Benvenuto in Italia! And welcome to the first day of this 16-day trip through Italy. This morning, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel in Rome for an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Afterwards, get ready to experience Rome! Head into the city centre and enjoy some free time to grab lunch. Then, look forward to a guided tour of this iconic city that has seen the rise and fall of empires over centuries. See top sights including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and more while learning about Rome’s captivating past. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local Roman restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over some tasty Italian cuisine!

【Experiences】

Walking tour of Rome: This city has so much to see and do, we can’t even list everything here! See the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Septimus Severus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona (Fountain of the Quattro Fiumi), the Spanish Steps, and other attractions that make Rome a perennial favourite with travellers all over the world!

Welcome dinner: Celebrate the first night of your Italy tour with a welcome dinner! Join your tour leader and the rest of the Italy tour group, and head to a nearby local restaurant for a delicious dinner.

Bid Rome farewell this morning as the tour makes its way to another iconic Italian city - Venice! Driving through the beautiful Umbria region, stop in Orvieto on the way. This stunning city sits on a sheer vertical volcanic rock and the group will take a funicular to get to the city centre. Once at the top, take some time to explore. Discover Orvieto’s 14th-century cathedral, the Albornoz Fortress, the Papal Residence and more! Then, it’s time to head to Italy’s famous floating city. Arrive in Venice and enjoy a free evening to relax at the hotel or embark on the Venice by Night optional excursion and marvel at the sparkling night lights on a twilight water taxi cruise!

【Experiences】

Funicular ride in historic Orvieto: Take a funicular up to the historic centre. Here, enjoy some free time to explore and see the sights, including the exquisite facade of the Cathedral of Orvieto.

Look forward to a full day of exploring Venice to the fullest! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tick a “Venice Gondola Ride” off your bucket list! This can be organised by your tour leader. Another exciting optional is the lagoon tour through the colourful islands of Murano and Burano which are known for glass-blowing and lace-making crafts respectively. Or, spend the day strolling through Venice at your own pace and tick off top sights such as  St Mark’s Square, the Rialto Market, Doge’s Palace and more!

【Experiences】

Experience Venice: Look forward to a full free day in this unique floating city. Venice is full of iconic sights including St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco. For the ultimate Venice experience, join today’s optional excursions!

Italy is home to three “art cities'' - Rome, Venice and Florence. Today, get ready to tick Florence off the list! Travelling through the gorgeous Tuscany region, stop at Lake Garda on the way. As Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda is renowned for its scenery which has inspired artists for generations! Later, arrive in Florence and set off on a tour with an expert local guide. Discover many historical and culturally significant landmarks and delve deep into the history of the “Jewel of the Renaissance”. Visit a local leather shop and see local craftsmen at work before enjoying some free time to explore on your own. Look forward to an included dinner in Florence before travelling to tonight’s accommodation in Montecatini.

【Experiences】

Stop at Lake Garda: Stop at the gorgeous town of Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy, to take some keepsake photos. 

Locally guided tour of Florence: See some of the cultural and historic sights that have made the city of Florence a favourite among travellers. Discover top sights including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’, Florence boasts a huge variety of important buildings and famous artworks.

Leather-making demonstration: Step inside the world of Italian leather crafting; visit a local leather shop and factory, Leonardo Leather and Gold, for insight into how bespoke Italian leather goods are produced. Italy has been famous for leather production for centuries!

Dinner at a restaurant in Florence: Join the group for a delicious meal at a local restaurant in Florence.

Hop back on the coach this morning and head to La Spezia. This port city in Liguria is the gateway to the idyllic Cinque Terre! This collection of five fishing villages is famous for its bright, colourful houses and dramatic coastal scenery. Cars are not allowed here, allowing for tranquil exploration on foot or rail. After snapping some unforgettable photos of this breathtaking area, get ready for another picture-perfect moment as the tour travels to the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa! After exploring the Pisa Cathedral Complex, head back to the hotel. Tonight, why not join the Evening in Montecatini optional excursion for an orientation tour of this spa town and a three-course dinner at a local restaurant?

