Wake to your first full day in Rome for a morning at leisure. After your first complimentary hotel breakfast in Italy, head out and see the city as local shutters are hauled open, and the rush of Roman trading and tourism hums into order.
The afternoon’s city tour will be sure to hit all the most coveted sites, so use your morning to wander the leafy streets of Trastevere – a bohemian neighbourhood by the River Tiber with bustling piazzas and unique trattorias for your first taste of truly authentic Italian fare.
Return to your hotel briefly before embarking on an afternoon tour to some of Rome’s most celebrated landmarks. Following your guide, discover the layers of history that make this city so extraordinary – from ancient Roman ruins to Renaissance masterpieces, baroque fountains and charming piazzas where locals gather for their passeggiata (evening stroll). Each stop reveals another chapter in Rome’s 3,000-years-long story, bringing all that history to life in front of your eyes.
This afternoon, perhaps set out on a guided walking tour through the heart of the Eternal City, tracing the splendour of Baroque architecture and art. The route includes several of Rome’s greatest icons, including the magnificent Trevi Fountain, the Column of Marcus Aurelius, the Palazzo di Montecitorio (designed by Bernini), the Pantheon, Palazzo Madama – home to the Italian Senate – and the lively Piazza Navona.
The evening is yours to explore once more. Try your own passeggiata through the romantic streets of Trastevere, claim a table at a neighbourhood trattoria, or enjoy a gelato while people-watching along the River Tiber.
Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Rome. Relish a sleep-in as the city wakes up or head to a local cafe for one more sip of this city’s simmering energy.
After lunch, board your private coach for the journey north to Tuscany. Rome’s urban sprawl gives way to endless countryside – you can almost taste the tannins as vineyards come into view. This is Tuscany, where every vista is a Renaissance painting come to life.
Signature Accommodation: Torre a Cona
Arrive at a grand estate of Torre a Cona, where you’ll find 30 elegant rooms in a magnificent 18th-century villa set among 500 acres of vineyards and olive groves. This luxury boutique wine estate, owned by the founding family of Martini & Rossi, is a true postcard-worthy icon nestled in Tuscany’s rolling hills. Rooms are characterised by 18th-century features and decorations, painted in soft colours that recall the Tuscan countryside, with furnishings of fine fabrics chosen by the countess.
Check-in and take a moment to absorb your surroundings – the scent of lavender and rosemary in the gardens, the gentle rustle of olive trees and the spectacular vineyard views. This estate, steeped in history and beauty, will be your home for the next four nights.
Insider Experience: Dinner at The Osteria di Torre a Cona
As evening approaches, savour dinner at The Osteria di Torre a Cona, a relaxing space tucked into the estate’s lemon house.
The Osteria embodies a new dining concept that reflects the property’s philosophy: simple elegance, modernity and a deep connection to nature. Gary describes it as “a charming dining room with an undeniable Tuscan flair, a little home away from home.” The menu draws inspiration from Tuscan tradition, showcasing locally sourced ingredients in a fashion that speaks to guests of all preferences. “We have handpicked three local recipes that you taste in the dining room but also that exemplifies the area and perfect to cook back in Aus,” says Matt.
Each course is designed to enhance the natural flavours of the highest-quality seasonal ingredients – aromatic herbs from the garden, vegetables from nearby farms, and the estate’s own olive oil. This is dinner as it should be: unhurried, genuine and unforgettable.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Insider Experience: Dinner at The Osteria di Torre a Cona, handpicked by Matt & Gary
“We have asked the chef to pull together a menu of local classics including the famous local Chianina beef favoured for bistecca Fiorentina to give you a real taste of Tuscany” – Matt
Wake to the gentle sounds of the Tuscan countryside before enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the estate, including fresh pastries, local honey and strong Italian coffee while surveying the vineyards.
Insider Experience: Lunch at the legendary Dario’s butcher shop
After a short drive to the charming hilltop town of Panzano, meet Dario Cecchini, the world’s most famous butcher and an eighth-generation master of his craft who has elevated butchery to an art form. Matt describes Dario as “Italy’s most famous butcher and famous for reciting Dante as he breaks down beasts. At lunch you’ll eat a veritable cow jigsaw of cuts and laugh a lot!”
