| Afternoon | SUGGEST Final packing pass — passports, ETA emails, chargers, adapters |
| ~4:30 pm | TRAVEL · Car / drop-off · 30 min → Home (Kent) → SEA Park or curbside drop at International Departures |
| 5:20 pm | HARD · ARRIVE EARLY Arrive SEA, TSA + boarding Allow 2.5 hr early for international |
| 7:50 pm | HARD · FLIGHT Alaska AS 100 SEA → LHR departs Confirm: UXCRQS · Mayumi/Troy/Ai together · Emi flies separate Delta DL5996 from JFK |
| Overnight | SUGGEST 9 hr 15 min flight — sleep mask + earplugs |
| 3:05 pm | HARD · FLIGHT AS 100 lands Heathrow Confirm terminal — typically T2 or T3 |
| ~4:30 pm | SUGGEST Jellycat World at Harrods, T5 Walk-in · Bartholomew Bear Junior Pilot exclusive · If AS 100 lands at T2/T3, take inter-terminal shuttle to T5 BEFORE exiting customs |
| ~5:30 pm | TRAVEL · Private transfer (Golden Tours, included) · 60 min · Booked → LHR → Meliá White House Driver meets at arrivals — add AS 100 flight info to Costco Travel |
| ~6:30 pm | HARD · HOTEL Check in: Meliá White House Albany St, Regent's Park, NW1 3UP · 4 nights · Confirmation 9106WSrzwc |
| ~7:30 pm | Light dinner near hotel before Emi pickup Marylebone High St or hotel restaurant — keep it easy |
| 8:00 pm | TRAVEL · Heathrow Express · 60-75 min → Meliá hotel → LHR T3 (Heathrow Express + 5 min walk) Allow 60-75 min door-to-door · Paddington → LHR via Heathrow Express ~15 min |
| 8:10 pm | HARD · EMI FLIGHT Emi's DL5996 lands LHR T3 (Virgin Atlantic, Delta-coded) JFK → LHR · Boeing 787-9 · 6h 55m · Economy Delight (S) · Confirmation GEVRGB · JFK Terminal 4 → LHR Terminal 3 |
| ~9:30 pm | SUGGEST Meet Emi at T3 arrivals after passport+EES queue First-time EES biometric scan likely adds 30-45 min to passport control · text Emi to grab water + walk slowly |
| 9:45 pm | TRAVEL · Heathrow Express · 60-75 min → LHR T3 → Meliá hotel Heathrow Express back to Paddington · all 4 together |
| ~11:00 pm | SUGGEST All four back at Meliá — quick Emi orientation Hotel key, breakfast time, Day 2 plan · then sleep |
| 9:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 9:45 am | TRAVEL · Tube Bakerloo Regent's Park → Piccadilly Circus, change Piccadilly line → Knightsbridge · 30 min · Contactless ~£2.80 → Meliá hotel → Harrods (Knightsbridge) Harrods opens 10am |
| 10:15 am | SUGGEST Harrods — full department store ~2.5 hrs · Egyptian Escalator, Toy Kingdom, the fashion floors, the iconic Food Halls · free to enter · doors 10am Mon-Sat |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch in the Harrods Food Halls Roastery & Bake Hall, the seafood/charcuterie counters, or a sit-down (Ladurée / Dior café) — graze or proper meal |
| 1:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk up Brompton Road · 12 min · free → Harrods → V&A South Kensington Be at the V&A by ~1:50pm for the 2pm entry |
| 2:00 pm | HARD · TIMED ENTRY V&A Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art Sainsbury Gallery · timed entry · ✅ booked Order #3737779 · budget 90 min |
| 3:45 pm | TRAVEL · Tube Piccadilly → Green Park → Jubilee to Baker St · 30 min · Contactless → V&A → Baker St |
| 4:30 pm | HARD · BUS Board Golden Tours hop-on-hop-off bus Baker St near Madame Tussauds · exchange Costco voucher (TVYKTT2Q) with driver on board · 24-hr ticket · free river cruise included |
| 4:30-6:30 pm | SUGGEST 2 hr loop or hop off at favorite stops Westminster · St Paul's · Tower Bridge — pick what calls |
| 6:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk from Baker St stop · 10 min → Bus drop → Meliá hotel |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast at hotel Early start to beat the Abbey Road crowds |
| 8:45 am | TRAVEL · Tube Jubilee Baker St → St John's Wood + 5 min walk (or 20 min walk) · 20 min · Contactless ~£2.80 → Meliá hotel → Abbey Road Crossing |
| 9:15 am | SUGGEST Abbey Road Crossing — Beatles photo Allow 20-30 min · early = far fewer people in the shot · live crossing webcam at abbeyroad.com to time it |
