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Ultimate Italy: Winter
13 days, Rome to Venice
Itinerary
Day 1Rome
Arrive at any time. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this magnificent city.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Rome
Take an orientation walk of the Eternal City before enjoying a free day to explore a myriad of options. Opt to tour Vatican City, cross the river to charming Trastevere, eat some gelato in Piazza Navona, or swing by the Colosseum and Forum. In the evening, enjoy a true taste of Italy with a traditional Roman meal.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Rome, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the Colosseum, exploring the Pantheon, or sit down to a plate of pasta at a local trattoria. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Pantheon Visit
2-5EUR per personThe Pantheon is one of the most famous buildings in Rome. Originally built during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD), the building was rebuilt under Hadrian in 126 AD. The roof is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, and it contains a circular opening (an oculus). It is easily one of the best-preserved of all the ancient Roman buildings.
Roman Forum Visit
24EUR per personEven with the bustle of modern day Rome whizzing past on Vespas, you can still lose yourself in the fragmented columns and ancient ruins of this plaza, conjuring images of the rich Romans sauntering by in togas. Please note, this must be booked in combination with the Colosseum Visit and will include a visit to Palatine Hill.
Colosseum Visit
24EUR per personEnjoy a guided tour of this famous spot, the scene of many bloody gladiator fights for the entertainment of ancient Rome's aristocracy. Learn from your expert guide and you wander the old venue—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and feel free to walk around on your own. No battles, please!
Vatican Museum Visit
20-25EUR per personThe Vatican Museums near St Peter's Basilica contain priceless works of art from ancient to modern times. There are many different museums to choose from, but two of the most well known are the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Rome/Assisi
Leave Rome for the province of Umbria. Enjoy an orientation walk of Assisi and indulge in a wine tasting.
Travel by local train to delightful Umbria, staying in hilltop Assisi. Enjoy an included tasting of the exceptionally good local wines. Make time to visit the famous Basilica of San Francesco.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your Foodie Moment: Umbria Wine Tasting
Learn more about the wine production and cultivation in Umbria and indulge in a sample or two. Salute!
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Visit
FreeEnjoy a visit to Basilica di San Francisco, or St Francis, the main attraction in Assisi. St Francis is the patron saint of Italy and of animals, and is one of the most popular Catholic saints in the world. The basilica and accompanying friary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit. It contains famous frescos and mosaics, though an earthquake did considerable damage to much of the building in 1997.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Assisi
Take a half-day trip to the nearby hilltop town of Gubbio.
Visit the medieval stone town of Gubbio, with its 'Fountain of the Crazy People'. Gubbio's other claim to fame is the 'Biggest Christmas Tree in the World' — not a real tree, but a huge set of lights trailing up the hill behind the town in the shape of a Christmas tree, topped by a giant illuminated star.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gubbio Visit
Gubbio is one of many intriguing Umbrian towns, filled with Gothic architecture and plenty of 14th and 15th century buildings. Visit sights around the city such as the Roman theatre, originally housing up to 6,000 people, the city's 12th century Duomo, Piazza San Giovanni, or one of the palazzos (palaces).
Free Time
Explore more of the city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Assisi
Spend the day exploring Assisi or one of the nearby Umbrian towns, such as the province's capital, Perugia.
Free Time
Spend the day in Assisi or further afield.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Assisi/Florence
Continue on to Florence. Enjoy an evening walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Continue to the inimitable Firenze. Walk through the city catching a glimpse of the Duomo, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio. Visit the Piazzale Michelangelo for the most famous and most photographed vista of the city.
Opt to visit the local leather markets and souvenir stalls set up all over the city.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Piazzale Michelangelo Walk
Cross through the centre of the city and over the Arno. Climb to the top of the hill and check out the vista over the river from Piazzale Michelangelo. It's worth every step!
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Ponte Vecchio Visit
Walk across this medieval bridge and look over the Arno River to feel the romance of this city. Jewelers, art dealers and souvenir shops run the length of the bridge, featured in many master paintings.
Il Duomo di Firenze Visit
Free-30EUR per personThis green, pink, and white marbled 13th century basilica is one of Italy’s largest churches and its brick dome is the largest ever constructed. Wander through the cathedral or choose to climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome and be rewarded with extraordinary views of the city!
Meals included:
BreakfastDays 7–8Florence
With two free days, the choices are endless. Opt to visit the Duomo, David, the Uffizi Gallery, medieval Ponte Vecchio, or the Medici Chapels. Choose to go on a day trip to nearby Siena.
For the foodies, check out the Mercato Centrale and any number of cafés and trattorias. If you came to shop, start at one end of the city and just keep going. There's beautiful architecture, famous museums, Renaissance art pieces, and charming cobblestone streets everywhere. You could spend a lifetime exploring this fantastic city.
