This tour tells the complete story of Benito Mussolini and Italian Fascism from its violent beginnings to its ignominious end. Beginning in Rome, where ‘Il Duce’ held power for two tumultuous decades, we visit his private homes, his grandiose official residences and explore his home town, Predappio, including his birthplace and the family burial vault. During this tour we see all the significant sites of Fascism’s rise and fall – the Duce’s sumptuous office and private air-raid shelter; the Palace from where Mussolini spoke to adoring crowds; the regime’s modernist architecture in Rome’s EUR quarter; the mountaintop hotel from where Mussolini was rescued by crack German airborne troops; and the scenes of his final downfall and death among the gorgeous lakes of northern Italy and Milan. Fascism, despite the wartime suffering it brought to Italy, still has its adherents today, and this tour explores and explains both Mussolini the man and the dark creed he created.

Benito Mussolini invented Fascism in 1919 in the chaos that followed WW1. Soon after, he and his blackshirted followers marched on Rome (1922) and he was in power as Italy’s dictator, or ‘Duce’. At first, the regime was admired by many – including Churchill – for its achievements and dynamism. But, as Mussolini fell under Hitler’s sinister power, and his aggressive attempts to build a new Roman Empire floundered, he led the country to defeat and disaster in WW2 and his own life ended as violently as his career had begun.

Day 1 - Roman Holiday

Fly from London to Rome airport and transfer to our hotel or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Check in to our Rome hotel for two nights. Relax with a welcome drink and introductory talk from our expert historian, followed by dinner. (D).

Day 2 - Fascist City

Visit the Palazzo Venezia. This magnificent papal palace, now an art gallery, housed Mussolini 's offices. We visit his grandiose study, from whose balcony he made his speeches - including his declaration of war on Britain in 1940. It was also the scene of his overthrow by his own Fascist Grand Council in July 1943. We walk round the EUR quarter, a striking example of Fascism's architecture. After lunch, we visit the Villa Torlonia, the Rome home of the Mussolini family, touring the sumptuous house and grounds - including a private anti-air raid bunker. (B,D).

Day 3 - Mountain Rescue

We check out of our hotel and visit the Foro Italico sports stadium, with its Fascist mosaics and statuary, before visiting the Ardeantine caves, site of an SS massacre of hostages following a partisan attack in 1944. We climb high into the beautiful Apennine mountains to visit the Hotel Campo Imperatore where, in September 1943, Mussolini was freed in a daring airborne raid by German special forces after his overthrow. Overnight in a hotel in or around Dell'Aquila. (B,D).

Day 4 - Duce's Hometown

We drive north to Predappio, Mussolini's hometown and final resting place. After lunch we visit the vault where he and his family lie as well as the Casa Natale, Mussolini's birthplace. We then visit the Villa Carpena, a private museum which was Mussolini's family home. It is full of relics including the Duce’s bicycle, uniform, pistol and iron cradle - made by his blacksmith father. Check into hotel for one night. (B,D).

Day 5 - To The Lakes

We drive to Lake Garda to wonder at the extraordinary Vittoriale degli Italiani, the palatial home of the poet and prophet of Fascism, Gabriele D'Annunzio. A museum, mausoleum, theatre and more, it must be seen to be believed! Check in to a hotel on Lake Garda for two nights. (B,D).

Day 6 - Salo

We explore sites of the Salo Republic, the Nazi-controlled Fascist puppet state set up by Mussolini after his rescue in 1943. We tour Salo museum, documenting its history and the cult of the Duce. We then have a walking tour of significant sites, including the villa and boathouse used by Mussolini and his mistress Claretta Petacci. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps you will relax by the lake or enjoy a boat ride. (B).

Day 7 - Como

We check out of our hotel and drive to Lake Como, rival to Garda in its beauty, and the scene of the Duce's detention and death in April 1945. We first visit Dongo, the lakeside town where Mussolini, his mistress, and cronies were arrested by partisans as they tried to flee in a German convoy. We visit the Partisan museum in the town hall where they were held and enjoy a guided visit to the spot where Mussolini and Claretta Petacci met their end. We check into our hotel on Lake Como for our last night. (B,D).

Day 8 – Milan: birthplace of Italian fascism

A day trip to Milan where we visit key sites in the story of Fascism in the city. These include the Piazza San Sepolcro where the movement was founded in March 1919, the Palazzo dell'Arengario with its ‘balcony of power’, the imposing Stazione Centrale whose architecture exudes dominance and power, and the Piazzale Loreto, where the corpses of Mussolini, his mistress, and his cohorts were suspended upside down from garage girders to the delight of a cheering mob in April 1945. We also spot hidden Fascist symbols, sinister reminders of the city’s dark past. Depart for Milan airport for early evening return flight to London unless you have made your own travel arrangements. (B).