Step into his acclaimed Antica Macelleria Cecchini butcher shop, where meat hangs from the ceiling, Dante’s verses are recited with passion, and opera blares from speakers as Dario holds court behind the counter. This is more than a butcher shop – it’s theatre, philosophy and poetry all wrapped up in one unforgettable experience shared with Matt and Gary, who have enjoyed it firsthand before and couldn’t wait for another round.
Watch as the butcher works his magic, perhaps sharing a story, a joke or a passionate speech about the nobility of his craft. Then, settle in at one of the unique onsite dining rooms for a lunch that embodies his beliefs. The fixed-price menu showcases lesser-known cuts prepared through braising, boiling and grilling – techniques that reveal the full potential of every part of the animal. “We believe in good food, good prices and good company,” says Dario, as lunch is served family-style, with diners eating according to their appetite. The restaurant also offers a satisfying vegetarian menu, ensuring no one misses out on the magic of Dario’s butcher shop.
Enjoy the evening at leisure, after a day full of fine food and fabulous company. Stroll through Torre a Cona’s lush vineyards or settle in your room for true peace and quiet.
**Travel time: **Driving – approx. one hour
Insider Experience: Lunch at the legendary Dario’s butcher shop, handpicked by Matt & Gary
“I loved our visit to Darios! Dario Cecchini is certainly one of a kind, not just a butcher who loves his craft but a protagonist for Bistecca Fiorentina, a showman, restaurateur and always the talk of this quaint Tuscan town in Chianti” – Gary
Today is yours to craft exactly as you wish. Choose from a carefully curated selection of included experiences that showcase Tuscany’s wonders. Whether you’re drawn to art and history, wine and gastronomy or slowly soaking in the atmosphere, there’s an option to match your mood. Don’t worry – if you don’t manage to fit in every activity, tomorrow’s schedule is free for further Tuscan exploration too.
Tuscan cooking class at Torre a Cona : Enter Torre a Cona’s beautiful kitchen for a hands-on cooking class celebrating the heart and soul of Tuscan cuisine. Learn to craft fresh pasta from scratch, rolling silky sheets of dough, shaping delicate ravioli and mastering the art of pappardelle. Work with seasonal ingredients plucked straight from the estate’s gardens and discover the secrets behind long-time Tuscan classics. Gary is adamant, “you can’t leave Tuscany without learning at least a few recipes to show off to your friends and family when you get home!”
Wine tastings and estate tours: Journey through centuries of family history and winemaking tradition with expert guides. Learn about the estate’s historic cellars and the legendary Vinsantaia – where Tuscany’s legendary dessert wine, vin santo, aged for years in oak barrels.
Horseback riding: From decanting to cantering, this is a dream for many and reality for few. Exploring the Tuscan countryside on horseback is a unique way to become acquainted with the estate’s undulating scenery, offering an enchanting experience available from beginners up.
Hike the estate: Explore Tuscany’s beauty on foot with experienced environmental guides who know the territory’s geology, flora, fauna, history and local traditions. Routes are available for all levels, from leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes.
Spa and massage treatments: Indulge in a rejuvenating massage with natural essential oils in Torre a Cona’s tranquil spa setting. Let a professional masseuse melt away tension as soft music serenades and you lose yourself in this quiet corner of paradise.
Alternatively, enjoy a quieter day of down time, perhaps with a good book and a stroll through the olive groves. In the evening, settle in with a glass of Chianti (at own expense) and watch the hills turn to gold. This is dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing – at its finest.
Another day in Italian paradise where the schedule is yours to make the most of. Choose from a carefully curated selection of included experiences that showcase Tuscany’s wonders. Whether you’re drawn to art and history, wine and gastronomy or slowly soaking in the atmosphere, there’s an option to match your mood.
After breakfast, Tuscany will sail into the rear-view mirror as your coach races towards Maranello. Today brings together two of Italy’s most celebrated passions; artisanal food and legendary automotive engineering.