| 9:50 am | TRAVEL · Uber/black cab ~15 min (~£14) easiest for the family · or bus 139 + Central line · 20-25 min → Abbey Road → Notting Hill (Portobello Rd) |
| 10:15 am | SUGGEST The Blue Door + Portobello Road browse 131 Portobello Rd, W11 2DY · original quilted-jacket shop, open daily 10-6 (Sun 10-5) · then wander Portobello's shops/stalls · grab a quick bite · ~1.5 hr · weekday = calmer than the Sat antiques crush |
| 11:45 am | TRAVEL · Central line Notting Hill Gate → Bond St ~10 min + 5 min walk · or Uber ~15 min · Contactless ~£2.80 → Notting Hill → Selfridges / Oxford St |
| 12:15 pm | Lunch + browse Selfridges / Oxford St Time to spare before the 2pm Jellycat slot — Selfridges Food Hall or an Oxford St cafe; pop into M&S for Percy Pigs |
| 2:00 pm | HARD · JELLYCAT Jellycat Fish & Chips at Selfridges — Emi 2:00, Ai 2:10 (CONFIRMED) Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford St · free 10-min in-person experience · Emi 2:00-2:10pm (Host 1, ref 1656428) · Ai 2:10-2:20pm (Host 2, ref 1656430) · arrive ~15 min early |
| 2:30 pm | TRAVEL · Tube Central, Bond St → Holborn + walk OR direct Tube Central to Covent Garden · 20 min · Contactless ~£2.80 → Selfridges/Oxford St → Glossier Covent Garden |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST Glossier London 43 King St — pink interior, customizable kits |
| 3:30-5:30 pm | Free time Covent Garden / Seven Dials |
| 6:00 pm | TRAVEL · Walk or short Tube — depends on which show · 15 min → Covent Garden → West End theatre Hamilton at Victoria Palace, DWP at Dominion, etc. |
| 6:30 pm | Quick pre-theatre dinner near venue |
| 7:30 pm | HARD · SHOW West End show — Emi's pick (TBD) |
| 10:30 pm | TRAVEL · Tube + 5 min walk · last Tubes ~midnight (Fri/Sat overnight) · 30 min · Contactless → Theatre → Meliá hotel |
| 8:30 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 10:00 am | TRAVEL · Tube Bakerloo → Bank → DLR Tower Gateway OR direct Tube to Tower Hill · 30 min · Contactless ~£3.20 → Meliá hotel → Tower Bridge area |
| 10:30 am-12:00 pm | SUGGEST Tower Bridge area walk |
| 12:00 pm | TRAVEL · Tube District/Circle Tower Hill → Westminster · 15 min · Contactless → Tower Bridge → Westminster / Big Ben |
| 12:15 pm | SUGGEST Big Ben exterior + Houses of Parliament view from bridge Walk Westminster Bridge for the iconic shot |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST London Eye / South Bank wander |
| 4:30 pm | TRAVEL · Tube Waterloo → Embankment → Bakerloo to Regent's Park · 30 min · Contactless → South Bank → Meliá hotel |
| 5:00-7:00 pm | Back-up West End show slot OR rest |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner near hotel Marylebone area — easy night |
| 9:00 pm | SUGGEST PACK for Eurostar — 6 am wake tomorrow Lay out passport + Eurostar tickets (K734550263/PNR-4WCFPD) + breakfast snacks |
| 6:00 am | SUGGEST Wake, hotel checkout Breakfast to-go from hotel |
| 7:00 am | TRAVEL · Taxi (4 bags) ~25 min, OR Tube Bakerloo+Victoria via Oxford Circus ~35 min w/ luggage · 25 min · Taxi £30 / Tube £14 (4 ppl contactless) → Meliá hotel → St Pancras International Taxi is the call with luggage and a hard departure |
| 7:15 am | HARD · CHECK IN Arrive St Pancras — Eurostar check-in opens 75 min before Allow 75 min for UK exit + French entry + EES biometric (NEW) |
| 8:01 am | HARD · TRAIN Eurostar 9008 London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord Booked: K734550263/PNR-4WCFPD · 4 travelers · QR codes printed |
| 11:19 am | HARD · ARRIVE Arrive Paris Gare du Nord (local CET time) Disembark, follow exit signs |
| 11:35 am | TRAVEL · RER B → Châtelet-Les Halles → Métro L4 to Montparnasse-Bienvenüe ~30 min, OR Uber XL with luggage ~25 min · 30 min · RER+Métro €1.90/person · Uber XL ~€30 → Gare du Nord → Pullman Paris Montparnasse Uber is the call — 4 ppl with rolling bags |
