Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and check in at the hotel for a 6pm welcome meeting with your group. If you get there early, walking around the city is really the best way to get a feel for it. The Trevi Fountain and Pantheon are both worth seeing if you have time before the meeting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Welcome aperativo and dinner with the group (not included in tour package)
- Explore Trevi Fountain
- Visit the Pantheon
Landmarks/POIs Trevi Fountain Pantheon - Day 2
Rome
Start your morning heading to the Colosseum via local metro for a guided tour of this massive ancient amphitheatre. After that, you'll walk the Via Sacra and check out the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The afternoon is yours to explore further with your metro day pass included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Colosseum
- Visit to Roman Forum
- Visit to Palatine Hill
- Metro day pass
Optional Activities
- Vatican Museum (tickets must be pre-booked online)
- Visit St Peter's Basilica
- Explore street-side cafes for espresso
- Gelato tasting
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Via Sacra Roman Forum Palatine Hill Vatican Museum St Peter's Basilica - Day 3
Rome to Siena
You'll take a train to Orvieto, a medieval town sitting dramatically on a volcanic bluff. A funicular railway gets you up to the historic centre where you can walk through charming narrow streets. There's a guided underground tour of ancient Etruscan caves and tunnels, then a private bus takes you through Tuscan countryside. You'll stop in Montepulciano for wine tasting and late lunch with local food before arriving in Siena by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Late lunch with typical local produce including cold cuts and cheeses at Caneto winery)
Included Activities
- Train travel to Orvieto
- Funicular railway to medieval centre
- Guided underground tour of ancient caves and tunnels
- Wine tasting experience at Caneto winery
- Late lunch with local produce including cold cuts and cheeses
- Private bus travel through Tuscany to Siena
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration of Orvieto's narrow streets
- Further exploration of Montepulciano
Landmarks/POIs Orvieto Montepulciano - Day 4
Siena to Florence
This morning you'll explore Siena's traffic-free medieval centre on your own. Piazza del Campo is the main focal point with its 100-metre Torre del Mangia bell tower and surrounding ancient buildings. Later you'll take a train to Florence for an orientation walk starting at San Lorenzo market, going through the Central Market and visiting San Lorenzo church and the Cappelle Medicee. You'll see the Duomo and Baptistry before reaching Signoria Square and crossing the Ponte Vecchio. The afternoon and early evening are free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train travel to Florence
- Orientation walk in Florence including: San Lorenzo market, Central Market, San Lorenzo church, Cappelle Medicee, Duomo, Baptistry (outside), Signoria Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Museum area, Ponte Vecchio
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Siena
- Espresso and people watching at alfresco cafes
- Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for city views
Landmarks/POIs Piazza del Campo Torre del Mangia Duomo of Florence Baptistry of Florence San Lorenzo Church Cappelle Medicee Palazzo Vecchio Uffizi Museum Ponte Vecchio Piazzale Michelangelo Signoria Square - Day 5
Florence
You have the day completely free in Florence to explore however you like. Museums and galleries are available to visit, you can climb the Duomo dome for city views, walk along the River Arno, or browse artisanal shops. Everything major is within walking distance so you can cover a lot of ground on foot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the Uffizi Gallery (must book in advance)
- Climb the Duomo dome
- Visit Palazzo Vecchio
- Visit Museo di San Marco
- Visit Galleria dell'Accademia (home to Michelangelo's David)
- Stroll along the River Arno
- Browse artisanal shops
Landmarks/POIs Uffizi Gallery Duomo of Florence Palazzo Vecchio Museo di San Marco Galleria dell'Accademia River Arno - Day 6
Florence to La Spezia
You'll take a train to Pisa for an orientation tour of the Campo dei Miracoli, which features the Leaning Tower, Baptistry, Duomo and Camposanto all together. After exploring these buildings and the historic centre, you'll store your luggage and continue by train to La Spezia, where you'll stay for the next two nights. La Spezia gives you easy access to the Cinque Terre National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Pisa including Campo dei Miracoli, Leaning Tower, Baptistry, Duomo, and Camposanto