Delight in a visit to a traditional cheese farm, where you’ll witness skilled cheesemakers carrying out the 900-year-old craft of making parmigiano reggiano. Watch as enormous copper cauldrons bubble with fresh milk, transforming into curds that will be hand-moulded, brined and aged for at least 12 months in temperature-controlled ageing rooms. Sample parmigiano reggiano of various ages – from the younger, creamier wheels to the deeply complex, crystalline varieties. Learn to identify the subtle flavour notes and understand why this cheese, made from just milk, salt and rennet, is considered one of the world’s finest. It’s a masterclass in patience, precision and respect for tradition.
Continue to Maranello, the home of the Prancing Horse, where Ferrari has been raising automotive legends since 1947. Work up an appetite at the Ferrari Museum, delving into a world of speed, passion and Italian engineering. Admire iconic models that have defined motorsport and discover the stories behind Ferrari’s greatest triumphs in interactive exhibits, simulators and cabinets of enduring memorabilia.
Insider Experience: Lunch at Ristorante Cavallino
Just across the street, discover the hallowed establishment that has fed Ferrari’s drive for success since 1950, Ristorante Cavallino. Originally the factory’s staff canteen, it has been transformed into a dining destination for friends, drivers and distinguished guests. These historic rooms have witnessed celebrations and commiserations, hosting an extraordinary range of memorable events where Enzo Ferrari’s trailblazing vision came to life. “What could be more Italian than eating great regional dishes in the old Ferrari canteen opposite the gates of the famous Maranello factory,” says Matt. “Surrounded by the theatre of F1 trophies and old engine blocks, they become both artefact and art.”
The restaurant underwent a stunning renovation in 2021, and the space now pays homage to traditional Italian trattorias while incorporating Ferrari’s racing heritage. In addition, the restaurant supports local autistic teenagers and adults through Il Tortellante – the initiative of Chef Massimo Bottura and wife Lara Gilmore which recognises the therapeutic benefits of making tortellini by hand.
Soak in the unique atmosphere as you settle into seats surrounded by mounted engines, then dive into the menu together, including an unmissable tortellini dish, and Mòdna – a classic sachertorte reimagined with sour cherries. Crafted by one of Italy’s greatest chefs, Massimo Bottura, each dish showcases Emilia-Romagna’s finest ingredients, from the now-familiar parmigiano reggiano to aceto balsamico vinegar.
Continue your journey to Bologna, one of Italy’s most gastronomically important cities. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening at your leisure. Make the most of your free time with a walk through the world’s longest and most famous porticoed streets, discover a traditional osteria for dinner, or simply relax and reflect on a day that perfectly captured the essence of Italy.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Insider Experience: Lunch at Ristorante Cavallino, handpicked by Matt & Gary
“Il Tortellante empowers young adults on the autism spectrum by partnering them with local nonnas to hand make this very special pasta. The project says that this traditional, precise but repetitive process of making tortellini helps instil traditional skills, confidence and a sense of inclusion” – Matt
“I’ll just say one thing: forget that bright red Ferrari and give me more of the utterly sublime ‘Tortellini del Tortellante.’ Every piece of pasta crafted by skilled hands, cooked to perfection and drenched in the lightest, creamiest sauce of aged Parmigiano Reggiano you can imagine. Take my money” – Gary
After breakfast, lace up your walking shoes for a tantalising journey through Bologna – a city so devoted to food that Italians affectionately call it ‘La Grassa’ (The Fat One). This is the birthplace of tortellini, tagliatelle al ragu, mortadella and countless other culinary treasures that define Italian cuisine.
Set off with your expert local guide through the historic city centre, where medieval towers rise above endless porticoed streets and the aroma of fresh pasta drifts from family-run trattorias. Your progressive tasting tour serves as lunch, taking you to carefully selected stops that showcase the city’s gastronomic soul.
Taste mortadella – Bologna’s silky-smooth, pistachio-studded pork sausage – and sample tortellini in brodo, those tiny stuffed pasta parcels floating in golden capon broth that Bolognese grandmothers have hand-shaped for centuries. Taste true tagliatelle al ragu, where meat is slowly braised for hours until it melts into a rich, velvety sauce that clings to fresh egg pasta.