| 12:15 pm | SUGGEST Drop bags at Pullman (check-in formal 3 pm) Concierge will hold bags until 3 pm room ready · address: 19 Rue du Commandant Mouchotte |
| 2:00-6:00 pm | Open afternoon — Montparnasse exploration Suggestions: Jardin du Luxembourg (15 min walk), Catacombs (5 min walk, book ahead if Ai wants in), Le Bon Marché (10 min walk) |
| 9:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 10:30 am | TRAVEL · Métro L4 Montparnasse-Bienvenüe → Cité (direct, 15 min) · 25 min · €2.10/person → Pullman → Notre Dame de Paris Cité is the island stop · 3 min walk to cathedral |
| 11:00 am | SUGGEST Notre Dame — exterior only Free · admire from Parvis + Petit Pont · per Troy: no reservation, exterior only · ~30-45 min |
| 11:45 am | TRAVEL · Walk across the Petit Pont into the Latin Quarter · 5 min · free → Notre Dame → Rue Dante |
| 11:50 am | SUGGEST Rue Dante — comic & BD shop cluster Album Comics, Pulp's Comics, Aaapoum Bapoum, Hayaku Shop Mangas — one short street of French bandes dessinées, manga & US comics · most open ~11am-7pm · ~45-60 min |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch in the Latin Quarter Cafés around Place Saint-Michel / Rue Saint-Séverin, or grab something near Shakespeare & Co · keep it light before Dior |
| 3:00 pm | TRAVEL · Métro L1 Saint-Paul or Hôtel de Ville → Franklin D. Roosevelt (~25 min, 1 change) · 30 min · €2.10/person → Notre Dame / Île de la Cité → La Galerie Dior Be at Dior by 3:50 pm — security check first |
| 4:00 pm | HARD · TIMED ENTRY La Galerie Dior — timed entry 11 rue François 1er, Paris 8e · ✅ BOOKED 4 tickets · Ticket 95954777, File 1131325 · €16/adult · admission extends 30 min after slot · last admission 5:30 pm · no large luggage |
| 7:00 pm | TRAVEL · Walk along Avenue du Président Wilson 20 min OR Métro L9 Alma-Marceau → Trocadéro + walk · 20 min · Walk free → Av Montaigne → Champ de Mars / Eiffel Tower Walk is the pretty option — Eiffel grows as you approach |
| 8:30 pm | HARD · ARRIVE EARLY Be at Eiffel Tower security 30 min early Entrance gardens · marked 'Visitors with tickets' · NO large luggage · 15-20 min security queue |
| 9:00 pm | HARD · TIMED ENTRY Eiffel Tower — 2nd Floor Lift ✅ BOOKED 4 tickets · Order 262010270180 · ascenseur 2ème étage · sunset around 10pm in July · ~70 min on tower |
| 10:00 pm | SUGGEST Sparkle show on Champ de Mars 5 min twinkling light show — best viewed from the lawn |
| 10:30 pm | TRAVEL · Métro L6 Bir-Hakeim → Montparnasse-Bienvenüe (direct, 20 min) OR Uber ~€20 · 25 min · Métro €2.10/person · Uber €20 → Eiffel Tower → Pullman |
| 11:00 pm | SUGGEST Back at Pullman |
| 9:15 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 10:15 am | TRAVEL · Métro L4 → Châtelet, switch L7 → Opéra + 3 min walk (~30 min, 1 change) · arrive ~10:45, before the 11am Sun opening · 30 min · €2.10/person → Pullman → Galeries Lafayette Haussmann |
| 10:45 am | HARD · JELLYCAT Be at GL doors for the 11am Sunday opening — Jellycat Pâtisserie FIRST Sundays open 11am (NOT 10am). Go straight up to the 5th floor (FAO Schwarz / Coupole store) to the Jellycat Pâtisserie — walk-in, no booking, but the queue can top 2 hrs by midday, so being first in the door matters. Exclusive Paris Amuseables + GL-only badges/stickers. |
| ~11:45 am | SUGGEST Coupole rooftop view (free) + FAO Schwarz / 5th floor browse Rooftop terrace free, west-facing Eiffel view · glass dome above the atrium · Opéra Garnier across the street |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch at GL gourmet food hall OR nearby brasserie GL Le Gourmet is in adjoining building · or Café de la Paix at Opéra |
| 1:00 pm | TRAVEL · Métro L7 Opéra → Place Monge + 5 min walk (~25 min) · 25 min · €2.10/person → Galeries Lafayette → Place de l'Estrapade (Emily in Paris locations) |
