Italy in Low Season

Benvenuti a Roma! Your Italy in Low Season tour begins this morning in one of the world’s most beloved capital cities. Check into the hotel and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers. After a brief overview of the upcoming itinerary, get ready to explore Rome! Set off on a guided tour and see multiple top sights and famous landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Colosseum! After the tour, enjoy some free time to discover this magical city on your own or grab some lunch and get your first taste of Italian cuisine. Tonight, join back up with the group and get to know your new travel buddies over a welcome dinner.

Say “farewell for now” to Rome and hop back on the coach towards Florence. En route, enjoy a visit to Orvieto. This hidden gem of a city in the Umbria province is perched on a cliff and boasts incredible scenery. Take the funicular to the city centre and take some time to wander around. Admire the Cathedral of Orvieto and the Papal Residence! Then, travel onwards to the magnificent Tuscany region. Before arriving in Florence, look forward to a tasting of one of Tuscany’s most celebrated exports - wine! Taste delicious wine at a local wine estate and sample olive oil and charcuterie from the region. After, head to the hotel in Florence and settle in for the evening.

Buongiorno Florence! Look forward to a full day in the “Jewel of the Renaissance”. As one of Italy’s three “art cities” and the capital of the Tuscany region, Florence is teeming with artistic masterpieces and cultural delights to discover. Discover many of Florence’s most iconic sights on a guided tour such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. After, visit a local leather factory and learn all about the impressive craftsmanship behind bespoke Italian leather goods. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. Tonight, why not get a Taste of Tuscany with an optional, family-style meal of delicious local dishes?

Bid Florence farewell after breakfast this morning as the tour travels to a true highlight of all Italy tour packages - the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Be sure to get a few fun pictures of this legendary tower. The next stop is Parma, a university city that is probably best known for its ham and parmesan cheese! However, this city is so much more than its delicious produce. Enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival and experience the impressive architecture and charming atmosphere of Parma’s historic centre. Of course, you can’t leave Parma without trying some of its renowned food! Delight in a tasting and demonstration of Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese and Prosciutto di Parma before travelling onwards to tonight’s accommodation in Milan.

Wake up in Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals! Begin this full day in Milan with an insightful, locally guided tour. Join an expert local guide in discovering this dazzling city’s attractions. The most spectacular landmark in Milan is certainly the striking Duomo di Milano, one of the largest Gothic buildings in the world! Other notable sights include the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world‘s oldest shopping malls, the impressive La Scala opera house, the historic Piazza Mercanti and much more. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. Choose to explore one of Milan’s many fascinating museums or take a stroll along Navigli, the canal district. The choice is yours!

Look forward to a day full of breathtaking natural scenery! Today’s first stop is Sirmione, an enchanting town at the southern tip of Lake Garda - a gem of the Italian Lake District. Soak up the serene surroundings and historic sights on an orientation tour. Next, travel to the city of Trento which is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Dolomite Mountains. Discover the city’s unique blend of Austrian and Italian influences on an orientation tour. Then, take a funicular to Sardagna, a mountain village which offers an awe-inspiring view of the city below and the snow-capped Dolomites beyond! Tonight, sit down for a delicious three-course menu in the Trento city centre.

Depart Trento this morning after breakfast and get ready for another day of Italy travel highlights! Start the day with a trip to Verona, best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. During an orientation tour of this romantic city, see Juliet’s balcony, the UNESCO-listed old town and the 2,000-year-old city gates! In the afternoon, travel to Venice, home to famous landmarks including St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Market. This evening, join the An Evening of Venice optional excursion to experience the twinkling lights of Venice from a water taxi and gondola on the iconic canals before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant!

Say “arrivederci” to Venice and set off on an adventure through more of Northern Italy’s gems. This morning, visit Ferrara, a city rich in Renaissance architecture and medieval history. Discover Ferrara’s historic centre, which is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spot the 14th-century Castello Estense and admire the impressive facade of Duomo di Ferrara on an orientation tour. This afternoon, arrive in Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. This historic city is home to the oldest university in Europe and is known as the culinary capital of Italy! Get acquainted with some of the city’s artistic, cultural and architectural highlights on an orientation tour. The evening is free to explore at your own pace.

Leave Bologna after breakfast this morning and head to the Umbria region, stopping in Perugia, the region’s capital city. Discover the defensive walls, admire the medieval Priori Palace, which is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and stroll the streets of the charming Centro Storico district. Then, it's on to Assisi. St. Francis was born in this medieval town in 1181 making it Italy’s most popular religious pilgrimage site. Marvel at top sights including the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Francis and the picture-perfect Piazza del Comune. Finally, travel to Rome for the final night of the tour. Sit down for a farewell dinner with the group at a local restaurant.

After 10 days of exploring iconic Italian cities, hidden gems and sweeping scenery, this unforgettable Italy in Low Season tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Be sure to swap contact details with your fellow travellers before heading to your next destination. Buon viaggio from all of us at Expat Explore!