COACH TOUR: Take in the best of central Italy on this 8-day group tour which starts and ends in Rome. Enjoy a walking tour of the capital at sunset, visit medieval Siena, and relax in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. Marvel at the stunning Renaissance architecture of Florence, enjoy a stroll around Bologna and visit Padua. Discover the highlights of Venice on a walking tour and skip the line at the Vatican City to see St Peter's Basilica and the impressive Sistine Chapel.
- Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Prices & Dates
- Travel privately - by train
- Travel privately - by car
- Hotels
- Reviews
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Italy! On arrival in Rome, there is an included transfer 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!
Please also note: For tours departing in April 2025 onwards, the Rome walking tour will be replaced with included tickets for the Hop on, Hop off bus service, allowing you to see the city's main sights as you wish.
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.
Please note: For tours departing in April 2025 onwards, there will no longer be a stop in Padua. Instead, more time will be spent exploring Bologna, and you will enjoy an included street food experience with a light lunch.
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 a glass of prosecco and some traditional cicchetti (Italian tapas) in our beautiful setting and 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
Arrivederci, goodbye!
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour arrangements come to an end. There is an included departure transfer to the airport.
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.
My biggest gripe was that you failed to convey to the tour guide that my daughter was a coeliac which meant she was not initially accommodated for and she was starving. Once we apprised him of this he went out of his way to ensure that she was accommodated for however the gluten-free food offered was sub-standard and it was quite depressing because she got quite despondent. ”
We have been on about 7 In The Go Tours and this has to be the worst. On the Go have always looked after their guests but now outsourcing you have no control. In the years past if you went on an excursion with on the go you would get us back not leave us to find our own way back. For example Venice, you took us in a tour only to say that you need to find your own way back unless you pay a price to get back, well how do you think we are getting back. Everything was nickel and dimed. I felt that Lucy the tour guide came across like she was sorry about this but it's her job to get people to pay up and pay up people did in order to get back to their accommodation.
I've been on so many tours with you but you have changed and not for the better. I'm so sad because I would always recommend you to people but I can't now. We spent a lot of money in the tour but we're always paying more money for other things that weren't part of the tour. I'm just lucky that I budgeted extra but what if I hadnt.
Next time I will use a company and just pay a price that includes everything.
Breakfast was supposed to be included but we left so early at times and the restaurants weren't even opened yet. The breakfasts weren't of much standard either. ”
Tour was amazing and the guide Nicole was full of fun and knowledge. However it would be better if the tour organisers in Italy provided details of laundromats etc near the place of stay. The accommodation after the tour ended was not up to the one we were booked in when we started the tour. It was tiny and very congested. ”
Amazing trip
Thank you”
The trip was fantastic and tour guide Nacy was amazing, only suggestion would be to arrange pick up instead of having to arrange own way back to hotel”
The tour checked all the boxes, was thrilled with the amount we saw and things we did. Our tour guide was very informative and helpful.
All around great trip.”
The trip was fantastic and tour guide Nacy was amazing, only suggestion would be to arrange pick up instead of having to arrange own way back to hotel”
My partner and I were incredibly disappointed with this tour. The accommodation was very average and was at least 20 minutes drive from the main area of the cities.”
Hello,
We were expecting "on the go tours" not whatever was the name of the agency
Hotel Raffaelo was the worst hotel ever, people in Italy are very rude, You shouldn't work with that hotel.
The Raffaelo hotel doesn't have a kettle or iron, not even to borrow. they gave us the wrong room, with 2 beds.
The Tour guide Patrizia, very rude, probably maners are lost in translation, her English is not good, not good enough for a tour guide.
The food on the tour wasn't great, was good mostly but not great
The tour guide in the Vatican smelled horrible and her english was terrible. Mara i think is her name.
