Winter Olympics '26 in Milan and Carnival in Venice!

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TRIP DATES	AVAILABILITY	SPOTS LEFT
February 17, 2026 - February 26, 2026	Available	10 Available

Wow, this is going to be an amazing trip suggested by one of our members! We’ll start our adventure in Milan and Cortina, Italy to witness the spectacular Winter Olympics. We’ll then take the train from Milan to Venice by train for Carnival (their version of Mardi Gras). Venice is one of the three best places on earth to witness this holiday, along with Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Get ready to knock two events off your bucket list.

All TravelAvidly trips are fully guided with a trip leader with you from arrival to departure, and private guides in each city.

Overview

Itinerary

What's Included

Map

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

Flight Info

Reviews

Photo Gallery

Overview

First up, Milan for the 2026 Olympics!

The Winter Olympics officially runs from February 6 to 22, 2026 taking place in Milan and Cortina, Italy. We’ll spend 5 days here. The exact itinerary will depend on the availability of and the group’s preferences for specific Olympic events. In addition to the Olympics we’ll spend time exploring Milan, viewing the Michaelangelo’s Last Supper, touring the Duomo Cathedral, enjoying special events, and sampling Italian wine and cuisine. Luckily we’ll be attending during the last days of the Olympics so we’ll be able to see many of the final heats as well as closing ceremonies.

NOTE: This trip does not include tickets to any Olympic events. Once the trip registrants are established – and no later than February 28 – we’ll discuss which events are important for each of us. Some tickets will be by lottery, but most will be available at that point. We’ll gather by Zoom for next steps on ticket sales.

Attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will be an unforgettable experience for several reasons:

•We’ll witness elite athletes from around the world competing at the highest level in thrilling winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and figure skating.

•Milan is Italy’s fashion and cultural capital, and offers a mix of historical landmarks like the Duomo di Milano. We’ll shop at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, explore world-class art at museums, and savor Italian cuisine.

•Italy is synonymous with food and wine. Between events, we’ll savor authentic Italian dishes like risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, and artisanal gelato.

•We’ll explore Milan’s vibrant nightlife, local wine bars, and trattorias.

•The Olympic spirit is infectious, uniting people from all over the world. The opening and closing ceremonies are particularly memorable, showcasing Italian culture and global unity.

•We’ll be part of the Olympics as they return to Italy for the first time since the 2006 Winter Games in Turin.

Next stop on this amazing trip is Carnival (Mardi Gras) in Venice!

NOTE: The itinerary for the 2026 Carnival has not been posted, but to give you an idea what to expect, here is the 2025 list of events. We’ll of course post the 2026 program of events as soon as it’s published.

https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/carnival-venice-italy-programme.html

Attending Carnival in Venice is a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience that will immerse us in a world of art, history, and tradition. Venice’s Carnival dates back to the 11th century and reached its peak during the 18th century. By attending, we’re participating in a tradition steeped in history. The festival is famous for its beautifully crafted masks, each with its own meaning and connection to Venetian history. Venice will be crowded with residents and visitors wear elaborate 18th-century-style costumes, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. We’ll be attending the grand masquerade ball, the Ballo del Doge, known for its opulence and theatrical performances.

Every corner of Venice comes alive with colors, music, and art. The sight of masked revelers walking through historic piazzas is unforgettable. We’ll enjoy baroque concerts, street theater, and opera performances, all set in Venice’s enchanting atmosphere. Some highlights:

•St. Mark’s Square: The heart of Carnival activities, it hosts parades, contests for the best masks, and live performances.

•The Canals: Gondola rides during Carnival are especially enchanting, with costumed gondoliers and festive decor along the waterways.

•Art: Venice is a city that breathes art

•Historic Ties: The festival celebrates Venice’s golden age, reflecting its importance as a hub of culture and trade.

Attending Carnival in Venice is more than a festival. It’s an immersion into a fantastical world where history, art, and celebration blend seamlessly. It’s a bucket-list event that captures the essence of Venice’s magic.

