10 Day Italy Tour from Rome to Venice

Rome, Florence and Venice are the stars of the show on the most incredible of Italy trips. This unforgettable trio features visits to food markets, 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.

Travel: 10 days, 9 nights, 2 countries and 8 cities
Accommodations: 9 nights

Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners

Sightseeing highlights

  • VIP Fast Track Admission to the Vatican Museums
  • Explore Rome, Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Venice with a Local Specialist
  • Visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Villa Barberini Gardens in Castel Gandolfo, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and a glassblowing factory in Venice

  • Visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and a glassblowing factory in Venice
  • View the Colosseum and Forum 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

Travel highlights

  • 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 and surprise extras
  • 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.

Itinerary

You’re in for a bellissimo journey through the spectacular cities of Italy, which kicks off in the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Join your travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable Welcome Dinner. Your introduction to la dolce vita begins with an orientation drive past Rome’s most magnificent sights.

Arrival Transfer

Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Palatino Rome

Included Meals

Dinner

Day 2

Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City

This morning we join our Local Specialist for a very special experience as we Dive Into Culture in the smallest nation on earth – Vatican City. Explore the extraordinary collections of the Vatican Museums and stand beneath Michelangelo’s sublime ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, admiring the artistry of great masters and walking in the footsteps of popes who have found peace within the walls of this enclave for centuries. Visit the expansive St Peter’s Basilica before continuing to the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, where you’ll enjoy a tour of the lush gardens and lunch in its beautiful surrounds before returning to Rome.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Palatino Rome

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

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 the ancient story of this city to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Palatino Rome

Included Meals

Breakfast

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 reveal the story of this most venerated figure on 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 we continue our journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, we Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience enjoying delicious specialties against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

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. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through the historic center of Florence, shopping for high-quality leather for which the city is famous, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Included Meals

Breakfast

Day 6

Uncover Pisa’s Treasures

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

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Included Meals

Breakfast

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

Hotel Principe Venice

Included Meals

Breakfast

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, your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will see you enjoy 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

Hotel Principe Venice

Included Meals

Breakfast

Day 9

Experience Venice’s Food Market

Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when we join a Local Specialist for a walking tour from our hotel 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, walking over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day visiting the sights of your choice. Our love affair with Italy’s great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as we enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel Principe Venice

Included Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Departure Transfer

Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30

Included Meals

Breakfast