Highlights of Italy Featuring Tuscany & Venice

A city equally known for its layered past and incredible cuisine, Rome is one of Italy's most beloved destinations and your starting point for a memorable 11-day expedition.

As you arrive, transfer on your own to your accommodation, where you will meet the Tour Manager and traveling group. Our luxurious 4-star hotel is centrally located, making it the ideal base to relax or start your explorations of this wonderful city.

With the rest of the day free to explore, you could walk to Vatican City or Rome's historic center in minutes and delve into the arts, culture, and culinary scenes of this ancient city. Later, rejoin the group for dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Rome.

• Dinner

Waking this morning with history spanning millennia at your fingertips, we set out into this amazing city after breakfast.

Our first tour of the day is at the Colosseum. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, this was a place for gathering and entertaining, bravery and terror in Roman times. Gladiators fought to their death on the arena floor, battling each other and great beasts like lions. During our tour, we enter the iconic stadium to see the tunnels the gladiators walked down to meet their fates, and the battlefield at the center of the arena. We have just over an hour to explore here before continuing with a three-hour city tour.

Getting to know Rome one gorgeous piazza and timeless cobblestone street at a time, we uncover sites dating to the Roman Empire, such as the vast Roman Forum. Our expert guide brings to life the history of this great city, before a coffee stop near the iconic Trevi Fountain. After the tour, you are welcome to spend the rest of the day continuing your explorations at leisure. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

This morning is free for you to explore at your own pace. You could start with a cappuccino at a café near Piazza Navona, stroll to the Pantheon, marveling at its ancient architecture or simply wander through the cobbled streets, visiting the Trevi Fountain to toss in a coin.

Alternatively, you could visit the Vatican City (payable locally). A holy city revered by lovers of art, religion, and architecture alike, experience some of its most impressive features like the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.

This afternoon, we catch the train to Montecatini Terme, via Florence. Our journey sees us through the olive groves and orchards of Tuscany to Montecatini Terme, beloved as a spa resort since the 16th century. Our elegant hotel is in the lower part of Montecatini Terme, while on the hill above us is the Old Town of Montecatini Alto. After checking in, we enjoy dinner at our hotel. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

Please note - for departures Apr 05, Apr 26, May 10 and Oct 04 we will stay at the Hotel Parma e Oriente in Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast at the hotel this morning, we transfer to Montecatini's train station to board the mid-morning train to Florence.

Beautiful buildings and ambiance unique to this part of Italy greet us as we dive right in on a guided tour of the city. The excursion begins in Santa Maria Novella Square, from which we venture through the city's medieval center to Signoria Square. Gaze upon renowned landmarks, including the city's centerpiece, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi and enter the Uffizi Gallery's courtyard. The tour concludes after taking in scenic views over the Arno River from the 14th-century Ponte Vecchio, and you are free to continue exploring Florence, the world capital of Renaissance art, at leisure.

Later, we travel to the oldest restaurant in Tuscany, the gorgeous Renaissance-era Il Borgo Machiavelli. Once home to the famous political philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli, it's now a 'home museum'. We look around the museum and the fascinating cellar of this historical home before indulging in drinks and dinner in a glorious alfresco setting. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Set your sights on sparkling blue seas and colorful seaside villages as we visit the Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera. Traveling by coach to La Spezia, we are joined by an expert guide as we spend the day hopping between Monterosso and Vernazza by boat.

The multi-hued buildings of these quaint fishing villages perched high up on the cliffs seem to stack upon one another and were once only accessible from the sea or by ancient clifftop footpaths. There is time in each of these picture-perfect towns to explore their car-free streets and historic piazzas before we return to the water. Experiencing the Cinque Terre from the sea gives us a unique perspective on these medieval settlements brimming with history.

Returning to Montecatini Terme by coach, the evening is free to explore at leisure. The golden hues of sunset are magical here, and you may wish to admire them while riding the funicular railway up to Montecatini Alto, where you can also find many tempting restaurants. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast

Look upon the lush landscapes of Tuscany and central Italy as we embark on a cross-country journey after breakfast.

Traveling by rail from Montecatini Terme to Florence, we continue through the heart of the country to Venice. The 'Floating City' has long been one of the most recognized locations in Italy. Its buildings, many of which are more than 800-years-old, are spread amongst 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Even today, traversing this amazing city is best done by boat in its extensive canal system or on foot, crossing bridge after ornate bridge.

