Grand Tour: Paris, Florence & Rome
Small group of twelve, staying at a Marais townhouse hotel, a palazzo on the Arno and a converted convent five minutes from the Pantheon.
About this journey
Twelve nights from Paris to Rome, moving from the Louvre’s quiet early slots to the Uffizi and finishing among the ruins of the Forum. Group size is capped at twelve so museum visits stay quiet and the walks stay unhurried.
Two art-historian guides travel with the group throughout. All rail seats, station transfers and timed museum entries are booked before you arrive.
Itinerary
Paris
Arrive and settle in the Marais. Evening briefing, then dinner in a bistro where the chefs eat.
Paris & Versailles
The Louvre at opening with our guide, a Versailles morning by train, and the Marais courtyards before the shutters open.
Florence
Four nights on the Arno. Reserved entry to the Uffizi and Accademia, and an evening drive into the Chianti hills for dinner at a working estate.
Rome
South by Frecciarossa for the finale. The Vatican before opening, the Forum with an archaeologist, and a last dinner in Trastevere.
Where you sleep
Three properties, each chosen for location rather than size: a townhouse hotel in the Marais, a river-view palazzo in Florence, and a converted convent behind the Pantheon.
Good to know
April to June and September to October are the sweet spots. EU and Schengen travellers need only an ID card; most other nationalities get 90 days visa-free in the Schengen area.
Traveller reviews
The Uffizi morning was the highlight — we had the Botticelli room almost to ourselves. Our guide knew every painting in the building and never rushed us.
Twelve people was exactly right. Everything connected — trains, transfers, entries — and we never queued for anything.
Rome at the end was a good way to finish. The only thing I would change is one more night in Florence.