Compare Italy Experience by Intrepid Travel vs The Best Of Tuscany, Umbria & Le Marche by Vita Italian Tours
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 4,014 | $ 4,286 |
| Price Per Day | $ 401 | $ 330 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
12 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 9 Dinners |
| Description |
Take a trip to Italy, from the canals of Venice to the cobblestone streets of Rome. On this ten-day trip, you’ll explore historic sites and picturesque villages through some of the most incredible places in Europe’s treasure trove. Start in the canal-laden Venice and feel like you’ve stepped right into a postcard as you walk the streets on a cicchetti crawl, then visit the gorgeous Cinque Terre for hikes, photos and a pesto-making class. Soak in the coastal colours and then head to Pisa, home to that tilted tower. Explore Florence’s art, history and rich culture with loads of free time and then go on to discover the rolling green hills of Umbria. Sample wine, delicious food and great company and then move on to mighty Rome. |
The rolling hills of Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche are dotted with vineyards and olive groves. This area of Italy is famous for being known as, the ‘Green Heart’ of the Peninsula. Each region has its own particular character offering spectacular scenery, authentic cuisine and romantic hilltowns. It is also a journey from the Medieval period to one of the most splendid eras of European civilization: the Renaissance. The experience starts in Rome where you will see works by the greatest masters of the period who were commissioned by the Bishops of Rome. The tour ends where it all started in Florence, the home of the Medici. Between these two highlights, there will be guided tours to explore the treasures and experience the life in centres such as Urbino, Gubbio, Loreto, Assisi, Perugia, San Gimignano, Volterra and Siena. Your tour leaders, Mario, Viny and Gianni complement the tour with their intimate knowledge of the history, culture and Italian way of life. We will give you the opportunity to experience the excellent hospitality of the people of Central Italy with its abundance of traditional local food and wine. You will enjoy leisurely lunches and special dinners in traditional restaurants and osterie. There are also opportunities to shop at local markets and speciality shops. |
Day 1 Venice
Ciao! Welcome to Venice. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its iconic sites. There are no activities planned before tonight's welcome meeting at 6 pm, so if you arrive early, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Take a walk around the maze of streets behind San Marco Square and start to understand the complex canal system of Venice. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless boutique shops selling Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. Tonight, discover the most moreish Venetian bites on a cicchetti crawl through the city's fabulous bacari (wine bars).
Day 2 Venice
After breakfast, venture out and explore Venice. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. This morning, get a taste of both as your leader helps you get oriented in this intricate city. Take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. Your afternoon is free to take a trip in a Venetian gondola, enjoy an espresso and people watch in San Marco square, or discover the incredible artwork at the Palazzo Ducale or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection – the choice is yours. In the evening, maybe join your fellow travellers for a group dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for its specialities of fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti dishes, so make sure you give one a try.
Day 3 La Spezia
Spend the day travelling by train to the once important naval base of La Spezia, now the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Venranzza, Monterosso – whose position, wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs, makes it one of the highlights of the whole of Italy. The journey is a very scenic trip through the north of Italy. When you arrive in La Spezia there won't be too much time to explore yet, but after checking into your hotel, you can get your bearings with a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour or head out for dinner with the group.
Day 4 La Spezia / Cinque Terre
This morning, venture out on the footpaths of the Cinque Terre for a leader-led hike. The footpaths between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region and take you through olive groves, vineyards and idyllic vistas. You can walk just a few sections, which will still unveil a great amount of majestic scenery. Some path sections can be difficult, with challenging uphill stretches, narrow sections, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Please remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. It's also possible to take the train between the villages or back to the group's base whenever you want. After working up an appetite, take advantage of the foods of the Liguria region with a pesto-making demonstration and the chance to create your own pesto. Of course, you’ll try your creation with a glass of wine afterwards. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, there's no better way to recover from your day of walking than with more indulgence in delicious Mediterranean food.
