Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
The 'Eternal City' has captivated travelers for centuries and you’ll not be disappointed as it prepares you for an exhilarating journey across Italy. On arrival in Rome, check in to your hotel, relax or get ready for your very own introduction to Rome. Later this evening, you’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a glimpse into what lies ahead. Soak up the city’s effervescent atmosphere during an Optional Experience dinner in a characteristic trattoria.
With so much to see and do, you could explore Rome for an eternity without getting bored. Join an Optional Experience to the Roman Forum or start your day the Italian way. Get to grips with the city’s main attractions, joining a Local Specialist at Vatican City, the world’s smallest country. Stand in St. Peter’s Square, sharing your space with devoted pilgrims. Visit St. Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's greatest work, the sorrowful Pietà. Cross the Tiber next, to view the mighty Colosseum and the countless other ancient sites which featured prominently in the days of the powerful Roman Empire.
The Bay of Naples beckons and our first stop is in the picture-perfect resort town of Sorrento. Pastel-hued residences cling impossibly to craggy cliffs that plunge into the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Enjoy your time soaking up the sun-drenched views. You won’t need to venture far to catch the scent of the 'world’s best lemons', which you’ll see in abundance at the local markets. Taste some of the mouth-watering fresh produce grown locally or consider an Optional Experience to the artists’ paradise of Positano, followed by a scenic drive along the Amalfi coast. The Sirens of Sorrento may be nowhere in sight, but that doesn’t mean their alluring call will be possible to resist.
Enjoy the atmosphere as you explore the beautiful Bay of Naples during your free time this morning. Alternatively, choose to join an Optional Experience guided walking tour of Pompeii, buried under the volcanic ash for centuries after Mount Vesuvius erupted. Leaving the Bay of Naples behind, journey past Cassino and view the monastery which featured as a backdrop for some of the fiercest battles of World War II. This poignant reminder of war gives way to a place of pilgrimage, as you head north to Assisi where an orientation reveals a medieval town that has changed very little since the time of St. Francis.
Your journey continues across the Apennines and through the Emilia-Romagna region, credited with being the origin of tortellini, mortadella and parmesan cheese. Before you know it, you’ll have arrived in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, where an Optional Experience will see you gliding through the city canals in a gondola.
Embark on a cruise by private launch to bustling St. Mark's Square in the heart of Venice. Admire the most famous of Venice's 417 bridges, the Bridge of Sighs, and enjoy views of the Doge's Palace and the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. Later, enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, when the extraordinary talents of glassblowers take center stage during a visit to their workshop then consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano for a relaxing meal with your travel companions.
The plains of Veneto are all that stand between you and Verona, the tragic stage for Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. View the ancient Roman Arena, where concerts are still held to this day, and Juliet's Balcony, from which a fictional Juliet once called for her Romeo. Indulge in a romantic moment of your own before leaving Verona, bound for Italy’s irresistible Lake District. Arriving on the shores of Lake Como, you’ll see first-hand why this scenic setting has been a favorite summer retreat of the rich and famous for centuries. You could choose to board an optional cruise this afternoon to make the most of this idyllic setting. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
The white marble façades of Pisa’s Cathedral Square gleam in the sunshine, but it is the famous Leaning Tower that gets most of the glory when you visit this 'Meadow of Miracles', so named by 20th-century Italian writer and poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. Since Medieval times, the exquisite structures in the piazza have symbolised man’s journey through religious life – the Baptistery representing birth, life represented by the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Camposanto, death. After a short drive from Pisa, you’ll arrive at your hotel near Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. A full day of sightseeing lies ahead, so kick back and enjoy the company of your travel companions this evening at an optional dinner in the Tuscan hills.
There are few cities in the world with an artistic legacy equal to that of Florence. Your Local Specialist shares a superb commentary of the city's artistic and architectural heritage during a walking tour, which includes views of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, the impressive Giotto's Bell Tower and the Ponte Vecchio. Visit Piazza della Signoria and squeeze in some time for shopping – Florence is particularly renowned for its high-quality leather and 18-carat gold jewelery. Later, return to Rome, where your journey began. You’ll have an evening alone to forge final memories with new friends or consider an Optional Experience whisking you away on one last sightseeing trip with a mouth-watering farewell dinner followed by live entertainment.
