Itinerary · Italy
Fourteen days in Italy,
the lakes or the mountains
The ten-day route through Rome, Florence and Venice, then four more nights on Lake Como or in the Dolomites. Two hotels for the last stretch, one travel day between them.
Fourteen days is where an Italy trip starts to feel unhurried. The extra four nights go north, to the water or to the mountains.
The first nine nights are my ten-day route: three each in Rome, Florence and Venice, with the two train legs done properly and a day in Tuscany. From Venice you choose: Lake Como for villas and boats, or the Dolomites for the peaks and the spas. Both are two hotels, two nights each, which is the best way to see either region.
Every transfer is private and arranged before you land, and the helicopter is on the table for the long leg out of Venice. Work with me and you get Fora perks at the hotels, typically a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast and a hotel credit, plus someone who knows these hotels personally. Same rate as booking direct.
At a glance
Fly into Rome. Thirteen nights, fourteen days.
- Rome · 3 nights
- Hotel de Russie, or the Eden or La Minerva. All my Rome hotels.
- Florence · 3 nights
- Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, or Hotel Lungarno on the river. A day in Tuscany built in.
- Venice · 3 nights
- Airelles Palladio, or Aman Venice on the Grand Canal.
- Then the lakes · 4 nights
- Passalacqua, then Il Sereno, ten minutes apart by private boat. Home from Milan.
- Or the mountains · 4 nights
- Gardena Grödnerhof, then Forestis, about an hour apart by car. Home from Innsbruck or Venice.
Land, then Rome with a guide and a driver
A driver in the arrivals hall at Fiumicino, three nights at Hotel de Russie, the Vatican with a private guide at first entry, and a driver on call for both full days.
The train north, then a day in the hills
The fast train with a meet-and-greet and porters at both ends, about an hour and a half. The Uffizi with a private guide, a long lunch in the Oltrarno, and a day out in Chianti with a driver or a supercar.
From the platform to the Grand Canal
A little over two hours on the fast train, met at Santa Lucia and taken by water taxi to Airelles Palladio. San Marco early with a guide, then a private boat out to Murano, Burano and Torcello. The full detail is on the ten-day route.
The lakes version
Two villas, ten minutes apart across the water.
Over the top, or the long way round
The longest leg of the trip, so it’s the one I’d fly. By lunch you’re on the terraces at Passalacqua, the honeymoon villa above Moltrasio.
The move: water taxi from the hotel dock, then a helicopter to the lake, weather permitting. Otherwise a private Mercedes the whole way, about three and a half hours, with your bags handled at both ends.
A day on the water
A private boat for the day, with lunch at one of the smaller places I like on the lake, such as Silvio, Crotto del Misto or Locanda La Tirlindana. See Bellagio from the water and come home somewhere calmer; it is packed with day-trippers, even in October.
The move: a private boat and a captain I trust, booked for as long as you want it.
Ten minutes to the second villa
Check out of Passalacqua after a late breakfast and cross to Il Sereno in Torno: Patricia Urquiola’s design on the water, a heated pool, a hot tub in the old boathouse and its own Rivas. Two completely different stays, and only one travel day.
The move: a ten-minute private boat, dock to dock.
The slow day
The pool, the boathouse, a Riva out at golden hour. If you want the drive, I’ll have a supercar waiting for the lake roads.
Out through Milan
A last breakfast on the water, then home.
The move: a private car to Milan Malpensa, about an hour.
The mountains version
Two of my favorite Dolomites hotels, an hour apart.
From the lagoon to the peaks
Out of Venice in the morning and in Ortisei for a late lunch at Gardena Grödnerhof, the renovated alpine hotel in the center of town, with the lifts a short walk away.
The move: water taxi from the hotel dock, then a private Mercedes, about two and a half to three hours, or a helicopter, weather permitting.
Seceda or the Alpe di Siusi
The postcard ridgeline at Seceda, or the meadows of the Alpe di Siusi under the Sassolungo. Both start in Ortisei. Go with a private mountain guide who knows when and where to go; Seceda’s lift needs a time-slotted ticket, and I book it ahead.
The move: your guide and driver, arranged before you arrive.
An hour over to the quiet side
To Forestis, on a quiet mountainside above Bressanone facing the Odle: the best view, the best spa and complete quiet. It’s my favorite hotel in the Dolomites, and the place to slow right down.
The move: a private car, about an hour.
The spa, or a helicopter
A full day in the spa. Or, if the budget allows, a heli-hike: a helicopter up to the high ground and a guided hike down, the most memorable day you can have in the Dolomites.
The move: I arrange the helicopter and the guide.
Out through Innsbruck or Venice
A last breakfast facing the Odle, then home.
The move: a private car to Innsbruck, about two hours, or back to Venice, about three.
Fourteen days in Italy FAQ
Lake Como or the Dolomites for the extra four nights?
Lake Como if the trip is about villas, boats and long lunches on the water. The Dolomites if you want mountain air, hiking or one of the best spas in Europe. Both pair beautifully with Venice, and I can talk you through which suits your dates.
How do we get from Venice to Lake Como?
By helicopter if the weather allows, which turns the longest leg of the trip into a short flight. Otherwise a private car the whole way, about three and a half hours, with your bags handled at both ends.
How do we get from Venice to the Dolomites?
About two and a half to three hours by private car, or much less by helicopter, weather permitting. A driver is better than self-driving here: the passes are narrow and winding, and the road up the Alpe di Siusi is restricted to permit holders.
Which airport do we fly home from?
Milan Malpensa for the Lake Como version, about an hour from the lake by car. For the Dolomites, Innsbruck is the closest airport, about two hours from Forestis, or a driver back to Venice.
When is the best time for the Dolomites version?
Summer for hiking, September and early October for quiet trails and golden larches. Many hotels and lifts close between seasons, roughly April to May and from late October into December, so I check every date before we build the route.
Where and when?
“Two weeks in Italy in June, ending on Lake Como” is a complete answer. I’ll take it from there.