A Fashion Forward Foray to Europe: Paris and Milan

7 Days

Discover the best of France and Italy with three nights each in Paris and Milan – lively centers of fashion, food, and culture. In Paris, spend an afternoon shopping on the Champs-Élysées or wander through Bastille’s vibrant street market. From there, it’s on to fashion-forward Milan. Catch an opera performance at the city’s famed Teatro alla Scala, tour the grandly spired Duomo, or spend an afternoon shopping in the Quadrilatero d’Oro. Visit two of Europe’s most fashion-forward destinations in one elegant trip!

Highlights

Seine River Cruise with Dinner
Mont Saint Michel Tour
Tour of Lake Como and Bellagio
Serraville Designer Outlet Mall Tour

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 4

3 Nights

Paris

Paris, the enigmatic and iconic City of Light, exudes timeless charm along the romantic banks of the Seine River. Its streets are adorned with quaint cafés, elegant tree-lined avenues, and bustling riverside promenades, creating an enchanting atmosphere that has inspired poets, artists, and lovers for centuries. Paris is not merely a city but a cultural epicenter that has spearheaded revolutions in art, fashion, gastronomy, and cinema, shaping the world's cultural landscape. Among Paris's treasures are its world-renowned museums, including the Louvre, home to masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People." Strolling through the Louvre's hallowed halls is a journey through centuries of artistic brilliance, offering a glimpse into humanity's creative spirit. In Paris, every corner tells a story and one can savor the simple pleasure of a coffee at a quintessential Parisian café while watching the world go by. Artists sketching the majestic Arc de Triomphe or fashionistas strolling down the illustrious Champs-Élysées add to the city's vibrant tapestry of life. In the words of Voltaire, Paris truly embodies "the best of all possible worlds," offering a harmonious blend of history, romance, and modernity. Whether wandering through the charming streets of Montmartre, admiring the grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral, or immersing oneself in the bohemian ambiance of the Latin Quarter, every moment in Paris is imbued with a sense of magic and wonder. With its rich cultural heritage and timeless beauty, Paris remains an irresistible destination for travelers seeking to experience the essence of French art de vivre.

Included activities

Day 1: Arrive in Paris

Arrive in Paris and meet the private transfer representative to be escorted to the hotel. Spend some time getting settled, then head to one of the Tootbus Stops with travelers' 24 or 48 hour Hop-on Hop-off ticket. Now it's time to explore the City of Lights, but don't forget to show up in time (and dressed appropriately!) for the Seine River cruise with dinner.

2-DAY PARIS DISCOVER HOP-ON HOP-OFF SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Enjoy Paris’s most famous sights from the comfortable seats inside or on the open top deck of the hop-on hop-off Tootbus. Learn local history and trivia from the Tootbus’s entertaining and informative audio commentary, which provides colorful details throughout the route.

SEINE RIVER CRUISE WITH DINNER SERVICE PREMIER

Discover what makes the City of Light so spectacular once the sun sets. Enjoy a delicious meal prepared onboard, glide past Paris's gleaming landmarks, and listen to live music. Get up on to the dance floor! Dinner will combine tradition and innovation and will include a choice of starter, main dish, a fine cheese selection, dessert, and Champagne.

DAY 2:

Meet the guide in the hotel lobby for a private Paris walking tour. In the late afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to explore the city. Consider a self-guided tour of aromatic neighborhood bakeries or catching a late night burlesque show at Le Lido.

PRIVATE BEST DAY IN PARIS EVER WALKING TOUR

This private walking tour of Paris is flexible and fully customizable. It can include whichever landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Montmartre, and off-the-beaten-path parks and streets. A private guide will design the tour to maximize travelers' enjoyment based on the interests of everyone in the group.

DAY 3:

After breakfast, head out on a bus tour of Mont Saint Michel. Upon return to Paris, it will be late but there will be enough time to grab dinner and pack for Milan.

MONT SAINT MICHEL TOUR BY MOTORCOACH

Buckle the seatbelts for a jam-packed tour! Learn about the history of Normandy, passing along its sheer grass-covered cliffs and long, sandy beaches, before arriving at Mont Saint Michel. Encircled by the sea and linked to the mainland via a seawall, this western marvel is one of the most emblematic and recognizable communes in the world. For lunch, enjoy a famous Mont Saint Michel omelet in a restaurant overlooking the island. Afterwards, head out for a guided tour of the Abbey. Built on a rocky islet, it was a great cultural center and a pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages. Wander through the gothic buildings, notably the cloister and the monks' refectory, that were built in succession over the centuries. There will be some free time to explore the steep paths and gaze out upon the bay before returning to Paris.