| 1:30 pm | SUGGEST Emily in Paris locations cluster Place de l'Estrapade (Gabriel's restaurant) · Boulangerie Moderne (16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques) · Café de Flore in St-Germain (~15 min walk) |
| 2:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk through Luxembourg Garden + Métro L4 Vavin OR Uber · 30 min · Métro €2.10 · Uber ~€15 → Latin Quarter → Pullman |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST Emi + Ai prep for Bad Bunny — change, eat early Concert venue La Défense Arena · doors typically 6:30 pm |
| 6:00 pm | TRAVEL · Métro L4 → Châtelet → RER A → La Défense + 10 min walk · ~50 min OR Uber 30 min · 50 min · RER €5/person · Uber XL €40 → Pullman → Paris La Défense Arena (Bad Bunny) ALL FOUR ride out together — drop Emi + Ai at the arena, parents to dinner nearby · check concert start time on tickets |
| ~7:15 pm | Dinner near the arena — Troy + Mayumi RECOMMENDED: Muses (Hilton Paris La Défense) — glam 1960s-Paris room, full dinner service, ~10-12 min walk to the arena · book ~2 wks out via TheFork. Alts: Yaya (lively modern-Greek mezze by the Grande Arche) · Quinte & Sens at Pullman La Défense (quieter / upscale). All open late · NO cruise. |
| ~8:00 pm | HARD · CONCERT Bad Bunny — Paris La Défense Arena (Emi + Ai) Show typically 2.5-3 hours · ends ~11pm |
| 11:00 pm | TRAVEL · Uber XL recommended (post-concert RER chaos) ~35 min · 35 min · Uber XL €40-60 surge → La Défense Arena → Pullman All four reunite · MEET POINT: agree it via WhatsApp before the show ends — pickup spots get rerouted after big shows |
| ~11:30 pm | SUGGEST All four back at Pullman |
| 9:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 10:00 am | TRAVEL · Métro L6 Edgar Quinet → Châtelet → L8 to Filles du Calvaire (~30 min, 1 change) · 30 min · €2.10/person → Pullman → Marais (Filles du Calvaire stop) |
| 10:40 am | SUGGEST Queue at Officine Universelle Buly 45 rue de Saintonge · opens 11am · custom-engraved lip balm · line up early |
| 11:00 am | HARD · WALK-IN Buly opens — engraving lip balm Engraving takes 15-30 min · plan to circle back later if backlog · phone ahead: +33 1 57 95 03 17 |
| 11:45 am | TRAVEL · Walk 5 min · same block essentially · 5 min → Buly → Sabre Paris (39 rue de Poitou) Per Troy: 39 rue de Poitou is the correct address (not Bretagne) |
| 11:50 am | SUGGEST Sabre Paris — hand-painted French cutlery 39 rue de Poitou · open daily 11am-7pm · customizable colors + finishes · same-day for small orders |
| 12:45 pm | Lunch in Marais Local cafés — Marché des Enfants Rouges (5 min walk) is a great food hall · NOT falafel per Troy |
| 2:00-5:00 pm | SUGGEST Marais thrift cluster + local shopping |
| 5:30 pm | TRAVEL · Métro L8 → L6 (~30 min) · 30 min · €2.10/person → Marais → Pullman |
| 7:00 pm | Early dinner near hotel Light + early — Disney tomorrow with 6:30 am wake |
| 9:00 pm | SUGGEST PACK for Disneyland Layered clothing, comfortable shoes, hats, phone power banks, MagicBands · drop main luggage at Pullman bell desk for return Jul 8 |
| 10:00 pm | SUGGEST Bed — early wake tomorrow |
| 6:30 am | SUGGEST Wake — main luggage stays at Pullman bell desk Disney Express bag drop is included · bring overnight only |
| 7:00 am | Quick breakfast at hotel |
| 8:00 am | TRAVEL · Métro L4 Edgar Quinet → Châtelet (~12 min) · 12 min · €2.10/person → Pullman → Châtelet–Les Halles Quicker than expected — walk to Edgar Quinet |
| 8:20 am | TRAVEL · RER A — direct, ~40 min · 40 min · €8-10/person each way → Châtelet → Marne-la-Vallée Chessy (DLP) Take A toward Marne-la-Vallée (NOT Boissy-Saint-Léger) · check display board |
| 9:15 am | HARD · BAG DROP Arrive Marne-la-Vallée Chessy — Disney Express bag drop Drop overnight bags at Disney Express counter (Costco-included service) · 2 min walk to park entrance |
| 9:30 am | HARD · PARK OPEN Disneyland Park opens — be at gate Just after opening · use mobile tickets + linked passes |
