecture, cutting edge fashion, high energy and cosmopolitan lifestyle. On arrival in Milan, take in the magnificent Duomo or take a stroll through one of the many upmarket shopping galleries. In the evening sample some of the classic Milanese dishes such as risotto alla milanese, ossobuco or seasonal pasta dishes all washed down with a glass of local wine.

Today’s route leads from Milan toward the Ligurian coast and the extraordinary landscapes of the Cinque Terre. As you approach the Italian Riviera, the scenery becomes more dramatic, with steep hillsides, sea-facing villages and narrow roads that reveal glimpses of the Mediterranean below. The Cinque Terre is beloved for its rugged beauty and colorful villages, but the region’s geography also requires thoughtful planning. Traveling by car offers freedom, though parking and cliffside roads can be challenging, so leaving the vehicle in nearby La Spezia is often the most comfortable choice. From there, continue toward Volastra, one of the area’s oldest villages, set above the coastline and surrounded by terraced hills. Settle in and enjoy the quieter side of this iconic region before tomorrow’s full day of discovery.

Spend today exploring the unforgettable villages and coastal scenery of the Cinque Terre. Begin with Riomaggiore, a colorful medieval village where narrow lanes, tall houses and sea views capture the spirit of the Ligurian coast. Continue toward Manarola, one of the region’s most photogenic villages, where pastel facades appear to tumble toward the water. Depending on conditions and access, you may walk sections of the famous coastal paths, including the romantic Via dell’Amore, long celebrated for its dramatic position above the sea. Continue to Monterosso, known for its beach, relaxed rhythm and fishing-village heritage, before visiting Vernazza, whose natural harbor has shaped its history for centuries. Between boat rides, train connections, walks and seaside pauses, this is a day filled with Mediterranean light, cliffside views and effortless romance.

You will be continuing on from the Cinque Terre to explore one of the best cities to visit in Italy, for art lovers the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence. The tour will first take you through the rolling Italian countryside to the top of the hill village of Fiesole, which is perched on top of a hill with spectacular views of the city and the Arno Valley below. The tour of Florence will start from the exterior of the Palazzo Vecchio, which dominates the Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza is also home to the wonderful sculptures of the Loggia dei Lanzi and the tour will also visit other historical squares of the city. It will be possible to discover the spirit of Italian culture of the last centuries. The tour will then finish with a visit to the famous Uffizi Gallery, where it will be possible to admire some of the world’s most famous paintings by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael and many others. The Gallery is a true masterpiece of art.

This morning, continue to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most atmospheric cities and settle into your hotel before heading into the countryside. The afternoon is dedicated to Chianti, a region of cypress-lined roads, oak woods, vineyards, stone farmhouses and some of Italy’s most celebrated wines. As the day softens, visit San Gimignano, the UNESCO-listed hill town famous for its medieval towers and romantic skyline. With many day visitors gone, the town takes on a more intimate character. Browse artisan shops, pause in a wine bar, visit a historic church or wander through quiet lanes lined with stone houses. At sunset, enjoy dinner in a beautiful farmhouse overlooking the towers of San Gimignano and the vine-covered hills, a deeply memorable Tuscan evening before returning to Siena.

Today is yours to experience southern Tuscany with freedom and flexibility. From Siena, the countryside opens into some of the region’s most iconic landscapes: rolling hills, olive groves, thermal springs, vineyards, cypress trees and villages where life still feels beautifully connected to the land. You may choose to visit Montalcino or Montepulciano, both renowned for exceptional red wines or spend time in Pienza, admired for its Renaissance planning and wonderful pecorino cheese. San Quirico d’Orcia, Bagno Vignoni and Buonconvento each offer their own character, from historic gardens to thermal waters and peaceful village streets. Whether your day leans toward wine tasting, photography, countryside drives or slow exploration, Tuscany rewards unhurried travel at every turn.

You will leave for a car drop in Florence and then a train to the city of Venice, a city like no other in the world. You will arrive in the late afternoon in Venice and then make your way to the hotel. You can then spend the rest of the day as you wish. In the evening take a slow stroll, cross some of the bridges of Venice and admire the lanterns that line the canals of this beautiful city. In order to get the most out of Venice, as with the rest of Italy, you will have to meander through the canals and the alleys of the city in order to take in the history, wonder and magic of this place. The best thing to do on this first evening is to take in the atmosphere of the city and to get your bearings in this fantastic city that is Venice. In order to experience Venice to the fullest, try to find a quiet trattoria to have dinner in, away from the piazzas that are full of tourists and then go and find a spot to have a drink and take in the atmosphere of this wonderful city.

Begin your Venetian discovery with a deeper look beyond the postcard views. Venice is filled with palaces, churches, museums, artisan workshops and intimate neighborhoods where daily life still unfolds along canals and campo squares. With a guide, the city becomes more than beautiful scenery; it becomes a living maze of stories, power, trade, art and resilience. Today may lead you through lesser-known corners such as Cannaregio and its historic Jewish Quarter or along atmospheric streets where the crowds thin and the city’s quieter elegance appears. You will learn about Venice’s traditions, hidden symbols and layered past while leaving time to pause for coffee, cicchetti or simply the pleasure of watching boats pass beneath stone bridges.

Today brings you closer to the grandeur of Venice at its most iconic. With skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace, explore the former seat of Venetian power, where opulent halls, grand staircases and works by masters such as Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese reveal the wealth and influence of the Serenissima Republic. After time to continue exploring the palace at your own pace, enjoy a break for lunch before taking to the water. A private boat tour along the Grand Canal offers one of the most elegant perspectives on the city, passing noble palaces, historic facades and the everyday theater of Venetian life. The route may also slip into smaller canals, offering a more intimate look at the floating city’s hidden beauty.

Your last day of your cross European trip you spend in the romantic city of Venice. A gondola ride on the Grand Canal and the side canals of Venice is a wonderful experience. Afterwards, you meet your English speaking guide at Saint Mark’s Square to get an impression of the history of this city and the many sights around the square. After the guided tour you will visit Saint Mark’s Basilica with its golden mosaics and details of Byzanthy art of the Byzantine period. At the right time your private transfer will pick you up to take you to the airport to catch your flight back home. The end of a great trip through Europe with wine, romance, the beautiful mountains, art and cities.