We arrive this afternoon and are transferred to our hotel on Murano Island by boat. Once you have settled in, you have some free time to enjoy our hotel's amenities or explore the stunning backdrop this island provides before dinner at the hotel this evening. Perhaps stroll along its Grand Canal of Murano, taste freshly caught seafood at a local eatery, or window shop while passing the numerous glass stores for which Murano is famed. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Find yourself immersed in the rich offerings of Venice as we embark on a walking tour of the city after breakfast. Accompanied by an expert guide, we explore Venice's most beloved sights while hearing stories and little-known facts. The buildings are sure to impress, especially considering most are built on a foundation of 1,000-year-old sunken logs. As we walk through the city, notice the varied features of the bridges and watch as gondolas pass through the canals. Highlights of our tour include Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Campo Santa Margherita Square, the Marco Polo House, the Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica.

Take the remainder of the day to sightsee independently - on foot or by traditional gondola. These long, narrow boats cruise the canals throughout the city. This is a great way to get between islands or relax in your downtime. Otherwise, you may wish to peruse the offerings of the Rialto Market, where fresh fish and produce abound, or seek out one of the shops selling authentic Venetian masks - the perfect souvenir. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

A day of travel lies ahead after breakfast as we depart Venice by train, venturing from one coast to another to the characterful city of Naples. Our journey follows a southerly route that showcases the limitless wonders of Italy's interior as we pass through cities, villages, and vast expanses of countryside.

Late this afternoon, we arrive in Naples, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, and are met by a coach at the station. Our first taste of the region comes at Agriturismo Galatea. This expansive farm has been producing olive oil, lemons, succulent meats, cheeses, and more for over four generations. Dinner is served in these heavenly surroundings and includes tastings of fresh mozzarella cheese and limoncello made with indulgent Sorrento lemons. Take some time to walk around the farm's impressive grounds and see just how varied its offerings are before we complete our day's travels and head to Sorrento.

Our hillside hotel boasts picturesque views of the Gulf of Naples and its attractive coastline. There's time to unwind and enjoy our special location this evening. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Crystalline blue water, endless sunshine, and some of the most magnificent vistas you could imagine lie ahead after breakfast today.

After a coach transfer to Massa Lubrense, we embark on a cruise along the glistening Amalfi Coast. We first visit Amalfi and enjoy two hours to uncover its beauty independently. Lounge on the beach or admire the contrast of the buildings against vibrant green mountains and azure waters. There is a 9th-century cathedral, as well as many shops and eateries. Arriving in Positano, one of the region's most popular towns, we get a great view of buildings seemingly layered on top of one another. Colorful stucco homes sit alongside steep and narrow streets, and there's free time to stroll along the beach or seek out a great vantage point.

Returning to Sorrento, this evening we take part in a hands-on pizza-making experience at a local restaurant. Led by a master pizzaiolo, we discover the secrets to this dish before sitting down to dine on our creations, along with a glass of wine and a dessert. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A leisurely morning invites you to explore the colorful old buildings line the streets of Sorrento's historic center, before a highlight of your vacation.

Transferring by coach, we arrive in Pompeii. Preserved remains and layers of history are uncovered as we embark on a guided tour of this one-of-a-kind destination. Alongside an expert, the secrets and lives of people are unveiled before it all came to an immediate halt with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. Wandering among the homes, bathhouses, religious establishments, and government buildings that once filled this city, we listen to stories from our guide and enjoy an up-close look at ruins preserved with incredible detail, thanks to the ash that rained upon the city with the volcano's eruption

From Pompeii, we continue to Naples' train station and board a train bound for Rome. On arrival, we check in to our hotel before heading to a local restaurant for our final dinner. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bursting with iconic destinations, from world-famous cities to spellbinding scenery and much-loved cuisine, an exploration of Italy provides many unforgettable moments. On a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Rome's ancient history, Florence's Renaissance architecture and Venice's timeless canals have been explored. Sun-baked coasts showcase the laid-back charm of Italy, from the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre to the fragrant hills and elegant towns of the Amalfi Coast. The country's celebrated cuisine was savored during visits to Il Borgo Machiavelli, a Sorrento agriturismo and a pizza-making lesson.

After breakfast this morning in Rome, your Italian adventure comes to a conclusion. You may transfer to Rome's international airport at your leisure for your return flight home.

• Breakfast