| All day | SUGGEST Disneyland Park — anchor rides early Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor, It's a Small World, Pirates · Genie+ if budget allows |
| 10:00 pm | TRAVEL · Walk + Disney shuttle ~15 min from park gate · 15 min → Park → Disney Hotel New York – Art of Marvel Late check-in OK |
| ~10:30 pm | HARD · HOTEL Check in: Disney Hotel New York – Art of Marvel Booking #33482576 · 1 night · Marvel-themed property |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast at Hotel New York |
| 9:00 am-4:00 pm | SUGGEST Walt Disney Studios Park morning Tower of Terror · Avengers Campus (NEW · Spider-Man, Iron Man) · Ratatouille |
| 4:00 pm | TRAVEL · RER A Marne-la-Vallée → Châtelet + Métro L4 → Edgar Quinet · ~75 min · 75 min · RER A + Métro ~€10/person → DLP → Pullman Paris Montparnasse (bag pickup) Pick up luggage from Pullman bell desk |
| 6:00 pm | TRAVEL · Two options: (a) Uber XL with luggage ~75 min ~€90 or (b) Métro+RER+CDGVAL ~90 min ~€12/ppl · Recommend Uber for luggage · 75 min · Uber XL €90 / public €48 total → Pullman Montparnasse → Jangle Hotel Paris CDG CDG is far from Montparnasse — bag-heavy after 2-day Disney trip |
| ~7:30 pm | HARD · HOTEL Check in: Jangle Hotel Paris CDG Free shuttle to/from CDG · pools/waterpark |
| 8:00 pm | Dinner at hotel restaurant or local Easy night before Milan flight |
| 9:00 pm | SUGGEST Pool / waterpark for kids · pack for AF 1012 tomorrow Hotel has indoor pool — short evening swim is a nice reset |
| 7:30 am | Breakfast at Jangle Hotel |
| 9:00 am | TRAVEL · Free Jangle shuttle to CDG ~15 min + walk to T2F gate · 30 min · Shuttle free → Jangle Hotel → CDG Terminal 2F Shuttle runs every 20-30 min · check schedule at front desk |
| 12:20 pm | HARD · FLIGHT AF 1012 CDG → Milan Linate Air France · Airbus A320 · Seats 10A/B/C/D · 1h 35m · Conf A5DV2G · non-refundable |
| 1:55 pm | HARD · ARRIVE Land Milan Linate (LIN) Smaller airport — quick exit |
| 2:30 pm | HARD · TRANSFER Costco private transfer LIN → NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova Driver holds 'Costco Travel' sign · 30 min · 6 bag allowance · transfers@yourprivateitaly.com / +39 089 935 5288 |
| 3:00 pm | HARD · HOTEL Check in: NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova 6 Via Melchiorre Gioia · 4 nights · 2 rooms (168394211, 168394212) · upgraded to Superior XL · welcome drinks · breakfast included |
| 5:00 pm | TRAVEL · Métro M3 Repubblica → Duomo (~15 min, direct) · 15 min · €2.20/person → NH Porta Nuova → Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II World's oldest active shopping mall · DWP2 filming location · Spin on the bull's testicles tradition |
| 5:30 pm | SUGGEST Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II World's oldest active shopping mall · DWP2 filming location · Prada flagship · Mosaic floors · Spin on the bull's testicles tradition |
| 6:30 pm | SUGGEST Piazza della Scala + Teatro alla Scala exterior Statue of Da Vinci · DWP2 location · 5 min walk from Galleria |
| 7:30 pm | SUGGEST Duomo di Milano (exterior) |
| 8:30 pm | Dinner in Centro Trattoria Milanese · Trippa · Ratanà · countless options |
| 10:30 pm | TRAVEL · Métro M3 Duomo → Repubblica (~15 min) · 15 min · €2.20/person → Centre → NH Porta Nuova |
| 7:30 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 8:30 am | TRAVEL · Taxi or Métro M3 Repubblica → Centrale (~10 min) · 10 min · Taxi €12 / Métro €2.20/person → NH Porta Nuova → Milano Centrale Taxi recommended — easier with day bag |
| 9:10 am | HARD · TRAIN Trenord Milano Centrale → Como S. Giovanni ~40 min · book day-of at machine OR Trenitalia app · ~€5/person second class · regional, no reservation needed |
| 9:50 am | TRAVEL · Walk through Como historic centre (~10-12 min) · 12 min → Como S. Giovanni → Piazza Cavour pier |
| 10:30 am | HARD · BOAT TOUR Private boat tour from Como pier — 2-3 hour Venetian Limousine speedboat ✨ BOOK ~30 days ahead · Il Medeghino (lakecomoboattour.it) OR Lake Como Travel (lakecomotravel.com) · ~€500-700/family for 2-3 hr · sees villas from water · avoids Bellagio crowds + ferry chaos entirely · optional swim stop |
