English
DeutschVisit three of Italy’s most fascinating cities on this exciting trip to Italy. From the ancient ruins of Rome and the fascinating sculptures in Florence to the scenic canals in Venice, this Italy trip is sure to delight.
Among many things, you will see Rome’s must-see sights, including Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment at the Sistine Chapel, the historic Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Square and Basilica—all accompanied by inside stories that only locals know. In Florence, your expert local guide will take you to the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s David. But don’t worry—we give you VIP access, so you can skip the lines and spend your time inside the attractions and not bored in line! While hearing the stories and history behind the sights, you’ll also walk through Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce Square. In Venice, we’ve arranged for you to see a glassblowers’ presentation and enjoy a sightseeing tour once again with a local expert. See St. Mark’s Square and Basilica; visit Doges’ Palace, the symbol of Venice, and the Bridge of Sighs.
In each city, you’ll also have leisure time to enjoy optional activities you desire. Perhaps visit the Catacombs in Rome, descend the legendary Spanish Steps, learn to cook from an Italian chef, and throw a coin in Trevi Fountain. From Florence, maybe take an excursion into the Chianti countryside or to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Be serenaded by live music on a gondola or savor a drink at a café in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. Whatever you desire, this vacation to Rome, Florence & Venice gives you the opportunity to discover and experience it!
| Accommodation | Destination | Start | End | Basis | Room Type | Duration |
| iH Rome Dei Borgia | Rome | May 23 | May 26 | B&B | 1x Standard Room | 3 Nights |
| Hotel Cellai | Florence | May 26 | May 29 | B&B | 1x Standard Room | 3 Nights |
| Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal | Venice | May 29 | Jun 1 | B&B | 1x Standard Room | 3 Nights |
Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Price
From US$2,154.-per person, double occupancy. Promo of US$695.- pp has been applied. Please check with us for promos for your desired travel period at time of booking.
Included
Accommodation, meals and sight seeing as listed in the package (availability to be confirmed at time of booking or similar hotel will be provided) . First Class Train Service between cities. Transfers to/from train station with assistance on which train to board. Airport transfers in Rome at set hours. Venice airport transfer between 9am and 3pm. Host available upon your arrival at your hotel to assist with any questions you may have. City maps, personal headset included city sightseeing, entrance to the Marciana Library and the Correr and Archaeological Museum in Venice.
Excluded
International flight to/from Italy (ask for price with inclusion if needed). Optional tours. Airport taxes and fees.
Note: Daily departures, choose length of stay in each city as well as from selection of hotels. Please inquire for Journeys that include international flight to /from Italy by advising your getaway city. Inquire for other destinations you wish to explore.
Day 1: iH Rome Dei Borgia , Rome (Sat, May 23)
Italy
It is easy to understand why Italy is one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations. This is a country that truly does have it all: exquisite landscapes, an abundance of art and architectural treasures, world renowned museums and a national obsession with decadent food and fine wine. Not to mention the country’s sun-kissed olive groves, glacial lakes, fiery volcanoes and snow capped peaks. Dive the clear green waters of the Mediterranean, browse the market stalls in Naples or experience the diverse wildlife inhabiting the country’s national parks. And if you find the vast range of choices overwhelming, take some advice from the locals: sit back, relax and take a moment to indulge in the “bella vita” (the good life). As they say: when in Rome!
Rome
Rome is a city that remains virtually unrivalled in the sheer volume and diversity of its cultural repertoire. One could spend months in Rome and still only scratch the surface of treasures to be discovered in this phenomenal ancient city. 3000-years of haphazard urban development has resulted in a complex cocktail of art, history and architecture full of fascinating cultural clashes and contrasts. Classical ruins as well as countless early Christian catacombs and clandestine churches sit alongside (or beneath) magnificent Renaissance palazzos and breathtaking Baroque fountains. This unique combination of a rich historical tapestry interweaved with a thriving and vibrant modern community living life to its fullest as only the Italians can, makes Italy’s Eternal City one of the world’s most intriguing and inspiring tourist destinations.
Day Itinerary
Benvenuto—welcome. Your Local Host is on hand to help you feel right at home in the “Eternal City.”
Overnight: iH Rome Dei Borgia
Located in the heart of Rome, iH Rome Dei Borgia is a short walk away from the iconic Colosseum and all that the historic Eternal City has to offer. The elegantly appointed hotel is home to 80 guestrooms, each featuring luxurious furnishings and modern amenities including air-conditioning, a minibar and flat-screen TV. Guests can kick start the day with a delicious breakfast in the dining room or unwind with a treatment at the Spa & Wellness centre.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: iH Rome Dei Borgia , Rome (Sun, May 24)
Day Itinerary
Your morning guided sightseeing, with headset, is rich in religious and ancient history. Visit the VATICAN MUSEUMS to see amazing treasures. In the SISTINE CHAPEL, where the Conclave is held to elect new popes, view Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment and his famous ceiling paintings. Also on the agenda today, enter monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA, built in 313 AD above St. Peter the Apostle’s tomb and home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece Renaissance sculpture, the Pietà. Cross the Tiber River and continue your immersion in history at the iconic COLOSSEUM, built for 50,000 spectators, and the ROMAN FORUM, where the oldest structures of the ancient city are located. (Note that there are occasions when the Vatican Museum is closed. On any of these dates, your full city sightseeing will be moved to an alternate day to ensure you have the full insider experience.)
