COACH TOUR: Experience the good life in Italy on this 11-day coach tour. Enjoy an evening walking tour of Rome and see the Renaissance-era sights in Florence. Visit picturesque Siena, discover St Mark's Square in Venice, and skip the line to visit the Vatican City. See the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, discover the Tuscan wine region, and eat authentic pizza in Naples. Explore the ruins of Pompeii, stop in riverside Padua, and visit the exclusive island of Capri.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Italy! On arrival in Rome, make your own way to our start hotel. Our tour begins at 19:45 so if you arrive early you will have time to do some independent sightseeing - perhaps head to the Colosseum?
When better to explore this most romantic of cities than with a sunset walking tour? Our expert local guide takes us to highlights including the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Della Rotonda, home of the Pantheon. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck and taste some authentic Italian gelato. After our tour ends, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Please note: Pick-up from the hotel is at 19:45 for our evening walking tour of Rome, so please make sure you arrive in Italy in plenty of time on day 1 or before, to avoid missing the tour!
Overnight: Rome
Roma to Firenze
Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence. It's an early start as we depart Rome at 7:15 and journey to the medieval walled town of Assisi. There's time to visit the picturesque Basilica of St Francis independently if you choose.
Then we continue to Siena, a UNESCO-protected town known for its incredibly narrow streets, medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped main square: Piazza del Campo. After a short visit we continue to our hotel in Florence, where dinner is included.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast, Dinner
Florence sightseeing & optional Pisa
Today we enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Florence, 'Cradle of the Renaissance' and home of Michelangelo. Take in the beautiful Duomo, formally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Other highlights of the city include the town hall - Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce, burial place for illustrious Italians including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. We enjoy lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce.
This afternoon you can continue exploring Florence independently. We recommend pre-booking a visit to the Uffizi Gallery or the Academia (home to the original David). Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion to nearby Pisa, home to the iconic Leaning Tower.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast, Lunch
Bologna, Padua & Venice
Florence - Bologna - Padua - Venice. Departing Florence, we drive to beautiful Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Enjoy a walk through the elegant city centre to see some of the beautiful porticos and shopping streets. Stroll from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city, and see the Basilica of San Petronio. There's free time to find a good restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon we pay a short visit to Padua, a riverside city west of Venice. We'll see the Basilica of Saint Anthony, which is one of the most visited churches by pilgrims in the Catholic world. Then it's on to Venice, where we check into our hotel for the next two nights.
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast
Venice
After breakfast it's time to explore perhaps Italy's most famous and romantic destination. The floating city is a photographer's dream, and we'll be taking in the main highlights. Our tour begins in Piazza San Marco, in English known as St Mark's Square. It's the focal point of the city, dominated by St Mark's Basilica. We also see the Gothic Doge's Palace and the legendary Bridge of Sighs.
After our tour, we enjoy some traditional cicchetti (Italian tapas) and a glass of prosecco in our beautiful setting. Then there is free time for you to explore further - we strongly recommend a gondola ride on Venice's famous canals!
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast, Lunch
Tuscany's wine region
Venice - Tuscany wine region - Rome. Leaving Venice, we head into Tuscany, one of Italy's most idyllic regions. A land known for its beautiful scenery, historic castles, and some of Italy's finest wines. We enjoy a stop in the medieval town of Montepulciano for lunch, where you can try a glass or two of the region's vino. Then we enjoy a short amount of free time to explore the town further, before returning to Rome for the evening.
Overnight: Rome | Breakfast, Lunch
The Vatican
Today we explore Vatican City, home to the Pope and technically an independent country - another one you can tick off your list!
Departing the hotel after breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican's museums and galleries with 'skip the line' tickets. Take in the Gallery of Tapestries, the beautifully decorated frescoes of Raphael's Rooms, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. We can also admire the stunning St Peter's Basilica from the outside. This iconic landmark dominates the Vatican and is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, as well as being the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture. It is allegedly where Saint Peter was buried and titans of Italian design including Donato Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its creation. The rest of today is at leisure in Rome.