| 1:30 pm | Lunch back in Como town Lakeside trattorias · Locanda dell'Isola is a treat if you boat to it · or stay in Como town |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST Como historic centre wander Duomo di Como (12th c., free) · Piazza del Duomo · funicular up to Brunate for a 7-min ride + lake view (optional ~€6/person) |
| 5:30 pm | Gelato + aperitivo on the lakefront Cool down before heading back |
| 6:30 pm | TRAVEL · Trenord regional ~40 min · 40 min · ~€5/person → Como S. Giovanni → Milano Centrale |
| 7:30 pm | TRAVEL · Taxi or Métro M3 (~10 min) · 10 min · Taxi €12 → Centrale → NH Porta Nuova |
| 8:30 pm | Easy dinner near hotel Brera district 10 min away · or stay in Porta Nuova |
| 9:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 10:00 am | TRAVEL · Métro M3 Repubblica → Montenapoleone (~10 min, direct) · 10 min · €2.20/person → NH Porta Nuova → Via Monte Napoleone (Quadrilatero) |
| 10:30 am | SUGGEST Via Monte Napoleone storefronts — Tiffany + Gucci windows Per Troy: focus on storefronts not necessarily purchases · DWP2 location (Tiffany & Co. storefront) |
| 12:30 pm | HARD · SHOPPING Nomination boutique — Italian charm bracelet Corso Venezia 6 · 5 min east of Via Monte Napoleone · Italian composable charms · Milan Duomo charm = iconic souvenir · Pre-design at nomination.com/configurator and walk in with screenshot · base bracelet €40-60, charms €15-40 each |
| 2:00 pm | TRAVEL · Walk south through Brera + Centro (~15 min) · 15 min → Quadrilatero → Starbucks Reserve Roastery |
| 2:15 pm | Starbucks Reserve Roastery — coffee + light bite Massive flagship in Palazzo delle Poste · Affogato bar · whisky-barrel-aged espresso · Princi bakery inside |
| 3:30 pm | SUGGEST Gelato + coffee avocado at a Milan gelateria Try: Cioccolatitaliani (Via San Raffaele 6) for affogato + avocado-cocoa flavor · OR Gelateria Marghera (Via Marghera 33) · OR Ciacco (Via Spadari 13) for unusual flavors |
| 4:30 pm | TRAVEL · Tram 1 or 10 min walk through Brera/Parco Sempione (~15 min) · 15 min · Tram €2.20/person → Centro → Arco della Pace |
| 5:00 pm | SUGGEST Arco della Pace + Parco Sempione Triumphal arch · Castello Sforzesco at the other end of the park (~10 min walk through Sempione) |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner in Brera or Porta Nuova Trattoria Madonnina (Brera classic) · or near hotel |
| 10:00 pm | TRAVEL · Métro M3 OR walk (~25 min) · 25 min · €2.20/person → Centro → NH Porta Nuova |
| 6:30 am | SUGGEST Wake early — long day trip |
| 7:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 7:30 am | TRAVEL · Taxi (~10 min) — book Uber/taxi ahead · 10 min · Taxi €12 → NH Porta Nuova → Milano Centrale |
| 8:00 am | HARD · TRAIN Frecciarossa or Italo Milano Centrale → Firenze SMN ✨ BOOK 30+ days ahead at trenitalia.com or italotreno.com · ~1h 50min · €40-80/person depending on class · 4 seats together |
| ~10:00 am | HARD · ARRIVE Arrive Firenze SMN Right in town — 10 min walk to most things |
| 10:15 am | TRAVEL · Walk 10 min through centro · 10 min → Firenze SMN → Mercato San Lorenzo (leather) |
| 10:30 am | SUGGEST San Lorenzo leather market Hundreds of stalls · jackets, bags, wallets, belts · open 9am-7pm Tue-Sun · NEGOTIATE (start at 50-60% of asking) · check stitching + leather smell · Mercato Centrale food hall is right here for snacks |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch at Mercato Centrale upstairs Food hall · pasta stations, panini al lampredotto, pizza · great variety |
| 1:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk 15 min east through centro · 15 min → San Lorenzo → Scuola del Cuoio (Santa Croce) |
