Morning: Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport and take a quick transfer to the city centre. Settle into your hotel near the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a brief stroll along the Seine.
Afternoon: Grab a light lunch at a café on the Rue Cler market, sampling fresh baguettes, cheese, and pastries. Then head to the Louvre Museum to admire masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Evening: Dine at a classic Parisian bistro in the Le Marais district, savoring dishes like coq au vin and escargot. End the night with a leisurely walk to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the iconic Notre‑Dame Cathedral and climb its towers for panoramic views of Île de la Cité. Nearby, explore the stunning stained‑glass windows of the Sainte‑Chapelle.
Afternoon: Spend a few hours at the Musée d'Orsay, home to an extensive collection of Impressionist art. Afterwards, wander through the historic Latin Quarter, stopping at a patisserie for a macaron.
Evening: Enjoy dinner in the vibrant Montmartre neighborhood, tasting traditional French onion soup and a glass of Bordeaux. Conclude with a visit to the hilltop Sacré‑Cœur for a night‑time cityscape.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a fast train to the Palace of Versailles and join a guided tour of the opulent Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Grand Apartments.
Afternoon: Stroll through the expansive Gardens of Versailles, pausing at the Fountain of Apollo. Return to Paris and indulge in a late lunch at a classic brasserie on the Rue Cler market.
Evening: Relax with a Seine river cruise, sipping a glass of Champagne while viewing illuminated landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre‑Dame.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a high‑speed TGV to Lyon, settling into a boutique hotel in the historic centre. Begin with a coffee and croissant at a local café.
Afternoon: Explore the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon, discovering hidden passageways known as traboules. Visit the impressive Basilica of Notre‑Dame de Fourvière for sweeping views of the city.
Evening: Dine at a traditional bouchon, sampling Lyonnaise specialties such as quenelles, cervelle de canut, and a glass of local Beaujolais.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the renowned Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, tasting regional cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh oysters at various stalls.
Afternoon: Join a guided wine‑tasting session featuring Rhône valley reds and whites, paired with small bites. Afterward, board an afternoon train to Milan, enjoying the scenic Alpine crossing.
Evening: Arrive in Milan and settle into a centrally located hotel. Take a gentle evening walk to the illuminated Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and enjoy a light aperitivo.
Find HotelsMorning: Explore the magnificent Duomo di Milano, climbing to the rooftop terraces for a close‑up view of its spires and the city below.
Afternoon: Visit the fortified Sforza Castle and its museums, then wander to the artistic Pinacoteca di Brera to admire Italian masterpieces.
Evening: Experience the lively Navigli district, dining beside the canals on risotto alla Milanese and a creamy gelato, followed by a nightcap at a historic bar.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a short train ride to the medieval town of Bergamo and ride the cable car up to the Città Alta, strolling through its ancient piazzas and towers.
Afternoon: Savor a leisurely lunch of casoncelli pasta in a traditional trattoria, then descend back to Milan for any last‑minute souvenir shopping.
Evening: Depart from Milan Malpensa Airport, carrying memories of centuries‑old architecture and unforgettable flavors from both France and Italy.
Find HotelsIf you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a full day in the Champagne region east of Paris for vineyard tours, or a day in the Italian Lake Como area after Milan for breathtaking scenery and lake‑side cuisine. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 by flying directly from Paris to Milan, skipping the Lyon segment, and focusing exclusively on the major historic sites and culinary highlights of the two capital cities.