11 Day Best of Italy Small Group Tour
Description:
Itinerary:
Venice
Welcome to enchanting Venice (UNESCO) with its 117 tiny islands surrounded by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges. This evening, meet your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
Meals: Dinner
Venice
This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour of Venice’s most iconic sights. Pause for the perfect view over the Bridge of Sighs and take in St. Mark’s Square, adorned with marbled palaces and gilded basilicas. Travel by boat to Murano** for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. Following an afternoon at leisure, delve into Venice’s classical music heritage while attending a live performance of the Four Seasons* composed by the great Venetian Antonio Vivaldi.
Accommodation: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
Meals: Breakfast
Venice
This morning, explore the traditional Venetian craftsmanship behind one of the city’s symbols: the sleek, iconic gondola boats. Visit a local Remèr oar-making workshop, one of only a handful still active in the city. Then, glide along the canals during a gondola ride.** The afternoon is yours to explore more of the floating city. Perhaps you’ll head out for your own treasure hunt in search of the city’s hidden gems such as the whimsical Scala Contarini del Bovolo or the imposing Arsenal where the Republic of Venice built its merchant fleet and its commercial fortune.
Accommodation: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
Meals: Breakfast
Forli
Say “ciao” to Venice as you journey towards the Romagna region, famous for its epicurean lifestyle and its joie de vivre. Spend the afternoon exploring Ravenna (UNESCO). During the darkness that enveloped the last days of the Roman Empire, Ravenna emerged as a center of power thanks to its strategic position. The city’s rulers – the Byzantines, the Goths – adorned its churches with dazzling mosaics. During a guided walking tour, discover the city’s most illustrious monuments. In the late afternoon, continue to your hotel nestled among vineyards in the Romagna countryside and settle in for your two-night stay. This evening, be immersed in this bucolic setting during a wine-paired dinner at your wine resort hotel.
Accommodation: Borgo Conde Wine Resort
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Forli
Grab your passport*** and journey to the landlocked Republic of San Marino, the fifth-smallest country in the world. Perched at the top of Mount Titano, the old town of San Marino (UNESCO) gives visitors sweeping views over the Adriatic Riviera and the gentle rolling hills of the Romagna countryside. Explore the Old Town’s intricate system of fortification towers, walls, gates and bastions during time at leisure. This evening, wrap up your stay in the Romagna Countryside with a tour of your resort’s own winery, before joining the local chef for a hands-on cooking class centered on Romagna’s typical piadina flatbread, and pasta staples such as handmade tagliatelle. Then, sit back and enjoy the results of your work for dinner.
Accommodation: Borgo Conde Wine Resort
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Florence
Today, travel to the Emilia region, Italy’s foodie haven. During an Impact Moment, meet students and teachers at a vocational high school**** dedicated to the culinary arts and agriculture. Here, Italy’s future chefs and farmers learn how to make Parmigiano Reggiano cheese according to traditional standards, dating back to the 1300s. Students also try their hand at aging balsamic vinegar, a generational process taking anywhere from 12 to 25 years. Enjoy a farm-to-table light lunch prepared by the culinary students using ingredients from the school’s farm. Later, continue to Florence (UNESCO), the “Cradle of the Renaissance” and your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Cavour, Florence
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Florence
This morning, meet a local expert for a walking tour of a city that is a work of art all on its own. Your guide will highlight the Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery. You’ll also visit the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive Palazzo Vecchio. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Florence’s cultural riches independently. Perhaps you’ll visit to one of the city’s many museums,***** such as the Uffizi or Academy Gallery, where Michelangelo’s David is kept.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Cavour, Florence
Meals: Breakfast
Rome
This morning, traverse southern Tuscany, the ancient land of the Etruscans. This mysterious civilization predated the Romans, who assimilated them, erasing most of their way of life, even though many early kings of Rome were Etruscans. By all accounts, they were an advanced society and culture. One of the Etruscans’ most important cities was hilltop Orvieto. Here, it’s your choice! Join an expert local guide for an in-depth walking tour of the city -OR- enjoy free time to eat, drink, and dive into the local scene. Arrive in Rome (UNESCO) in the late afternoon and settle in for a three-night stay.
Accommodation: Ponte Sisto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Rome
This morning, your extensive walking tour winds its way through Rome’s medieval district, which developed organically from the ruins of the ancient city. This neighborhood is a charming combination of narrow cobbled streets, dark tufa stone, and repurposed Roman ruins. Ascend to the panoramic terrace of the Vittoriano with a combination of stairs and elevator to take in one of the city’s most impressive views. Gaze upon the vestiges of the Roman Empire, from the Forum to the majestic Colosseum before making the most of a free afternoon in the Eternal City. This evening, explore Rome’s dynamic dining scene during a food tour** in the bohemian Trastevere district.
Accommodation: Ponte Sisto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Rome
Delve into Rome’s second Golden Age on a walking tour exploring the city’s Renaissance and Baroque heritage alongside views of the Pantheon and the oval-shaped Navona Square. Then, it’s your choice! At your own pace, peruse the remarkable collection of antique Greek and Roman statuary of the Palazzo Altemps museum -OR- extend your walking tour and reach the banks of the Tiber River to admire the round-shaped Castel Sant’Angelo fortress. Standing tall above the river, this imposing castle sheltered popes and became the setting for Puccini’s beloved opera, Tosca. The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ll indulge in some shopping along Rome’s Cola di Rienzo street or make your way to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica.****** Gather tonight to toast the end of your Italian adventure during a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Ponte Sisto Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Rome
Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many fond memories of incredible Italy.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- 11 night’s hotel accommodation / 4 Handpicked Accommodations
- 16 Meals; 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners
- Glide under bridges and along canals during a gondola ride in Venice.