Day 5 Pisa - Florence
Depart Cinque Terre today and catch a train to Pisa. Divided in two by the River Arno, the heart of Pisa is the Santa Maria quarter on the north bank. You can choose to visit the world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli, once the largest in Europe) and Pisa Baptistry, or explore the charming town, maybe enjoying lunch and an aperitif in a backstreet restaurant. Return to the station in the afternoon and take the train to Florence. After checking in to your hotel in Florence, the rest of your evening is free to explore the city of the Renaissance.
Day 6 Florence
Today is free for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so take your time to work out a plan. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot – the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Arno riverside, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Baptistry and the Belltower, and the Santa Croce Church. Otherwise, you can visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself. If you want to see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell’ Accademia. In the evening, climb the steep stairs uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo for a renowned sunset view across the rooftops of Florence before an included dinner of Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant.
Day 7 Perugia
After a free morning in Florence, travel by train to Perugia. The once-Roman settlement of Perugia sits atop a rocky hill with views over the rolling green hills of the Umbria region and is now a university town with one of Italy's largest schools. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk of the city’s rambling maze of medieval streets. In your spare time, and for an insight into local history, perhaps visit the National Gallery of Umbria – an impressive collection of Umbrian art housed in the Palazzo dei Priori (a grand stone building from the 13th century). Your evening is then free, with the city's population of students filling the streets with nightlife. Pause for a glass of prosecco along Corso Vannucci, the city’s main street, as you take a very Italian passeggiata.
Day 8 Perugia / Spello
Today take a train to the nearby medieval town of Spello, a Roman town that straddles a thin ridge at the base of Mount Subasio – the mountain where St Francis was said to have talked to the animals. It’s a place known for its wine and rural charm. Two of the local churches feature frescoes by famed Renaissance painter Pinturicchio, who later lent his hand to works in the Vatican and Siena’s cathedral. Sample the local wine and regional delicacies here when you lunch at a local enoteca. Tartufo and porcini make up the base of many pasta and risotto dishes, while whole stuffed pig with rosemary is a signature dish of the region. Back in Perugia the rest of your evening is free. It’ll be very hard not to spend the whole time indulging in the region’s fabulous food.
Day 9 Rome
This morning, take the train to Rome and remember that while here, the best attitude is ‘when in Rome’! Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you will pass by some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) and Arch of Constantine, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free, and there's a small charge to climb the dome for a panorama over the city. Head out to the Trastevere region tonight with your group for a final farewell dinner – this artsy part of the city is always a great spot for dinner, drinks and wandering around the winding lanes in the evening. Your local restaurant for tonight – Trattoria De Gli Amici – is run by a social cooperative promoted by the community of Sant ‘Egidio – they train and employ people living with disabilities, supported by management and locals.
Day 10 Rome
There are no activities planned today, and your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Rome (and it’s recommended that you do), just speak to your booking agent.
Day 1: Rome
Meals: Dinner
Your tour leaders will meet you at the Hotel in the centre of Rome at 4.00pm. Introductions and a small talk on the tour will precede an afternoon walk through some of the famous iconic areas of Rome. The guided walking tour will include Piazza della Repubblica, The Fountain of Trevi, The Spanish Steps, Piazza Barbarini and Via Veneto. The walk will end with an early dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Day 2: Rome/Loreto/Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we leave the Eternal City for Pesaro. We will travel in air-conditioned comfort through some of the most beautiful countryside of the Central Apennines. Lunch will be at Loreto, a beautiful hill town second only to Assisi and Rome as a place of religious pilgrimage. The town is a showcase of some of Italy’s greatest artists and architects. We then travel north to the City of Pesaro, which will be our home for the next 3 nights. After check in, an optional passeggiata of the historic centre of the city will precede a dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Pesaro/Urbino
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today after breakfast we explore the land once ruled by the lords of Montefeltro. The day is devoted to visiting Urbino, one of Italy's most fascinating towns of the Renaissance. It is also the birthplace of Raphael. A conducted tour of the magnificent Ducal Palace, which houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche with its precious paintings by Piero della Francesca, Tiziano, Paolo Uccello and Raphael. Lunch is organised in Urbino in a traditional restaurant where we taste the local casciotta cheese with crescia bread. Free evening in Pesaro.