Overnight: Rome | Breakfast
Naples & Pompeii
Rome - Naples - Sorrento. As we set off from Rome once more, we head south this time, passing through Lazio and Campania to reach Naples, the birthplace of pizza! We'll take a short hike up Vomero Hill to enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Naples below.
Then we make the short drive to Pompeii, in the shadow of Vesuvius. Lunch is included so you can try some authentic Neapolitan pizza before our tour of Pompeii.
In the year 79 AD, the residents of Pompeii, a prosperous and sophisticated Roman city, were going about their day. Suddenly and without warning, the normally quiet Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city in up to 6 metres of ash and pumice. Whilst many Pompeiians escaped, approximately 2,000 people were buried and perished. The ash perfectly preserved the city, and on our guided tour we will see some of the surviving artifacts, mosaics and buildings, and will find out more about the eruption and what life was like in the city before this fateful day.
After our tour of Pompeii we head along the picturesque Sorrentine coast to Sorrento, where dinner is included - please dress smartly as it is a formal dinner!
Overnight: Sorrento | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Capri
Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento. Today we explore the beautiful and exclusive Mediterranean island of Capri. Weather permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotto sea cave by row boat. You can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before there is free time to explore the island. Capri was a summer home for the Roman emperor Augustus and today is popular with celebrities. After our visit, we return to Sorrento.
Please note: On winter departures of this tour during the months of November - March, we are unable to include a day trip to Capri. Instead, you will enjoy a free day in Sorrento. Perhaps head to the Amalfi Coast for a day trip, or enjoy a relaxing day of sightseeing and shopping at leisure!
Overnight: Sorrento | Breakfast, Dinner
Return to Rome
Sorrento - Rome. There is free time today for you to explore Sorrento. Perhaps enjoy some shopping, or sample some local limoncello. You can also book an optional excursion to the Amalfi coast before we return to Rome at approximately 16:00.
Overnight: Rome | Breakfast
Arrivederci, goodbye!
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour arrangements come to an end.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Hotel St Martin, Rome
With a great central location by the Piazza della Repubblica and opposite the metro, the Hotel St Martin is a perfect base for those exploring the Italian capital. Rooms in this modern 4-star hotel are bright and spacious, with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, satellite TV and a kettle. There is complimentary high speed Wi-Fi connection throughout the property. A continental buffet breakfast is served daily and there is also a bar. For those not wishing to head into the city to eat, fresh Mediterranean food is also served at the onsite Restaurant Sidera.
Raffaello Hotel, Florence
The recently renovated Raffaello Hotel is located in an atmospheric residential area, just a 10-minute tram ride from the city centre. When in the hotel guests can relax in the Raffaello Garden with a drink, or tuck into delectable Tuscan cuisine at Restaurant La Fornarina. A buffet breakfast is included and served daily and there is free Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms come with Sky television, minibar, safe and ensuite bathrooms and are tastefully decorated, as they should be in the city of the Renaissance!
Hotel Delfino Venezia Mestre, Venice
Hotel Delfino Venezia Mestre is located in the lively Corso del Popolo in the heart of Mestre, the mainland section of Venice. The hotel is just 10 minutes by bus from Venice itself, with a stop across the road - reception can arrange bus tickets for guests if needed. Rooms at this 4-star hotel are well appointed and spacious, equipped with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and television. Buffet breakfast is served onsite and there is a bar and lounge area where guests can enjoy cocktails and apertifs.
Hotel Michelangelo, Sorrento
The idyllic Hotel Michelangelo is located in the heart of Sorrento, offering ocean views and developed around a rustic 16th-century tower. The harbour is located a 10-minute walk away and the historical centre of Sorrento is also just a short walk away. Rooms feature tiled flooring and wooden furniture, with ensuite bathrooms, TV and minibar. There are two onsite restaurants and a buffet breakfast is served daily, whilst guests can spend their free time lounging beside the outdoor swimming pool on the sun terrace. There is free Wi-Fi at the property and the rooftop terrace is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Naples with a cocktail in hand.
