High-End Fashion Shopping Tour of Rome, Florence, and Milan

Rome has held a place at the center of the fashion world since the empire stood at the heart of Western Europe. The city continued to draw fashion aficionados and historians from around the world eager to use the rich past and preserved architecture to inspire their fashion-forward designs. Your flight will land at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival before venturing into the city to relax in the comforts of where was once the epicenter of the Western World. Hydrangeas blossom in the gardens of the hotel amongst vibrant roses while the aroma of citrus zest emanates from the orange trees on the property.

The remainder of the day will be yours to explore the beauty of Rome’s history at your leisure, making your way to Piazza Navona to view the marvelous Baroque palaces that frame the cobblestone piazza. Artists set out easels and sit on the stone benches to capture the colorful facades in the passing sunlight while the sound of trickling water emanates from the gorgeous Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the mid-17th century. Allegorical figures represent the main waterways of four continents, including the Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata. In the evening, you can venture to a restaurant with three Michelin stars that is known for elegance, comfort, and the delicate flavors showcased on the menu.

The aroma of sunflowers and tulips drift from the morning market at Campo dei Fiori as the beautiful petals of daisies and calla lilies shine purple and yellow. Organic farmers offer homemade honey alongside delicious raspberry jams and delectable zucchini flowers. After breakfast and a short wander,  your guide will greet you at your hotel and escort you to the famous shopping districts for a personal shopping experience beginning on Via Condotti. The palaces that line the avenue were built in the 18th century and retain their aristocratic appeal while fabulous designer shops bring enticing window displays, including Gucci, Prada, and Salvatore Ferragamo. The sunlight glints off of the marble stairway known as the Spanish Steps, visible at the end of the street and crowned with the Trinita dei Monti Church.

The elegant 135 steps were crafted in the 18th century to connect the upper terrace where the Bourbon Spanish Embassy resided with the Palazzo Monaldeschi below. The scent of jasmine emanates through the doors of Alberta Ferretti as you continue your discovery of Rome’s extraordinary beauty with a private tour of the ancient world, leading you to beneath the shadow cast by the Colosseum. The massive outer wall stands at nearly 160 feet tall with half-columns of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian design. The interior could hold up to 50,000 spectators eager to view the gladiatorial games. You can look down into the Hypogeum where the labyrinth that once held gladiators and exotic animals beneath the stadium floor remains.

The aroma of fresh espresso rises from the cafes and corner bars around Rome, overtaking the scent of fresh brioche in the dining room. The sunlight washes over the golden stones along the façade of Castle Sant’Angelo across the Tiber River. Ten angelic statues designed by Bernini line the bridge that connects the center of historical Rome to the doorway of the former Imperial mausoleum and papal fortress. After breakfast, your private shopper will lead you out of the heart of the city to the Valmontone Outlet, which is celebrated for its 180 stores and relaxed ambiance.

The vision of ancient Rome will disappear behind a façade of contemporary architecture and beautiful palm trees that will remind you of the Mediterranean climate. Pedestrian lanes recreate a lavish cityscape lined with fashionable shops with elaborate window displays. Designers and boutiques from around Europe add a brilliant luster to the experience, allowing you to view chic fashion and current trends separate from the styles of home. The handbags in the window of Coccinelle highlight remarkable design with delicate fabrics and decadent conception. The Navigare store showcases elegant menswear of distinct European fashion that focuses on the contours of the body for a sleek and confident design.

As you take a morning walk before the rush of the city comes to life, the sunlight will shine through the rose window of Sant’Ignazio of Loyola Church. A demarcation on the floor beneath the ceiling will tell you where to stand as you look up to the frescoes that decorate the ceiling with images of angels and the heavens with three-dimensional grandeur.  As you are ready, return to your hotel, and your private transfer will meet you in the lobby and escort you north towards Florence with a stop en route in the town of Orvieto in Umbria. The golden stones of the homes and churches stand atop a volcanic plug of rock that overlooks the fields that glow with vines and olive orchards while cobbled lanes lead to medieval piazzas for an artistic and delicate ambiance.

Cafes set out their tables and chairs along the squares, filling the air with the scent of espresso and brioche stuffed with cream. The nearby Gothic cathedral was erected in the 13th century and shimmers with the black and white marble that decorates the exterior and frames the gilded frescoes. The mosaics shine like treasures around the interior, crafted by the Sienese masters Lorenzo Maitani and Andrea Pisano. Outside of the city, you can continue to a shopping region in Tuscany that features luxury brands like Gucci and Prada, allowing you to enjoy the boutique experience outside of the bustling city centers.

The brilliance and the beauty of the past return with the light of the morning in Florence. The Renaissance palazzos and magnificent architecture have inspired designers and artists from around the world for half a millennium. The pink brick dome of the Duomo rises nearly 400 feet above the surrounding cobblestone piazza while the dark golden hues of the tower on Palazzo Vecchio cast a shadow like a sundial at the height of more than 300 feet tall. Your guide and private shopper will lead you on a luxury tour of the city and detail the history of Gucci and Ferragamo in the museum located inside the 13th-century Spini-Feroni palace.