Between bites, your guide will reveal Bologna’s hidden corners – the ancient canals that once powered the city’s silk industry, the towers built by feuding noble families, and the oldest university in the Western world, founded in 1088.
Return to your hotel with the afternoon free to explore at your own pace. Perhaps climb the Asinelli Tower for sweeping views over Bologna’s terracotta rooftops, browse the stalls at Mercato di Mezzo, or find a cafe under the porticoes and watch Bolognese life unfold.
Today’s scenic route takes you through a region that puts Italian food on a pedestal for the world to enjoy. Emilia-Romagna is arguably Italy’s greatest food valley, home to cherished ingredients you will soon taste at their source.
Insider Experience: Prosciutto tasting
Your first stop takes you deep into the hills south of Parma, where the magic of prosciutto begins. Visit a traditional prosciutto producer where pork leg, sea salt, time and plenty of passion are the only ingredients used to create what many consider among the finest prosciutto in the world. Walk through cellars built according to traditional architectural models, with large windows that welcome the mild Marino sea wind.
Before your very own tasting, learn how salting masters still salt each haunch by hand, and watch the traditional ‘needle sampling’ method – where a horse shank bone is inserted into the meat and immediately smelled for aroma and quality.
Matt and Gary have tried and tested the salty delights here before and will gratefully join the group for a tasting of prosciutto at various stages of maturation as you all experience the tender indulgence and specific flavour that comes from slow maturation.
Insider Experience: Parma foodie walking tour
Continue to the elegant city of Parma for a progressive tasting journey, including a special stop home to the best prosciutto they’ve ever tasted. This isn’t your typical tourist trail; these are the addresses locals keep close and food lovers toil to find. “I love Parma, its charming, steeped in history and importantly a little off the tourist radar,” says Gary. “Wander the streets and discover what makes Parma and its produce so very special.”
Stop at a legendary salumeria for some of Matt and Gary’s favourite prosciutto and pancetta, and watch as the store’s experts slice impossibly thin ribbons of aged ham. Sample culatello, the prized ‘king’s cut’ from the heart of the ham, alongside mortadella, coppa and other cured treasures.
Your culinary crawl continues with four carefully curated stops: a historic pasticceria for traditional cake, a neighbourhood panino shop where simple sandwiches delight, a pasta spot showcasing the region’s signature shapes, and finally, a gelateria serving the flavours of an Italian summer.
Board the coach for the final leg of your journey to Milan, Italy’s fashion and design capital. As you travel through the Lombardy plains, reflect on the extraordinary flavours of Emilia-Romagna and the culinary secrets you’ve been privy to today.
Arrive in Milan in the late afternoon and check-in to Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze. The evening is yours to explore a city unlike other Italian capitals. The hotel’s Porta Nuova district is a joy to explore, with its pedestrianised piazzas of aperitivo bars and design-forward restaurants. If you’re hungry for more Milanese moments, the cobblestone streets of Brera are just a 20-minute walk away for an evening spritz or late-night gallery visit.
**Travel time: **Driving – approx. three hours
Insider Experience: Prosciutto tasting, handpicked by Matt & Gary
“No journey through to Italy is complete without overindulging ‘just a little’ on the finest prosciutto. Each paper-thin slice that melts in your mouth, reminds you why the simple things, can be the most beautiful” – Gary
Insider Experience: Parma food crawl, handpicked by Matt & Gary
“I loved this walking tour in the town that gave Parmesan its name - not just for the impeccable gelato but also for the best aged prosciutto and pancetta I’ve ever tasted” – Matt
Your final full day in Italy begins with a journey illuminating Milan’s fascinating duality – a city where ancient Roman ruins stand alongside cutting-edge architecture, and centuries-old traditions meet modern innovation.
Set off with your expert local guide to discover the city’s magnificent highlights. Stand in awe before the Duomo di Milano, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals, its forest of marble spires and 3,400 statues reaching toward the sky. Step inside to witness light filtering through stained glass windows that have been illuminating the faithful since the 14th century.
Continue through the opulent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping arcade, where luxury boutiques nestle beneath a soaring glass dome and intricate mosaic floors. Learn the quirky Milanese tradition of spinning three times on the bull’s testicles in the floor mosaic for good luck – a ritual that has polished the brass to a mirror shine over decades.