Day 4: Pesaro/San Marino/San Leo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we travel just over the Le Marche border for a day visit to the tiny Republic of San Marino. It is a day for shopping as San Marino is jammed with duty free shops. Apart from souvenirs, you will be able to pick up perfume, watches and leather bags at very reasonable prices. San Marino is also worth a visit for its history and pageantry and its magnificent hilltop setting which offers excellent views of the countryside. In the afternoon we will visit San Leo with its ancient castle perched above sheer cliffs. We will have a rest in the beautiful town square where we will have lunch and taste the delicious formaggio di fossa: a cheese walled up in rock caves to mature for months. Free evening in Pesaro.
Day 5: Pesaro/Urbania
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast the group will experience an unforgettable day. We travel to the historical city of Urbania where the group will be guests of Donatella and Giorgio from the award winning osteria. The morning will be taken up with a series of cooking lessons on local cuisine and you will prepare lunch using locally made products. You will then enjoy your fabulous lunch with local wines in a beautiful country setting. Free evening.
Day 6: Pesaro/Gubbio/Assisi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we travel across Le Marche to the beautiful preserved medieval town of Gubbio in Umbria. There will be ample time to wander through the streets of this seldom visited gem. After lunch, we make our way to the famous town of Assisi which will be our base for the next three days. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 7: Assisi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is dedicated to Assisi, the home of one of Italy’s greatest, beloved saints, St. Francis. Assisi has always been an attraction for the great artists of Italy. In the Basilica of St Francis we will view many of these masterpieces culminating with Giotto’s Fresco Cycle. The afternoon is devoted to exploring the streets of this mystical town. Dinner will be organised at a traditional local restaurant.
Day 8: Assisi/Perugia/Deruta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we travel by bus to the magnificent university City of Perugia: a centre of art and culture. Perugia is striking for having retained much of its medieval appearance. The morning will be spent enjoying a leisurely walking tour of the historical centre and its sites before lunch in a traditional Umbrian osteria. In the afternoon we travel to the beautiful town of Deruta: famous for its Majolica ceramics. Dinner in a local restaurant in Assisi.
Day 9: Assisi/Siena/Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today our journey takes us through some of the richest parts of the Italian countryside and on to Florence, the city of the Medici. On the way to Florence there will be a special visit to Siena to admire the Cathedral and the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and learn about the famous race the Palio. After our arrival in Florence, the group will check in at the hotel and the rest of the day will include a walking tour, which features the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral, the Giotto Campanile and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistery known as the ‘Gates of Paradise’. Dinner at a restaurant in the centre of Florence.
Day 10: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning is devoted to the Accademia Gallery which contains one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance, the original David by Michelangelo as well as other masterpieces by this great artist. The rest of the day will be free to explore this beautiful city and wander through the famous markets shopping for leather and gold goods. In the evening dinner is organised in a local restaurant.
Day 11: Florence/San Gimignano/Volterra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we travel south from Florence through some of the most picturesque areas of the Tuscan countryside to visit the medieval hill town of San Gimignano. Housed within its historical 13th Century walls this beautiful town is renowned for its famous medieval towers and exquisite local white wine. There will also be an afternoon visit to nearby Volterra, considered one of the most beautiful towns in all of Tuscany. Dinner back in Florence.
Day 12: Florence/Greve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we take a picturesque drive through the Chianti region. You will experience the atmosphere of this part of Tuscany which is full of small villages and hundreds of vineyards dotting the countryside. We will stop for morning tea in Greve in the beautiful town square followed by a special wine tour and lunch at one of the oldest wineries in the area. You will find the lunch and atmosphere an unforgettable experience. Dinner in Florence at a local pizzeria.
Day 13: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
Mario,Viny and Gianni farewell the group after breakfast at the hotel.