There are optional tours, but we weren't able to pay with credit card, which seemed shady, same with the dinner at hotel raffaelo, they made us pay cash for drinks. ”
I have traveled with OTG multiple times both with them and their contracted companies but this was the first time that I felt the tour leader was not invested in my group tour. There were several different days, where we went on walking city tours and then at the end of the tour it was free time to explore but we were expected to make our own way back to the hotel. There were quite a few older folks and when questioned, she seemed irritated and shocked that we wanted help getting back to the hotel. She repeatedly pointed out in the itinerary that it was free time and we were on our own. One of the reasons I do group tours is so I don't have to figure out local transportation. I am fine with 'free time' then a meeting point and time, so that those who don't want to figure out how to get a taxi or bus back to accommodation can get safely back to the hotel. On the night local tour in Rome, the local guide took us to a taxi stop which routinely had taxi's every few minutes so that was fine, but in Florence that wasn't the case. Fortunately for me, I had a private tour of the Uffizzi Gallery and the local guide called for a taxi for me as apparently in Florence, you must order a taxi there aren't taxi stands with taxi's every few minutes. When Patrizia left us it was with a map and the hotel marked which she casually mentioned was a 40 minute walk away and the weather was off and on raining all day. This was also the plan for Venice, with her explaining that we needed to get a ferry and then the bus #5 to get back to the hotel. The group threw a fit and she finally arranged for those who wanted to make their way back at designated time (minimum 20 people) to get a ferry ride and bus back to the hotel, the majority of our group chose this option with a few making their own way. I loved the itinerary and the places visited, the hotels were fine but I was not impressed with Carrani Tours or their tour leader and wouldn't recommend them. I am unsure whether this is standard cultural behavior for Italian tour leaders, but all the local guides were super knowledgeable and friendly and were more assistance getting us to transport back to our hotel than the tour leader who was supposed to be the one we looked to.”
Itinerary
Rome free time & dinner
Welcome to Italy. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, so you can head to explore some of the sights. Perhaps the iconic Trevi Fountain, or the Piazza Della Rotonda, home to the Parthenon.
This evening, you will be collected and taken to a local restaurant in Trastevere, one of the most vibrant districts in the Italian capital. Enjoy an included dinner at a traditional Roman trattoria and indulge in local specialties dating back in time. After dinner, you will be returned to the hotel.
Please note: On Saturday departure, the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour will be replaced with another private tour or rescheduled to the first day based on your arrival time in Rome. This is due to the weekly closure of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.
Overnight: Rome | Dinner
Vatican City & the Colosseum
After breakfast, you will be collected by a driver and taken to the Vatican for a guided tour of the museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. Take in some of the most famous works of art in the world, including works by artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto. Explore the Sistine Chapel, which dates to 1483 and is the most famous chapel in the world thanks to its elaborate ceiling and of course the famous painting, The Final Judgement by Michelangelo.
After exploring the Vatican City (and ticking another country off your to-visit list), there is free time for lunch. You will then be joined by an expert guide for a tour of the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient stadium once held 50,000 - 80,000 spectators and was the scene of vicious battle re-enactments and games, where gladiators fought to the death. You also visit the Arch of Constantine and the historic Forum. Then its on to Palatine Hill to learn about the legend of Romulus and Remus, before the rest of the day is free to explore Rome further at leisure.
Overnight: Rome | Breakfast
Rome to Florence by train
Rome - Florence. After breakfast, you are transferred to Termini Station, and will take the included two-hour high speed train to Florence, capital of the Tuscany region. Arriving at the hotel, there is free time to settle in before you embark on a tour of the city with an expert guide. You will see Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Our tour also includes 'skip the line' entrance tickets to the famous Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze or “Gallery of the Academy of Florence”, the home of Michelangelo's sculpture David.
The evening is at leisure in Florence.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast
Chianti wine tasting
Florence - Poggio al Sole - Florence. Today you will explore the picturesque Chianti wine region. You will be transferred to the quaint winery of Poggio al Sole, passing through vineyards and olive groves, small hamlets surrounded by intact medieval walls, winding streets, castles and fortresses en route. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the cellars and take part in an included wine tasting session and local lunch of Tuscan specialties. Bellies full and heads a little light, you return to Florence for the evening.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast, Lunch
Florence at leisure
Today is completely free for you to further explore the Renaissance city of Florence. Lose yourself in the stunning architecture, find a good local restaurant for lunch, or take in other attractions such as the world famous Uffizi Gallery.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast
Venice gondola ride & food tour
Florence - Venice. This morning, take the train to Venice and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the morning is free to settle in. This afternoon you will enjoy an included private gondola ride along the canals, the main bucket list activity in the Canal City. Take in many of the city's iconic highlights and lesser-known gems from the water. You then enjoy an included "Bacaro" tour, visiting a handful of local wine bars in order to sample some of the city's best wine and "cicchetti", a kind of Venetian Tapas. After our food and wine tour, the rest of the day is at leisure in Venice.
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast
Venice walking tour
You are exploring on dry land today, with a guided walking tour of Venice. This tour includes 'skip the line' tickets to the magnificent St Mark's Basilica, perhaps the most famous building in the city. You can also take in the the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past as well as the legendary Ponte dei Sospiri or “Bridge of Sighs”.