【Experiences】

Explore Cinque Terre: Make your way along the cobbled walkways that link the five picturesque villages to experience life in the slow lane, as the locals do. This beautiful region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts some of the best seafood in Italy.

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa: See the famous architectural marvel up close, and take those must-have travel pictures. Be sure to get a classic picture of you ‘holding up’ the tower!

Look forward to more Tuscan scenery today as the tour travels through the picturesque countryside featuring vineyards and rolling hills. Today’s first stop is the hilltop town of San Gimignano. This Tuscan walled town is nicknamed the “Town of Fine Towers” due to its impeccably preserved medieval tower houses. After an orientation tour and some free time, look forward to a Tuscan wine tasting! Then, it’s on to Siena. This UNSCO-listed city is famous for the Palio horse race which began in the 14th Century. Visit the Piazza del Campo, the city’s main square where the Palio takes place. Later this afternoon, travel back to Rome and enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

【Experiences】

Visit San Gimignano: Admire the stunning scenery and drink in the restful ambience of this stunning town. San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 14 well-preserved medieval towers which create an unforgettable skyline. Here, enjoy a tasting of local wines in a beautiful setting.

Discover Siena: Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the Palio horse race. This bareback horse race has taken place since the 14th century in the main town square of Siena, and the 17 participants represent local families.

Welcome back to Rome! This free day offers the opportunity to experience more of this ancient city’s iconic landmarks and attractions. Join today’s optional excursion for a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. A passionate local guide will uncover the history of these sites where gladiators, emperors and lions once walked! Or, set off on your own. Discover the Vatican City, the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope, visit a museum or do some shopping. The “Eternal City” is yours to explore as you wish! This evening, enjoy an included dinner with some new travellers who will be joining the second half of the tour.

The ancient wonders continue as we depart Rome for Pompeii this morning. Look forward to an informative guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii and admire the towering Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Learn all about this volcano’s catastrophic eruption in 79 AD which preserved Pompeii under layers of ash and pumice. Enjoy an included lunch in Pompeii before travelling to the location for the next two nights - the awe-inspiring Amalfi Coast! Limoncello, a delicious lemon liquor, is famously produced in this region. Choose to join this evening’s optional excursion to Amalfi for a breathtaking ferry ride from Salerno, an orientation tour of Amalfi and an authentic two-course Italian dinner.

【Experiences】

See Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii: See Mount Vesuvius, and stop off to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii with a local guide. Pompeii was famously destroyed in 79 AD in a catastrophic volcanic eruption. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a fascinating insight into the ancient Roman Empire.

 

Immerse yourself in the charm of the Amalfi Coast on this free day. Home to sunny skies, enchanting towns and sandy beaches, this region has so much to offer those who visit it. Today’s optional excursion to the Isle of Capri is highly recommended. Enjoy an orientation tour of Capri town, which is beloved and frequented by celebrities and high society, visit the Gardens of Augustus for jaw-dropping coastal views and take some free time to explore and have lunch. Then, embark on a cruise and uncover the island’s dazzling blue waters and grottos! This day trip is certainly one to remember.

Continuing the journey through Southern Italy, travel southeast to Apulia in the heel of Italy’s boot. The first destination is the mesmerising city of Matera, known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City). Matera is home to the UNESCO-listed “Sassi” cave-dwelling districts. Here, enjoy an orientation tour and some free time to explore. Next, head to Alberobello - another UNESCO World Heritage Site! Look forward to a walking tour of this charming town with a local guide and admire the whitewashed “Trulli” houses that the region is famous for. Enjoy some free time in Alberobello this evening before travelling to tonight’s accommodation.

【Experiences】

See the ancient cave city of Matera: Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), it is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts; the ‘sassi’.

Walking tour of Alberobello: Discover the area’s beautiful 14th-century whitewashed stone huts that have iconic conical roofs, and are specific to the Itria Valley, with a local guide.

Today, Sicily awaits! After breakfast, drive to the ferry port and admire the coastal scenery on the way. Then, hop on the ferry and wave arrivederci to the Italian mainland. Arrive, get back on the coach and travel to Taormina, a spectacular hilltop town famously seen in the second season of The White Lotus! Join your tour leader on an orientation walk and spot some of the town’s highlights including the historic Porta Catania and the tranquil Villa Comunale. Tonight’s hotel is located right on the beach. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

【Experiences】

Ferry ride to Sicily: Take a scenic ferry ride to the island of Sicily; the home of Mount Etna. Admire the views as the ferry makes its way to Taormina.

