Benvenuti a Roma! Open your heart to a whirlwind of fiery passion, antiquities and hearty flavours crafted by Italian mammas over centuries. Enjoy a leisurely first encounter with the 'Eternal City' before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive to see the bustling cityscape.
Dive Into Culture on an included sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist at the Vatican Museums. Admire the works of great masters – the Bramante Staircase, magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and the sorrowful Pietà inside St. Peter's Basilica. In Ancient Rome, we pay tribute to the brave gladiators who fought for supremacy at the Colosseum during our included visit. We’ll see the Circus Maximus where chariots thundered to the applause of thousands before a free afternoon.
We travel north to Lucca for a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist to admire the 14th-century San Martino Cathedral and Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman arena. Relax in Piazza San Michele or ascend one of the city's ancient towers for panoramic views in your free time.
A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues cling dramatically to the Ligurian cliffs in the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we will have an opportunity to explore today on our included excursion. Join a Local Specialist and delve into daily life in these picturesque fishing villages. Stop in Pisa and visit its UNESCO-listed Square of Miracles to view the architectural feat that is the Leaning Tower.
The gentle Tuscan landscape gives way to our next destination, the hilltop town of San Gimignano, famed for its stunning medieval architecture and historic towers, which stand today as a testament to the wealth and power of aristocratic families who lived here centuries ago. We Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience in a beautiful family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills. You will join the Lenzi family for lunch and wine and olive oil tasting on their farm located on the ancient road between Siena and Florence. Later arrive in Florence for an evening at leisure.
Discover Renaissance treasures, extraordinary art and exquisite architecture in one of the cultural capitals of the world. We join a Local Specialist who will bring the legacy of the influential Medici family to life. Walk along narrow lanes into expansive piazze, viewing the magnificent marble Duomo and a replica of the David statue in Piazza della Signoria. View the Ponte Vecchio, almost 700 years old, and admire spectacular panorama from Piazzale Michelangelo. You’ll also learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. The rest of the day is yours to explore the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'. Visit the masterpieces of Michelangelo, wander through the architectural wonder of Palazzo Pitti or shop for high-quality leather and gold.
Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers are remembered today during our jaunt to the romantic city of Verona where we will view Juliet's Balcony and the 1st-century Roman arena, still used today to host spectacular operatic performances. We venture to Venice next, spending the rest of the afternoon exploring the city's labyrinthine calli on our own in search of hidden treasures. Wander along the Grand Canal, watch the sun set over the Venetian lagoon Square or join an Optional Experience.
On this morning’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we’ll witness the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing that has been passed down from generation to generation. You may wish to buy a souvenir to remind you of the talent and skill of the master craftsmen who delight in sharing with visitors how they’re preserving this local craft. You’ll see St. Mark's Basilica, the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs next, imagining how prisoners felt when they gazed over Venice for the very last time before being imprisoned. Cruise by private launch to see the city's most iconic attractions before enjoying free time to explore the city on your terms. Wander through alleys, over ornate bridges and into quiet campi as you indulge your inner explorer and get lost in this enchanting city on water.
Travel through scenic countryside to the mystical town of Assisi, stopping en route in the city of Bologna to view its Kissing Towers that lean towards one another, seemingly poised to embrace. We continue to our hotel in Assisi, where we'll stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
Discover the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi in his home town on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Join our Local Specialist for a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its beautiful frescoes depicting the life of this beloved saint. We continue to Tivoli for a guided visit with a Local Specialist of the UNESCO-listed terraced hillside Renaissance gardens of Villa d'Este. Wander past bubbling fountains, manicured hedges and ornate statues as you soak up the tranquil atmosphere of this historic hill town. This evening we enjoy a special Farewell Dinner with our fellow travellers and Travel Director.
It's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and our newfound friends after a memorable journey. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
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.
Available on Day 2
Discover the most charming areas in the city with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares of Rome's historic center, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: € 33
Tonight, spend a lively evening with us in Rome. After a short drive, we'll arrive at a characteristic trattoria to relax and enjoy a typical Italian meal, soaking up The Eternal City's unique atmosphere all the while.
Adult Price: € 62
Available on Day 3
We drive through the Tuscan countryside to a charming family-run winery and olive oil farm, where regional favorites are served accompanied by a selection of local wines and music. A truly unforgettable experience, with an atmosphere that is the essence of all things Tuscan.
Adult Price: € 65
Available on Day 6
Join us today for a visit to the Bargello museum, housed in one of the oldest and most intriguing buildings of Florence. As you'll learn from your Local Specialist, there was rarely a dull moment in this former barracks and prison! Learn how the Bargello has witnessed crucial episodes of history including fires, sieges and political executions. This fascinating building is now home to the National Museum and boasts awe-inspiring works by Donatello, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo to name but a few.
Adult Price: € 42
Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo and his masterpiece, David. We'll visit the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you'll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist.
Adult Price: € 47
Marvel at the legacy of the Medici as you visit Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of Florence's political power for over seven centuries. With our Local Specialist, we’ll visit the wonderful "Hall of the Five Hundred," dedicated to the Medici popes. We’ll also visit rooms decorated with masterpieces by famous artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo and Donatello.
Adult Price: € 42
Through the Chianti hills, we'll drive past vineyards to a delightful hamlet. Our destination is the ancient stone house of Machiavelli, where the great political theorist wrote his immortal work, ‘The Prince.' After a welcome drink and a visit of the villa and its wine-cellars, we'll enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great music and drinks, including of course, Chianti from the Villa's own vines.
Adult Price: € 68
Available on Day 7
Join us for a breathtaking cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal. You'll admire the magnificent palazzi, as well as catch a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square. Later on, you'll glide gracefully on a gondola along Venice's dreamy, narrow waterways.
Adult Price: € 76
Available on Day 8
This afternoon, discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat. You'll enjoy a delicious meal, with a selection of drinks, on the fisherman's island of Burano, famous for its multi-colored houses - a photographer's paradise.
Adult Price: € 72
Explore the hidden maze of streets that make up this unique city as your Local Specialist gives you a fascinating insight into Venice’s past and present. We'll also visit the Doge's Palace and its elegant courtyards, which were home to the rulers of the Venetian Republic.
Adult Price: € 52