Italian tour 2025 💕

16 Nov 2025 – 26 Nov 2025 · by emmafrancescacecilia

Destinations

Troyes, France

Leave time: 4:00 PM Route: A3 → M25 (clockwise) → M20 → Folkestone Eurotunnel → A26 → A5 → Troyes Distance/time: 450 km / 6–7 hrs driving + 35 min tunnel Notes: Sunday traffic lighter; book 6:30 PM shuttle. Arrive ~11:30 PM. Tolls: £0 UK + €25 France (A26/A5) Fuel: 49.5 L → €80 (UK 120 km @ €1.61 + FR 330 km @ €1.65) Itinerary on arrival: • Late check-in (pre-arrange). • Quick walk to Place Alexandre Israël for nightcap at Le Tablier (open till midnight). Hotel suggestions 1. Hôtel de la Poste et du Cheval Blanc – €120 – Garage €12 2. Ibis Styles Troyes Centre – €80 – Public lot €10 3. Hôtel Les Négociants – €95 – Street free / valet €8 Traditional food: • Andouillette (grilled pork sausage) • Chaource cheese (creamy, soft cow’s milk cheese) • Rosé des Riceys (local still rosé wine) • Cider from Pays d’Othe (apple cider) • Sauerkraut (choucroute, often with local meats)
Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy

Leave time: 8:00 AM Route: A5 → A31 → A39 → A40 → A43 → Fréjus Tunnel → A32 → A21 → A1 → Bologna Distance/time: 850 km / 9–10 hrs Notes: Alpine section; check tunnel webcams. Tolls: €25 France + €52 Fréjus + €28 Italy = €105 Pre book on ViaToll Fuel: 93.5 L → €154 Stops en Route: Lunch Break (Noon–1:00 PM): Dijon—stroll the mustard shops and old town (30–45 min). Park at Place Darcy. Afternoon Scenic Stop (3:00–3:30 PM): Annecy (if via A41; detour adds 30 min)—“Venice of the Alps” for lake views and a quick gelato. Itinerary: Weather: Mild 8–14°C, pack layers. 17 November (Monday): Arrival & Unwind • Afternoon/Evening Arrival (~6:30 PM): Park at APCOA, check-in. Freshen up. • 7:30 PM: Aperitivo stroll under porticos. • 9:00 PM: Casual dinner nearby. • Evening Free: Piazza Maggiore at night (10-min walk, lit fountains). 18 November (Tuesday): Modena Day Trip • 9:30 AM: Drive to Modena (40 km, 40 min). • 10:30 AM–1:00 PM: Enzo Ferrari Museum (€22, interactive, cars, history). • 1:30 PM: Lunch in Modena historic center. • 2:30–4:30 PM: Acetaia di Giorgio balsamic tour (€15, attic tasting). • 5:00 PM: Return to Bologna (~5:40 PM). • Evening: Relaxed dinner in town. 19 November (Wednesday): Mumford & Sons Concert • 8:30 AM: Breakfast at hotel. • 9:00–11:30 AM: Morning Deep Dive – Asinelli Tower climb (€5, 498 steps, 360° views), then wander Quadrilatero market lanes (sample mortadella, prosciutto, cheeses at stalls). • 12:00 PM: Light lunch nearby. • 1:00–6:00 PM: Free time – relax at hotel, shop Via dell’Indipendenza (leather, books), or nap. • Evening: Mumford & Sons – Unipol Arena (Casalecchio, 20-min drive). Depart 6:30 PM; doors ~7 PM, show 8–10 PM. Return ~11 PM. 20 November (Thursday): Slow Day • 9:30 AM: Leisurely breakfast. • 10:30 AM–12:30 PM: Gentle walk through university quarter – longest portico in the world to San Luca (optional funicular up, €6 round-trip). • 1:00 PM: Picnic lunch in Giardini Margherita (grab supplies from market). • 2:00–6:00 PM: Afternoon Unwind – Return via porticos; settle at a quiet piazza café (e.g., under the arches of Via Santo Stefano), people-watch, read, or sketch. Optional: Visit Archiginnasio (free courtyard, historic anatomy theatre €3). Slow pace, no rush. • 7:00 PM: Easy dinner nearby. 21 November (Friday): Departure Morning • 9:00 AM: Breakfast. • 10:00–11:00 AM: Final market run – pack Parmigiano, pasta, vinegar. • 11:00 AM: Depart for Lake Como. Dinner Suggestions (Bologna & Modena) • Trattoria da Me – Classic ragù, cozy. • Osteria dell’Orsa – Tortellini, lively. • Drogheria della Rosa – Intimate, Emilia dishes. • Tamburini – Deli-style, quick & authentic. • Hosteria Giusti (Modena) – Historic, book ahead. Tip: November = truffle season—ask for tagliatelle al tartufo where available. Traditional food: • Mortadella (cured pork sausage) • Tagliatelle al ragù (pasta with meat sauce) • Tortellini in brodo (stuffed pasta in broth) • Lasagna alla Bolognese (layered pasta with ragù) • Cotoletta alla Bolognese (breaded veal cutlet with ham and cheese)
Como, Italy

