France + Italy 2026

7 Jan 2026 – 23 Jan 2026 · by cdakin

Destinations

Geneva Airport, Switzerland
Chamonix, France
Aosta Valley, Italy
Turin, Italy

Day 1 – Main Sights & Chocolate Morning Mole Antonelliana + National Cinema Museum Arrive early to avoid queues Take the glass elevator to the panoramic view Explore the interactive cinema museum inside Late Morning / Lunch Stroll Via Roma → Piazza San Carlo → Piazza Castello Stop at Guido Gobino for chocolate tasting Quick lunch at a café in the city centre Afternoon Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) + Royal Armoury / Galleria Sabauda Walk to Porta Palazzo Market (optional if you want a local vibe / snacks) Evening Dinner at a cozy Turin trattoria Optional: Evening stroll in Piazza Castello or along the river Day 2 – Short Morning / Departure Morning Visit Valentino Park + Borgo Medievale (short walk, pretty winter scene) Quick coffee / chocolate at Peyrano or Venchi if you didn’t have time on Day 1 Late Morning Optional: Santuario di Superga if you have time and the weather is clear (otherwise skip — it takes ~1.5 hours roundtrip) Tips for 1.5 Days in January Start early; daylight is short Wear warm layers — it’s cold and foggy Prebook tickets for Mole Antonelliana & Royal Palace to save time Focus on central attractions; don’t try to do everything
Milan, Italy

Day 1 – Historic & Architectural Heart of Milan Morning Duomo di Milano Explore the Gothic cathedral inside Climb to the rooftop terraces for a close look at spires and statues Winter morning light is perfect for photos Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Adjacent to the Duomo Stunning 19th-century glass-and-iron arcade Pause for coffee or pastry in a historic café Late Morning Teatro alla Scala Neoclassical façade and grand interior Optional: small museum tour of the opera house Lunch Quick lunch near Piazza della Scala or Galleria Try a Milanese risotto or panzerotto Afternoon Castello Sforzesco & Parco Sempione Renaissance fortress with museums Walk through Parco Sempione to Arco della Pace for neoclassical architecture Optional: Triennale Design Museum nearby for modern Italian architecture Brera District Narrow streets, historic palazzi, and cozy cafés Architectural highlight: Palazzo di Brera Evening Dinner in Brera (traditional Milanese cuisine) Optional evening stroll along Navigli canals for historic + industrial architecture vibe Day 2 – Short Morning & Departure Morning Santa Maria delle Grazie Home of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper Gothic/renaissance church and cloisters Book tickets in advance Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Rectangle) Milan’s high-fashion district Architectural highlights: 19th-century façades and luxury palazzi Quick coffee or shopping if you like Late Morning / Departure Optional: short visit to Pirelli Tower area (modern architecture) or Porta Nuova district if time permit Head to your next destination Tips for Architecture Lovers Milan has a rich layering of styles: Gothic (Duomo), Renaissance (Castello Sforzesco), Neoclassical (Arco della Pace, La Scala), 19th-century glass & iron (Galleria), Art Nouveau palazzi, and Modern (Porta Nuova) Bring a camera — Milan’s façades are photogenic even in winter light Walking route: Day 1 is ~4–5 km, manageable for a first visit Tickets: Prebook Duomo rooftop + Last Supper
Parma, Italy
Florence, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Rome, Italy