Europe Travel Itineraries • European Touring Guide
Italy and France travel itinerary
in 10 days

Enjoy travelling in the Europe countryside with your own car. On this tour you will discover the variety of Europe. Romantic Italy with charming picturesque Italian villages, and France the country of Love, fine cuisine, wines and its gorgeous nature. The itinerary lasts 10 days. You will travel at a comfortable pace. Discover Europe in a relaxed atmosphere, with its variety of traditions and cultures and beautiful nature. Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. France is the most visited country in the world. Combine both these countries in a 10-day discovery trip.

First Day - Milano to Finale Ligure - Tour starts in Milano ( Italy ), in Milano's International Airport or in your hotel. Arrive at Finale Ligure in the afternoon. Finale Ligure is a lovely sunny place on the Ligurian Coastline, named in the past 'Gulf of Whales' for the continuous passage then and now of all the different kind of whales. Finale Ligure testifies history since the early times over the middle age until our days. The surroundings and the mild climate make this place to one of the most loveliest on the Flower Riviera. The landscape mountains near the sea and beaches near the green hills are amazing and if you are a fond of nature you will love it! The rest of the day is free for relaxing and enjoying the small charming typical Italian town.

Second Day - Finale Ligure - San Remo - Grasse (France) - San Remo [1] is famous for its Pasta and Sauces. The Italian tradition of Pasta and Sauce started here. Our Lunchtime will be in San Remo, so if you want you can taste the delicious Pasta. San Remo is also called the Town of Flowers, its flowers are well-known all over the world and this can be clearly seen in its luxuriant gardens, its colourful flower beds, and in the town parks where tropical plants flourish. We will arrive Grasse in the evening. The French perfume industry started in Grasse in the 16th century as an extension of the glove industry. Grasse had been a flourishing leather and tanning center since the 13th century. When perfumed gloves became fashionable, the town provided them, and when the leather business faded away, the perfume became king. Grasse was ideal because of the sunshine and micro-climate that facilitated the growth of the most delicate flowers.

Third Day - Sightseeing in Grasse - The International Perfume Museum - Cathedral of Grasse ( "Notre Dame du Puy" ) - Grasse Garden ( "Jardin des Plantes" ) The big attraction in Grasse [2] is the International Perfume Museum. There you will find interesting facts all around the perfume and its history and culture. One of the most beautiful and interesting Cathedral in France is the Cathedral of Grasse "Notre Dame du Puy" from the 12. century. The style is simple. The structure reflects the Lombardian influence. There you will find the beautiful and very old paintings of Rubens, Charles Negre and the Triptychon of Louis Brea and at least the only religious painting of Jean Honore Fragonard "Die Fusswaschung". Grasse has plenty of flowers and gardens. In former times compared with today the city had much more gardens and flowers. One of the well-known gardens is the plant garden ("Jardin des Plantes"). The garden belongs once to Napoleon's sister, who rested there during the winter. You have an amazing view over the old part of the city and the sea.

Fourth Day - Grasse to Annecy ( France ) - Stop in Gap - Visit to the Departmental Museum ("Musée départemental") - The Departmental Museum ("Musée départemental ") Inaugurated in 1910, this museum was renovated between 1986 and 1988. Permanent exhibitions for exploring the regional archeology as well as the local traditions and history through the collections of ancient weapons, Queyras furniture and a model showing the town of Gap as fortified in the 16th century. Much space is devoted to natural history, painting, sculpture, old coins and a beautiful collection of ceramics from various provinces of which the mausoleum of Lesdiguières, the last Constable of France, remains the centerpiece. It is to be noted that today the departmental museum includes contemporary art.

Fifth Day - Annecy Sightseeing - Chateau d'Annecy - Museum Chateau d'Annecy - Marvelous World of Alpine Miniatures - Lake Annecy - When strolling in Annecy [3], the first thing you will notice are the flowers, everywhere. The town is like a living postcard, this beautiful city has been classified as "Hors Concours" from the National Palmares of the Flowered Towns (organized every year in France), after having been awarded the grand prize 26 times. Annecy has been called the Venice of the Alps because of the canals that cut through the old part of town, Vieil Annecy. You can also explore the winding streets of the old town, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau arrived in 1728. Crowning the city, the medieval Annecy Castle, is one of the most picturesque castles in France. From here you have an amazing view over Annecy and the lake Annecy. Included is the Annecy's Castle Museum with the interesting history about the French castles and life in France in the medieval age. The Museum of the Alpine Museum will show you an interesting world in miniature. It has small scale models of many aspects of Alpine life. At the end of our Sightseeing tour in Annecy we will have a walk by the Annecy Lake. The Annecy lake, also called "the ice-blue lake", is a genuine jewel in the center of a mountainous box and one of the most picturesque in all of Europe.

