- Take a funicular up to the ancient town of Orvieto
- Experience the Renaissance in Florence
- Fall in love with Lucerne’s lake and mountain views
- Ride the high-speed rail from Basel to Paris
- Discover Paris on a tour of the City of Light
Highlights of Italy, Switzerland & France
Highlights
Italy, Switzerland and France may share borders, but each reveals a distinct character shaped by centuries of culture, art and innovation. This unforgettable journey begins in timeless Rome, where ancient ruins and Renaissance masterpieces tell the story of an empire. Travel to hilltop Orvieto, crowned by its magnificent cathedral, before arriving in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, alive with art and architectural splendor. In Parma, culinary traditions take center stage, while stylish Milan showcases Italy’s flair for fashion and design. Crossing into Switzerland, lakeside Lugano blends Mediterranean charm with Alpine scenery, leading to storybook Lucerne, framed by snow-capped peaks and medieval bridges. The adventure concludes in luminous Paris, where grand boulevards, iconic landmarks and café-lined streets create an unforgettable finale. From ancient history to alpine beauty and timeless romance, this journey celebrates the rich contrasts of three extraordinary countries.
What Guests are Saying
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
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Tour Includes
3 Countries
- Italy
- Switzerland
- France
Locations Visited
- Rome
- Orvieto
- Florence
- Milan
- Lucerne
- Paris
- Parma
- Lugano
Hotel Accommodations
- 9 Nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 9 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners on land portion
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person. Note that for security reasons, porterage is not available on the high-speed train from Basel to Paris.
Tour Starts:
Rome, Italy
Tour Ends:
Paris, France
Day 1
Depart for Rome
Your journey begins on your overnight flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Rome
Benvenuto in Italia, and welcome to Rome! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a friendly representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. You can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and join us for a welcome dinner at the hotel (included). This is your chance to get to know your fellow travelers over food and to learn about the exciting days ahead.
Meals: Dinner
H10 Roma Citta or similar
Day 3
Rome City Tour
Discover the highlights of Rome on a morning sightseeing tour of the Eternal City. You’ll see outside views of the Roman Forum, the center of ancient Roman life, as well as the exterior of the world-famous Colosseum. Experience the statues, fountains, and cobblestone expanse of the Piazza Navona, plus the lavish Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps where Audrey Hepburn’s Princess Ann enjoyed the perfect chocolate gelato in Roman Holiday.
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy, with plenty of time to explore the Vatican City and Vatican museums if you choose.
Meals: Breakfast
H10 Roma Citta or similar
Add-On: Ostia Antica Tour With Dinner
Day 4
Orvieto and Florence
Depart Rome this morning and travel north into the picturesque Umbrian countryside. During a leisurely lunch stop, you’ll have the chance to ride the funicular up to the ancient town of Orvieto, where you can explore the rich history of this charming town and admire a variety of Etruscan, Medieval, and Renaissance art. The Orvieto funicular, a cliff cable railway that first opened in 1888, uses water and gravity to transport its cars up and down the hillside.
The Tuscan city of Florence is considered the cradle of the Renaissance, renowned for its culture, art, and historical monuments. When you arrive, you will have the chance to uncover the city’s secrets on a walking tour. See the 13th century Duomo featuring Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s Campanile. Marvel at Ghiberti’s golden “Gates of Paradise” doors at the Baptistery of St. John, and cross the Arno River via the world-famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. Accommodation in Florence.
Meals: Breakfast
UNAHotel Vittoria Firenze or similar
Day 5
Florence
There is so much more to discover on your full day of leisure. What new treasures await you? Along with Renaissance art and architecture, Tuscany is famed for its excellent shopping and unbeatable cuisine. Expect to find perfect pastas, beautiful baked goods and wonderful wine. You can also spend the day enjoying one of our incredible optional tours.
