From the eternal allure of Rome to the coastal charm of Sorrento, the enchanting waterways of Venice, and the timeless beauty of Florence, each destination promises a unique and enriching experience. A rare highlight awaits as you explore the extraordinary limestone trulli houses of Alberobello, a testament to Italy's architectural marvels. Indulge in an intimate dinner with Signor Luciano, savor the romance of Verona, and cruise across the Bay of Naples to the glamorous island of Capri.
Includes
17 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
16 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
16 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
Return cruise to the Isle of Capri
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
Sightseeing Highlights
Explore Rome, Alberobello, Capri, Pompeii, Assisi and Florence with a Local Specialist
View the ancient sites of Rome, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence
Discover Sorrento, Venice and Milan
Scenic Cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents
Highlights
16 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
24 Meals
Return cruise to the Isle of Capri
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Rome
Blaze a trail through la bella Italia – your epic journey begins in Rome, once the powerful capital of the world and yours to explore before meeting your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive introducing you to some of the city's iconic and unexpected highlights.
Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome
Included Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who for centuries have flocked to Vatican City. Visit St. Peter's Basilica, one of the holiest sites in Christendom, joining a Local Specialist for an included sightseeing tour. See Michelangelo's magnificent Pietà, hewn from a perfect block of Carrara marble. Then, venture into Ancient Rome to see Circus Maximus, where the thundering noise of chariot races once filled the air. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Sit on the Spanish Steps, shop up a storm on Via Veneto or continue your encounter with Ancient Rome on Palatine Hill to see the Temple of Apollo and Flavian Palace, among other excavations.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Journey to the Alberobello Region
We travel east through the mountains of Campania to the orange and olive groves of Puglia on the Adriatic coast, our home for the next two nights. This evening, we enjoy a delicious local dinner at our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Sierra Silvana Alberobello
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Admire Alberobello’s Iconic Architecture
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience or relax with a swim at your hotel. This afternoon, the conical limestone houses of Alberobello take centre stage during our guided tour with a Local Specialist. Here, we’ll see the UNESCO-listed collection of almost 1,500 trulli dating back to the 14th century. This evening, we Connect With Locals with a Be My Guest experience at a traditional masseria. Meet Signor Luciano for dinner on his Alberobello farm where you can taste seasonal produce, including fresh almonds, cherries, tomatoes and olive oil.
Accommodation: Hotel Sierra Silvana Alberobello
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Onwards to Sunny Sorrento
The fresh aroma of lemons is your constant companion in the stunning coastal town of Sorrento, your home for the next two nights. View the bustling Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia before spending the afternoon at leisure. Kick back and sip delicious Limoncello di Sorrento, enjoy lunch in this picture-perfect town or spend the afternoon soaking up la dolce vita. This evening we dine in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: A Day on the Isle of Capri
Cruise the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the beautiful Isle of Capri. Enjoy a guided tour of Capri town, watching the beautiful people sip cappuccino in the glamorous piazzetta.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Uncover Pompeii's Ruins and on to Assisi
Explore the tragic history of the ancient lost city of Pompeii with a Local Specialist. Gain a deeper understanding of what life was like in this Roman settlement that lay buried for centuries after Mount Vesuvius erupted. Continue your journey through the rolling green and golden fields of Umbria, arriving at the mystical hilltop town of Assisi. Meet your Local Specialist for a visit of the stunning Basilica of St. Francis, featuring exquisite frescoes by Giotto. We'll stay at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
Accommodation: Hotel Cenacolo Assisi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Onwards to Venice
We venture to the Adriatic coast bound for the Venice. A city like no other in the world, you'll explore its canals and waterways during your time on the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, home to the artistic tradition of blown glass. Our home for the next two nights is one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories.
Accommodation: Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Cruise the Canals of Venice
Glide by private launch along busy waterways to view the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica before exploring the city on your terms. Stroll beside the Grand Canal, nibble on delicious cicchetti at a cosy bacaro or cross the lagoon for an Optional Experience to the colourful fishermen's Island of Burano.
Accommodation: Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Journey to Verona and on to the Italian Lakes
Celebrate the epic tale of Romeo and Juliet during this morning's visit to the fair city of Verona where you will view Juliet's Balcony and the Roman arena built in the 1st century. We spend this afternoon on the quiet shores of Lake Maggiore, soaking up the pleasant lakeside atmosphere and exploring Baveno. An Optional Experience takes you to dinner in an iconic setting on Lake Maggiore.
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon Baveno
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Explore Milan
Relax on the shores of Lake Maggiore or take an Optional Experience to visit Lake Como and look for the star-studded residents who make it their summer retreat. Later, experience the fashion capital of Milan. Enjoy free time to explore on your own after an orientation of the city's iconic sights. See the exquisite Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and the Galleria, one of the world's oldest shopping malls.
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon Baveno
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Onwards to La Spezia
Enjoy a relaxed morning in the lakeside resort town of Stresa. Later, travel to the port city of La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast.
Accommodation: Hotel Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: La Spezia Your Way
Indulge in a full free day to soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront or consider joining an Optional Experience to Porto Venere and the Bay of Poets where you’ll embark on an encounter with the cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre. This evening, we dine locally.
Accommodation: Hotel Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Uncover Pisa and on to Florence
Travelling south through the unforgettable scenery of Tuscany, we arrive in Pisa to view its famous Leaning Tower before continuing to the Renaissance city of Florence. This afternoon is yours at leisure to wander through the grand squares and labyrinthine lanes of Florence, whose connection with the Medici family saw this city become one of the world's most cultural centres. Consider a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see the Michelangelo's statue of David, amble along the Arno River or ascend the stone steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo for spectacular views of the city.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Discover Renaissance Florence
Join a Local Specialist this morning to view the city's finest masterpieces – the magnificent Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower and the 13th-century Santa Croce Basilica, the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Later, learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio which has straddled the Arno River for almost 700 years, or wander through the Renaissance Boboli Gardens, stopping for a slice or two of schiacciata along the way.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 16: All Roads Lead to Rome
Today we journey past the sprawling vineyards of Chianti and beneath the hill-towns of Umbria before arriving in Rome. This evening we tour the extraordinary Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist, including views of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Journey Home
Our epic encounter with Italy has come to an end. We say arrivederci to Rome and our newfound friends at the end of our Grand Italian Experience.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 07:00, 09:30
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn/changed at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply).
Save up to R35,000 per couple (up to R17,500 per person) on select 2025 guided holidays departures as “The Big Tour Sale”. Savings percent will vary depending on brand, trip and departure date. New bookings only made with deposit between 09 December 2024 and 20 February 2025. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first.
Trafalgar reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Other conditions may apply. At time of loading this is a non-definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.