If Italy has become engraved in your heart as it did for celebrated poet Robert Browning, you’ll have a hard time saying arrivederci. As the legend says, if you tossed a coin in the Trevi fountain, you will return. Until then bid your Travel Director and travel companions a fond farewell.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Roman Delights with Dinner (Available on Day 1)Make the most of your Roman holiday, living la dolce vita as the locals do with a relaxed dinner in a characteristic trattoria. Soak up the atmosphere of the charming city as you dine, sampling typical Italian cuisine and drinks as you enjoy live music. This is the Italian experience you've been dreaming of!
Adult Price: €63 Piazzas and Fountains (Available on Day 2)Discover the most charming areas of the city as you explore quintessential Italian piazzas and fountains with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares in Rome’s historic center, stopping to marvel at highlights such as the Trevi Fountain and hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: €46 Inside The Roman Forum (Available on Day 2)With a Local Specialist at your side, step back in time and into the streets of Ancient Rome. Follow in the footsteps of Julius Caesar to the place where temples, basilicas, squares and markets formed the beating heart of the Roman Empire. Walk the Via Sacra, or ‘Sacred Way’, to see where the Roman Senate once met, and see the spot where Mark Antony delivered his immortal ‘friends, Romans, countrymen…’ speech. An unmissable highlight of any visit to Rome.
Adult Price: €58 Amalfi Coast and Positano (Available on Day 3)Join us for an unforgettable drive along the picturesque Amalfi Coast, the jewel of Italy's southern coastline. Visit the world-famous paradise of Positano, with eye-catching colorful homes scattered along the cliffside village and rows of striking beach umbrellas set up alongside vivid blue waters. This is the Mediterranean encounter you've been dreaming of.
Adult Price: €66 Sorrento Countryside and Farmhouse Meal (Available on Day 3)Enjoy a beautiful drive into the Sorrentino countryside, where you'll MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® exploring the gardens of a traditional local farm. During a tour of its lemon, orange and olive groves, your hosts will show you how mozzarella and other cheeses of the region are made. And then you'll get to try cheeses, salamis and marinated vegetables, washed down with local wine and homemade bread.
Adult Price: €59 Discover Pompeii (Available on Day 4)Join our Local Specialist on a tour of the excavations of Pompeii - the perfectly preserved Roman town that was engulfed by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 A.D. This is an opportunity to travel back in time and catch a glimpse of ancient Roman life and architecture, frozen for almost 2,000 years.
Adult Price: €57 Gondolas & the Grand Canal (Available on Day 5)Join us for a breath-taking cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal, enjoying privileged views of impressive sights such as the Ca’ D’Oro, the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. Later on, you’ll glide gracefully on a gondola along Venice’s dreamy, narrow waterways, discovering the irresistible charm of the worldfamous canals.
Adult Price: €85 Venice's Secrets (Available on Day 6)Explore the hidden maze of streets which make up this unique city as your Local Specialist gives you a fascinating insight into Venice's past and present. You’ll discover tucked away squares and back streets local Venetians use to side-step the tourist throng and give you a sense of authentic life on the island of Venice.
Adult Price: €42 Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks (Available on Day 6)Discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat, traveling to the heritage-listed fisherman’s island of Burano. Known for its picturesque, technicolour houses and restaurants serving up fresh seafood, this tour is a must for food lovers and photography buffs alike. Enjoy a delicious meal before cruising back to Venice, taking in magic views of the famous city as we return.
Adult Price: €82 Discover Lake Como (Available on Day 7)All aboard! We're setting sail on Lake Como to enjoy views of elegant villas and pristine gardens in one of the most beautiful spots in the Italian Lake District. Kick back and relax as you cruise with your Local Specialist, admiring the idyllic scenery of this world-famous destination.
Adult Price: €49 Traditional Dinner, Wine and Music in the Tuscan Hills (Available on Day 8)Make your Florentine travel dreams a reality as we dine at a delightful regional restaurant, set among pine and cypress trees. After a scenic drive through the stunning Tuscan countryside, we’ll enjoy a meal of delicious specialties from the area, accompanied by local wines and music.
Adult Price: €69 Arrivederci Roma (Available on Day 9)Rome comes alive this last evening of our trip as you savor her unforgettable sights and celebrate together with a Farewell Dinner including entertainment in one of our favorite places.
Adult Price: €63