Grand Italian Odyssey Cultural Wonders and Scenic Splendours
Start in Rome and finish in Palermo on a 17–day journey that blends blockbuster cities with coastal charm and island drama. In Rome, tick off Imperial icons and the Vatican, then sweep through Umbria and Tuscany – think Siena, San Gimignano and art filled Florence – before leaning into Pisa and the cliff hugging Cinque Terre. Cruise to chic Portofino and dip into Milan and the Italian Lakes. Verona and Venice bring romance and canals, while Padua, San Marino, Perugia and Assisi add history and hill town views. Down south, visit Naples, Capri and Sorrento, then sail to Sicily – Taormina’s Etna views and Palermo’s and Monreale’s glittering cathedrals round things off.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
17 daysHotel Rating
4 star hotelsStarts
RomeEnds
PalermoMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Italy that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Country
ItalyPassengers
$3,876.00
$400.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Rome
Orvieto
Castiglione del Lago
Siena
Monteriggioni
San Gimignano
Florence
Pisa
Cinque Terre
Genoa
Portofino
Milan
Lakes Region
Verona
Venice
Padua
San Marino
Gubbio
Perugia
Assisi
Naples
Capri
Sorrento
Salerno
Paola
Mesina
Taormina
Caltagirone
Villa Romana del Casale
Palermo
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Rome
Welcome to Rome – on arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have free time to settle in or explore nearby at your own pace. In the afternoon, please check the information board at hotel reception for details about the start of your tour.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Rome
This morning we set out on a guided tour of the Eternal City lasting around three hours – a blend of a walk through Imperial Rome and a panoramic coach drive. We take in the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour ends at Vatican City at around 11:00 am. Afterwards, you can join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel offered by our guide. This evening, we include a transfer from the hotel to Trastevere – a favourite district for its cosy restaurants and lively atmosphere – with return to the hotel at around 8:30 pm.
Day 3 - Rome
A full free day in Rome to explore at your own pace – continue discovering the city’s historic streets, seek out hidden corners steeped in history, or simply relax in a piazza and soak up the atmosphere. No scheduled activities today, so you can shape the day exactly as you wish.
Day 4 - Rome - Orvieto - Castiglione del Lago - Siena
We leave Rome for Umbria, travelling first to Orvieto, a medieval city set high on a flat summit. We pause at a viewpoint to take in the skyline, then ride the escalators that link the lower town with the medieval centre to reach the cathedral – a key work of Italian Gothic. We continue to Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno, where you have time for a stroll and lunch. After lunch, we head into Tuscany and arrive in Siena, renowned for Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, where we spend the afternoon.
Day 5 - Siena - Monteriggioni - San Gimignano - Florence
We depart Siena for Monteriggioni, a compact medieval village encircled by ancient walls, then continue to San Gimignano, famed for its skyline of medieval towers. After lunch, we travel on to Florence, arriving in the early afternoon in the Vittorio Veneto neighbourhood, where we begin our walk into the historic city centre.You can spend your free time soaking up the Florentine atmosphere or visiting one of its major museums – the Uffizi Gallery, considered the finest art museum in Italy, or the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s original David – both closed on Mondays. Due to city traffic regulations, tourist buses cannot access the centre, so our coach drops us in the Vittorio Veneto area and we walk from there – comfortable shoes recommended. The transfer to the hotel departs at 7:30 pm, and dinner is included.
Day 6 - Florence
After a photo stop at the Michelangelo viewpoint for panoramic city views, we walk into the historic centre for a guided tour of Tuscany’s capital – often called the cradle of the Renaissance – that inspired Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael. We admire the Gothic Cathedral – the Duomo di Firenze – the ancient stone bridge Ponte Vecchio with its goldsmiths’ shops, and Piazza della Signoria – the city’s political heart with its medieval town hall. After the tour you have free time to continue exploring at your own pace. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Day 7 - Florence - Pisa - Cinque Terre - Genoa
We travel to Pisa and ride the tourist train to Piazza dei Miracoli – home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From here we continue to the Ligurian Riviera to visit the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of five coastal villages, historically hard to reach by road and now largely dependent on tourism. We arrive by train – tickets included – to one of the villages, usually Vernazza; on busy dates it may be Manarola or Corniglia. You’ll have time for lunch. We then take the train to Levanto and rejoin our coach to continue to Genoa, where you’ll have free time to explore the historic centre, a reminder of its standing as a powerful republic in the Middle Ages.Please note: the Cinque Terre trains are regular commuter services – during peak periods there may be queues, no seat reservations and, at times, standing room only.