Sixth Day - Annecy - Beaune - Burgundy Wine Museum - Visit to a Winery - Beaune [4], the heart of Burgundy's wine region, is one of France's most interesting cities. The city is also called "City of Wine" and is famous for its delicious wine. Beaune is a typical french city with a long wine history. Enjoy the french atmosphere, the gorgeos french cusine and of course the wine! Visit to the Burgundy Wine Museum The famous Burgundy Wine Museum is housed in a manor building during the 15th and 16th century for the Dukes of Burgundy. The Burgundy Wine Museum offers a wide and comprehensive look at the history of the wine in Burgundy. There are several topics included like barrel making, the wine harvest and grape growing. Enjoy a visit in the Wine Museum and learn about the delicious french wine, which is well known all over the world. Visit to a Winery Beaune is famous for its wineries. We will visit a typical French winery where you have the opportunity to study and adapt the way different grape varieties are planted. You can learn about the famous French wine and its history and culture. After the winery museum you have the chance to taste several sorts of French wine.

Seventh Day - Beaune - Besançon - Jura Alps Tour - Hérisson (hedgehog) waterfall, Chambly Lake, Faucille Pass (view over Geneva and Switzerland), Bellegarde - Encircled by the Doubs river and set in exceptionally beautiful surroundings, Besancon [5] is a city of art and history. It won the title of France's "greenest city". Once controlled by the Spanish, Besancon still displays extensive fortifications built by the well known architect Vauban. Capital of Franche-Comte, Besancon is the economic and cultural pole of the region. In the 19th Century, the city became the center of France's clock and watch-making. It is now a major European center of the precision industries sector (micro technology, robotics,...). Besancon lies very close to the beautiful Jura Alps. Your driver guide will show you the most beautiful and interesting places in the Jura Alps. You will have great views over parts from France, you'll discover hidden but very romantic waterfalls, you'll have a walk over the Faucille Pass where you have a great view over Geneva and Switzerland and this are just little examples for the big Jura Alps Tour. Enjoy the nature and the landscape with all your senses. Eighth Day - Besançon - Dijon - Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon (Art Musuem) - Sightseeing tour in Dijon We will arrive Dijon around noon. Dijon is famous for its architectural splendor, a legacy from the Dukes of Burgundy. Wealthy parliament members had also built very elegant buildings particuliers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The capital of Burgundy, Dijon today has a rich cultural life and a renowned university. The city's great art treasures are housed in the Palais des Ducs. Dijon is also famous for its mustard and "pain d'epic" (gingerbread), a reminder of the town's position on the spice route. It became a major rail hub during the 19th century. Dijon is exceptionally rich in art treasures and historic bulidings, a product of its days as the independent capital of the Flemish-Burgundian State ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy. Visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon (Art Musuem) The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon is housed in the former mansion of the Ducs de Bourgogne in the east wing of the Palais des États, forming an exceptional architectural complex that reflects perfectly the art and history of Burgundy from the end of the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Visit to the famous Cathedral of Dijon ("Notre Dame") The Cathedral of Dijon is a early 13th century gothic church features gargoyles and slender columns topped by the famous 14th century Jacquemart Clock. Visit to the "Rue de la Liberty". On this beautiful street called "the Rue de la Liberty" you will meet the real french life and its atmosphere. It is a typical french street, where you will find small but charming french boutiques. Visit to the Market Place Don't miss the Market Place. It a beautiful Place with historical buildings and a lot of colour. Enjoy the atmosphere and relax maybe with a typical French coffee and baguette... Ninth Day - Dijon - The last day of the itinery is in Dijon. It is free for own arrangements like shopping, relaxing, sightseeing in Dijon or for walking in the nature. Don't miss the French cuisine, which is well known all over the world. Tenth Day - Dijon - Vézelay - Paris - Vézelay is known for its ramparts and houses with sculptured doorways and corbeled staircases. The small but charming village is located on a hill ca. 360 ft. above the countryside. The site of the town was an abbey founded by Girart de Roussillon. Visit to the the "Basilique Ste-Madeleine" The "Basilique Ste-Madeleine" was built in the 12th century and is France's largest and most famous Romanesque church. She is only 10 yards shorter than the "Notre Dame" in Paris. From the Romanesque nave, with its traverse arches in white and gray stone, you will see the light Gothic chancel. It is also possible to visit the Carolingian crypt, where the tomb of Mary Magdalene formerly rested. Today the crypt contains some of her relics. The panoramic view from the back terrace is amazing. In Paris, drive to your accommodation or to the International Airport in Paris.