Orientation tour of Taormina: Your tour guide will take the group on an orientation tour of this charming hilltop town. See top sights including the historic Porta Catania and the Villa Comunale. Explore more attractions on the free day tomorrow!

Dinner at a beachside hotel in Taormina: Taste authentic Sicilian cuisine and join the group for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the ocean.

This free day in Taormina offers a variety of things to do. Today’s optional excursion offers a true highlight of the tour. The Mount Etna Day Trip will take you up to the base of this active volcano on a funicular. Then, walk in the volcanic ash with a local guide and be amazed by the unearthly scenery. Back on the ground, indulge in a delectable lunch full of produce and wine grown in volcanic soil at a local Enoteca. Back in Taormina, why not join the optional cruise to swim in the sea and admire the sunset after an unforgettable day?

The adventures in Sicily continue with a visit to Syracuse this morning. Founded as a Greek colony in 734 BC, this historic city is home to a UNESCO-listed centre, impressive Baroque buildings and an excellent food market. After an orientation tour, be sure to grab some local food for lunch during your free time! Later, the tour makes its way to Agrigento. Here, another highlight of Sicily awaits  - the “Valle dei Templi” (Valley of the Temples). A knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the archaeological site which is home to beautifully-preserved Magna Grecia architecture at sunset. Get your cameras ready!

【Experiences】

Visit Syracuse: The historically significant Sicilian city of Siracusa (as the locals call it) is located on the southeast coast of Sicily. Syracuse was originally a Greek colony, and today is home to a number of Greek remains. Its Greek theatre dates back to the 5th century BC. Be transported back in time while meandering cobbled lanes, pavement cafes and baroque architecture. While here, shop locally-grown pistachios, almonds and sun-dried pachino (tomatoes).

Explore the Valley of the Temples: The ‘Valle dei Templi’ is a national monument of Italy and an archaeological site in Agrigento. The Valley includes the remains of seven temples built in the Doric style. It is famous for being home to incredible examples of Magna Grecia art and architecture.

Another Sicilian gem is on the agenda this morning! Leaving Agrigento, travel through central Sicily towards Cefalù. This quaint city is home to winding streets lined with boutiques and restaurants, a well-preserved Medieval cathedral and some of Italy’s dreamiest beaches! Join a local guide for a walking tour and lunch at a local restaurant. Or, explore on your own. In the afternoon, arrive in Palermo, Sicily’s capital! With over 2,700 years of history and an intriguing mix of cultures and architectural styles, Palermo is a sight to behold. Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour and see some of the city’s highlights including the Palermo Cathedral and the Piazza Pretoria. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

【Experiences】

Visit Cefalù: Travel to the historic city of Cefalù where you have free time to find a place to enjoy lunch. This coastal city is famous for its incredible beaches as well as its Norman cathedral complete with soaring towers and Byzantine mosaics. 

Walking tour of Palermo: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Palermo. Look out for popular attractions like the Piazza Indipendenza, Porta Nuova (The New Gate) and the Cathedral of Palermo.

Enjoy a full free day in Palermo. Today’s optional excursion takes a deep dive into some of the city’s intriguing hidden gems. Uncover historically significant landmarks, artistic masterpieces and traditional Sicilian sweets. Alternatively, explore on your own and revisit some of the spots seen on the tour yesterday. Palermo is also home to bustling local markets which sell fresh and affordable local produce. These markets are a great place to grab lunch and get a last taste of Sicilian treats like arancini, caponata and cannoli! In the evening, the tour will make its way to the ferry port to catch an overnight ferry to Naples.

Wake up aboard the ferry as it docks in Naples. Disembark and hop back on the coach to head back to Rome where the tour will come to an end this afternoon. Don’t forget to swap contact details with your newfound travel friends before bidding them one last arrivederci! Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onwards and hopes to see you on tour with us again soon!