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 3: iH Rome Dei Borgia , Rome (Mon, May 25)
Day Itinerary
A full day at leisure to enjoy a variety of activities—your Local Host will have suggestions that might include a visit to Gianicolo Hill for the best views of Rome.
Optional Excursion:
Private Guided Tour: Explore Rome the way you want on this private guided sightseeing tour. Just decide what you want to see and do with your expert guide–the choice is yours! US$264/party
Villa Borghese: Come face to face with some of history most incredible art on this mesmerizing excursion to Villa Borghese. Led by an expert art historian, explore the gallery’s vast collection, with works by master artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Rubens, and others! US$64pp
Bike Tours: Explore some of Italy’s greatest wonders on this exhilarating guided bike tour. US$55pp
Cooking Class in Rome: Learn to prepare authentic Italian dishes from a real Italian chef at this fun and interactive cooking class that’s perfect for kids and adults alike! US$68pp
Taste of Testaccio Food Tour: Discover Cucina Romana–real Roman cuisine on this yummy foodie walking tour through the Testaccio district!
The Catacombs: The early Christians created the Catacombs, a network of underground corridors. We will show you the best of them! US$73pp
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Hotel Cellai, Florence (Tue, May 26)
Florence
The gorgeous capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence, lies towards the centre of the country, a tiny city with a massive heart and an even larger supply of artistic and historical treasures. For centuries, travellers have flocked en masse to the birthplace of the Renaissance movement to marvel at its abundant array of grandiose masterworks of architecture and art. Paramount to any itinerary are Michelangelo’s David, the awe-inspiring Botticelli works, the Uffizi (packed to the brim with pieces by Caravaggio and Da Vinci), and, of course, Brunelleschi’s remarkable cupola, the religious heart of Florence, which dominates the skyline. Once these popular tourist favourites have been ticked off, take a stroll around the alluring Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience enthralling views of this beautiful, beguiling city.
Day Itinerary
Travel by HIGH-SPEED TRAIN (first class) to Florence (approximately 4 hours)
Overnight: Hotel Cellai
Hotel Cellai is a cosy boutique hotel in the heart of Florence offering classic rooms, warmly decorated with original paintings and antiques, and equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, and mini fridges. Some rooms have en-suite bathrooms and some have soundproof windows and canopy beds.
Guests can enjoy a free breakfast buffet in their rooms or in the candle-lit dining room which used to be the workshop of a famous local sculptor. Wi-Fi access is available and there is a lounge where guests can relax and mingle. There is an honesty library with jazz music and bicycles can be borrowed at the 24-hour reception desk. The hotel hosts contemporary art exhibitions on a monthly basis.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 5: Hotel Cellai, Florence (Wed, May 27)
Day Itinerary
Morning guided sightseeing, with headset, includes a visit of the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s original David (the Academy is replaced with the Duomo Museum on Mondays and on the first Sunday of each month). Walk through Piazza del Duomo; sculpture-studded Piazza della Signoria, the center of the city’s political life since the 14th century; and Santa Croce Square. Also admire medieval Ponte Vecchio, the arched, stone merchant bridge spanning the Arno River.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 6: Hotel Cellai, Florence (Thu, May 28)
Day Itinerary
Your Local Host can offer ideas to help you enjoy the best of this splendid Renaissance city, including where to find traditional artisan workshops in the Oltrarno district.
Optional Tours:
Highlights of Uffizi Gallery
Come face-to-face with the world’s greatest masterpieces when you skip the long lines and head right into the Uffizi Gallery on this extraordinary guided tour!
Starting From: $62/person
Palatina Gallery, Royal Apartments and the Modern Art Gallery in Pitti Palace (entrance ticket only)
Discover the city’s largest museum complex at Pitti Palace. Marvel at the Royal Apartments, Gallery of Modern Art, and the Medicis’ private art collection
Starting From: $22/person
Tuscan Cooking Class in Medieval Tower
Ignite your passion for cooking on this unique excursion. A complete culinary adventure awaits you in a Medieval tower located just outside from Florence.
Starting From: $157/person
Chianti Countryside, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting at Verrazzano Castle
The ultimate Tuscan experience! Soak up the legendary Chianti countryside as you drive to the heart of Tuscany, with gentle hills, olive groves, and vineyards. You have time to explore San Gimignano, the most famous of Italy’s medieval towns, and stop at Verrazzano Castle.