| 1:45 pm | SUGGEST Scuola del Cuoio (Leather School) Inside Santa Croce monastery · €4 entry · watch artisans hand-stitch + gild · made-to-order bags · per Troy: this is the real artisan experience |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST Santa Croce neighborhood leather workshops Independent leather workshops dotted around · Beltrami, Madova (gloves) |
| 4:00 pm | TRAVEL · Walk through centro (~15 min) · 15 min → Santa Croce → Duomo + Ponte Vecchio |
| 4:15 pm | SUGGEST Duomo + Ponte Vecchio quick walk-by Don't queue for inside · admire Brunelleschi's dome from outside · Ponte Vecchio for the gold/jewelry shops along the bridge |
| 5:30 pm | Gelato (Gelateria della Passera or Vivoli) + aperitivo on Piazza della Signoria Pause before train back |
| 6:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk 10-15 min · 15 min → Firenze (centro) → Firenze SMN |
| 7:30 pm | HARD · TRAIN Frecciarossa/Italo SMN → Milano Centrale ✨ BOOK return at same time as outbound · ~1h 50min |
| ~9:30 pm | TRAVEL · Taxi (~10 min) · 10 min · Taxi €12 → Milano Centrale → NH Porta Nuova |
| ~10:00 pm | SUGGEST Back at hotel — long day, sleep well |
| 7:00 am | SUGGEST Wake, pack, hotel checkout |
| 8:15 am | TRAVEL · Taxi w/ luggage (~10 min) · 10 min · Taxi €15 w/ bags → NH Porta Nuova → Milano Centrale |
| 8:45 am | HARD · TRAIN Train 9710 Milano Centrale → Venezia Santa Lucia ✅ BOOKED Premium Class · Conf K734550263/PNR-NR7R6N · 4 travelers · 2 large bags + 2 carry-on per person |
| 11:12 am | HARD · ARRIVE Arrive Venezia Santa Lucia Step out of station → Grand Canal is right there |
| 11:30 am | TRAVEL · Walk ~20 min over Ponte degli Scalzi + 3-4 smaller bridges, OR Vaporetto Line 5.2 to S. Basilio + 5 min walk (~25 min total) · 20 min · Walk free / Vaporetto €9.50/person → Venezia Santa Lucia → Avani Rio Novo (Dorsoduro) With 4 bags, walking is simpler if everyone can lift their own bag |
| 12:00 pm | HARD · HOTEL Check in: Avani Rio Novo Calle Larga Ragusei 3489, Dorsoduro · 2 rooms (168387581, 168387582) · 4 nights · Welcome drink + Chef's amenity included |
| 2:30-6:00 pm | Easy Dorsoduro wander — get oriented Zattere waterfront walk · Punta della Dogana (modern art) · Peggy Guggenheim Collection if Mayumi wants in |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner near hotel Anice Stellato (Cannaregio · 15 min walk) · Osteria alla Bifora · La Bitta |
| 8:30 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 9:30 am | TRAVEL · Walk ~5 min · 5 min → Avani Rio Novo → Vaporetto stop S. Basilio |
| 9:40 am | TRAVEL · Vaporetto Line 1 (~20 min) — slow scenic Grand Canal · 20 min · €9.50/person each way · ~3 stops → S. Basilio → San Marco-Vallaresso |
| 10:00 am | HARD · TIMED ENTRY St Mark's Basilica — timed entry ✨ BOOK €3 reservation fee at venetoinside.com · or saintmarksbasilica.com · adds Pala d'Oro €5, Loggia €7, Bell Tower €10 · entry is free, the fee is just to skip line |
| 11:30 am | SUGGEST Doge's Palace ✨ BOOK at palazzoducale.visitmuve.it · €30/adult · summer Fri/Sat open until 23:00 · Bridge of Sighs included · per Troy: can also do exterior only |
| 1:30 pm | Lunch off Piazza San Marco (avoid the tourist traps on the square) Caffè Florian for the experience (pricey!) · or duck into San Marco backstreets |
| 3:00 pm | SUGGEST Hotel Danieli exterior — Casino Royale (2006) 5 min walk along Riva degli Schiavoni · Bond's hotel · stunning Gothic palazzo · pop into lobby for a peek |
| 3:30 pm | SUGGEST Spider-Man Far From Home spots Piazza San Marco (Hydro-Man bridge battle) · Campanile bell tower view · Rialto Bridge (multiple shots) · take re-enactment photos! |
| 6:00 pm | Aperitivo at a Rialto bacaro All'Arco · Cantina Do Mori · Cantina Do Spade — cicchetti + wine at the bar |
| 8:00 pm | Dinner in San Polo Osteria alle Testiere (book ahead — tiny) · Antiche Carampane · Riva Lounge for canal view |
| 10:00 pm | TRAVEL · Vaporetto Line 1 to S. Basilio + walk OR walk through Dorsoduro ~25 min · 25 min · Vaporetto €9.50 or walk free → Rialto → Avani Rio Novo |