Insider Experience: Milanese foodie walking tour
Take a delicious turn as you explore the city’s artisan food traditions on a walking tour co-curated by Matt and Gary on one of their many Milanese explorations. Stop at Cova Montenapoleon, an historic bakery specialising in panettone, and sample a slice of this impossibly light, fragrant bread.
Discover other regional specialties including creamy risotto alla milanese, the city’s signature saffron-infused rice dish, and cotoletta alla milanese, the breaded veal cutlet that has been feeding Milanese since the Middle Ages. Your guide will reveal the stories behind many beloved dishes and point you toward the city’s finest addresses for Milanese cuisine as you experience it all like a true local.
Return to your hotel with the afternoon free for final explorations or relaxation. Perhaps revisit a neighbourhood that captured your heart or hunt for last-minute treasures in Milan’s design boutiques.
Insider Experience: Farewell Dinner at Locanda Perbellini
When dessert arrives and the final wine is poured, take a moment to absorb the laughter, the clinking glasses and the contentment of a special meal and an Italian adventure well spent.
Buon appetito, and grazie mille for an unforgettable Italian adventure.
Insider Experience: Farewell Dinner at Locanda Perbellini, handpicked by Matt & Gary
Leave Italy behind as you are transferred to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) for your flight bound for Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) via Barcelona.
On arrival, make your own way to the heart of Bordeaux and to your home for the next four nights: La Maison Bord’eaux, a 21-room boutique hotel set in an 18th-century coaching inn opposite the Roman ruins of the Palais Gallien.
Check in, settle into your private haven and take a first wander through the streets of one of France’s great wine cities.
La Maison Bord’eaux stay with daily breakfast
One-way economy class international flight from Milan (MXP) to Bordeaux (BOD)
Bordeaux is yours to explore at your own pace today. Breakfast is waiting before you head out.
Wind through the grand 18th-century streetscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre, make your way along the Quays of Bordeaux, or follow your nose to the Marché des Capucins for local cheese, charcuterie and the region’s finest wines by the glass.
Place de la Bourse and its famous water mirror are a short stroll away, as is the La Cité du Vin museum for those who want to learn more about Bordeaux’s relationship with the vine.
Another day to spend as you please in one of southwest France’s most rewarding cities. Consider a trip to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, set among hillside vineyards just 50 minutes away, or linger in Bordeaux itself.
Today is your final day at La Maison Bord’eaux before tomorrow’s cruise. Savour a leisurely breakfast, then set out to explore.
The Médoc wine route stretches north of the city past the châteaux of Margaux, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe – a rewarding afternoon drive for wine lovers. Or simply settle into the rhythm of the city: a long lunch or a riverside walk before an early night ahead of tomorrow’s departure.
Enjoy one final breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Make your own way to the port to board the Scenic Eclipse II, your luxury home for the next 11 nights as you sail from Bordeaux to London.
This all-verandah luxury yacht carries just 228 guests and comes with butler service in every suite, up to 10 culinary experiences, eight bars and lounges, a 550sqm Senses Spa, a yoga and Pilates studio, and almost a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. With all meals and free-flow drinks included – even a selection of more than 130 whiskies at the Scenic Bar – settle in, take a stroll on deck and toast the journey ahead as the ship rests in port for the night.
Superior Upgrade: Enjoy more space in a Category CA Deluxe Verandah Suite aboard Scenic Eclipse II.
Deluxe Upgrade: Luxuriate with more room and panoramic views from a Category CD Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite aboard Scenic Eclipse II, positioned on a higher deck above the bridge.
11-night Scenic cruise from Bordeaux to London aboard the Scenic Eclipse II
Wake to sweeping sea views and enjoy breakfast on board before spending a final day exploring Bordeaux.
Dip into the markets for local delicacies, get your culture fix at the CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art, or admire the architecture of Place de la Bourse and Cathédrale Saint-André Bordeaux before choosing somewhere for lunch and a glass of wine.
This afternoon, the ship sets sail towards the coast and onto your next destination.