Leave time: 11:00 AM Route: A1 → A9 → SS36 → Bellagio Distance/time: 250 km / 3 hrs Notes: Light traffic; ferry hop Varenna–Bellagio if time. Tolls: €15 Fuel: 27.5 L → €45 Itinerary on arrival: Arrival: 2:00 PM Weather: Mild 8–12°C, possible rain—pack layers. • 2:00–3:00 PM: Settle & Stroll Check-in, freshen up. Walk the lakeside promenade to Punta Spartivento (10-min stroll) for panoramic views of the lake and Alps. • 3:00–5:00 PM: Villa Carlotta Exploration Ferry from Bellagio pier (€7 round-trip, 10 min) to Tremezzo. Tour the botanical gardens and neoclassical villa (entry €15; closes 5 PM). Lush azaleas and sculptures—perfect autumn colors. • 5:00–6:30 PM: Sunset Aperitivo Return ferry to Bellagio. Relax at Bar Rossi (Via Garibaldi) with a spritz (€10) overlooking the water. Watch the sunset (~5 PM). • 8:00PM: Dinner  Tips: Total walking ~3 km; ferries run till 6 PM Hotel suggestions: 1. Hotel du Lac – €200 – Valet €25 2. Hotel Belvedere – €180 – Private lot €20 3. Agriturismo La Punta – €120 – Free on-site Traditional food: • Risotto ai pesce persico (perch risotto) • Missoltini (salted and dried lake shad) • Lavarello (lake whitefish, grilled or in soup) • Polenta uncia (polenta with cheese and butter) • Local goat cheeses (like semuda or zincarlin)
Geneva, Switzerland

Leave time: 9:00 AM Route: SS340 → Lugano → A9 → E62 → Geneva Distance/time: 300 km / 4 hrs Notes: Buy Swiss vignette at border (CHF 40). Tolls: CHF 40 vignette Fuel: 33.0 L → €54 (IT 50 km + CH/FR 250 km) Itinerary on arrival: Arrival: 1:30 PM at Hotel Edelweiss Manotel Weather: Cool 2–8°C, possible rain—pack layers and umbrella. • 1:30–2:30 PM: Settle & Stroll Check-in, drop bags. Walk 5 min to Lake Geneva promenade for Jet d’Eau views (fountain may be off in November wind). • 2:30–5:00 PM: Old Town Exploration 10-min walk to Vieille Ville: Wander cobblestone streets, visit St. Pierre Cathedral (free entry; climb tower for €5, ~200 steps, city/Alps panoramas). Quick stop at Reformation Wall (outdoor monument, 5 min). • 5:00–7:30 PM: Chocolate & Relax Back via lakeside (15 min). Taste Swiss chocolate at Favarger shop (near hotel; pralines €10–15). Unwind with coffee at hotel cafe or nearby Bains des Pâquis (if open; lakeside baths €5). • 8:00 PM: Dinner Tips: Total walking ~4 km; free Geneva Transport Card from hotel for trams if needed. Traditional food: • Fondue (melted cheese dip with bread) • Raclette (melted cheese scraped over potatoes) • Swiss chocolate (pralines and bars) • Lake Geneva trout (grilled or poached) • Rösti (shredded potato fritter)
Beaune, France

Leave time: 9:30 AM Route: A40 → A39 → Beaune Distance/time: 250 km / 3 hrs Notes: Scenic Jura route; low tolls. Tolls: €10 Fuel: 27.5 L → €45 Itinerary on arrival: Arrival: 1:00 PM Weather: Cool 5–10°C, likely cloudy. • 1:00–2:00 PM: Settle & Stroll Check-in, park. 5-min walk to ramparts; circle the old town walls for quick orientation. • 2:00–4:30 PM: Hospices de Beaune 3-min walk to Hôtel-Dieu (iconic colorful roof). Guided tour (€12, 45 min) + wine tasting at Marché aux Vins cellar next door (€20, 5 wines). Sip Burgundy classics. • 4:30–6:30 PM: Wine Route Wander Stroll Rue Maufoux to Place Carnot (10 min). Stop at a caveau (e.g., Patriarche) for a final glass (€8–10). Grab mustard or truffle souvenirs. • 7:00 PM: Dinner- cozy Burgundy plates (escargots, bœuf bourguignon). Tips: Total walking ~3 km; compact town, no transport needed. Hotel suggestions: 1. Hostellerie Le Cèdre et le Clos – €160 – Free garage 2. Hôtel le Cep – €130 – Municipal €15 3. Hôtel de la Poste – €140 – Secure lot €12 Traditional food: • Bœuf bourguignon (beef stew in red wine) • Coq Au Vin (chicken in wine) • Jambon persillé (parsley ham terrine) • Pain d’épices (gingerbread) • Gougères (cheese puffs)
Reims, France

