From CAD 2,330
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
How long does it take to fall in love? In a country where history spills from the world-class museums and on to the streets, where tiny osterias serve up life-changing pasta and sumptuous architecture sits on canals and perches on cliffs, we think eight days can easily do the trick. Begin your Italy adventure among the canals of Venice, hike through the charming Cinque Terre, soak up beauty and history in Florence and wind up in the piazzas of Rome. With plenty of free time for independent exploration and the freedom to discover Italy's history and culture at your own pace, there's no better way to see this wonderful pocket of Europe.
Highlights
- Explore rocky coastal pathways and pastel-coloured villages with a Cinque Terre day pass, which allows you to hike at your leisure and use the coast's public transport.
- Get lost in the floating city of Venice and wander the city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands, and choose whether to enjoy an optional gondola ride.
- Discover the landmarks of Rome with your leader and wander around the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
- Spend two days in Florence, a city known for its beauty and rustic Tuscan cuisine, and choose to discover the cities culinary traditions on optional food excursions.
- Make travel a breeze with a European trip including train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3232
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Train
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: ZMRR
Starts: Venice, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (3),Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights),Hostel (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2330 (CAD 291 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Venice! This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its iconic sights. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early and with time to spare the Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After tonight's group meeting perhaps enjoy an optional dinner with your fellow travel companions at a local restaurant.
Optional Activities:
- Venice - Gondola Ride (80 EUR)
- Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs (30 EUR)
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection (17 EUR)
- Venice - St Mark's Campanile (12 EUR)
- Venice - Accademia Gallery (16 EUR)
- Ca’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti (15 EUR)
- Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art (11 EUR)
- Venice - Glass Museum Murano (11 EUR)
- Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica (5 EUR)
- Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco (14 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head out for an orientation walk of the city and marvel at the Classical, Gothic, and Baroque styles of architecture surrounding San Marco Square. Your leader will show you where to get the best cicchetti today, a tasty local snack that Venice is famous for. For lunch, maybe get involved in the lively social scene at a local bácaro or simply watch the world go by at a restaurant perched on the edge of the canals. Then you’re free to explore Venice at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Maybe take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for views over the city. Or fulfil a bucket list favourite and take a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola if you haven’t already.
Included Activities:
- Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Venice – San Marco Square
- Venice - Cicchetti Snack Stop
Optional Activities:
- Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure (112 EUR)
- Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury (5 EUR)
- Venice - Gondola Ride (80 EUR)
- Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs (30 EUR)
- Venice - St Mark's Campanile (12 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia - known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – positioned on a series of coves between sheer cliffs. On arrival in La Spezia there won't be too much time to explore (that’s what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel perhaps get your bearings with a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione or head out for dinner with the group.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel coloured villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages, and the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader on which walking section is right for you, as some have challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Alternatively, take the train between any of the villages, or back to the group's base in La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite, maybe take advantage of an optional pesto class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch, if you’d prefer.
Included Activities:
- Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
Optional Activities:
- Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration (25 EUR)
- Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise (41 EUR)
- Cinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail (10 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence. On arrival, check into the hostel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity and the optional activities on offer reflect this. Maybe explore the city’s culinary history (and taste some local treats) on a Florence Foodies Walk with Urban Adventures. Carnivores might be drawn to try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the Florentine Beef Steak, essentially a huge T-bone steak that comes with classic sides.
Included Activities:
- Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Optional Activities:
- Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure (79 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy another day in beautiful Florence. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so the best idea is to relax and pick a few things you really want to do. Maybe start with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David, or perhaps stop by the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries. Active types might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city – a lovely way to while away the day. There are plenty of optional activities on offer during your time here, so be sure to grill your leader for the details on each so you can get a sense of what interests you.
