Description
Feel the pulse of Italy’s vibrant culture.
With its millennia-spanning history, comforting regional cuisine, and countless artistic treasures, it’s no wonder Italy consistently ranks at the top of travelers’ wish lists. Whether you’re planning your first visit or coming back for a taste of new-to-you cities and regions, this weeklong tour will take you straight to the pulsing heart of the country’s vibrant culture. Venice romances visitors with its sprawling, Baroque palaces and maze of winding canals. Florence, the Tuscan capital, wins hearts with its Renaissance architecture and art. And Rome dazzles with its ever-present history, from the hulking Colosseum to the Forum’s still-stately remains. Want to soak up even more of Italy’s epic history and endless charm? Extend your tour and continue south to the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii and the coastal city of Sorrento, where la dolce vita is embraced to the nth degree.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts, and 3 dinners served with beer or wine, including a Roman farewell meal with live music
- 3 sightseeing tours through Italy’s most iconic cities
- 1 expert Tour Director, your storyteller and cultural insider
- 3 local guides, to bring Renaissance art and Roman ruins vividly to life
- Private deluxe motor coach for smooth travel between cities
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Strolling past palaces and under bridges along Venice’s Grand Canal (add the optional gondola ride!)
- Stepping inside the golden glow of St. Mark’s Basilica
- Looking up at the red-tiled dome of Florence’s Duomo, a Renaissance marvel
- Standing in the shadow of the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled for glory
- Walking along the ancient stones of the Roman Forum, surrounded by temples and triumphal arches
- Wandering the remarkably preserved streets of Pompeii, frozen in time by volcanic ash
Overnight Flight
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Venice today.
Venice
Day 2: Arrival in Venice
Included meal: Dinner
Welcome to Italy! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. Later, meet your group at a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Venice
Included meal: Breakfast
Sitting atop more than 100 islands, storied Venice is a lattice of historic churches and piazzas, all connected by hundreds of winding canals. Today, meet up with a local guide to get to know the Queen of the Adriatic and discover why the entire city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Step onto iconic St. Mark’s Square and into St. Mark’s Basilica—an opulent, domed church built in the 11th century to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle.
- View the stately Doge’s Palace. Now a museum, this masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture once served as both the residence of the Doge (or Duke, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government.
- Marvel at the attached Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1600 to link the New Prison to the Doge’s Palace, the Ponte dei Sospiri (as it’s known in Italian) drew its name from the legend that prisoners would sigh at their last view of Venice before descending to their cells.
- See a traditional glassblowing demonstration and learn about Venice’s most celebrated art form, whose roots in the city date back to the 10th century.
Then, laze a free afternoon away at a canalside cafe, watching gondolas float by—or add an optional excursion to board one yourself and embark on a canal cruise with your fellow travelers. (You can also enjoy a private float for two.)
Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise
Day 3
25 minutes
More than 100 canals crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek, black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, join your fellow travelers for a tour through the canals of Venice, with a gondolier deftly guiding your boat along.
Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits, and travelers should feel comfortable getting into and out of the gondolas. A private, two-person gondola ride is available for an additional cost. This Excursion has already been added to the trip itinerary.
Florence
Day 4: Transfer to Florence & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains to Florence—Tuscany’s capital and the world’s greatest treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture. Then, get to know the city with a local guide.
- Head to Florence’s UNESCO-listed historic center and view its exquisite, 15th-century cathedral—the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or Duomo, which is the world’s third-largest church.
- Learn about the cathedral’s distinctive, marble-clad facade and its instantly recognizable dome, the latter of which was built by Filippo Brunelleschi and has become a symbol of the Renaissance and Florence itself.
- Pass Giotto’s Campanile. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, this bell tower rises nearly 280 feet above the city and features the same red, white, and green marble found on the Duomo’s facade.
- Walk past the Piazza della Repubblica, one of Florence’s main squares, to the medieval Ponte Vecchio, an iconic bridge that spans the Arno River and has been lined with shops since the 13th century.
- Stroll along the Arno River and through the Uffizi Gallery’s courtyard to the Piazza della Signoria—a beautiful square that’s situated just outside Palazzo Vecchio and is home to several notable statues, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the Fountain of Neptune.
This evening, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for an included dinner featuring Tuscan specialties and beer or wine.
Day 5: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
The day is yours! Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion to the Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano, where you can admire its UNESCO-noted historic center and dramatic skyline, punctuated by 14 soaring medieval towers. You’ll even stop by a winery to sample local varietals, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar before journeying back to Florence.
Escape the crowds and wander through the Boboli Gardens, located behind the grand Pitti Palace. Explore the extensive greenery, hidden pathways, and stunning sculptures of this peaceful oasis, then dive into the vibrant Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which has served locals for more than 100 years. Smaller than its more famous counterpart, the Mercato Centrale, the market will give you an intimate and authentic appreciation for how Florentines live. Browse stalls bursting with fresh produce, regional delicacies, and traditional wares. After, join the locals for a coffee or a bite to eat at the market’s lively cafes.
