11 Days,
Rome to Rome
All the highlights without the crowds on this winter Italy tour
Visiting 2 countries: Italy, Vatican City
Have yourself a bellissimo Italian adventure on this jaunt through the region’s most spectacular sites. Marvel at artistic masterpieces, historic treasures, fascinating cities and awe-inspiring landscapes, while chowing down on that famous, Italian fare. From the grand monuments in Rome to the charming streets of Florence to the Sorrento seaside, you’re sure to experience a trip of a lifetime. Bravissimo!
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Day 1:
Rome, Italy
Meet your Trip Leader and step back to 753 BC in one of the world's oldest open-air museums on a walking tour and give that bucket list a workout. Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a colossus hunger as you pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain, sit on the Spanish Steps and visit ancient history's version of the Hunger Games set at the Colosseum.
Included today:
-Walking tour of Rome
Meals:
-Dinner
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Day 2:
Rome including Vatican City visit
Create the ultimate Roman Holiday in one day with a whirlwind of Vespas, espresso, two-cheek kisses and pizza the way it's supposed to taste. Pop in on the Pope on an optional tour of the Vatican City to see how Michelangelo messed around and created the High Renaissance, then play eye spy with two-and-a-half millennia worth of history. Shop ‘til you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for sick views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness).
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Vatican City tour
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Day 3:
Rome to Sorrento
The Amalfi Coast is what 'My Travel Bucket List' Pinterest boards are made of – dramatic cliff faces, cobalt seas, leathery tans and lemons that grow bigger than your head. It's off to the unashamed resort town of Sorrento for an afternoon arrival. After getting your bearings on an orientation tour, feast at a local restaurant and soak up the seaside atmosphere.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 4:
Sorrento
Stay seaside or opt in to travel back to 79AD to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient city of Pompeii, which was abruptly buried when near-by Vesuvius erupted all over the place. Tonight, carb up at a local joint of your choosing. Pro tip: Follow the sound of live music.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Pompeii visit and guided tour
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Day 5:
Sorrento to Assisi
Down that cappuccino, we're off to Assisi. Cue dramatic mountain scenery on the way to the birthplace of Franciscan friars. See the frescoes at St Francis Basilica with a local guide before splitting off to explore the 14th century streets on your own and nosh on St Francis's favourite cookies. More grub awaits you at the hotel.
Included today:
-Assisi walking tour with local guide
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 6:
Assisi to Venice
Today: one of the smallest countries in the world with the highest speed limits – San Marino. This microstate lies in eastern Italy but is a Republic in its own right, and famously hosted a Formula One Grand Prix for many years. Then we hook it to Maranello for an included visit to the Ferrari Museum and every hot-blooded Italian teenage boy's dreams. After a fast and furious day, we check into our hotel across the lagoon from Venice and feast, Venetian style.
Included today:
-San Marino visit
-Entrance to the Ferrari Museum
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 7:
Venice
100+ slowly sinking islands won't explore themselves. Get your bearings on this morning's walking tour, then get hopelessly lost. Your GPS won't save you here. Soak up St Mark's Square before a quintessential gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Corny smooching not included. This afternoon, snoop the Doge’s Palace, cross Rialto Bridge and shop for Carnevale masks.
Included today:
-Walking tour of Venice
-Gondola ride
-Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 8:
Venice to Milan
Leaving the charming gondoliers behind, we make our way to fashion's capital: Milan. Home to Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana you'd think the fashion would be the best looking part of the city. Wrong. The Duomo is the fifth largest Christian church in the world, took 600 years to build (they're still not finished), has over 3,400 statues and is prettier than the entire Victoria's Secret fashion show line-up. The afternoon is yours – go nuts.
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 9:
Milan to Florence
If you're going to make something wrong it better be good looking. Failures don't come anymore beautiful than the leaning tower of Pisa. Snap a pic (you know the one) then make your food baby sing as we roll into the land of hearty Tuscan cuisine and birthplace of gelato: Florence. Whip around Santa Maria del Fiore before tucking into amore on a plate.
Included today:
-Pisa visit
-Winery visit
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 10:
Florence
Florence has more stories than Bilbo Baggins, more culture than a Shoreditch hipster and has over 1800 restaurants. Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge not bombed in WWII) and learn about leather (new handbag, anyone?) on a morning walking tour. Use the afternoon to meet a guy named David doing his best Blue Steel in the Accademia Gallery, shop the markets and hunt down the best aperitivo spreads.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Included today:
-Walking tour by local guide
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Day 11:
Florence to Rome
Romeward bound, we make a stop in Orvieto for the chance to grab a wild boar sandwich so tender you can cut it with words. Then the Eternal City is your oyster and an open schedule your lemon and salt. Stay on a little longer and shuck that mother!
Included today:
-Orvieto visit
Meals:
-Breakfast