Day 4 - 7

3 Nights

Milan

Milan, hailed as a global fashion capital, casts its spell with haute couture fashion weeks that draw designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts from around the world. Beyond its high fashion, Milan boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary delights that beckon visitors. In recent decades, Milan has emerged as a city that seamlessly blends old-world charm with a cosmopolitan vibe, set against the backdrop of the Lombardy countryside. Its streets are a tableau of contrasts, where medieval castles and historic churches stand alongside avant-garde architectural marvels and high-fashion malls. At the heart of Milan lies the Piazza del Duomo, the city's cultural epicenter and home to the Milan Cathedral. Within its shadow, visitors can marvel at Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, "The Last Supper," housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Nearby, numerous museums offer glimpses into Milan's rich artistic and historical heritage, from the Pinacoteca di Brera, a public gallery of Italian paintings from the 13th to 20th centuries, to the modern art of Museo del Novecento. As a testament to Milan's modernity, soaring skyscrapers like the UniCredit Tower, Italy's tallest building, punctuate the skyline, juxtaposed with historic neighborhoods like the Quadrilatero d’Oro. Here, flagship fashion stores and top-tier restaurants find their home amid luxurious Italian Renaissance style architecture. When it comes to culinary delights, Milan boasts a diverse gastronomic scene that reflects its cosmopolitan character. From traditional Milanese risotto and ossobuco to innovative fusion cuisine, the city's restaurants and trattorias offer both Italian staples and modern cuisine. A stroll through the bustling streets of Milan reveals hidden gems, from artisanal gelaterias serving up creamy delights to cafes perfect for savoring an espresso or indulging in an aperitivo. In Milan every experience is a celebration of art, fashion, and culinary excellence.

Included activities

DAY 4: Arrive in Milan

Meet the private driver in the hotel lobby and depart to the airport to catch a flight to Milan. Upon arrival, meet a driver for an escort to the hotel. The morning is free to enjoy. In the afternoon, meet a guide for a half-day walking tour of Milan. Afterwards, enjoy an authentic Italian dinner and then head back to the hotel or do some further exploration of the city. Catch an opera or ballet at Milan's famed La Scala or grab an aperitif at one of the city's popular bars.

ESSENTIAL MILAN TOUR - SKIP-THE-LINE DA VINCI LAST SUPPER AND DUOMO CATHEDRAL

Get some steps in and learn about the history of Milan at the same time! En route to the Duomo from La Scala Square, pass through the fashion boutiques of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Enjoy priority entry into Duomo Cathedral, a 19th-century Gothic masterpiece with 135 spires and many statues. The tour continues to Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, where travelers will learn about the history of the church and view Leonardo's "Last Supper" masterpiece with priority entrance.

DAY 5:

Today, embark on a full-day tour of Italy's breathtaking Lake District. Return in time for dinner and unwind from the day with a leisurely stroll through Piazza Gae Aulenti.

TOUR OF LAKE COMO AND BELLAGIO FROM MILAN

On this combination bus, boat, and walking tour head to Como and Bellagio to see Italy's beautiful Lake District. Enjoy a panoramic boat cruise on glittering Lake Como, set against the foothills of the Alps. Discover the ancient stone buildings, terraced gardens, and medieval streets of Como, then have some time to shop and explore before heading back to Milan.

DAY 6:

No trip to Milan is complete without some shopping, so after breakfast enjoy a full-day tour of the Serraville Designer Outlet Mall. Upon return, grab some dinner and go for a stroll past the ornamental ponds of Parco Sempione. Afterward, head back to the hotel to pack for a flight home the next day.

SERRAVALLE DESIGNER OUTLET SHOPPING TOUR

Located about an hour's drive from central Milan, Serravalle Designer Outlet Mall is the largest designer outlet in Italy. Its nearly 200 stores include Bulgari, Calvin Klein, and Nike. Prices discounted up to 70% are available year round at stores like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Bruno Magli, and Versace.

DAY 7:

Meet the transfer representative in the lobby for a ride to the airport. Say a silent goodbye to Milan as the plane takes off, but know that it will be waiting right there for another trip!

Inclusions

Includes

Accommodations: Paris 3 nights, Milan 3 nights
Breakfast daily except where noted otherwise
Private arrival transfers
2-Day Paris Pass
Private Paris Walking Tour
Essential Milan Tour
Private departure transfers