Morning: Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport and take a quick taxi to your hotel in the 1st arrondissement. Settle in, freshen up, and enjoy a light French pastry at a nearby boulangerie.
Afternoon: Stroll to the iconic Eiffel Tower for your first glimpse of the city’s skyline, then wander through the Champ de Mars gardens for photo opportunities.
Evening: Dine at a classic brasserie in the Latin Quarter and cap the night with a leisurely walk along the Seine, admiring the illuminated bridges.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the world‑renowned Louvre Museum, focusing on the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian antiquities wing.
Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing Seine River Cruise, passing landmarks such as Notre‑Dam, Musée d’Orsay, and the Musée de l’Orangerie.
Evening: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Montmartre, exploring the artistic streets and ending with a sunset view from the steps of Sacré‑Cœur.
Find HotelsMorning: Take the RER C to the opulent Palace of Versailles, touring the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Grand Apartments.
Afternoon: Wander the expansive formal gardens, stopping at the Grand Trianon and the musical fountain show (season‑dependent).
Evening: Return to Paris, enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Saint‑Germain district, and perhaps a nightcap at a jazz club.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel by TGV to Lyon (2 h). Check into a boutique hotel in the historic Vieux‑Lyon quarter.
Afternoon: Explore the traboules (hidden passageways) and the Renaissance architecture of Cathédrale Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste, then sample local specialties at a traditional bouchon.
Evening: Take a riverside walk along the Saône, and enjoy a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau at a rooftop bar.
Find HotelsMorning: Join a guided tour to the vineyards of Côte‑Rôtie, visiting a family‑run winery for a tasting of Syrah‑based wines.
Afternoon: Continue to the medieval town of **Vienne**, exploring its Roman theatre and the Temple of Augustus and Livia.
Evening: Return to Lyon for a relaxed dinner in the Presqu’île district, savoring a cheese platter with local wines.
Find HotelsMorning: Catch an early TGV to Nice (4 h). Check into a seaside hotel and start with a walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais.
Afternoon: Visit the colorful Old Town (Vieux Nice), stopping at the Cours Saleya market for fresh fruit and socca.
Evening: Dine at a beachfront restaurant, then watch the sunset from Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views of the coastline.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a high‑speed train from Nice to Milan (5 h). Check into a hotel near the Duomo.
Afternoon: Marvel at the intricate façade of Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) and climb to the rooftop for city vistas.
Evening: Enjoy an aperitivo in the trendy Navigli district, sampling Italian small plates along the canals.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a regional train to Como, then a short ferry to the picturesque town of Bellagio.
Afternoon: Stroll through Bellagio’s narrow lanes, visit the beautiful Villa Melzi gardens, and enjoy a lakeside lunch.
Evening: Return to Milan, dine at a traditional osteria, and perhaps catch a performance at La Scala.
Find HotelsMorning: Fly or take a fast train to Florence. Begin with a visit to the magnificent Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and its famous dome by Brunelleschi.
Afternoon: Explore the world‑class Uffizi Gallery, admiring works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Evening: Wander across the Ponte Vecchio, enjoy a Tuscan dinner in the Oltrarno quarter, and savor gelato by the Arno River.
Find HotelsMorning: Take an early train to Rome. Start at the iconic Colosseum, exploring the arena and the adjacent Roman Forum.
Afternoon: Visit the awe‑inspiring Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, then marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Evening: Conclude with a farewell dinner in Trastevere, sampling classic Roman dishes before heading to the airport for departure.
Find HotelsTo extend the trip, consider adding a day in the French Alps for mountain scenery or a wine tour in Tuscany for deeper culinary immersion. If you need to shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 by taking a quick wine tasting near Lyon and skip the Rhône Valley town of Vienne, or replace the Lake Como day with a half‑day in Venice, which is easily reachable by train from Milan.