- Train travel to La Spezia
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration of Pisa historic centre
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Campo dei Miracoli Baptistry of Pisa Duomo of Pisa Camposanto - Day 7
Cinque Terre
You'll have your Cinque Terre Pass for park entry and rail travel, then join a leader-organized hike through the coastal landscapes. Expect 3-4 hours of hiking on uneven terrain through terraced farms and Mediterranean woodland with great views of the coast. The exact route depends on weather and trail conditions. Or if hiking isn't for you, explore the five villages by rail or ferry instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cinque Terre Pass (includes park entry and all rail travel within park)
- Leader-organized hike through Cinque Terre
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of villages on foot
- Village exploration by rail
- Ferry service along the coast
Landmarks/POIs Cinque Terre National Park Monterosso Vernazzo Corniglia Manarola Riomaggiore - Day 8
Cinque Terre to Lake Como
You'll travel by train inland and stop in Milan for several hours to visit the Milan Cathedral, a Gothic marble masterpiece that took 600 years to build. From there you can climb to the rooftop for panoramic city views. After Milan, you'll continue to Lake Como, a peaceful Alpine lake with snow-capped peaks visible (until May), and harbours and charming towns dotted around it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train travel from Cinque Terre
- Visit to Il Duomo, Milan's Gothic cathedral
- Ascent to Il Duomo rooftop with city views
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration of Milan
- Exploration of Lake Como towns and villas
Landmarks/POIs Il Duomo, Milan Lake Como - Day 9
Lake Como
This is a relaxing day exploring Lake Como by taking short ferry journeys between charming towns and lakeside villas. You'll visit Bellagio, known as the 'Pearl of Lake Como', with its cobbled lanes, boutiques and cafes. You can either spend time in Bellagio browsing shops and gardens, or take a bus to Civenna and walk along a ridge overlooking the lake back to Bellagio through forests with great views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry travel on Lake Como
Optional Activities
- Explore Bellagio town
- Visit Bellagio gardens
- Bus travel to Civenna
- Ridge walk from Civenna to Bellagio with lake views
Landmarks/POIs Bellagio Civenna - Day 10
Lake Como to Venice
You'll catch your final train of the holiday to Venice. When you arrive, a leader-led orientation walk takes you through the canals and narrow passageways to Saint Mark's Square while learning about how Saint Mark's relics were brought to Venice. You'll travel by vaporetto water bus to San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower for views over the entire city. You'll get a 2-day vaporetto pass to explore Venice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train travel to Venice
- Leader-led orientation walk through canals and passageways
- Vaporetto water bus travel to San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower
- 2-day vaporetto pass for exploration
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration of Venice neighbourhoods
Landmarks/POIs Saint Mark's Square Saint Mark's Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower - Day 11
Venice
You have a free day in Venice to explore at your own pace. Walk the various passageways and piazzas on foot or travel by vaporetto across the canals. You can visit the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and galleries like the Gallerie dell'Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Browse shops for Murano glassware, leatherware and carnival masks, or stop at local bars for aperitivo and cicchetti.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore passageways and piazzas on foot
- Vaporetto water bus travel
- Gondola ride
- Visit Grand Canal
- Visit Rialto Bridge
- Visit Doge's Palace
- Visit Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Visit Palazzo Ducale
- Browse Murano glassware shops
- Browse leatherware shops
- Browse paperware and carnival mask shops
- Aperativo and cicchetti at local bars
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canal Rialto Bridge Doge's Palace Gallerie dell'Accademia Peggy Guggenheim Collection Palazzo Ducale - Day 12
Venice
No activities are scheduled today. You can depart whenever suits your flight schedule. The hotel has luggage storage available if your flight leaves later in the day.
