Best of Italy

Tour Itinerary

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Day 1 – Rome: the Eternal City

Guests will be arriving at different times and we will be on hand to assist when you check into our hotel and to help orient you. You will then have free time until 5:00 pm when all our guests will join us for welcome drinks and a chance to talk about our time together in Rome. Later you will take a walk to familiarise you with the local area which will finish at a lovely Roman Italian restaurant for our first meal together, and an opportunity to get to know the others who will be sharing this tour with you.

Inclusions: Welcome drinks, orientation walk

Meals: Dinner

 

Day 2 – Rome: the historical centre

Your Roman adventure begins with a guided tour of the old centre or ‘centro storico’. As you wander through meandering alleys and cobblestone streets, your local guide will share stories and secrets of this beautiful city, which has existed for over 2500 years. You'll visit the fantastic Pantheon - famous for its 2000-year-old concrete dome - the Spanish Steps, and the most famous fountain of Rome: the Trevi Fountain, where you'll throw a coin which, according to tradition, will ensure you return to Rome one day! You’ll take a break to enjoy a coffee in the best coffee shop in Rome and then you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore central Rome and its many highlights. We can give you many ideas on what to do and where to go.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the historical centre

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 3 – Rome: Vatican glory

Today you will travel on the Metro to one of the smallest countries in the world - Vatican City - for a guided tour. You'll begin at the Vatican Museums, where you will be taken by your experienced local guide to admire one of the most important collections of art in the world and to visit the Sistine Chapel and view some of the most famous masterpieces of art history: Michelangelo's Creation and the Last Judgment. You will then visit St. Peter’s Cathedral and conclude in the magnificence of Bernini’s Piazza. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore Rome and its many highlights.

Inclusions: Metro pass, Vatican and St Peter’s guided tour

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 4 – Rome: the ancient Roman city

This morning you'll take a guided tour starting in ancient Rome. Again, we'll take the Metro over to start our tour at the massive Colosseum, echoing with tales of gladiatorial battles, before venturing into the Palatine Hill, Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill from where the Romans ruled most of the known world at the time. You'll walk on 2000-year-old streets and get an insight into the Roman way of life at that time.

Inclusions: Metro pass, Beat the crowd guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 5 – Sorrento: gateway to the Amalfi Coast and Capri

Today you will transfer by private minivan to beautiful Sorrento: gateway to the famous Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri. On the way, you will stop at Pompeii, for a guided tour of the world-famous ancient ruins before the final leg of your journey to gorgeous Sorrento, which will be your base for the next 3 nights. After settling into your hotel, you’ll be taken on an early evening walk to try to catch the fabulous Sorrento sunset before making your way to a wonderful rooftop restaurant, where your group will enjoy dinner together.

Inclusions: Minivan transfer, Pompeii guided tour, orientation walk of Sorrento

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 6 – Sorrento: Amalfi Coast adventure

Today after breakfast you will board your private minivan and begin a day trip along the Amalfi Coast on the amazing ‘Mama Mia’ Highway. First stop is beautiful Positano to take in the famous views before continuing to the town of Amalfi. You will be able to explore Amalfi at your own pace, visiting the iconic multi-coloured 9th-century cathedral or browsing the rows of shops along the town’s side-streets. After visiting Amalfi, you will drive up to hilltop Ravello, where there are a number of options for lunch. Later you will take in the gardens and breathtaking views of the sea from Villa Rufolo, before soaking in more of the Amalfi Coast’s famous views on the drive back to Sorrento.

Inclusions: Amalfi Coast guided tour

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 7 – Sorrento: cruising to Capri

Today you are off to see the Isle of Capri! You will transfer to our boat and cruise across the blue Mediterranean waters. You'll visit the village of Anacapri and enjoy free time to visit the grounds of the Villa San Michele for some great views of the island. From there you will take the chairlift to Monte Solaro at the top of the island for even more impressive views. Afterwards, you take a scenic drive to the town of Capri: known for its designer shopping, whitewashed buildings and bustling little streets. You will have time to explore the village, including the Gardens of Augustus. You then return to our boat for a light lunch and a cruise around to see the sights of the island by sea, including the famed Faraglioni rock formations before returning back to Sorrento.