Fittingly named “the beautiful island in the sea,” Belle-Île-en-Mer is the largest of Brittany’s islands – a rocky outpost dotted with small bays and pocket-sized coves accessible only on foot or by sea.
Drop into Le Palais, the island’s charming capital, where a citadel overlooks a cluster of cafes, then discover the rugged coastline that inspired Claude Monet’s celebrated series of paintings.
Spend the day as you please before returning to the lavish ship.
Ease into the day onboard with breakfast before the ship arrives in Saint-Malo in the early afternoon.
One of France’s most captivating coastal towns, Saint-Malo pairs dramatic seaside scenery with lively bars, heritage landmarks like the Château de Saint-Malo and some of Brittany’s finest beaches. The town is also a haven for seafood lovers, with rue de l’Orme home to an exceptional collection of seafood restaurants.
With the ship docked overnight, there’s ample time to savour dinner ashore this evening.
Spend a second day exploring the city.
Just up the coast, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mont Saint-Michel rises dramatically from the sea, a masterpiece of medieval architecture and one of France’s most iconic and photographed landmarks.
Return to the ship for another elegant night.
Just off the French coast in the British Isles, Guernsey blends British and French sensibilities into something all its own.
Spend the day exploring Guernsey at your own pace. Wander through the capital, Saint Peter Port, where cobblestoned streets are framed by elegant Georgian and Regency architecture, visit the Guernsey Museum at Candie to uncover the island’s maritime heritage or tour medieval Castle Cornet overlooking the harbour.
You might also choose to visit Hauteville House, once home to Victor Hugo during his exile, or stroll through the peaceful Candie Gardens.
Back at the ship, bask in another world-class dinner and toast to your day ashore.
At the point where the Seine meets the English Channel, Honfleur unfolds around a postcard-perfect harbour lined with slate-roofed houses, colourful fishing boats and bustling waterfront cafes.
This atmospheric port has long drawn artists to its luminous light and ever-changing seascapes – among them Eugène Boudin, who encouraged a young Claude Monet and helped inspire the rise of Impressionism. Visit the Eugène Boudin Museum to see their works side by side.
Honfleur also offers easy access to some of northern France’s most celebrated destinations, including Paris, Rouen and Monet’s gardens at Giverny, all possible to explore on a day trip. With the ship docked in the harbour overnight, there’s no need to rush back on board.
Today is your second day to take Honfleur at your own pace.
The waterfront’s colourful 17th-century buildings now house boutiques, cafes and seafood restaurants. Wander the cobbled lanes, drop into a gallery or two, and let the harbour set the rhythm.
Return to the ship for another night aboard.
Wake to sweeping seaside views in Poole, a charming harbour town on the United Kingdom’s south coast and home to one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
Spend the day strolling the lively quayside, relaxing on golden beaches or exploring the old town, where centuries-old stone buildings and hidden lanes hint at Poole’s maritime past. Along the waterfront, seafood restaurants showcase the day’s fresh catch, while nearby, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast reveals dramatic cliffs, striking rock formations and ancient fossil sites waiting to be discovered.
Today you’ll find yourself in the sparkling seaside city on Belgium’s Flemish coast, Ostend blends Belle Époque elegance with a beach-town atmosphere.
Spend the day wandering the broad promenade lined with cafes and boutiques, exploring streets made for slow afternoons, or settling into a seafood restaurant for a steaming pot of traditional moules mariniere (sailor-style mussels).
In summer, the wide sandy beaches come alive with pop-up bars and beach clubs, and with the ship departing late, there’s time to linger over a Belgian beer as the sun sets over the North Sea.
Today, the Scenic Eclipse II crosses the English Channel and arrives in Tilbury, the gateway to London.
Step ashore and discover some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, from the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to the magnificent dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Return to your luxury ship this evening for a memorable final night onboard, raising a glass to the extraordinary coastlines, cultures and cuisine shared throughout your journey.
Your voyage ends this morning in Tilbury. Savour a final breakfast onboard, farewell the crew of the Scenic Eclipse II and disembark with a journey’s worth of memories. You’ll then be transferred to Heathrow Airport (LHR) for your onward journey.