If you want to go further afield, take a trip to medieval Siena.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Florence, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like a visit to the Uffizi Gallery to see the works of the Renaissance masters, marvel at the Duomo and take in the panoramic view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Days 7–8 HideShow
Siena Visit
Head to nearby Siena and wander this medieval walled city. Options abound! Visit the gorgeous Duomo and the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race is held each summer. Climb the Torre del Mangia for fantastic views of the Tuscan landscape.
Ponte Vecchio Visit
Walk across this medieval bridge and look over the Arno River to feel the romance of this city. Jewelers, art dealers and souvenir shops run the length of the bridge, featured in many master paintings.
Medici Chapels Visit
9-32EUR per personAdmire the opulence of the two Medici Chapels. The Sagrestia Nuova was designed by Michelangelo and built as a mausoleum for the powerful Medici family.
David (Galleria dell'Accademia) Visit
22.50-26.50EUR per personVisit Michelangelo's most famous statue, 'David'. Marvel at the artistry on display in the intricately carved piece of marble. Please note that pre-booking your admission online will be 26.50EUR and booking on site will be 22.50EUR.
Uffizi Gallery Visit
25EUR per personHead to the Uffizi Gallery to see spectacular Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci paintings in person.
Il Duomo di Firenze Visit
Free-30EUR per personThis green, pink, and white marbled 13th century basilica is one of Italy’s largest churches and its brick dome is the largest ever constructed. Wander through the cathedral or choose to climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome and be rewarded with extraordinary views of the city!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Florence/Bologna
Travel on to Bologna, a university town known for its architecture and excellent cuisine. Enjoy an orientation walk and free time to explore this city.
Head by train to Bologna. This lovely city is famous for its local cuisine, markets, university, and beautiful architecture. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk of the town and free time to explore.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Bologna
Venture out on a day trip to nearby Modena, the home of aceto balsamico, or balsamic vinegar. Enjoy a tasting here.
Head to nearby Modena by regional train and enjoy a tasting of the city's most famous product – balsamic vinegar.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Day Trip Modena
Travel to the Etruscan town of Modena. Rich in history and engine-making (factories for Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, among others, are located here) Modena is arguably most famous for being the home of balsamic vinegar.
Your Foodie Moment: Balsamic Vinegar Tasting
Enjoy a tour to learn more about the production and aging process of the incomparable aceto balsamico, or balsamic vinegar. Sample different varieties and pick up some delicious souvenirs -- your salads will thank you for it.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Bologna/Venice
Travel to Venice, the "city of canals," and enjoy an orientation walk over bridges and canals and view Piazza San Marco.
Journey north to captivating Venice, the unique "city of canals," full of magnificent monuments.
There will be plenty of time to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and wide piazzas, crossing hundreds of tiny bridges and, of course, getting lost in Venice's labyrinth.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Saint Mark's Square and Basilica Visit
FreeEnter the picture-perfect Piazza San Marco from one of the many winding alleyways and stare in awe at the grandeur. With the massive, ornate basilica standing tall at one end, pigeons gathering and flying around, and violinists playing a Vivaldi tune at a café table — this is Venice. Wander the square and people watch or duck inside the glittering basilica for more Venetian inspiration.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Venice
Spend the day getting lost in Venice. Opt for a vaporetto (water taxi) ride to the islands of Murano and Burano, take a gondola under the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers), explore the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, or get lost in the twisting maze of the city.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Venice, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like exploring the waterways on a gondola ride, watch a Venetian glass blowing demonstration, and sitting down for a catch of the day meal at a canal-side restaurant. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Visit
17EUR per personVisit this former palace, rebuilt and restored numerous times, and admire the Gothic Venetian architecture. Once the seat of the government, the Palazzo Ducale is now a grand museum. Enjoy the stellar artwork, ornate chambers, and courtyards.
Gondola Ride
80EUR per groupSit back and enjoy a different point of view as you glide through the historic canals of Venice on a gondola.
Saint Mark's Square and Basilica Visit
FreeEnter the picture-perfect Piazza San Marco from one of the many winding alleyways and stare in awe at the grandeur. With the massive, ornate basilica standing tall at one end, pigeons gathering and flying around, and violinists playing a Vivaldi tune at a café table — this is Venice. Wander the square and people watch or duck inside the glittering basilica for more Venetian inspiration.
Murano and Burano Islands Visit
20EUR per personTake a quick trip across the lagoon and experience Venice’s artisanal roots. Explore the island of Murano, famous for its skilled glassblowers, and walk along the colourful streets of Burano, known for a centuries-old tradition of lacemaking.
Galleria dell'Accademia Visit
20EUR per personAdmire beautiful sculptures by the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, including the famous statue of David, at this beautiful art gallery. Check out rare musical instruments made by Stradivari (who made string instruments) and Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano, at Accademia Gallery's Museum of Musical Instruments.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Venice
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this beautiful city has to offer.