Road Trip Itinerary: Florence → Colmar (Jan 2‑5 2026)

Day 1: Florence → Bologna → Milan → Como

Morning: Depart Florence early and enjoy the rolling Tuscan landscape before arriving in Bologna. Stroll through the historic Piazza Maggiore and sip a cappuccino at a local café.

Afternoon: Continue north to Milan, where you can admire the soaring spires of the Duomo di Milano and explore the surrounding Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a quick lunch.

Evening: Drive west to the shores of Lake Como, check into your hotel, and unwind with a lakeside dinner while watching the sunset over the Alpine foothills.

Day 2: Como → Lugano → Colmar

Morning: Leave Como and cross the scenic St. Gotthard Pass, making a brief stop in Lugano to enjoy the view of Lake Lugano and a Swiss pastry.

Afternoon: Arrive in the charming Alsatian town of Colmar. After checking in, wander the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, especially the picturesque Little Venice district.

Evening: Savor an Alsatian dinner at a traditional winstub, sampling tarte flambée and local wine before a restful night in the historic center.

Day 3: Exploring Colmar

Morning: Visit the renowned Unterlinden Museum to see the Isenheim Altarpiece and a collection of medieval art.

Afternoon: Continue your walk through Little Venice and step inside the elegant Pfister House, a prime example of Renaissance timber framing.

Evening: Join a guided wine tasting at a nearby Alsace winery, learning about the region’s varietals while enjoying a selection of local cheeses.

Day 4: Colmar → Strasbourg → Lucerne → Florence

Morning: Depart Colmar and make a quick stop in Strasbourg to view the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral and its soaring spire.

Afternoon: Cross back into Switzerland for a scenic pause at Lucerne, strolling across the historic Chapel Bridge and taking in the mountain backdrop.

Evening: Continue the drive southward, arriving back in Florence late night, completing the round‑trip adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Piazza Maggiore (Bologna) – 1 hour – €0
• Duomo di Milano – 2 hours – €15
• Lake Como – 2 hours – €0
• Lugano (Lake view) – 1 hour – €0
• Old Town & Little Venice (Colmar) – 3 hours – €0
• Unterlinden Museum – 2 hours – €12
• Pfister House – 1 hour – €8
• Alsace Wine Tasting – 2 hours – €25
• Strasbourg Cathedral – 1 hour – €5
• Chapel Bridge (Lucerne) – 1 hour – €0
• Fuel (≈1 200 km, 6 L/100 km) – – €130
• Tolls & border fees – – €120
• Parking & miscellaneous fees – – €30
• Accommodation (3 nights @ €100) – – €300
• Meals (average €40/day) – – €160
• Total Estimated Cost: €805

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a full day in the Swiss Alps to hike around the Engadine valley, or extend your stay in Strasbourg to explore its Petite France district. To shorten the trip, you could skip the Lucerne stop and drive straight from Strasbourg back to Florence, saving several hours of travel.