European Grand Tour: Dover to the Dolomites and Italy
A grand 18-day journey starting from the White Cliffs of Dover, crossing into France, traversing the Swiss Alps, and spending extensive time exploring the dramatic Dolomites and the cultural heart of Italy.
- Port of Calais
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
- Basel Old Town
- Kapellbrücke
- Chur Old Town
- Merano
- Val di Funes
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Crossing the Channel to France
White Cliffs of Dover
White Cliffs of Dover, Dover, Kent, GB
Port of Dover
Port of Dover, Dover, Kent, GB
Port of Calais
Port of Calais, Calais, Pas-de-Calais, FR
Through the Champagne Region
Calais City Center
Calais City Center, Calais, Pas-de-Calais, FR
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Reims, Marne, FR
Troyes Old Town
Troyes Old Town, Troyes, Aube, FR
Entering the Swiss Borderlands
Troyes
Troyes, Troyes, Aube, FR
Mulhouse
Mulhouse, Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, FR
Basel Old Town
Basel Old Town, Basel, Basel-Stadt, CH
Lakeside Splendor in Lucerne
Basel
Basel, Basel, Basel-Stadt, CH
Kapellbrücke
Kapellbrücke, Lucerne, Lucerne, CH
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Lucerne, CH
Alpine Passes to the East
Lucerne
Lucerne, Lucerne, Lucerne, CH
Walensee Viewpoint
Walensee Viewpoint, Amden, St. Gallen, CH
Chur Old Town
Chur Old Town, Chur, Graubünden, CH
Crossing into the South Tyrol
Chur
Chur, Chur, Graubünden, CH
Reschensee Bell Tower
Reschensee Bell Tower, Curon Venosta, South Tyrol, IT
Merano
Merano, Merano, South Tyrol, IT
The Heart of the Dolomites
Merano
Merano, Merano, South Tyrol, IT
Val di Funes
Val di Funes, Santa Maddalena, South Tyrol, IT
Ortisei
Ortisei, Ortisei, South Tyrol, IT
Iconic Peaks and High Altitudes
Ortisei
Ortisei, Ortisei, South Tyrol, IT
Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena, Selva di Val Gardena, South Tyrol, IT
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Auronzo di Cadore, Belluno, IT
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, IT
Alpine Lakes and Reflections
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, IT
Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies, Braies, South Tyrol, IT
Dobbiaco
Dobbiaco, Dobbiaco, South Tyrol, IT
The Great Dolomite Road
Dobbiaco
Dobbiaco, Dobbiaco, South Tyrol, IT
Passo Pordoi
Passo Pordoi, Canazei, Trento, IT
Canazei
Canazei, Canazei, Trento, IT
Marmolada Glacier Views
Canazei
Canazei, Canazei, Trento, IT
Lago di Fedaia
Lago di Fedaia, Canazei, Trento, IT
Alleghe
Alleghe, Alleghe, Belluno, IT
Southern Dolomites and Valleys
Alleghe
Alleghe, Alleghe, Belluno, IT
Pale di San Martino
Pale di San Martino, San Martino di Castrozza, Trento, IT
Belluno
Belluno, Belluno, Belluno, IT
From Mountains to Canals
Belluno
Belluno, Belluno, Belluno, IT
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco, Venice, Veneto, IT
Venice Island
Venice Island, Venice, Veneto, IT
Renaissance Art in Florence
Venice
Venice, Venice, Veneto, IT
Duomo di Firenze
Duomo di Firenze, Florence, Tuscany, IT
Florence Historic Center
Florence Historic Center, Florence, Tuscany, IT
Tuscan Hills and Medieval Towers
Florence
Florence, Florence, Tuscany, IT
San Gimignano
San Gimignano, San Gimignano, Tuscany, IT
Siena
Siena, Siena, Tuscany, IT
The Eternal City of Rome
Siena
Siena, Siena, Tuscany, IT
Colosseum
Colosseum, Rome, Lazio, IT
Rome Historic Center
Rome Historic Center, Rome, Lazio, IT
Vatican Wonders and Roman Life
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, VA
Trastevere
Trastevere, Rome, Lazio, IT
Final Roman Farewell
Pantheon
Pantheon, Rome, Lazio, IT
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Lazio, IT
Rome City Center
Rome City Center, Rome, Lazio, IT
- Ensure you have a Swiss motorway vignette and an Italian 'Autostrade' payment method for tolls.
- Book ferry crossings from Dover to Calais in advance, especially during peak summer months.
- Many Dolomite mountain passes and high-altitude lakes like Lago di Braies have restricted vehicle access or require pre-booked parking in high season.
- ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) are strictly enforced in Italian cities like Florence and Rome; park outside the center or ensure your hotel registers your plate.