Meals: Breakfast
UNAHotel Vittoria Firenze or similar
Add-On: San Gimignano Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting
Day 6
Milan
After a lunch stop in Parma, take a tour of Milan, one of the world’s leading cities for high fashion. Your walking tour will include Piazza del Duomo, the main central square, which is surrounded by several important buildings such as the striking Gothic cathedral, and the Royal Palace of Milan. You’ll also have a chance to see La Scala Opera House, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an impressively ornate indoor shopping arcade built in 1865.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
UNAHotel Milano Malpensa or similar
Day 7
Lucerne
Welcome to Switzerland! Cross the border into the “Playground of Europe,” stopping for lunch in Lugano before continuing to scenic Lucerne. This small city situated on the banks of Lake Lucerne is one of Europe’s prettiest. Clean and compact, Lucerne is known for its panoramic mountain views and breathtaking architecture. Its colorful, exceptionally preserved Old Town is a must-see. You will have the chance to explore this part of the city on foot during today’s afternoon walking tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Drei Konige or similar
Day 8
Lucerne Leisure Day
Spend the day at your leisure in Lucerne. There is so much to do in the heart of Switzerland for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and foodies, plus every other kind of traveler! If you love the good life, then Lucerne definitely has something for you.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Drei Konige or similar
Add-On: Half-Day Mt. Titlis
Day 9
Lucerne to Paris
Take the scenic route to Paris. Travel by highspeed train at up to 200 miles per hour from Switzerland to France, enjoying scenery as you go.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: For security purposes, porterage of luggage is not available. Guests are responsible for transporting their own luggage in the train station and on the train. Please note that there is a train change between Lucerne and Paris
Novotel Paris 17 or similar
Day 10
Paris
Start your day with a panoramic tour of Paris, the world- famous City of Light! Take in the sights as your motor coach ventures past Champs-Elysées, known for its grandeur. You’ll also see the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of French history, the Grand Palais and Alexander III Bridge, Notre Dame and Île de la Cité, and Place de la Concorde, one of Paris’s most historic and scenic locations. View the Latin Quarter, chic St. Germain, and the iconic Louvre, as well as the Luxembourg Gardens. Plus, no trip to Paris would be complete without seeing the famous Eiffel Tower. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Novotel Paris 17 or similar
Day 11
Depart for Home
Your vacation comes to an end today as you depart for home with newfound friends and a suitcase full of memories to last a lifetime!
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
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Reviews
I will definitely be back for another vacation with YMT!
The whole tour was well organized. I felt like I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Our tour guide Jorge was incredible. I will definitely be back for another vacation with YMT!
He truly took care of everyone and treated as his own
This tour was so wonderful. Being a first timer, I only have high praise for the places we had visited, the hotels we stayed in, excursions we had and of course the tour director was amazing. He truly took care of everyone and treated as his own.
Trip was wonderful. So well planned out
Trip was wonderful. So well planned out. Couldn't ask for a better guide. Jorge was amazing!!!!
I would highly recommend this company
Our tour guide, Jorge Timoteo, was awesome. He went above and beyond for his clients. Our group really got along well. Jorge was very knowledgable, personable, and well organized. We had an awesome experience. I would highly recommend this company and h Jorge.
There is someone we can always ask for help
It is a pleasure to have a tour director to help us on our tour along the way. There is someone we can always ask for help.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Half Day Mt. Titlis
Take in panoramic views of glistening snowfields as you journey to the top of Mount Titlis on a revolving cable car, called the Titlis Rotair. Then transfer to the phenomenal Ice Flyer glacier chair lift that takes you to the Glacier Park. Experience unlimited fun as you try many activities at the park including snow tubing. Visit the Glacier Cave, where the ice has remained frozen since prehistoric times, and take the 5-minute Cliff Walk, a stunning suspension bridge to the summit at a height of over 3,000 meters! Enjoy a lunch with fondue at the Alpine Lodge Trübsee restaurant.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip Transportation
- Way Up & Down Ticket Mt. Titlis
- Cliff Walk & Glacier Cave at Mt. Titlis
- Lunch at Mt. Titlis
Note: This tour involves walking/ standing for long periods of time over occasionally uneven terrain. This tour is not adaptable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. We suggest bringing reliable, comfortable walking shoes, along with layered clothing for different weather conditions. Given that the average temperature at Mt. Titlis during September is typically around 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F), with the possibility of snow, we recommend that all guests bring warm, waterproof jackets appropriate cold-weather gear.
Duration: Approx. 6 Hours (Half Day)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $320 USD
Ostia Antica Tour with Dinner
Experience the majesty of ancient Rome on this historic tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your coach will bring you to the ruins of Ostia Antica on the mouth of the River Tiber, once a busy port city of the Roman Empire. After the tour, enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner at a restaurant nearby the ruins before returning to the hotel.
Inclusions
- Guided exploration of the Ostia Antica ruins
- 3-course meal including water, and a choice of a glass of wine or a soft drink
Note: This tour requires moderate walking and standing for long periods of time, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Terrain is mostly flat and even but may require walking some stairs in amphitheater. There is one step going into the restaurant entrance, two to access each room of the restaurant, and two to reach the toilets.
Duration: Approx. 5 hours (afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $159 USD
San Gimignano Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting
Experience the culinary delights of San Gimignano. Depart from your hotel in Florence and once you reach San Gimignano, enjoy a two-hour walking tour of the city. Next, head to a Chianti winery and take a cellar tour. This will be followed by a three-course lunch paired with the region’s finest wines. After a memorable meal, transfer back to Florence through the scenic valleys of Chianti.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip Transportation
- Cellar tour of a Chianti winery
- 3 course lunch including water and wine
- Guided tour of San Gimignano
- Wine tasting of 4 Chianti wines
Note: This tour requires moderate walking and standing for long periods of time, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Terrain is mostly flat and even, but may require walking some stairs. This tour is not adaptable for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers.
Duration: Full Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $179 USD
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