Self-Guided Eternal Cities & Tuscany

Italy in 11 Days, 9 Nights in Destination

Exoticca’s classic self-guided tour in Italy, independently by train, from the legendary Colosseum with an included tour in Rome to the Renaissance heritage of Florence, the idyllic towns of Tuscany, and the romantic canals of Venice.

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Travel: 11 Days
Accommodations: 9 Nights in Destination
Meals: Breakfast only

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Tuscany
  • Venice

INCLUSIONS

  • All flights
  • Accommodation
  • Some transfers
  • Activities
  • Breakfast only

Itinerary

Travel to Italy to indulge in a country full of rich history, culture and gastronomy. Land in Rome and explore its cultural delights, such as the Colosseum, before heading to Florence to discover its hidden treasures and Renaissance heritage. Go wine-tasting in the Tuscan countryside and explore the romantic canals and atmospheric streets of Venice.

Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight* to the eternal city of Rome. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in Rome, the Italian capital, and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to begin exploring this romantic, historic city. The evening is the most magical time of day in Rome when the streets take on an even more charming character. Overnight stay in Rome.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the meeting point and enjoy a guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill*, three of the main archaeological sites of the Eternal City. Learn about the history of this empire, from its birth to the gladiatorial fights in the Colosseum, and appreciate the preserved corners of ancient Rome in the Forum and the Palatine Hill. We recommend the optional Piazzas and Fountains of Rome excursion.** The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the historic streets of Rome and dine on delicious Italian cuisine!*** Overnight stay in Rome.

* Time and days in Rome can be changed according to the availability of the Colosseum tickets. It will be confirmed 15 days before arrival. However, all included excursions are already guaranteed. Download the PDF uploaded to your Exoticca account to check the time and pick up point of the activities.

Activities included

Walking Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

** Optional Piazzas & Fountains of Rome Excursion: Take a pleasant walk through the artistic heart of Rome to visit its most symbolic piazzas and fountains! Visit Piazza Navona, the most elegant of all Rome squares and home to Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain. See the Church of San Luigi, the incredible Pantheon and the legendary Trevi Fountain, an icon of the city. Finally, pay a visit to the famous Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, the most photogenic spot in the city!

*** Optional Authentic Roman Dining Experience: Savor an evening of authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of historic Rome. Let the charm of the city envelop you as you enjoy traditional Italian dishes at a local restaurant, fully immersed in the rich flavors and vibrant atmosphere of Roman culture.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at your leisure in Rome. Perhaps visit the Vatican, trace the footsteps of the greats in the ancient streets of the old city or simply indulge in some delicious Italian ice cream. However you choose to spend your day, Rome is sure to delight you with its old-world charm and unbeatable sights. We suggest taking the optional Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel*. Overnight stay in Rome.

Optional Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel: Explore the priceless treasures held within the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel! Visit the Pio Clementino Hall, Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, Maps Gallery, Candelabra Gallery, Tapestries Gallery and the incredible Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, discover the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica and the atmospheric St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola!

Please note: Optional tour available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays afternoon, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, meet your transfer and head to the train station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Florence. Arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and self-transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city and keep enjoying the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre of Florence for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering Piazza Repubblica, one of the fanciest of the city, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building where a local market takes place. Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower. Rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Overnight stay in Florence.

Activities – included
Guided City Tour of Florence

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a full-day excursion to the most beautiful and historic towns and cities in Tuscany! Begin at the medieval hilltop town of Monteriggioni, known for its rustic streets and Renaissance-era atmosphere, before continuing to beautiful Siena, home to splendid Gothic architecture. Take a guided tour of the Piazza del Campo and Piazza del Duomo, to admire the imposing cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore at your leisure before continuing to San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can take some time for independent sightseeing and pay a visit to Gelateria Dondoli to taste authentic Italian gelato (own expense). Next, head to the rolling hills of the Chianti region to visit a wine estate. Enjoy a tasting session of high-quality wines, local snacks and fresh olive oils for an indulgent taste of authentic Tuscany! Return to Florence and take the evening to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Florence.

Activities – included
Full-Day Charming Tuscany & Wine-Tasting Excursion

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your leisure to enjoy your last day in the city. Florence’s historical centre is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so why not take a stroll on your own to discover its hidden treasures. Overnight stay in Florence.

Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don’t miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way. 

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Venice (Mestre Station). Arrive in the romantic city of Venice, self-transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day in the historic and enchanting Venice Mestre, the mainland town connected to Venice by rail and road bridges over the lagoon. Spend the night at your leisure and embrace the convenience of numerous transportation options, such as the frequent trains/buses to Venice center. The train station/bus stop is at walking distance from your hotel and it will take you to the iconic Venice center.

Venice built across more than 100 small islands, Venice is a pleasure to explore on foot as you get lost in the labyrinthine streets, stumbling across hidden cafes and cultural gems along the way. Get out and discover the plentiful delights of this eternal city, such as the immense Piazza San Marco. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

* You will have the option to add the transfers in the next step of the booking process.

Important: please bear in mind that the accommodation included in Venice is located in Venice Mestre, which is situated outside the island, approximately 25-30 minutes away by train, bus or Taxi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a guided walking tour through Venice, through the fascinating streets and across the canals; a crossroads of culture where East meets West. Admire the Basilica and Piazza of San Marco next to Gothic-style Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and the Clock Tower stand. Soak up the lively atmosphere of the Campo, a bustling square next to the Church of Santa Maria. Continue to marvel at the grand Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo, uncover legendary tales of Marco Polo and finally return to St. Mark’s Square by strolling through the main Venetian shopping street, the Mercerie, and immerse yourself in the historic buzz of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

Activity included
Guided City Tour of Venice


*Optional Gondola Ride Experience: One of the most famous characteristics of Venice is its historic gondolas and now you can be a part of this legacy yourself! Experience an unforgettable 35-minute gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer by car from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight back to Canada. Arrive in Canada and end your trip.

* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in Canada the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 12 days.

Terms & Conditions:

Prices quoted are per person based on double occupancy, for select dates and gateways, and reflect all promotional savings, and are subject to availability at time of booking. Prices are available from other departure cities, contact your travel agent. Prices were valid at time of publishing and are subject to change without notice. Promotional offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.

For your security and peace of mind, we recommend you purchase Travel Insurance.

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