Overview
With its magnificent architecture, beautiful landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, ancient ruins, and brilliant art, Italy is a country like no other. On this affordable Italy’s Best tour, you’ll experience all of this and more.
One of the tour’s highlights is the excursion to the Cinque Terre – five medieval seaside villages. The area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea. Delight in the unique charm of the area and take in the breathtaking views.
On your journey through Tuscany, watch the undulating hills, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages. More breathtaking scenery awaits at Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes. Located on the edge of the Swiss Alps, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak in the beauty.
From here, you’ll even take an excursion to Lugano, a lake-side town in Switzerland. Witness breathtaking views of the crystal-clear, blue sea in the relaxing town of Sorrento, and take a day trip to Capri where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves.
History comes alive on this Italy tour. Visit Pompeii, which was completely buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This preserved town gives you an amazingly detailed look into ordinary life at the peak of the Roman Empire. In Rome, during the city sightseeing tour with a local guide, you’ll see the main sights, as well as Vatican City with St Peter’s Basilica.
In Genoa, boasting Europe’s largest medieval historical centre, see the remains of the city’s 17th-century fortifications. Visit St Francis’ Basilica in Assisi, a medieval town set in the Umbrian hills. Guided city sightseeing tours are planned in Rome, Florence, and Genoa. Your visit to Venice includes a boat trip to St Mark’s square to see the maze of canals forming this unique romantic city.
These are just some of the many highlights of this affordable tour through Italy!
UK - Rome, Italy
Day
1
Fly to Rome where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Rome
Day
2
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Other highlights are the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built and Circus Maximus. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s fresco The Last Judgment.
Rome - Pisa - Montecatini
Day
3
Vistas of rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa, and take a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Montecatini.
Montecatini. Excursion to Florence
Day
4
Today, enjoy an included excursion to Florence. Your Local Guide will show you the city highlights on the walking tour. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, see Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.”
Montecatini - La Spezia - Cinque Terre - Genoa
Day
5
Travel towards La Spezia, a province in Italy’s Liguria region. Then, hop aboard the TRAIN to discover some of the five spectacular Cinque Terre villages. Here, the beauty of the rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired poet Lord Byron. From Levanto, head towards Genoa, birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Genoa - Milan - Lake Maggiore
Day
6
Today’s included guided tour is an excellent introduction to Genoa. A maze of squares and alleys, the city grew around the port, a natural inlet, and boasts the largest medieval historical centre in Europe. Some of the highlights include the remains of the city’s 17th-century fortifications. Next, head north into the plains of Lombardy, and stop in Milan to marvel at its magnificent gothic DUOMO. Then, continue to Baveno on Lake Maggiore.
Lake Maggiore. Excursion to Lugano, Switzerland
Day
7
Time to relax and get to know Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes, located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. On clear days, you can see the peaks of the Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano in Italian-speaking Swiss Canton Ticino.
Lake Maggiore - Verona - Venice Area
Day
8
Travel across the Po River plain and stop in the romantic city of Verona to see Juliet´s balcony, and enjoy some time at leisure marveling at the Roman Arena. Continue to the Venice area.
Venice
Day
9
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. The included orientation starts with a BOAT RIDE to St. Mark’s Square, and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Venice Area - Ravenna - Assisi - Assisi Area
Day
10
Enjoy an interesting drive southward right across the Po Delta to Ravenna, renowned for its treasure of byzantine mosaics, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Continue to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis. See the BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS with its famous frescoes by Giotto, with history brought to life by a Local Guide. Overnight in the beautiful area of Assisi, in the heart of Umbria.
Assisi Area - Pompell - Sorrento Area
Day
11
Travel to POMPEII, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included guided visit, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Carry on to Sorrento, set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine, absorbing the easygoing life of this charming resort.
Sorrento Area. Boat Trip to Capri
Day
12
Enjoy a day trip to the legendary island, surrounded by a rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed aweinspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. Explore on your own or take an optional island tour.
Sorrento Area - Rome
Day
13
Today, enjoy time at leisure or take an optional excursion to Positano before returning to Rome.
Rome - UK
Day
14
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Things to note
Special Departures:
Christmas in Rome & New Years in Venice including Reveillon Dinner: 24th December 2018
Christmas in Rome & New Years in Venice including Festive Dinner: 24th December 2019