Compare Ultimate Italy by G Adventures vs Venice Simplon-Orient-Express by Titan Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 14 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,799 | $ 4,369 |
| Price Per Day | $ 200 | $ 546 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 13 breakfasts |
14 meals: 7 breakfasts (days 2-8) 1 brunch (day 1) 2 lunches (days 2 and 4) 4 dinners (days 1 and 4 -6) |
| Description |
From the villages of the Cinque Terre to Tuscany's medieval splendour, this is an adventure for those looking to indulge in all of Italy’s delights. Walk through grand piazzas and winding lanes, stroll the canals of Venice, and float past villas on Lake Como. Marvel at the ancient grandeur of Rome and the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence. Your expert local CEO (Chief Experience Officer) will take care of the details so you can travel at a leisurely pace and appreciate the scenery, whether it’s sipping vino in Tuscany or sampling local delicacies within the walls of charming Montepulciano. Experience the best of Italy in this all-encompassing tour. |
This exclusively-arranged holiday combines an experience on many travel wish lists - the journey from London to Venice (or vice versa) on the world’s most famous train, the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - with days exploring enchanting Venice, Ferrara, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena in continually popular Tuscany. |
Day 1 Rome
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until tonight's welcome meeting.
We recommend booking pre-tour accommodation to fully explore this magnificent city. Please speak to a G Adventures representative about booking accommodations in Rome before Day 1 of this itinerary. Please note that if Vatican City is on your must-see list, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets online several weeks prior to your trip. Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Same-day entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) cannot be guaranteed without advance tickets. We also recommend pre-booking your ticket to the Colosseum to guarantee entrance and avoid long queues: https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/ticket-colosseum-roman-forum-palatine_24h/
Day 2 Rome
Enjoy a G Adventures supported migrant led walk of Rome 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.
While you're here, why not opt to rent a Vespa for the day? Live "la dolce vita" and opt to pre-book the Rome Vintage Vespa Tour on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 3 Rome/Montepulciano
Travel to Montepulciano in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Explore the medieval and renaissance hill town with an orientation walk.
Montepulciano is famous for producing delectable local pork, cheese, "Pici" pasta, and honey. It is also major wine producing area. Take in the stunning vistas, wander cobbled lanes, or opt to sample the local delicacies in small, family-run establishments.
Day 4 Montepulciano
Spend the day in the Italian countryside. The famous wine-producing region is the perfect place for an optional vineyard tour and wine tasting, or a bike ride in the rolling hills.
Opt to travel further afield to the thermal springs of Bagni San Filippo.
Day 5 Montepulciano/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. Continue to Piazzale Michelangelo for the most famous and photographed vista of the city. Opt to visit the local leather markets and souvenir stalls set up all over the city.
Day 6 Florence
With a free day, the choices are endless. Opt to visit the Duomo, David, the Galleria dell’Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, medieval Ponte Vecchio, or the Medici Chapels, just to name a handful.
The day is yours to explore. Check out the Mercato Centrale or 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. If you wish to go further afield, take a wine tasting bike tour up to Fiesole and the vineyards of Chianti. For a truly local experience, indulge your inner gastronome on a culinary tour of the city. Opt to pre-book the "Florence Food Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
If you wish to visit popular museums like the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, we strongly advise reserving tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially during the high season from May-September, where this can take several hours). Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets and https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/tickets/
Day 7 Florence
Enjoy a day trip to vibrant Siena. After an orientation walk around this medieval city, opt to visit Torre del Mangia, Battistero, il Campo, or the Duomo or to take a "passeggiata" and meet the Sienese locals. Return to Florence at the end of the day.
Day 8 Florence/Cinque Terre
Visit Pisa en route to the coast. Settle into the colourful, charming town in the Cinque Terre.
Head by train to Pisa and stop for a visit at the Field of Miracles to see the famous leaning tower (entrance fee not included). Later, head on to the coastal paradise of Cinque Terre.
Day 9 Cinque Terre
Walk the coastal path between Riomaggiore and Monterosso or opt to take the train. Visit charming, colourful towns along the way.