Rome
Day 6: Transfer to Rome & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Depart for Italy’s capital, Rome, whose entire historic center—including the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and more—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.
- Soak up more than 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the fourth-century Arch of Constantine—the largest surviving Roman triumphal arch—and the Arch of Titus.
- Enter the Colosseum, the iconic amphitheater that was built between 70-72 A.D. to host events such as gladiatorial games.
- Stop at the ruins of the Forum, which served as a setting for parades, elections, and trials.
Please note: While sightseeing in Rome, travelers should feel comfortable walking on uneven and rocky pathways and steps. Shade and seating are limited, especially at venues such as the Colosseum and the Forum.
Day 7: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Iconic Sights: Vatican City
Day 7
3.5 hours
This guided tour takes you inside Vatican City—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred places in Christendom. This independent city-state within Rome serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is home to the Pope. Upon arrival, turn on your pre-distributed headset and dive into the Vatican’s rich history with your local guide. First, visit the Vatican Museums, which are more than 500 years old and house many of the world’s most important Classical- and Renaissance-era sculptures. Next, step inside the Sistine Chapel, whose frescoed ceiling is arguably Michelangelo’s greatest masterpiece. Finally, pay a visit to the enormous St. Peter’s Basilica, the epicenter of the Roman Catholic faith. The artists who have contributed to its glory are some of the best Italy has ever known—Bramante, Peruzzi, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Masterpieces await at every turn, from Bernini’s magnificent bronze canopy to Michelangelo’s Madonna della Pieta.
Please note: Should this excursion fall on a Sunday, it’ll be moved to another day of the tour. Backpacks aren’t allowed in the Vatican, and shorts and sleeveless shirts are strictly prohibited. Due to closures of certain entrances and pathways, wait times may extend to several hours during busy travel months. From December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2026, the Jubilee may impact if and when this excursion can run or which parts of the Basilica can be accessed. Access to Michelangelo’s La Pieta is also impacted during this time. On certain days, the Basilica will only be accessible to pilgrims and might involve long waiting times. Should you wish to enter on these days, your tour director will explain the procedure and the local guide will not be able to accompany you inside. If your excursion is cancelled completely, Go Ahead will let you know in advance.
The day is yours to seize! Seeking a little extra grandeur? Add our guided tour of Vatican City to your day to experience the serene beauty of the Vatican Museum, as well as the Sistine Chapel’s venerated ceiling fresco. Then, top it all off by adding a pasta-making class and ending the evening dining on your own fresh, sauce-laden creation.
Please note: The Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may be offered on day 8, depending on the day of the week.
This Excursion is already added to the Itinerary.
Discover the hidden gem of Trastevere, a bohemian (and mostly car-free) neighborhood filled with narrow streets and delectable trattorias. Then, cross the Tiber River and visit the picturesque Aventine Hill, home to the peaceful Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) and the famous keyhole view of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Day 8: Free day in Rome
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
You won’t want to skip the guided tour of St. Paul’s Basilica—one of Rome’s four major papal churches. Add it to your itinerary to view the final resting place of St. Paul and take a subterranean journey through Rome’s ancient catacombs.
This evening, come together for an elegant four-course dinner—served with beer or wine—at a local restaurant and say farewell to your groupmates as you enjoy live musical entertainment.
Please note: The Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may be offered on day 7, depending on the day of the week.
Take it easy over an Aperol spritz, or take in the beauty of the Galleria Borghese’s art collection—the day belongs to you.
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit the magical, terraced cliffsides of the Sorrento Peninsula.
3 easy ways to pay:
1) Automatic Payments
- $99 down
- Bi-weekly or monthly payments
- First payment in 30 days
- Insurance included
- No interest or fees
- Pay with checking account or debit card
2) Pay in Full
- Full balance due at booking
- Pay with Visa, MasterCard, debit card, or a check
3) Manual Payment Plan
- Deposit: $300
- Insurance due up front
- Pay with Visa, MasterCard, debit card, or a check
Two insurance options:
1.Trip Protection* $349
2.Basic Trip Protection $449
*When you add our Trip Protection plan within
three days of enrolling on tour, you’ll receive:
– Pre-Existing Condition Waiver
– Any Reason Protection
Each plan provides you with coverage for:
- Tour cancellation and interruption
- Baggage and personal effects
- Travel and baggage delay
Accidents and sickness
Tour overview and price
What’s included:
- Round-trip airfare
- Handpicked hotels
- Private deluxe motorcoach bus
- Breakfast daily and select lunches and dinners
- Expert Tour Directors and local guides
Total tour price: $5736
Bi-weekly automatic payments as low as $143
Monthly automatic payments as low as $286
Reserve your spot today
Call Go Ahead at 800-438-7672
Visit our personalized website:
https://groups.goaheadtours.com/tours/italyanita
If you have any questions or need help to book yourself on this contact Anita, I can help you get added over the phone.
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