Compare Quintessential Tour of Italy by Discover Your Italy vs Italy in 9 days - Ancient Rome, Cathedrals & Canals - Superior by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 7,885 | $ 1,399 |
| Price Per Day | $ 607 | $ 155 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 8 breakfasts. |
| Description |
This Italy tour features 12 nights of luxurious accommodations in boutique properties by Autentico Hotels (3 nights in Milan, 3 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Amalfi) with full buffet breakfasts. Starting in Milan and ending in Naples, this small-group tour of Italy (for 6–20 participants) includes private transportation by deluxe coach. A part of this Italian vacation package are also 4 lunches and 5 dinners; wine tastings and an exclusive cooking class as well as multiple city tours, day trips and a boat excursion to Capri island, all with English-speaking guides and entrances to listed attractions. Professional English-speaking assistance is provided for the duration of the tour. |
Travel to Italy and immerse yourself in its history, culture and gastronomy. Land in Rome and admire one of the most romantic cities in the world, filled with cultural delights, such as the Colosseum, before heading to Florence to discover its hidden treasures and Renaissance heritage. Finally, explore Venice, known for its waterways and canals, built across 100 small islands. |
Days 1 to 3 : Explore Italy’s North: Milan, Lake Como and Bellagio
Arrive to Milan and meet up with your tour leader and group for a welcome drink and dinner. Roam the streets of the world’s fashion capital with a guide. Admire the intricate stonework of the Gothic Duomo cathedral. Look up for glass-vaulted arcades in the mall of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping mall. People-watch at Piazza della Scala and marvel at the austere Sforca castle, former home of many rulers. Sip a cocktail at an iconic bar and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Next day venture out to the resplendent Lake Como and admire its shores dotted with illustrious mansions and quaint villages. Explore the medieval heart of the namesake town and take a boat to the romantic town of Bellagio, where cobbled stairways lead to some of the best lake views. Visit Villa Carlotta to wander its botanical park and galleries replete with art masterpieces.
Days 4 to 6 : Savor the Flavors of Bologna and Tuscany
Visit the capital of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, marveling at its terracotta medieval buildings, enjoying the buzzy vibe of this home of the world’s oldest university and visit a local restaurant for a taste of Bologna’s most famous invention, the bolognaise sauce (have it with tagliatelle or tortellini). Travel back to the Renaissance in Florence, where famous art and architectural masterpieces wow you at every corner. Master the finest recipes of Tuscan cuisine in an exclusive cooking class with the acclaimed chef Silvia Baracchi in her 17th-century family home, now a Relais II Falconiere hotel, and enjoy the pairing with Falconiere wines. Work it all off touring Cortona, the town built upon Etruscan foundations, where many Renaissance and Baroque artists, like Luca Signorelli or Pietro di Cortona, came to seek inspiration.
Days 7 to 9 : Fall in Love with the Eternal City
On the way to Rome, stop in the town of Orvieto, founded upon volcanic tufa stone by the Etruscans 2700 years ago. See one of Italy’s most astonishing Gothic churches, the cathedral nestled in its medieval center. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue on to the Eternal City. Join a guided tour to delve into the opulence of the world’s smallest state, the Vatican: explore the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Finish the day with dinner at a typical restaurant in Trastevere, one of Rome’s characteristic neighborhoods. Explore the highlights of ancient Rome, such as the Colosseum, where gladiators used to fight for life, and the Imperial Fora, a string of open squares which were the hearth of public life. Enjoy an afternoon on your own, roaming the Baroque sights of Rome: toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain or climb the iconic Spanish Steps.
Days 10 to 13 : Unwind on the Amalfi Coast and Visit Pompeii
On your way to the Amalfi coast, stop in the town of Caserta to tour its Royal Palace, one of the largest in the world. Get stunned by the opulent Baroque ornamentations throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a day at leisure in the hidden gem of the Amalfi coast, the hilltop town of Ravello, replete with villas, gardens and terraces with dazzling panoramas of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Take a boat to Capri: peek into the Blue Cave, filled with an emerald light, and get your steps in along the twisting Via Krupp and the seaside Fortini trail. Return to colorful Positano for a fish dinner paired with views of the Gulf of Ravello. Enjoy one last quintessential experience at the site of Pompeii, the town where life ended in 79AD with a sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Stroll the open-air museum and admire some of the best-preserved Roman frescoes. Toast to your extraordinary journey with wines grown in volcanic soil at a local winery, enjoy a lunch, and then head to Naples for your departure back home.
Day 1: US - Night on board
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.
Day 2: Rome
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.
Day 3: Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, 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. * 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 Italian meal at a restaurant in Campo Di Fiori: Enjoy an evening of authentic Italian cuisine in beautiful Campo Di Fiori Square, nestled in the heart of historic Rome. Soak up the atmosphere as you indulge in Italian dishes at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Rome
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, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must See's of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 5: Rome - Florence
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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: Florence
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 and visit the spectacular Pisa Cathedral before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.
Day 8: Florence - Venice
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 at your leisure. 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 on this eternal city, such as the immense Piazza San Marco. Overnight stay in Venice.
Day 9: Venice
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. *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. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must see`s of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 10: Venice - US
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer by car from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight back to the US. Arrive in the US 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 the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.