| 8:30 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 9:30 am | TRAVEL · Walk through Dorsoduro and Cannaregio ~25 min · OR Vaporetto Line 5.1 around (~30 min) · 25 min · Walk free → Avani Rio Novo → Fondamente Nove vaporetto stop Fondamente Nove is the launch point for islands |
| 10:00 am | HARD · VAPORETTO Vaporetto Line 12 → Murano (Colonna stop) ~10 min · €9.50/person OR use day pass €25/person if doing multiple islands (recommended today!) |
| 10:15 am | SUGGEST Murano Glass Museum €10/person · trace 1000+ years of glassmaking · housed in Palazzo Giustinian |
| 11:30 am | SUGGEST Wave Murano Glass — live demo €29/person · 30-min glass blowing demo + tour · book at wavemurano.com · authentic working studio (not the tourist trap factories) |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch on Murano Osteria al Duomo or Trattoria Busa alla Torre |
| 1:45 pm | TRAVEL · Vaporetto Line 12 ~35 min · 35 min · Included in day pass → Murano Faro → Burano |
| 2:30-4:30 pm | SUGGEST Burano colorful houses + lace shopping Most photogenic island · Casa Bepi (rainbow house) · Museo del Merletto (lace, €5) · panettoni-style buranello cookies from Carmelina Palmisano |
| 4:30 pm | Late afternoon snack on Burano Riva Rosa or Trattoria al Gatto Nero (Anthony Bourdain favorite) |
| 5:30 pm | TRAVEL · Vaporetto Line 12 ~45 min · sunset on the lagoon · 45 min · Included in day pass → Burano → Fondamente Nove |
| 6:30 pm | TRAVEL · Walk back ~25 min through Cannaregio (lit up nicely) · 25 min → Fondamente Nove → Avani Rio Novo |
| 8:00 pm | Dinner near hotel Or pop into San Polo for one of Day 16's options |
| 9:30 am | Late breakfast — sleep in |
| 10:30 am | SUGGEST Loose wander Dorsoduro / Santa Croce No agenda · alleys, bridges, bookshops · Libreria Acqua Alta is a classic stop |
| 12:30 pm | Long lunch Pick a spot you've been wanting to try · spend an hour |
| 2:00 pm | SUGGEST Rialto Market (open mornings only — actually swap this earlier if morning) Fish + produce market · great photos · most stalls done by noon so plan accordingly |
| 3:30 pm | HARD · GONDOLA Gondola ride — book at a station 30 min standard route €90/gondola (up to 6 ppl) · 50 min €110 · ~6pm and after costs €110 base · pick a quieter side canal route, not Grand Canal · negotiate gently · ONE gondola fits all 4 of you |
| 5:00 pm | SUGGEST Final Murano glass storefront shopping Several glass shops in Dorsoduro / San Marco · last chance to ship items home |
| 6:00 pm | SUGGEST Final lap — Salute / Punta della Dogana for sunset Sunset views over the Bacino · 10 min walk from hotel |
| 8:00 pm | Last Venice dinner — splurge night Riviera (Zattere · canal view) · Osteria alle Testiere · Antiche Carampane |
| 10:30 pm | SUGGEST PACK — early flight tomorrow Set out passports + boarding passes + Costco transfer info · 8:35am pickup |
| 6:30 am | SUGGEST Wake, final pack, breakfast |
| 7:00 am | Breakfast at hotel |
| 8:35 am | HARD · TRANSFER Costco private transfer pickup at Avani lobby 3 hours before 11:35am flight · escort from hotel · 6 bag allowance · transfers@yourprivateitaly.com · DO NOT MISS — 100% no-show fee |
| 8:35 am | TRAVEL · Private transfer · ~30-40 min by van + water taxi connection (Venice has no road bridges) · 40 min · Booked → Avani Rio Novo → Venice Marco Polo VCE Transfer typically: van to Piazzale Roma → water taxi to VCE OR direct water taxi |
| 9:30 am | HARD · CHECK IN Arrive VCE — family checks in for Condor DE 4236 International check-in opens 3 hr before · 4 travelers but Mayumi/Troy/Ai on Condor, Emi on Delta |
| 11:35 am | HARD · FLIGHT (family) Condor DE 4236 VCE → Frankfurt Mayumi · Troy · Ai · Confirmation OGYVZA · followed by DE 2032 FRA → SEA |
| 1:20 pm | HARD · FLIGHT (Emi) Delta DL0289 VCE → JFK EMI · Boeing 767-400 · 9h 38m · arrives JFK 4:58pm Eastern · Main Classic (T) class · Conf TBD (Emi has it) |