Reviews
Travellers have rated this tour as 3.6 out of 5 based on 5 recent reviews
The tour was very good and we enjoyed it immensely.
Our only criticism is that a visit and tour of the Colosseum in Rome should have been part of the package, as this is one of the great sites that everyone in Rome goes to see and there was certainly time in the afternoon after the Vatican tour.
Also we felt that whilst in Venice, the return trip from Venice to the accommodation at the end of the day should have been included and not extra cost. Getting back on one's own using public transport (boat & bus) was very complicated and time consuming, and so more than 80% of our group of 50 came back by making the additional payment.
Overall very good and 7.5/10. Well done. ”
The tour was fantastic, extremely well organized and efficient. Hotels we stayed at were very pleasant but we definitely will be coming back to the Vesuvio Hotel in Sorrento.”
The guides, especially Patricia, Valencia and Sasha in Pompei were wonderful, and we highly recommend them. The tour itself was possibly a little busy and fast-packed, but mostly enjoyable nevertheless. HOWEVER, as a regular OTG client (this was my fifth OTG tour), I have two serious complaints: the extremely poor quality of some of the so-called ‘4-star’ hotels, including the breakfasts and a dinner ; and the fact that despite OTG’s assurances that the tour busses would be equipped with toilets, this was not the case. ”
The itinerary from the map looked great but was somewhat misleading. Ther original itinerary had Capri included and it was only after payment that we were told that it did not run in winter and no replacement tour like Amalfi was included instead. (it cost another $200). The tour to Pompeii looked to be the whole afternoon but probably was only a couple of hours after sorting out all the people and their guides. We did not see the famed frescoes and nearly all the mosaics were covered over.
The hotel in Venice was OK but not in Venice city as it was a tram ride away and had very few restaurants nearby.
My hotel was changed from St Martin to Diane Roof Garden which was not four stars in my view and my room mid tour was a shoe box despite paying single supplement. Also this hotel didn't open for breakfast until 7.00am and our early starts required a packed breakfast on 2 occasions (disappointing) and on the third occasion the queue was so long I could only grab a coffee and banana. Coffee in the lobby was not available even.
The saving grace in Sorrento was The Grand hotel, a definite 4-star, lovely room and very good restaurant.
If you like pasta and pizza and tiramisu you would probably be happy but I am sure there is more to Italy than these dishes. Lunch in Florence was a big waste of time, as was the visit to the expensive leather factory and I wish I'd skipped it and gone to the church where Michelangelo was buried.
The guide on first half of trip was good but the second guide unremarkable.
The group was quite big and in some instances because we were in different hotels a lot of time wasted sorting us out, for example, in Rome to go south.”
I loved the trip. But you must advise passengers who the local companies are. I never received any information or welcome pack up in arrival at hotel. Nearly missed the trip if I hadn't nagged the Rep to recheck the list for names. It was only then I realised I was not booked under you. But the local company.
The guide Clara was amazing 👏. And she made the complaint above and said the hotel failed to give the welcome pack. Also upon leaving the hotel tried to charge me at 6am when i was leaving for a late check out that I had cancelled with full refund. This was the start & last hotel. ”
At a Glance
The tour was very good and we enjoyed it immensely.
Our only criticism is that a visit and tour of the Colosseum in Rome should have been part of the package, as this is one of the great sites that everyone in Rome goes to see and there was certainly time in the afternoon after the Vatican tour.
Also we felt that whilst in Venice, the return trip from Venice to the accommodation at the end of the day should have been included and not extra cost. Getting back on one's own using public transport (boat & bus) was very complicated and time consuming, and so more than 80% of our group of 50 came back by making the additional payment.
Overall very good and 7.5/10. Well done. ”
