Compare From St. Paul's to St. Peter's: 12 days from London to Rome by Great Value Vacations vs Classic Walks of Scotland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Welcome to London!

Welcome to London! You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be on your own to explore London for the next two days, but uniformed hosts will be available at the hotel to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London

After breakfast, you will have a full day to savor this majestic and vibrant city. Start the day off with a visit to Buckingham Palace, where you can see the iconic Changing of the Guard! You'll also want to see Big Ben, the Tower of London, and perhaps even treat yourself to a ride on the London Eye.

Day 3 London - Paris, France

Board the Eurostar train to Paris. Here you'll be met by your Tour Director and luxury motorcoach. Overnight for the first of two nights in Paris.

Day 4 Paris

Paris is a world-class city that probably has more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see them during your included city tour. 

Day 5 Paris - Lucerne, Switzerland

Your day will be filled with fascinating, ever-changing scenery today. Take in the views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, then prosperous farms and tidy half-timbered villages as you head through the Alpine heart of Switzerland to picture-book Lucerne, for the first of two overnights.

Day 6 Lucerne

Lucerne is one of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Embark on a tour getting acquainted with the city today. The rest of the day is yours to explore (and/or shop!) at your leisure.

Day 7 Lucerne - Lugano - Verona, Italy - Venice Area

See more wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Once through its great tunnel, you'll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of the Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano, the cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains to Verona, where you'll have some time for sightseeing. Overnight for the first of two nights in the Venice area. 

Day 8 Venice

Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas. Your orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. 

Day 9 Venice Area - Florence - Montecatini

Start the day by journeying south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany. Then, it's on to Florence for an included walking tour with a local guide. Overnight in Montecatini. 

Day 10 Montecatini - Pisa - Rome

This morning, stop in Pisa, then journey south to Rome. Spend the first of two nights in Rome. 

Day 11 Rome

Embark on a sightseeing tour of Rome today!

Day 12 Depart Rome

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You will be transferred to the airport in time to begin your journey home. 

Day 1 Fort William

Welcome to the Highlands! Your adventure begins in Fort William, cradled amidst the captivating landscapes of the Scottish West Highlands. The town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering exceptional hiking, climbing, winter and water sports opportunities. The imposing presence of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, looms large, making this town a mecca for those seeking Highland mountain adventures. With a rich history and friendly community, Fort William will be your home for the next five nights. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, meet your leader and the rest of your group at a welcome meeting, then enjoy an easy hike to stretch the legs, maybe to a ruined castle on a historic battle site.

Day 2 Devil's Staircase

This morning, you’ll catch the local bus to nearby Glencoe, where you’ll hike the West Highland Way from Glencoe to Kinlochleven, over the famous Devil’s Staircase. As you ascend, you'll quickly understand why it's called the Devil's Staircase. The path climbs steeply, zigzagging its way up the mountainside. This section can be challenging but immensely rewarding, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the region. Keep an eye out for deer as you take in the tranquil views on this occasionally challenging but rewarding hike. There’s no need to walk back to where you started on this point-to point walk as a short transfer will take you back to Fort William for a relaxing night.

Day 3 West Highland Way

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll take a public bus to the start of the hike in Kinlochleven, a scenic village located at the eastern end of Loch Leven. From here, hike the final stage of the West Highland Way, which will take you over the mountain pass and through the picturesque valley, on your way back to Fort William. This leg of the West Highland Way marks the official end of the famous trail, and serves as the starting point for the Great Glen Way, which you'll explore tomorrow. In the evening, there is the option to join your fellow travelers for dinner, to reflect on the day’s’ adventure.

Day 4 Great Glen Way

Today is a bit of an easier day today, which could be considered as a rest day for tired legs! The Great Glen Way is a long-distance walking route that spans from Fort William to Inverness, following the picturesque Great Glen, which cuts through the Scottish Highlands. Today, you’ll hike the opening stage. Starting from the accommodation, the hike takes you from Fort William and follows the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Built in the 19th century, the Caledonian Canal is a man-made waterway that links east to west Scotland. Your route continues onto the small highland settlement of Gairloch. Follow a country lane to the nearby Commando Memorial which has amazing views across the Ben Nevis mountain range, before finishing in Spean Bridge.

Day 5 Ben Nevis

Today marks the pinnacle of your Scottish walking adventure with the challenging ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (and in fact, the entire United Kingdom). The name Ben Nevis means 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in ancient Gaelic. This walk is considered a must do by hikers around the world. Starting at sea level, follow a rough trail to the summit at 1345 m. This is a challenging full day in the mountains, so you’ll need excellent physical preparation and determination to reach the summit. To assist on your ascent, the group will be accompanied by two seasoned guides who will provide expertise, support and motivation for a successful climb and descent. When you’ve accomplished this feat, a private transfer will take you back to the accommodation where you can unwind and relax with a sense of achievement.

Day 6 Cow Hill

After breakfast, head out for a final hike with great views across Ben Nevis and the surrounding area, a celebratory victory walk after conquering the mighty peak. Starting directly from your accommodation, hike into Glen Nevis and head uphill to reach the summit of Cow Hill. Your efforts are rewarded with fantastic views of Glen Nevis and the many peaks which surround it, as well as across Fort William to Loch Linnhe and beyond. It’s a memorable place to finish the trip and reflect on an amazing week of hiking in Scotland. A short steep descent completes the circuit and takes you back into Fort William by lunchtime, giving you time to catch a bus to Inverness, or a train south to Glasgow.