Highlights

Tour of Milan, including Last Supper and the Duomo
Train from Milan to Venice
Tour of Venice, including St Marks Square and the Doge's Palace

Day 01 - Feb 17 :

Depart

We take a later afternoon flight arriving in Milan the next morning!

Day 02 - Feb 18 :

Arrive in Milan

We’ll arrive in Milan late morning, and take a private transfer to our hotel, Just Hotel Milan. After settling in, the afternoon is yours to explore. We’ll meet at 6:30 for a welcome happy hour followed by dinner, where we start the process of making new friends!

Dinner

Day 03 - Feb 19 :

Milan Day 1

After breakfast we’ll meet in the lobby to begin our tour of historic Milan! Fedra, our guide, will show us all of the most important sites including:
– Piazza Gae aulenti
– Bosco Verticale
– The most famous concept store in the city
– S. Maria incoronata church
– Corso Garibaldi
– San Simpliciano and San Marco Church
– Brera Design district
– Pinacoteca art gallery
– Vittorio Emanuele gallery
– Duomo cathedral

We should arrive back at our hotel around 3 pm. The rest of the afternoon is free, and we’ll gather at 7 for a wine tasting and traditional Milanese dinner.

Breakfast

Day 04 - Feb 20 :

Milan Day 2

For those opting for the Lake Como day trip, we’ll leave the hotel by 8 AM, and should be back by 7. For those staying behind, enjoy the celebrations all around you!

We’ll enjoy dinner together in.

Breakfast

Day 05 - Feb 21 :

Milan Day 3

After breakfast, the morning is reserved for a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci’s incredible Last Supper, a fresco painted in the original dining hall of the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, an ancient Dominican Convent in the heart of Milan. Despite best efforts the fresco continues to deteriorate, so let’s see it before it’s gone.

The afternoon is yours to explore, participate in Olympic-related events, or shop in one of the more incredible malls on earth, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria is Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery and a major landmark of Milan. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the centre of town, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.

Breakfast

Day 06 - Feb 22 :

Milan Day 4

At 11 AM we’ll join our guide once more for a walking food tour. We’ll visit markets, sample street foods, and enjoy some of the more under-the-radar food experiences Milan has to offer. Food is included in this tour.

Today is the last day of the Olympics, Beginning in late afternoon and lasting into the evening we’ll attend the closing ceremonies in Milan’s massive arena.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 07 - Feb 23 :

Milan to Venice by Train

This morning we’ll check out of the hotel, and take a private shuttle to the train station for our 2 1/2 hour ride across Northern Tuscany. We should be arriving in Venice late morning and will take a private transfer to our hotel, Hotel Cavalletto, directly on the Venetian canal, and across the street and behind St. Marks Square.

Once we settle in, the afternoon is ours to explore. We’ll reconvene at 7 for our first Venetian seafood cafe meal.

Breakfast

Day 08 - Feb 24 :

Venice Day 2

Today we will explore Venice with our private guide, and soak up the ambience and history of this floating city. Our tour will be by boat and on foot and will include:

St. Marks Square, Basilica and museum
The Doge’s Palace
Rialto Bridge
Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal
Interior Canals
Winding streets, churches, bridges, and more

If we haven’t done so before via online, we’ll shop for our costumes and masks for tomorrows ball!!

In the late afternoon and early evening we’ll mingle with the throngs of costumed and masked Carnival revelers before enjoying a symphony concert by Mozart or similar, depending on schedule. After the concert we’ll head to dinner!

The exact itinerary in Venice will depend on the schedule of Carnival events when published. For reference here is the link to the 2025 Carnival events. We’ll update with the 2026 list of events when released.
https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/carnival-venice-italy-programme.html

Breakfast

Day 09 - Feb 25 :

Venice Day 3

After breakfast, the morning is yours to relax from the previous night’s revelries, go shopping, or enjoy the unique ambience of Carnival in Venice! In the afternoon we’ll pick up our costumes ordered on Venice Day 2 or before.

This evening some of us will attend the optional Galleon Carnival Party.

This is an optional event. More under Optional Excursions