Great Italian Cities

Experience Overview

Rome, Florence and Venice are the stars of the show on the most incredible of Italy trips. This unforgettable trio features exploring the calli, ancient Roman ruins and the artistry of great masters. But that’s not all, as you’ll also get to dine with an Italian family in their beautiful Tuscan villa.

Highlights

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)

Be My Guest

Florence: Join a member of the Miari Fulcis family for your Be My Guest experience on their working Tuscan estate, known for its organic olive oil and honey. Take a look around the medieval cloister and gardens before sitting down to dinner, surrounded by stories, local flavors and a setting made famous by classic films.

Iconic Experience

Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
Rome: Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and Botticelli at the Vatican Museums.
Rome: In the Vatican City visit St Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.
Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artistic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
Pisa: Visit Pisa's Square of Miracles with a Local Specialist. Learn about the history of the iconic Leaning Tower and see the ornate Bapistry and Cathedral.
Bologna: Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of Bologna. See the medieval squares and red-bricked façades of this historic city.
Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft.
Venice: Savor the vibrant atmosphere of Venice during a walk through its calli to a traditional food market in the shadow of the famous Rialto Bridge.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Venice: Meet the passionate team from Venice Lagoon Plastic Free for an eye-opening session on protecting Venice’s iconic lagoon. You’ll discover the dramatic impact of plastic pollution on wildlife and local life, learn practical ways to make a difference, and take home your very own tools for sustainable travel – including a reusable glass bottle. Together, you’ll help reduce plastic waste and become a part of the global movement for responsible tourism. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Must-see Highlights

Fast Track Admission to the Vatican Museums
Explore Rome, Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Venice
Visit Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and a glassblowing factory in Venice
View the ancient sites in Rome, Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice
Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

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Trip Details

Product Code: 39416

Tour Type: Group Tour

Accommodation: Luxury

Transport: Private

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Classic

Supplier Code: 97.415D

Starts: Rome, Italy

Finishes: Venice, Italy

Duration: 10 days

Departures: Not Guaranteed

Physical rating: Easy

Includes

Whats Included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Optional Experiences and free time
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5175 (CAD $518 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Welcome to Rome

You're in for a bellissimo journey through the spectacular cities of Italy, which kicks off in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a delightful dinner. Your introduction to la dolce vita begins with an orientation drive past Rome's most magnificent sights.

Accommodation: Grand Palatino
Meals: Dinner

2

Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City Dive Into Culture

This morning, join your Local Specialist for a visit to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Explore the vast collection of the Vatican Museums and stand beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica to view his renowned Pietà. Afterwards, cross the Tiber into Ancient Rome to explore the Colosseum. Learn how this monumental arena once echoed with the sounds of gladiator battles, public events and roaring crowds at the heart of Roman life. Please note: On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be restricted due to the Papal Audience. You’ll still have time to take in the atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square during your visit to Vatican City.

Accommodation: Grand Palatino, Crowne Plaza St. Peter's
Meals: Breakfast

3

Day 3: Rome Your Way

Enjoy a full free day to explore Rome your way, or consider an Optional Experience delving into the tragic history of Pompeii—the Roman city frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Specialist will bring its ancient story to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, a site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.

Accommodation: Grand Palatino
Meals: Breakfast

4

Day 4: Admire Assisi and on to Florence

Journey north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. Here, your Local Specialist will share the story of this revered figure during a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of this famous saint and home to a wonderful series of frescoes by Giotto. Later, continue your journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a Be My Guest experience, set against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.

Accommodation: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5

Day 5: Discover Renaissance Florence

Enjoy a leisurely encounter with the artistic and architectural marvels of Florence during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and palazzi. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the multi-colored marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through Florence's historic center, shopping for the high-quality leather the city is famous, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.

Accommodation: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast

6

Day 6: Uncover Pisa’s Treasures Connect with Locals

After a morning at leisure in Florence, cross the fertile Arno Valley to Pisa and join a Local Specialist to visit the Square of Miracles, home to the incredible Leaning Tower and the iconic marble cathedral. See the ornate Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Accommodation: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast

7

Day 7: Journey to Bologna and Venice

Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name. Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes views of the Kissing Towers, which lean towards each other, seemingly poised to embrace. Then it's off to the romantic island city of Venice with its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Spend time at leisure gliding along its enchanting canals in a gondola or wander through the city's labyrinthine lanes, over bridges and into quiet campi.

Accommodation: Amadeus, Principe
Meals: Breakfast

8

Day 8: Cruise Venice’s Canals

Savor the iconic and unexpected highlights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to admire the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian churches, Customs House, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll gain insights into the delicate Venetian art of glassblowing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure admiring this city on water or consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano where colorful fishermen’s homes line the canals.

Accommodation: Amadeus, Principe
Meals: Breakfast

9

Day 9: Experience Daily Life in Venice Make Travel Matter

Meet a passionate lagoon conservationist for an engaging discussion on safeguarding environmental conditions in Venice during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when you join a Local Specialist for a walking tour along the canals to the famous Rialto Bridge, where all the flavors of Italy come to life at a centuries-old food market. Amble through the narrow calli of Venice and admire the beautiful architecture. Walk over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day discovering the sights of your choice. Your love affair with Italy's great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as you enjoy dinner.

Accommodation: Amadeus, Principe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

10

Day 10: Farewell Venice

For now, it's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and newfound friends who have shared in the memorable sights, sounds and flavors.

Meals: Breakfast

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar (CA)

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