DAY 1: Start of tour in Rome
![Start of tour in Rome]()
Welcome to Rome, and one of our most popular Italy tours! After meeting up with the tour leader and the rest of the group this morning, it’s time to head out on a guided walking tour of the city! See ancient Roman architecture, medieval buildings, Renaissance artworks and more remnants of Rome’s illustrious past as capital of the Roman Empire. At the end of the tour, join an optional visit to the magnificent Colosseum! Tonight, get to know the rest of the tour group during an 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.
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 2: Rome: Free Day
![Rome: Free Day]()
Enjoy a free day in Rome! Head into the city to see the sights 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! Make the most of the free day and choose to take a guided tour of the Vatican City, and marvel at glittering artworks, vast marble halls and opulent architecture. Eating and drinking is an important part of Roman life, and as they say: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ so join a Rome food tour for an experience of Italy’s best-loved dishes! Try excellent Italian cuisine, and be sure to grab a famous Roman gelato while you’re sight-seeing!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Warmthotel
Excel Roma Montemario
B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini
Optional Excursions
- Vatican City and Museums guided tour i TBC
- Roman Food Tour i €75
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 3: Orvieto - Venice
![Orvieto - Venice]()
Leave the capital behind, and drive through the Umbria region. Known as the 'fruit bowl of Italy', it is famous for its produce, food and beautiful mountainous landscapes. Prepare for one of the most spectacular sights in Europe as the tour approaches Orvieto; a city perched dramatically atop a sheer vertical volcanic rock. Take the funicular up to the historic centre, and enjoy free time to explore. See the exquisite facade of the Cathedral of Orvieto, the papal residence and the Albornoz fortress. Next, it’s time to travel to Venice. The evening is free to relax at the hotel or explore Venice with the option to join your tour leader on a twilight water taxi cruise of the Venetian canals.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Orvieto: Explore some of the sights of this city perched on top of a rock cliff. Take a trip to the top using the funicular. Enjoy free time to find something to eat, see the streets, and visit the top sights including the Cathedral of Orvieto, the papal residence and the Albornoz Fortress.
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 4: Venice: Free Day
![Venice: Free Day]()
The day begins with an orientation tour of Venice. Join the tour leader to explore the heart of this enchanting city. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore. The gondola ride optional excursion is a classic Venetian experience not to be missed! Explore the islands of Murano and Burano which are famous for their glass-blowing and lace-making crafts on the Venice Lagoon Tour optional excursion - this optional is a great way to see more of the “Floating City”. Any foodies in the group? Join the Venice Food Tour optional and stroll through the famous city’s streets, sampling delicious local dishes along the way! Excitingly, all three optional excursions can be enjoyed during today’s free day.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Venice: Join your tour leader on a trip into the heart of this unique floating city. The orientation tour will help you explore and see St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Venezia
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Russott Hotel
Hotel Residence Elite
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €25
- Venice Lagoon Tour i €40
- Venice Food Tour i €65
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 5: Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany
![Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany]()
It’s time to travel to the beautiful city of Florence, stopping along the way in Lake Garda for a photo opportunity. Arrive in Florence, and embark on a guided tour to learn more about the heritage of this city, its Renaissance artworks and Roman ruins. Florence’s highlights include Ponte Vecchio, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the replica of Michelangelo’s David which stands in the Piazza della Signoria. After the tour, make a stop at Leonardo Leather for a leather-making demonstration. Enjoy an included group dinner in Florence tonight. Next, it’s time to travel to tonight’s accommodation in the ancient spa town of Montecatini Terme.
Experiences
Stop at Lake Garda: Stop at the gorgeous town of Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy, to take some keepsake photos.
Locally guided tour of Florence: See some of the cultural and historic sights that have made the city of Florence a favourite among travellers. Discover top sights including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’, Florence boasts a huge variety of important buildings and famous artworks.
Leather-making demonstration: Step inside the world of Italian leather crafting; visit a local leather shop and factory, Leonardo Leather and Gold, for insight into how bespoke Italian leather goods are produced. Italy has been famous for leather production for centuries!
Dinner at a restaurant in Florence: Join the group for a delicious meal at a local restaurant in Florence.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Settentrionale Esplanade
DAY 6: Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany
![Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany]()
This morning, the tour heads to La Spezia; the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Perched on the rugged coastline, Cinque Terre means ‘Five Lands’, and consists of five picturesque coastal cliff-side towns; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. All are linked by rail and footpaths. With cars and motorcycles banned from the towns, enjoy exploring the towns by train or on foot. Later in the afternoon, travel back to the Tuscan region, stopping off to see the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa en route. Now over 800 years old, it’s a classic sight in Italy, and gives you the opportunity to take a picture 'holding up' the tower! Join tonight’s optional for a wonderful Tuscan dinner with beautiful views!
Experiences
Explore Cinque Terre's five picturesque villages: Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, you'll have plenty of free time to experience this picturesque region, which also offers some of the best seafood in Italy!
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: Visit Pisa to see one of Italy’s most iconic monuments; the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa! Make the most of photographic opportunities during the visit. A photo of you ‘holding up’ the tower is a classic!
Optional Excursions
- An Evening in Montecatini i €45
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: San Gimignano - Siena - Rome
![San Gimignano - Siena - Rome]()
This morning, travel through one of the world’s most picturesque countryside landscapes. Admire Tuscan farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves during the drive. First stop of the day is San Gimignano; a small, walled hilltop town. Known as the 'Town of Fine Towers', it offers beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and 14 well-preserved tower houses. Next up is a short drive to Siena; a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the 'Palio' horse race held twice a year in the main piazza. Enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by antipasti in Siena before travelling back to Rome. Round off the day with a farewell dinner with the group to toast the last night of the tour.
Experiences
Visit the town of San Gimignano: Famous for its medieval towers, San Gimignano is a real gem of the region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, 14 of the original 72 towers remain, providing an iconic and unforgettable skyline that sets it apart from the many other hill towns in Tuscany.
Enjoy a wine tasting in Siena: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Siena, famous for being home to the Palio horse race. This bareback horse race has taken place since the 14th Century in the main town square of Siena, and the 17 participants represent local families or contrade. Enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by antipasti during our visit to Siena.
Farewell dinner in Rome: Join your tour leader and the rest of the group for a final dinner in Rome. Toast to an amazing week spent exploring the highlights of Italy!
DAY 8: End of tour in Rome
![End of tour in Rome]()
The tour ends after breakfast this morning. After an amazing 8 days of discovering the delights of Italy, it is time to wrap up this Italian adventure. Swap memories, and exchange contact details with your new-found travel friends. Don’t forget to share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #TravelMadePossible. Arrivederci, Italia!