Excellent
Rome, Florence & Venice
Best Seller
COACH TOUR: Take in the best of central Italy on this 8-day group tour which starts and ends in Rome. Explore the capital, 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.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
Tour Overview
Duration
8 daysStarts
RomeEnds
RomeRange
HandpickedTour Guide
Tour leader escort & local guides for sightseeingGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 40Minimum age
No minimum ageDeparts
Fridays & SundaysHotel Rating
4-star hotelsCountries
ItalyArrival Transfer
Yes. NB - Customers on the booking must travel on the same transfer.Departure Transfer
Yes. NB - Customers on the booking must travel on the same transfer.Meals included
Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 1This tour is selling fast, book now before it sells out!
Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Rome!
Day 1 - Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Italy! On arrival in Rome, there is an included transfer to our start hotel. Then head out to explore the capital on the Rome Hop on, Hop off bus, allowing you to see the city's main sights at your own pace. Our open-top panoramic buses allow you to enjoy a spectacular view of the most iconic monuments of the Eternal City. All you have to do is jump on board and relax, listen to the audio commentary and get on and off at any of the eight stops available along the route. The bus ticket included is valid for a day.
Day 2 - Roma to Firenze
Day 2 - 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.
Day 3 - Florence sightseeing & optional Pisa
Day 3 - 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.
Day 4 - Bologna, Padua & Venice
Day 4 - 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 from March 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 included.
Day 5 - Venice
Day 5 - 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!
Day 6 - Tuscany's wine region
Day 6 - 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.
Day 7 - The Vatican
Day 7 - 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.
Day 8 - Arrivederci, goodbye!
Day 8 - 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.
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
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.
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
Hotels
Accommodation Standard
Group Tour
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.
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