Starting From: $174/person
Davanzati Palace Museum Entrance
Enjoy skip-the-lines tickets into Florence¿s famous Davanzati Palace Museum, where you can set your own pace on a self-guided tour of this authentic 14th-century Florentine home.
Starting From: $17/person
Arno Barchetto Cruise
Discover the secrets of the Arno and the history of the extraordinary palaces and bridges along the river on this enchanting cruise in a traditional wooden barchetto boat.
Starting From: $51/person
Bike Tour
Pedal your way past incredible scenery and mesmerizing sights on this invigorating guided bike tour.
Starting From: $40/person
Private Guided Tour
Explore Florence the way you want on this private guided sightseeing tour. Just decide what you want to see and do with your expert guide–the choice is yours!
Starting From: $201/party
Discover Florence: Boboli Gardens
Discover some of Florence’s greatest natural and manmade treasures on this delightful excursion.
Starting From: $20/person
Florentine Dinner
Bask in the spirit of Tuscany at this incredible dinner featuring the region’s most celebrated Italian dishes and tantalizing wines.
Starting From: $50/person
Half-Day Siena Private Discovery Tour
Surrounded by exquisite Tuscan scenery, this private guided tour introduces you to Siena, one of Italy’s best preserved medieval towns and home to the annual Palio horse race!
Starting From: $468/person
Medici Chapels Museum Entrance
Enjoy skip-the-lines tickets into Florence’s famous Medici Chapels Museum, where you can set your own pace on a self-guided tour of the New Sacristy, Chapel of the Princes, and Medici Crypt.
Starting From: $17/person
Galileo Museum Entrance
Enjoy skip-the-lines tickets into Florence’s famous Galileo Museum, where you can set your own pace on a self-guided tour of the impressive collection of scientific instruments dating back to the 13th century.
Starting From: $20/person
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 7: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice (Fri, May 29)
Venice
Venice is a small, unique city in Italy’s Veneto region, a historical centre consisting of 118 small islands in a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea, linked together by a complex web of canals and footbridges. Imagine the audacity of building an entirely man-made city of marble palaces on a lagoon with no visible means of support. The inexplicable nerve required to undertake such a project is part of the mystery of this astonishing island city. The stately palaces and ancient churches exist as fascinating remnants of what was once an important trading centre between Europe and the Orient. From the famous Gothic Palazzo Ducale, and the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco to the incomprehensible radiance of Titian’s Assunta altarpiece illuminating an entire cathedral, Venice has remained virtually unchanged in the past 600 years.
Day Itinerary
Travel by HIGH-SPEED TRAIN (first class) to Venice (approximately 2-3 hours)
Overnight: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal
The Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal occupies a truly strategic position with regard to the points of access to the city of Venice. The hotel also offers its guests outstanding opportunities to discover all of Venice’s magic, by organizing personalised itineraries and excursions, including boat tours to the lagoon islands, guided tours of the city, and romantic itineraries followed by a candlelit dinner.
Guests can enjoy breakfast on the characteristic internal patio, using it as a peaceful open-air lounge. The elegant Bar Carlton Café offers guests the chance to taste excellent drinks and snacks both in the internal room and in the open-air. For conferences and meetings, guests are provided with the “Galileo” room, capable of holding up to 60 people. Some of the services offered to guests include free entry to the Casino, free baggage surveillance, babysitting, restaurant booking, theatre and concert tickets.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 8: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice (Sat, May 30)
Day Itinerary
Morning guided sightseeing, with headset, features ST. MARK’S SQUARE and BASILICA with its exceptional gold mosaics. Visit DOGES’ PALACE and the poignant BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in the age-old manner, and learn why glass-making was so important in Venetian history. ENTRANCES to Marciana Library, and the Correr and Archaeological Museums are included; ask your Local Host for details.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 9: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice (Sun, May 31)
Day Itinerary
A full day to explore this intriguing city of canals and bridges at your own pace. Ask your Local Host for recommendations.
Optional Excursions:
Gondola
When in Rome, do as the Romans — and when in Venice, head right for the gondolas! Hop aboard a traditional gondola for a ride through the magical Venetian canals
Starting From: $44/person
Lagoon Cruise and Meal in Burano
Experience the floating city from the water as you cruise along the lagoon to charming Burano Island for a delicious four-course meal and time to explore.
Starting From: $79/person
Private Guided Tour
Explore Venice the way you want on this private guided sightseeing tour. Just decide what you want to see and do with your expert guide–the choice is yours!
Starting From: $306/party
Venice Canal Cruise & Tower Climb
Venice’s most enchanting sights await on this fantastic small-group discovery featuring a 2-hour private sightseeing cruise down the Grand Canal, visit of San Giorgio Maggiore island’s breathtaking basilica, and the chance to climb the bell tower for an incredible panoramic view!
Starting From: $110/person
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 10: End of Itinerary (Mon, June 1)
Day Itinerary
Your vacation ends with breakfast and transfer to the airport this morning.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
NOTE: Inquire about options that include Sorrento and Lake Maggiore.
E&OE
