St Peter's Basilica
Italian Tour Itinerary
This Italian tour for independent travellers can start at any time, can be shortened, extended or combined with any of our other tours to create a unique itinerary.
(Inclusions in italics)
Day 1 - Rome: On your first day of your Italian tour explore the city and some of Rome's best known ancient sights, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona in the afternoon with a ‘hop-on-hop-off’ bus.
Day 2 - Rome: During your days in Rome you will also have the ‘Roma Pass’, which entitles you to admission into 2 of the sights, like the Colosseum, free transport in the inner city and a reduction in admission fees for most other attractions.
Day 3 - Rome: On your third day of your Italian Tour choose between priority admission tickets to the Vatican, a guided walking tour in the Roman countryside along the rustic Appian Way to catacombs and ancient aqueducts or a food walking tour in the Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere, the Jewish Ghetto and the Campo de' Fiori’s famous market.
See Rome options for extra sightseeing and extensions.
Day 4 - Sorrento: This small town is famous for its dramatic sea cliffs, views over the azure blue waters of the Bay of Naples and quaint little streets. Sip a Limoncello in one of the cafés at the Piazza Tasso and watch the world and thousands of scooters go by.
Day 5 - Sorrento: Visit the ruins of nearby Pompeii, Italy's most famous archaeological site. In 79 A.D, Mt. Vesuvius erupted, spewing volcanic ash over the city of Pompeii. Almost 2,000 years later, you have the opportunity to explore this site and see the houses, streets and public buildings miraculously preserved by the volcanic ash.
Day 6 - Sorrento: Experience this famous UNESCO world heritage-listed coastline from the comfort of a boat. Cruise to the beautiful islands of Faraglioni and Li Galli. Stop in Amalfi and explore the typically Mediterranean architecture of lanes and white houses making it one of Italy’s most famous destinations. Then enjoy light Italian lunch and drinks on board.
Optional extension day - Sorrento. Excursion to the island of Capri and the Blue Grotto.
Day 7 - Florence: Arrive in the midst of artistic splendour in Florence and familiarize yourself with this magnificent city by either a hop-on hop-off bus, a guided walking or bicycle tour.
Day 8 - Florence: Explore the treasures of this formidable city and visit the iconic cathedral with its Giotto’s Campanile and Brunelleschi’s Dome. Then choose one of the following 4 options to experience the rich Italian history and culture: Participate in a Tuscan cooking class and dinner or spend an evening in a Florentine palazzo and enjoy a lavish Renaissance Court Banquet or join a guided food walking tour or see Michelangelo’s David during a Renaissance walking tour.
Day 9 - Florence. Tuscanny excursion: During a full day excursion into Tuscany take in the spectacular countryside views and landscapes and explore Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and its famous Leaning Tower. Take part in a guided tour through Siena and visit the Gothic cathedral. Enjoy lunch with wine served at a wine estate in Chianti. See Florence and Tuscany options for further sightseeing and extensions.
Day 10 - Cinque Terre: After a train ride through beautiful Tuscany you arrive in Monterosso. In the afternoon take a boat ride along the coast and past the villages to Porto Venere. The picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, the narrow medieval streets lead up the hill to a castle and the 6th Century church made of black marble.
Day 11 - Cinque Terre: Walk the scenic Via Dell'Amore that connects the 5 villages of Cinque Terre and take in the dramatic views of the coastline and fishing villages. Taste one of Liguria’s specialties – razor clam soup and take a boat trip to the tiny island of Palmaria and its grottoes.
A ‘Sunset – Tapas Cruise’ in a traditional Ligurian fishing boat along the dramatic coastline will be one of the highlights of your Italian Tour. During a stop in one of the pristine coves take a swim in the crystal clear waters. See Cinque Terre options for extensions.
Day 12 - Lake Como: You will feel overwhelmed by the beauty of Lake Como and its surroundings. Take the funicular up to Brunate (2000 feet) for an even more spectacular view of the lake and mountains.
Como has been producing silk since the 14th Century and has since then a rich history in the art and craft of silk weaving. Visit the many silk shops and silk factory outlets.
Day 13 - Lake Como: Spend the day criss-crossing the lake by boat and visiting its tiny waterside villages, in particular ‘Bellagio’, the pearl of the lake. Make sure you visit the wonderful villas and gardens along the lake, like the 16th Century Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta or the lakeside gardens of ‘i Giardini di Villa Melzi’, to name just a few.
See Lake Como options for extensions to your Italian tour.
Day 14 - Venice: Stepping out from the Venice Santa Lucia train station will make you feel that you have arrived on a movie set. Nothing can prepare you for that first moment when you see Venice and the Canale Grande spread out before you. Spend the day in awe just walking around and loosing yourself in Venice and its tiny cobble-stoned alleyways, canals, bridges and piazzas.
Day 15 - Venice: Choose between one of 4 walking tours: The ‘Hidden Venice Walking tour’, the 'Venice walking tour with St. Mark's Basilica', the Doges Palace ‘hidden itinerary tour’ or in the evening the ‘Venice Ghost walking tour’.
In the afternoon enjoy a canal boat trip to Murano and visit glass blowing and lace making workshops. Celebrate the last evening of your Italian tour with a dinner in a renown restaurant with spectacluar views across the lagoon to St. Marks.
See Venice options for extra sightseeing and extensions.
Day 16 - Rome: A train ride of under 4 hours takes you back to Rome. Enjoy the views of the countryside and villages you are passing from your first class window seat or perhaps even from the Club car while enjoying some 'refreshments'.
Average travel time between destinations: 3 hours and 10 minutes.
The Italian tour is for independent travellers. Click here for more information regarding the independent travelling concept.