After the tour, the rest of today is at leisure. You could visit Harry's Bar, a place of legend that has been serving Hollywood stars and royalty since opening in 1931. There's a strict dress code to adhere to, and if you do go, we recommend you try a Bellini - this bar invented them!
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast
Venice
Today your tour ends. Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before your included transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Itinerary
Rome free time & dinner
Welcome to Italy. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, so you can head to explore some of the sights. Perhaps the iconic Trevi Fountain, or the Piazza Della Rotonda, home to the Parthenon.
This evening, you will be collected and taken to a local restaurant in Trastevere, one of the most vibrant districts in the Italian capital. Enjoy an included dinner at a traditional Roman trattoria and indulge in local specialties dating back in time. After dinner, you will be returned to the hotel.
Please note: On Saturday departure, the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour will be replaced with another private tour or rescheduled to the first day based on your arrival time in Rome. This is due to the weekly closure of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.
Overnight: Rome | Dinner
Vatican City & the Colosseum
After breakfast, you will be collected by a driver and taken to the Vatican for a guided tour of the museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. Take in some of the most famous works of art in the world, including works by artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto. Explore the Sistine Chapel, which dates to 1483 and is the most famous chapel in the world thanks to its elaborate ceiling and of course the famous painting, The Final Judgement by Michelangelo.
After exploring the Vatican City (and ticking another country off your to-visit list), there is free time for lunch. You will then be joined by an expert guide for a tour of the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient stadium once held 50,000 - 80,000 spectators and was the scene of vicious battle re-enactments and games, where gladiators fought to the death. You also visit the Arch of Constantine and the historic Forum. Then its on to Palatine Hill to learn about the legend of Romulus and Remus, before the rest of the day is free to explore Rome further at leisure.
Overnight: Rome | Breakfast
Rome to Florence by car
Rome - Florence. After breakfast, you meet your chauffeur who will transfer you by luxury car to Florence. Along the way, you can choose to visit one of Orvieto, Montepulciano or Civita di Bagnoregioare, with time to explore one of these smaller Italian settlements.
Arriving at the hotel in Florence, there is free time to settle in before you embark on a tour of the city with an expert guide. You will see Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Our tour also includes 'skip the line' entrance tickets to the famous Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze or “Gallery of the Academy of Florence”, the home of Michelangelo's sculpture David.
The evening is at leisure in Florence.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast
Chianti wine tasting
Florence - Poggio al Sole - Florence. Today you will explore the picturesque Chianti wine region. You will be transferred to the quaint winery of Poggio al Sole, passing through vineyards and olive groves, small hamlets surrounded by intact medieval walls, winding streets, castles and fortresses en route. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the cellars and take part in an included wine tasting session and local lunch of Tuscan specialties. Bellies full and heads a little light, you return to Florence for the evening.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast, Lunch
Florence at leisure
Today is completely free for you to further explore the Renaissance city of Florence. Lose yourself in the stunning architecture, find a good local restaurant for lunch, or take in other attractions such as the world famous Uffizi Gallery.
Overnight: Florence | Breakfast
Venice gondola ride & food tour
Florence - Venice. This morning, your chauffeur drives you to Venice, stopping along the way in one of Bologna, Ferrara or Padova. The rest of the morning is free to settle in. This afternoon you will enjoy an included private gondola ride along the canals, the main bucket list activity in the Canal City. Take in many of the city's iconic highlights and lesser-known gems from the water. You then enjoy an included "Bacaro" tour, visiting a handful of local wine bars in order to sample some of the city's best wine and "cicchetti", a kind of Venetian Tapas. After our food and wine tour, the rest of the day is at leisure in Venice.
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast
Venice walking tour
You are exploring on dry land today, with a guided walking tour of Venice. This tour includes 'skip the line' tickets to the magnificent St Mark's Basilica, perhaps the most famous building in the city. You can also take in the the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past as well as the legendary Ponte dei Sospiri or “Bridge of Sighs”.
After the tour, the rest of today is at leisure. You could visit Harry's Bar, a place of legend that has been serving Hollywood stars and royalty since opening in 1931. There's a strict dress code to adhere to, and if you do go, we recommend you try a Bellini - this bar invented them!
Overnight: Venice | Breakfast
Venice
Today your tour ends. Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before your included transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
At a Glance