The structure has been the hub of the fashion empire since the late 1930s. The gallery is tucked into the basement of the chic boutique that contains historical shoes encased in glass, allowing visitors to learn about the innovative designs and techniques the brand uses to move the fashion and tailoring forward. Artful cutouts and colorful satin linings lead to curved heels and the current, enchanting designs of the contemporary eye. In the afternoon, you can compare and contrast the fashions of today with the Renaissance as you visit the marvelous Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David.

The artisan shops in the Oltrarno neighborhood open their doors with sounds of tinkering as crafters shape gold rings, leather books, and handmade shoes. After breakfast, you will set out to the charming Tuscan town of Lucca, known for the preserved walls that surround its medieval lanes. In the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife converted the walls into a public park to create a gorgeous green space with walkways around the nearly two-mile stretch. Handsome piazzas open amongst the colorful palace facades and historical cafes as shady promenades help to bring a relaxing atmosphere beneath the soaring 14th-century Guingi tower.

Follow your guide along Villa Fillungo, and a mixture of boutique and designer shops will provide insight into both the cultural splendors and regional fashion. The scent of decadent chocolate emanates from the nearby shops as elegant gold rings and necklaces laced with sapphires shimmer in the storefront a jewelry store that specializes in antiques and is set beneath a stunning 19th-century vaulted ceiling. Venture next to the outside of town to reach Montecatini Terme, a spa town known for its refreshing thermal waters. The elegant art nouveau architecture will add a layer of sophistication and contemporary history to the ancient waters that run beneath the town as a green pasture spreads across the landscape between the fashionable and chic thermal centers.

The bronze doors of the Gates of Paradise will glint in the returning sunlight of the morning. Lorenzo Ghiberti designed the masterworks in the 15th century to reflect the eight virtues through allegories of Biblical stories, and the intricate features of each character, along with the dramatic ethereal effects of the landscaping cast in the hard metal, create an enchanting lightness. Your private transfer will greet you in the lobby and escort you north towards Milan, the fashion capital of Italy. You will stop en route at Fidenza Village, the shops of Emilia Romagna known for its remarkable size, with more than 100 prestigious designers and boutiques featured.

Comfortable soft linens create a dreamscape of bedding at C’è Bassetti while the elegant and fashion-forward design of Motivi provides a youthful, yet professional, side of luxury clothing. The architecture of the area celebrates the rich heritage of music and art in connection to the composer Giuseppe Verdi, reminding you of a theatrical stage. After enjoying it all, you will then continue to Milan with a greeting from the dramatic skyline shaped by the Gothic spires of the 14th-century Cathedral.

The majesty of the Cathedral at the heart of Milan derives from the intricate statues and spectacular spires that adorn the façade. The towers reach a height of 350 feet above the cobblestone square while the remarkable structure features 3,400 statues and 135 gargoyles. Your personal shopper will greet you after breakfast ready to introduce you to the marvels of the fashion capital of Italy, beginning with a visit to Via Monte Napoleone. The street was established in the late 18th century and follows the Roman city walls constructed under Emperor Maximian.

After World War II, the street became the center of the city’s fashion district, following in the guise of Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris and Via Condotti in Rome. The narrow street curves slightly and wires from the tram crisscross overhead. Designers have high-end boutiques that line the walkways and flank the stunning cakes and fabulous pastries in the window display cafes. Elegant shoes make a statement looking out to the street, and the Gucci shop glitters with flowing dresses and coveted bags. In the afternoon, you will make your way to Vittorio Emanuele II, a remarkable 19th-century arcade set beneath a soaring dome and gilded filigree.

The cafes on the Navigli Canal offer views to the rippling water and the lingering aromas of decadent espresso. Da Vinci fashioned the canals in the late 15th century to help the Duke of Milan improve the city. Artists and designers alike enjoy the galleries and the touch of vines that decorate the private courtyards while the tree-lined path offers a measure of the countryside in the confines of city life. Your guide will escort you out of Milan to reach the Serravalle Designer shops, and the unique location provides access to 300 luxury brands, including Swarovski and Trussardi.

Jet streams burst from the floor in the central courtyard while the enticing scent of crepes drifts through the open-air walkways. You will pass the home décor display in the Trussardi shop to find the elegant tables and light fixtures overtaking the window. The main clothing collection features fitted suits for men and flowing dresses for women with a touch of sophistication alongside a youthful appeal. You will return to Milan after a day of shopping, enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure to wander in the light of the Navigli Canal, or to view the hidden love letters of Lucrezia Borgia to Pietro Bembo.

The modernity of Milan is surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance architecture represented in the Palazzo dal Verme. The inner courtyard offers a harmonious appeal that inspires visitors, artists, and designers. During World War II, the palace survived the allied bombings of the city, layering the neighborhood along Giacomo Puccini with legend amongst the artistry. After breakfast and one last morning to take it all in, your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you to Malpensa Airport for your flight home, whisking you away from the remarkable fashion and historical style of Italy.