Day 8 - Genoa - Portofino - Milan
We continue along the Ligurian coast to Santa Margherita Ligure and board the boat to Portofino. In Portofino, you can enjoy a relaxed seaside stroll and time at leisure. After lunch, we travel to Milan – an emblem of modernity and culture in northern Italy – where you have free time to explore. You may wish to visit the Gothic Duomo in Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built in honour of the first king of a unified Italy.From 30 May to 2 November, tourist buses cannot access Santa Margherita Ligure; during this period we stop in Rapallo and board the boat to Portofino there. The boat crossing to Portofino – whether from Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo – may be suspended in adverse weather or during winter.
Day 9 - Milan - Lakes Region - Verona
Today we explore one of Europe’s most scenic areas – the Italian Lakes. From Milan we travel to Lake Orta and the village of Orta San Giulio, where we take a train to the medieval centre and a boat to San Giulio Island, home to a monastery. We then continue to Lake Maggiore and stop in Stresa, where you can join an optional visit to the Borromean Islands – the highlight is Isola Bella with its palace and gardens, which are closed in winter. You’ll have time for lunch before we continue to Verona.
Day 10 - Verona - Venice
Enjoy time this morning to explore Verona – the city of Romeo and Juliet – before we set off for Venice, arriving at around 1.00 pm. We include a boat ride to St Mark’s Square and a guided walking tour of the city, along with a visit to see Murano glasswork. Afterwards, you’ll have free time – you might choose a gondola ride or simply explore at your own pace. Overnight in the Mestre district.
Day 11 - Venice - Padua - San Marino - Gubbio - Perugia
We travel to Padua to visit the Saint’s Basilica, a major pilgrimage site. Continuing along the Adriatic coast, we reach San Marino – an independent country set on a fortified mountain – where you have time for lunch. After lunch, we cross the Apennines and pause in Gubbio, a beautifully preserved medieval town known for the Palazzo dei Consoli and its 12th–century cathedral. We then continue to Perugia.
Day 12 - Perugia - Assisi - Rome - Naples
This morning we take a panoramic tour of Perugia with a local guide, ascending the moving walkways across the rocky outcrop to explore its atmospheric medieval underground city before strolling the stone‑paved streets and squares – Perugia is also known for its chocolate. We then continue to Assisi, where you have time for lunch, and we visit the Basilica of St Francis. In the afternoon we travel south – we may make a brief stop in Rome to drop off passengers – arriving in Naples in the evening.
Day 13 - Naples - Capri - Sorrento - Salerno
After breakfast, we head to the port of Naples to board the ferry to Capri – on arrival, you can take the funicular up to Capri Town to stroll and take in the views. After lunch, we reboard the boat and continue to Sorrento, a coastal town set below the cliffs – you’ll have free time to wander at your own pace. We then travel along the Gulf of Salerno to stay in Salerno.
Day 14 - Salerno - Paola - Mesina - Taormina
We travel south through Cilento National Park, taking in classic southern Italian landscapes en route to Paola on the Tyrrhenian coast. Here we visit the Sanctuary of St Francis of Paola, then you have free time for lunch in the historic centre. We continue to Villa San Giovanni to board the ferry for a short crossing to Sicily. On arrival in Messina, you have time to wander by the cathedral before we carry on to Taormina. Dinner is included. Accommodation is normally in the Taormina area – on some dates it may be in Messina.
Day 15 - Taormina - Giardini Naxos - Villa Romana del Casale - Palermo
At the foot of Mount Etna, Taormina awaits – described by Churchill as the most beautiful place on earth. Early this morning we head to Giardini Naxos, the first Greek settlement in Sicily (founded in 734 BC), to take in its seafront promenade and popular beaches. Afterwards, you can wander Taormina’s lively old town – home to the Greek Theatre with unforgettable views. After lunch we continue to Villa Romana del Casale – entrance and guided visit included – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where mosaics from the 4th century decorate almost every room and the villa’s architecture from that era is preserved, with these mosaics considered the most beautiful in the Roman world. We then cross the mountainous heart of the island to Palermo, arriving by the end of the day. Dinner included.
Day 16 - Palermo
Today we join a guided tour of Palermo with a local expert. We visit the cathedral – noted for its blend of styles and royal tombs – with admission included, and see the Palazzo dei Normanni, the former royal palace, as well as the city’s fountains, markets and gardens. We then continue to Monreale to visit its cathedral – admission included – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its golden mosaics that cover the interior. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. Note: For smaller groups, this programme may operate as a regular excursion run by local companies rather than a private tour.
Day 17 - Palermo
After breakfast, we conclude our journey in Palermo – we hope you leave with lasting memories.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Post-Tour Accommodation - Palermo
Double
Twin
Triple
Single

Pre-Tour Accommodation - Rome
Double
Twin
Triple
Single
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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