DAY 1: Arrive in Rome
![Arrive in Rome]()
Welcome to Rome! The first day of the tour is an arrivals day: meet up with your tour leader at our accommodation in the afternoon and prepare for the tour of a lifetime! If you arrive early, head into the city and see some of the sites that make Rome famous the world over. An ancient city that has seen the rise and fall of entire empires, there is no shortage of historical real estate to feast your eyes on. Not to mention designer shopping and brilliant food. Tonight, you’ll meet the rest of the tour group at our included welcome dinner.
Experiences
Walking tour of Rome: This city has so much to see and do, we can’t even list everything here! See the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Septimus Severus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona (Fountain of the Quattro Fiumi), the Spanish Steps, and the other attractions that make Rome a perennial favourite with travellers all over the world!
Welcome dinner: Celebrate the first night of your Italy tour with a welcome dinner! Join your tour leader and the rest of the Italy tour group, and head to a nearby local restaurant for a delicious dinner.
DAY 2: Rome city tour
![Rome city tour]()
This morning we’ll take you on a walking tour of the Italian capital to introduce you to some of Rome’s many historic sights, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps, with photo stops along the way. We'll then enjoy an included lunch in a local restaurant, before you have a free afternoon to explore Rome at your leisure. You can also join our optional guided walking tour of the Vatican City! Included in the price of this optional excursion is entrance to the Vatican with queue jump privilege and the services of a local guide. Marvel at glittering artworks, vast marble halls and opulent architecture - including the Sistine Chapel - all part and parcel of the Vatican’s status as the seat of papal power.
Experiences
Walking tour of Rome: This city has so much to see and do that we can’t list everything here! Enjoy a walking tour of Rome with a professional local guide, a great introduction for further exploration of the city during the free day tomorrow. Visit the Roman Forum, Arch of Septimus Severus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Warmthotel
Excel Roma Montemario
B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini
Optional Excursions
- Vatican City and Museums guided tour i TBC
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 3: Rome: Free Day
![Rome: Free Day]()
Rome is one of the highlights of any Italian tour; it wasn’t built in a day, but luckily you have a free one in which to explore the capital to your heart's content. The city centre boasts ancient ruins, historical landmarks, religious buildings and a buzzing atmosphere like no other. The Colosseum is spectacular, and for those who wish to enter, there are fabulous views of the city, and an unbelievable feeling of drifting backwards in time, to when gladiators, chariots and lions dominated the arena. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to explore the legendary ruins of Pompeii.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Warmthotel
Excel Roma Montemario
B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 4: Siena - San Gimignano - Tuscany
![Siena - San Gimignano - Tuscany]()
Today we’ll drive north through the beautiful countryside to the region of Tuscany. Our first stop is the medieval town of Siena, famous for the 'Palio' horse race and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then stop off in the medieval town of San Gimignano with its iconic towers, to sample local wines and enjoy Antipasto (a selection of cheese, cured meats, bread and olives). To round off a brilliant day of exploring we’ll enjoy an included dinner this evening at our accommodation in a spa town in the Tuscan hills.
Experiences
Encounter Siena: Stop over in the medieval town of Siena; a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wine tasting and antipasti in San Gimignano: Take it easy like the locals do in San Gimignano. Sample some local vintages, and enjoy delicious antipasto.
Dinner at a restaurant in Montecatini: Sit down to a gorgeous Tuscan dinner in Montecatini.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Settentrionale Esplanade
DAY 5: Pisa - Florence - Tuscany
![Pisa - Florence - Tuscany]()
Today we’ll explore the undoubted highlights of Tuscany; Pisa and Florence! Our first stop is to see the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Now over 800 years old, it’s a classic sight in Italy and well worth a visit to get a few photos of you 'holding up' the tower! On arrival in Florence, we’ll take a guided walking tour of the city accompanied by an expert local guide, who will introduce you to all the sights, including Ponte Vecchio, Florence Cathedral and the Basilica of Santa Croce. You’ll then have some free time to explore - why not see Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell'Accademia? - before we return to our accommodation in the Tuscany region.
Experiences
See the site of the famous leaning tower of Pisa – a true classic and a must-see on any tour visiting Italy.
In Florence, enjoy a locally-guided walking tour taking in some of the city’s most famous attractions.
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 6: Tuscany: Free Day
![Tuscany: Free Day]()
Enjoy a free day to explore Tuscany and the surrounding area. If you enjoyed Florence yesterday it is only a short train ride away - you’ll have all day to explore the museums, art galleries and shops to your heart’s content! Alternatively, you can take our optional excursion to Cinque Terre! Cinque Terre literally means ‘Five Lands’ and consists of five coastal cliff-side towns linked by rail and by footpaths. Overlooking the Mediterranean and amply supplied with fresh produce from the surrounding farms and homesteads, this is a region with all the ingredients to make for an unforgettable day.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Settentrionale Esplanade
DAY 7: Modena Province - Verona - Venice
![Modena Province - Verona - Venice]()
Today, we’ll be driving to Venice, and on the way we'll make a couple of fantastic stops. Our first is the Province of Modena, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of balsamic vinegar. We’ll then drive on to Verona where you’ll have some free time to experience Juliet’s balcony – where Shakespeare’s Juliet is said to have been wooed by Romeo - and the Verona Arena. Arriving in Venice this afternoon, you'll have the option for the perfect introduction to this magical destination, with an optional private evening boat cruise of the Grand Canal - a perspective of Venice you will never forget!
Experiences
Balsamic vinegar tasting in the Province of Modena: Taste balsamic vinegar the way it should be tasted in the region where it was made famous.
Comfort stop in Verona: Admire Juliet’s balcony – where Romeo is said to have wooed Juliet.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Residence Elite
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 8: Venice: Free Day
![Venice: Free Day]()
Today you have a full free day to explore Venice, but first your tour leader will give you an orientation tour of the canals and alleyways, pointing out the main sights to help you plan the rest of your day. You can get a classic Venetian view from the famous Rialto Bridge, board a gondola and see Venice from the water, try Venetian cuisine, visit museums and art galleries and simply get the full Venetian experience! Alternatively you can choose to relax and soak up the sun on the sandy beaches at Jesolo or Lido. There’s also St Marks Square, The Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace to see – plus any number of culinary delights to sample, too!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Residence Elite
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €25
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 9: Venice: Free Day
![Venice: Free Day]()
Enjoy another free day to explore Venice and cover everything you couldn’t fit in yesterday! Your tour leader can organise a trip further out into the lagoon to visit Murano and Burano. These islands are famous for their glass-blowing and lace-making crafts respectively, and rows of beautiful multi-coloured houses. To learn more about the gondola’s visit Squero di San Trovaso, the oldest boatyard in Venice where gondolas are built and repaired. This evening is your last night together with your tour leader and fellow travellers, so we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner before we part ways tomorrow morning.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Residence Elite
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 10: End of tour
![End of tour]()
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our travel companions and depart for home. We hope you have enjoyed your 10 day Italian tour. Arrivederci, Italia!
Experiences
The tour ends after breakfast. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether.