Embark on an 11-day Italian adventure, exploring Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice, and Assisi. Cruise along Cinque Terre's picturesque coastline, wander through San Gimignano's charming center, and witness the art of glassblowing in Venice. Immerse yourself in the Wonders of Italy, from the historic allure of Rome to the beauty of Lucca and Bologna, all accompanied by the rich flavors of Tuscan Chianti. Experience the essence of Italy in a journey that unfolds its wonders day by day.
Includes
11 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
10 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners
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, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Florence and Assisi with a Local Specialist
Discover Pisa, San Gimignano, Verona and Venice
Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a glassblowing factory in Venice, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the Vatican Museums and Villa d'Este Gardens in Tivoli
Scenic Cruise to Cinque Terre 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
10 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
15 Meals
Scenic Cruise
Itinerary
Day 1: Buongiorno Rome
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 light supper and orientation drive to see the bustling cityscape.
Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Accommodation: Hotel Il Cantico Rome
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
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 see the Circus Maximus, where chariots thundered to the applause of thousands. Stand by the Colosseum for an in-depth description by your Local Specialist of one of the emblems of Ancient Rome, before a free afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel Il Cantico Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Journey to Lucca
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.
Accommodation: Best Western Grand Hotel Guinigi Lucca
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Explore Cinque Terre and Pisa
A sea of pastel pink, yellow and blue houses cling dramatically to the Ligurian cliffs in the villages of the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we will explore today on our included excursion. Join a Local Specialist and delve into daily life in these picturesque fishing villages. Later we visit Pisa and its UNESCO-listed 'Square of Miracles' to view the architectural feat that is the Leaning Tower.
Accommodation: Best Western Grand Hotel Guinigi Lucca
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Onwards to San Gimignano and Florence
The gentle Tuscan landscape leads us 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. Later, join your fellow travellers for an opportunity to Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience set against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Uncover the Treasures of Florence
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.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Admire Verona and on to Venice
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 afternoon at leisure searching for hidden treasures. Watch the sun set over the Venetian lagoon or perhaps join an Optional Experience.
Accommodation: Hotel Principe Venice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Discover the Floating City
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.
Accommodation: Hotel Principe Venice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Off to Bologna and Assisi
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.
Accommodation: Hotel Cenacolo Assisi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: All Roads Lead to Tivoli and Rome
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.
Accommodation: Barceló Aran Mantegna Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Farewell Rome
It's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and our newfound friends after a memorable journey.
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). 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. Advertised price is based on 1 December 2024 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.