The national park pass and daily unlimited train ticket is included. Opt to follow your CEO along centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks leading through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards on a full day hike, or hop on and off the train, experiencing each town on your own. Choose to rest in each of the 5 villages, sampling delicacies in each place, such as local pesto, espresso, or delicious gelato.
Please note that some popular hiking paths along the Cinque Terre have been temporarily closed due to water erosion and damage caused by landslides in 2016. Your CEO will guide you on the best, most accessible path for today's hike.
Day 10 Cinque Terre/Lake Como
Travel to Lake Como, a perfectly picturesque region laden with villas and lush gardens. Arrive in the late afternoon and start exploring the town.
Set out from Cinque Terre on a train journey with a few changes en route, passing through Milan and on to elegant Como Town, located on the shores of Lake Como. On the border with Switzerland, enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the snowy-peaked Alps.
Day 11 Lake Como
Spend the day on Lake Como with a day pass for the Lake Como boat. Visit multiple towns along the shores. Opt to take the funicular to Brunate for a fantastic view over the area.
Set out by boat to explore the lake and its many elegant villas and towns, such as Bellagio with its shops, restaurants, and fine residences. In the afternoon, there is plenty of free time for soaking up the elegant atmosphere in one of the lakeside cafés or restaurants. Take some time for shopping — some of the finest Italian designers are to be found in Como's chic boutiques.
Day 12 Lake Como/Venice
Travel to Venice, the "city of canals," and enjoy an orientation walk over bridges and canals and view Piazza San Marco.
Travel east 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.
Day 13 Venice
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.
Day 14 Venice
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this beautiful city has to offer.
Day 1 London - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
VIP Outbound1 Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for a journey to London Victoria station to board the Belmond British Pullman carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (5T), with brunch served as you start this iconic journey. You will be attentively looked after with exquisite service from your personal Venice Simplon-Orient-Express hostess who will also accompany you during the coach and Eurotunnel shuttle to Calais, offering champagne and snacks. We continue our journey by joining the continental carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the journey to Venice. This evening a four-course dinner is served on board. Please note: dress code applies.
Day 2 Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - Venice
Brenner Pass Awake to the beautiful scenery of the Swiss Alps this morning. A leisurely breakfast will be served in your cabin. A three-course lunch will be served in one of the luxury restaurant cars and afternoon tea is served in your cabin. Your journey of decadence ends in crossing the Venetian lagoon. After afternoon tea, the train pulls into Santa Lucia station, you cross the canals by a private water taxi that moors a few steps away from the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal (4T), where dedicated porters will have transported your luggage from the train station to hotel.
Day 3 Venice
Grand Canal A free day to relax and explore. You may wish to visit the stunning and intricately detailed Doge’s Palace or the magnificent 11th century St Mark’s Basilica. Rialto Bridge is a wonderful place to watch and photograph the constant activity of boats on the Grand Canal below, and the narrow passages that link one piazza to another.
Day 4 Venice - Ferrara - Florence
Florence Today we walk the short distance to our water taxi and on to our coach to travel south towards the great city of art - Florence, the capital of Tuscany. We make a stop in Ferrara, the City of Renaissance, for a guided tour. After lunch we continue to Florence arriving at the centrally-located Starhotels Michelangelo (4T) - where dinner is included this evening.
Day 5 Florence
Vineyard This morning, we walk into the center of Florence for a guided walking tour. We continue to Chianti Country and the Castello del Trebbio winery for a tour of the family-owned castle and wine cellars. We have an included dinner at their award-winning restaurant.
Day 6 Pisa - Lucca
Pisa On arrival in Pisa, we view the famous Leaning Tower. Later this afternoon we travel to Lucca, an interesting and delightful city, which hides within its ramparts a rich array of churches, palaces and squares that retain their original charm. Dinner is taken in a local restaurant tonight.
Day 7 San Gimignano - Siena
San Gimignano We have a full day to explore San Gimignano and Siena. San Gimignano stands on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. We continue to Siena, with its medieval streets lined with picturesque old houses and palaces. You are free for dinner this evening.
Day 8 Florence - Pisa - London
VIP Inbound This morning we depart for Pisa Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.