Inclusions: Transfers to and from the harbour, boat tour to and around the Isle of Capri, transfers on the island, chairlift entry.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch on board our boat

 

Day 8 – Florence: Renaissance city

Today you are off to Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance! You leave Sorrento after breakfast, taking a private transfer to Naples from where you will board a high-speed train that will take you to Florence in less than three hours. Once you’ve settled into your hotel, located in Florence’s beautiful old centre, you'll enjoy a guided tour through the old centre before finishing at the Accademia Gallery, where skip-the-line access lets you bypass the notoriously long lines outside to see the collection of artworks, with the highlight being Michelangelo's sculpture of David. Your group will meet together again in the evening for dinner at a lovely Tuscan-style restaurant.

Inclusions: Transfers to and from rail stations, high-speed rail to Florence, guided tour of Florence's old centre and the Accademia gallery.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 9 – Florence: a day in Tuscany

Today you venture into Tuscany, beginning with a drive through the rolling hills of Chianti before visiting historic Siena, where your local guide will show you around the old city. Then you move onto a rustic wine state in the foothills of San Gimignano, where you will enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch with local wine. After lunch, you will explore one of the most famous medieval hilltop villages in Italy - San Gimignano - where you can explore the maze of cobbled streets, small squares and local artisan shops (not to mention some of the best gelato in Italy!). Your day in Tuscany ends with a panoramic view of the Chianti countryside as you return to Florence after a memorable day.

Inclusions: Tuscan tour, including visits to San Gimignano and guided tour of Siena.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 10 – Florence: the Uffizi

After a morning for independent exploration, this afternoon you will visit one of the world's oldest and largest collections of art at the renowned Uffizi Gallery. Your expert guide will take you through the renowned collection of paintings and sculptures by masters like Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. You will end the visit with an aperitivo and nibble on the rooftop terrace overlooking the old town.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the Uffizi Galleries, aperitivo and nibbles.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 11 – Venice: the City of Love

Today you are off to your final Italian destination of the tour: the unique and historic city of love – Venice. A short ride on the fast train will get you to Venice where you will enjoy a private water taxi ride to your Venetian hotel. On the way, you will cruise the Grand Canal and take in the sights of those fabulous palazzos. What a way to arrive in Venice! Later you'll join us for an orientation walk of this beautiful city.

Inclusions: Transfer to rail, high-speed train to Venice, water taxi to your hotel via Grand Canal

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 12 – Venice: backstreets beauty

After breakfast, you will take a walking tour that will give you a broad view of the history, culture and character of the city. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll start by the Rialto Bridge before veering off the beaten path into one of the loveliest, most authentic areas of Venice. You’ll delve into quiet streets, pass peaceful canals and go beyond the areas that visitors usually see. As you wind through Venice’s hidden alleyways, your local expert will regale you with tales of the city’s past and present. The rest of the day is yours to explore this unique city.

Inclusions: Guided tour of backstreets Venice

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 13 – Venice: San Marco glory

St. Mark’s Square has been the centre of activity in Venice for centuries and today you will take a guided tour of the square, where you will skip the lines for entry into the Basilica and the Doges Palace. The rest of the day is yours to explore this wonderful and unique city. Later the group will gather together to take an excursion on a traditional Venice gondola through the city’s canals. Sit back and enjoy exploring the city as it was meant to be seen – from the water! You'll then enjoy for a farewell dinner to our Best of Italy tour.

Inclusions: Guided walking tour of St Mark’s Piazza and Basilica, skip the line entry to the Basilica and the Doges Palace, Gondola ride

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 14 – Venice: the City of Love

This is your last morning in Venice. Your hosts will be available to assist in your transfers to the airport or the rail.

Meals: Breakfast

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You can download the Best of Italy tour itinerary here.

 

For further information, or to book a Viaggio Italia Best of Italy tour, click here or contact us directly - you'll find our contact details here​.

 

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