- Embark on a walking tour featuring Florence’s artistic and architectural gems.
- Discover the long-lost Etruscan civilization during a visit to hilltop Orvieto.
- Let classical music transport you back in time during a concert of Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons.
- Discover the craftsmanship behind the Venetian gondolas during a visit to a local Remèr oar-making workshop.
- Be dazzled by medieval mosaics in Ravenna that gave inspiration to the poetry of Lord Byron and to Cole Porter’s romantic song, Night and Day.
- Experience the flavors of Trastevere – Rome’s medieval district – during a food tour dinner.
- Participate in a hands-on cooking class dedicated to Romagna’s piadina flatbread and tagliatelle pasta.
- Taste traditionally made Parmigiano cheese and balsamic vinegar at a vocational school dedicated to culinary arts and agriculture.
- Venice
- Gondola Ride
- Classical Music Concert
- Ravenna
- Republic of San Marino
- Winery Tour & Cooking Class
- Florence
- Orvieto
- Rome
- Trastevere Food Tour Dinner
While just about any month is great to visit Italy, there are a few prime times of the year for the Best of Italy tour. Here are some recommendations from our destination experts.
Throughout Italy, the most popular times to visit are April, May, June, September, and October. Along the coast, July and August are busy with locals and Europeans on summer holiday, while cities are usually less crowded.
Winter: To experience Venice without the crowds, December, January, and February are best. Take a walk beside the canals on a quiet evening, where you can hear your footsteps echoing off the water.
Spring: Enjoy Italy in the spring season, with fewer tourists and comfortable temperatures. March is the sweet spot, when the weather is warm, but not too hot. This quieter time of year is ideal for comfortably exploring the cities and towns.
Fall: With fewer crowds, cooler days, and a bit of foliage to enjoy, November is a fantastic time to travel in the Romagna and Tuscany regions.
You’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
In Italy, some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that forbid motor coaches from circulating, especially in the historic areas of Venice, Ravenna, San Marino, Florence, Orvieto, and Rome.
The highest elevation encountered on this tour is 1,000 feet.
The areas featured on this tour require extensive walking over cobblestones, uneven and often narrow sidewalks, and occasionally unpaved terrain with loose gravel. For your comfort, we recommend bringing well broken-in walking shoes.
Agility is required for boarding the gondola boats and motorboats in Venice. While in Rome, the visit to the Vittoriano roof terrace requires negotiating 2 to 3 flights of steps. The elevator is not accessible for those who require special assistance as it requires climbing steps to reach it and may not be suitable for those suffering from vertigo.
Due to motorcoach access restrictions in Florence, your hotel stay will require a 15-minute walk to the property. You will be responsible for carrying your hand luggage to the hotel while larger luggage will be transferred via luggage van.
**On occasion, due to inclement weather, your boat trip to Murano Island may be substituted with a visit to a local glass factory, and your gondola boat ride may be substituted with a motorboat transfer. In Rome, your food tour may be served in a local restaurant instead.
- Most shops and businesses in Italy are closed on Sundays and on national/religious holidays.
- When reserving single accommodations, be advised that single rooms in Italy are often smaller in size.
- Exact concert program is confirmed 6 months ahead of your tour departure date and is subject to change. Occasionally the orchestra may be on tour and unavailable.
- On occasion, due to inclement weather, your boat trip to Murano Island may be substituted with a visit to a local glass factory, and your gondola boat ride may be substituted with a motorboat transfer. In Rome, your food tour may be served in a local restaurant instead.
- Bring your passport to San Marino if you would like to have it stamped with the country’s entry visa.
- During weekends and school holidays, the visit to the culinary vocational school will be replaced by a visit to the Pavarotti museum, and lunch will take place at a local balsamic vinegar producer.
- Most museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, including the Academy Gallery and the Uffizi, as are other state museums. Most state museums in Florence require reservations to access. In order to avoid standing in long lines, we suggest you reserve your ticket online prior to departure if you plan to visit the Academy Gallery or the Uffizi during your free time in Florence.
- The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are closed on Catholic holidays, May 1 and on most Sundays (the Museums are open the last Sunday of the month and are free of charge: because of that, lines are usually longer than on other days). The Vatican Museums require advanced reservation to access. In order to avoid standing in long lines, we suggest you reserve your ticket online prior to departure if you plan to visit during your free time in Rome. While there is no reservation required (or available) for Saint Peter’s Basilica, you must be prepared for long lines and security checks. Due to the large crowds expected around the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, you may experience higher than average wait times for entering the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Due to heightened security measures, it is forbidden to enter these sites and museums with handbags and backpacks larger than 16 x 14 x 6 inches (40 x 35 x 15 cm).
Exclusions:
- International and/or domestic flights
- Airport transfers
- Travel Insurance
- Meals where not indicated in the itinerary
- Gratuities