Optional Activities:
- Siena - Day Trip to Siena by Public Bus (24 EUR)
- Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome (30 EUR)
- Florence - Palazzo Vecchio (12 EUR)
- Florence - Accademia (20 EUR)
- Florence - Uffizi Gallery (29 EUR)
- Florence - Pitti Palace (Boboli Gardens, Museo Argenti, Costume Gallery, Porcellain Museum) (22 EUR)
- Florence - Bargello Museum (16 EUR)
- Florence - Medici Chapels (17 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take the morning train to Rome and join your leader on an orientation walk around the city to see icons such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After all that walking it’s probably time for lunch! Maybe grab a slice of the good stuff and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona. You can spend your afternoon how you wish and there are plenty of heavy hitters to choose from. Maybe enter the Vatican and check out St Peter's Basilica. Within the Vatican, art lovers could visit the Sistine Chapel to admire the timeless work of Michelangelo, while history buffs may enjoy a jaunt through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Rome is packed full of trattorias that cater to every taste and budget, so this evening maybe link up with the group for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Rome – Trevi Fountain
Optional Activities:
- Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo (19 EUR)
- Rome - Christian Catacombs (10 EUR)
- Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill (19 EUR)
- Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House (6 EUR)
- Vatican City - Vatican Museum (25 EUR)
- Rome - Pantheon (5 EUR)
- Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator (10 EUR)
- Rome - Venezia Palace (17 EUR)
- Rome - Galleria Borghese (17 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your adventures come to an end today. There are no activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. As there is so much to see in Rome, we recommend you stay a little longer to soak it up. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to an agent at the time of booking.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Emily - Traveled, September 2023
This was my first time in Italy, and I am surprised by how much we explored in eight days or so. The trip offered a healthy balance of leader-led orientation walks and independent time to visit museums and participate in activities. For those traveling during the summertime, I recommend booking your optional activities and museum visits in advance; otherwise, you will have to wait in line.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Alexandria - Traveled, August 2023
This trip was awesome. The accommodation was very good despite being one of the cheaper trips. Our tour leader Federico was excellent and very accommodating to the group’s needs. My only recommendation is for the Rome accommodation to be closer to the city as we were very far and was hard to travel using the public transport system over there. Perhaps not so many train journeys too given that the so many people use the trains and can be a bit overwhelming but otherwise great trip!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2023
Christian - Traveled, August 2023
A great trip, itinerary and tour leader. Experienced local culture, food, people and activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2023
Avril - Traveled, August 2023
Intrepid travels are professional, well organised and travelling cost worth every dollar.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2023
Avril - Traveled, August 2023
Intrepid travels caters for all, the travelling cost is worth every dollar.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2023
Nadia - Traveled, August 2023
This tour was phenomenal. Our leader, Anna, was so much fun and incredibly knowledgeable. The itinerary was brilliant and the accommodation was excellent. We loved this tour and it truly was the highlight of Italy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2023
Jerome - Traveled, August 2023
This was the final leg of a long tour for me and it was the most fun. The group was very diverse and got along very well from the start. Anna was a great tour leader, making sure we all got what we wanted out of the trip. I probably wouldn’t have thought to go to cinque terre myself but it was a great day. Drinking wine while watching the sunset over Florence was a highlight. My only suggestion would be to include a trip to Pisa on the way to La Spezia, the train already goes past it and it means the day isn’t completely lost to travel. Would definitely recommend to a friend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2023
Orya - Traveled, August 2023
This was a great way of seeing so many amazing parts of Italy in such a short time. Our tour leader Anna really made us feel like locals. Watching the sunset from Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence while eating a delicious focaccia sandwich with a glass of red wine will was an absolute highlight for me. Something I never would have done without Anna’s recommendation. I would definitely recommend packing as little as possible. I only had a backpack and it was perfect. People with wheeled suitcases really struggled on the cobbled streets and trying to find places to store them on the packed trains and buses was very stressful for them. Especially for people who brought very large luggage. It also holds up the rest of the group while people try to manage their excessive luggage. This is not a trip for large amounts of luggage.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Janet - Traveled, October 2023
This trip was a great way to visit three of the major cities in Italy, as well as the beautiful Cinque Terre. Our group leader, Anna, was awesome - so friendly and helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2023
Cassandra - Traveled, October 2023
A great taster of Italy, with enough time in each city to see the sights without feeling too rushed, despite the short trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Megan - Traveled, October 2023
Sebastian was our tour guide his knowledge on the history of all the cities in Italy we visited was mind blowing and that linked with the knowledge of the local food and wine choices were truly incredible and inspiring!!! I’m not sure if my first European trip would have been as epic without Sebastian and the people who were in our group. Thank yo
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2023
Russell - Traveled, September 2023
Venice to Rome is a fantastic snapshot of this part of Northern Italy, we loved the trip and the only fault is that it's too short. Our group leader Anna was a gem and made this a very memorable experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Elizabeth - Traveled, September 2023
Had a fantastic time with the group. The trip and the highlights were amazing. We definitely did things I never would have done or known of travelling on my own. Easy fun and no pressure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/04/2023
Shirani - Traveled, September 2023
The 8 day Intrepid Tour of Italy was exactly what we wanted. Excellent guide, good hotels , and enough time in each city. One needs to book certain options in advance if they want to do extra things. The travel in a small group made us feel safe and allowed us to really explore the local areas . Loved every minute of it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/01/2023
Ramiro - Traveled, September 2023
Amazing trip and amazing country! Couldn't have asked for any more, got to see almost every iconic landmark in Italy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/02/2023
Cassandra - Traveled, September 2023
This trip was the greatest hits of Italy, fantastic for a first timer. Our tour leader Walter was precise in giving instructions, helpful and extremely attentive. We were sad to say goodbye.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Tanya - Traveled, September 2023
My son and I did the basic tour from Venice to Rome and it was fantastic ?? if you are lucky enough to get Walter as your tour leader. You have hit the jackpot. It was a great tour for us as we were able to see and do what we wanted with the guidance and local knowledge from a great tour leader. We also had a great group of people to travel with exchanging info/tips on tours, meals and drinks ?? definitely recommend
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/10/2023
Cassandra - Traveled, September 2023
This trip was the greatest hits of Italy, fantastic for a first timer. Our tour leader Walter was precise in giving instructions, helpful and extremely attentive. We were sad to say goodbye.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2023
Alastair - Traveled, September 2023
My first trip to Italy, i was more than satisfied with the price, locations, group and our tour guide helping all aspects of history and general assistance. 5 stars
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
Joel - Traveled, September 2023
The highlights of Italy tour is a great taster of some of the most amazing places in Italy. It is just the right amount of time to see most of the attractions and the trip is really organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
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