Leave time: 10:00 AM Route: A31 → A26 → Reims Distance/time: 250 km / 3 hrs Notes: Champagne hills; flat & fast. Tolls: €20 Fuel: 27.5 L → €45 Itinerary on arrival: Arrival: 1:30 PM at La Demeure des Sacres (near cathedral; park in Parking Cathédrale, €18/day). Weather: Chilly 3–8°C, possible showers. • 1:30–2:00 PM: Settle & First Look Check-in. 2-min walk to Cathédrale Notre-Dame—snap the glowing west façade. • 2:00–3:30 PM: Cathedral & Tower Free entry to the cathedral (Gothic masterpiece). Optional tower climb (€8, 250 steps, panoramic Champagne vineyards). • 3:30–5:30 PM: Champagne Cellars 5-min walk to Taittinger (book 3:30 PM slot, €25 tour + tasting). Chalk caves, bubbly, history. • 5:30–7:30 PM: Champagne Stroll Return via Place Drouet d’Erlon—grab a flute at Le Café du Palais (€12). Pick up biscuits roses at Fossier shop. • 8:00 PM: Dinner Nearby bistro (e.g., Le Foch)—book ahead for coq au vin rouge. Tips: Total walking ~3 km; compact & regal. Hotel suggestions : 1. La Demeure des Sacres – €150 – Garage €18 2. Ibis Reims Centre – €90 – Public lot €10 3. Hôtel de la Paix – €110 – Free valet Traditional food: • Biscuits roses de Reims (pink champagne biscuits) • Jambon de Reims (cured ham terrine) • Andouillette (pork sausage) • Reims mustard (spicy mustard) • Chaource cheese (soft, creamy cheese)
Mons, Belgium

25 November: Reims → Mons Leave time: 10:00 AM Route: A26 → A2 (BE) → E19 → Mons Distance/time: 220 km / 2.5 hrs Notes: Short, relaxed drive. Arrive early afternoon. Tolls: €0 Fuel: 24.2 L → €40 Itinerary on arrival: Arrival: 12:45 PM at Hotel St James (central; park at Parking Gouverneur-Damoiseaux, €15/day). Weather: Chilly 3–8°C, possible rain—pack layers and umbrella. • 12:45–1:30 PM: Settle & Grand-Place Check-in. 2-min walk to cobblestone Grand-Place—admire the Gothic town hall and touch the lucky monkey statue (le Singe du Grand Garde) for good fortune. • 1:30–3:00 PM: Belfry Climb Next door: Ascend the Baroque Belfry’s 365 steps (€3, 20 min) for panoramic city views. UNESCO site—windy at top. • 3:00–5:00 PM: Doudou Museum 3-min walk to Musée du Doudou (behind town hall, €9, 1–1.5 hrs). Explore Mons’ UNESCO festival traditions via artifacts, films, and interactive exhibits. • 5:00–7:00 PM: Sainte-Waudru Stroll 5-min uphill walk to Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru (free entry). View Gothic architecture, Renaissance statues, and gold/silver treasures. • 8:00PM: Dinner Back to Grand-Place for moules-frites at Le Coq Hardi (book ahead, €25–30). Beer flight at La Cervoise nearby. Tips: Total walking ~3 km; flat except belfry steps. Cozy, compact town—great for a relaxed Belgian finale! Hotel suggestions: 1. Hotel St James – €100 – Underground €15 2. Infotel Mons – €85 – Free at Place du Parc 3. Leo Hotel – €95 – Secure lot €12 Traditional food: • Côte de porc à l’berdouille (pork chop with onion sauce) • Pagnon borain (spicy bread with cheese) • Pavé montois (chocolate praline candy) • Moules-frites (mussels and fries) • Belgian beers (local abbey styles) Home Leave time: 9:00 AM Route: E19 → A2 → Calais Eurotunnel → M20 → M25 → A3 → Gomshall Distance/time: 380 km / 4.5 hrs driving + 35 min tunnel Notes: Book 12:30 PM shuttle (arrive Folkestone 12:05 PM UK time). Easy final leg. Tolls: £0 Fuel: 41.8 L → €68 (BE 180 km + FR 80 km + UK 120 km) Itinerary on arrival: • 4:30 PM: Home in Gomshall. • Unpack; unwind with a pint at The Gomshall Mill.