Overview
This affordable Italy tour offers the opportunity to step back in time. Imagine what life was like in Rome 2,000 years ago, as the city was the political, social, read more and trading center of the Roman Empire. Imagine life during the Middle Ages as you explore San Gimignano’s medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers still standing. Fast forward to Renaissance times with a walking tour of Florence, featuring beautiful Piazza Signoria, the hub of the city’s social and political life since the 14th century.
Discover some of Italy’s magnificent cathedrals: in Vatican City, wonder at the masterful St. Peter’s Basilica and square; in Orvieto, the Cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture in Italy; in Assisi, where St. Francis was born, the world-famous Romanesque and Gothic Basilica is a permanent exhibition of Giotto’s frescoes. Discover Pisa’s Square of Miracles—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its three famous buildings (Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistery) that have historically been central to religious life.
From a more secular viewpoint, experience a wine tasting in Greve, the capital of Chianti, and visit Venice, reaching St. Mark’s Square by boat. Witness Venetian glassblowers creating works of art just as they did centuries ago, and spend free time admiring the crisscrossing canals, the legendary gondolas passing under the arched bridges, the palaces, and the quaint piazzas. All of this and more—including views of the most scenic Italian landscapes—are included on this fabulous Italy vacation designed for the value-minded travel lover.
Fast forward to Renaissance times with a walking tour of Florence, featuring beautiful Piazza Signoria, the hub of the city’s social and political life since the 14th century. Discover some of Italy’s magnificent cathedrals: in Vatican City, wonder at the masterful St. Peter’s Basilica and square; in Orvieto, the Cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture in Italy; in Assisi, where St. Francis was born, the world-famous Romanesque and Gothic Basilica is a permanent exhibition of Giotto’s frescoes. Discover Pisa’s Square of Miracles—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its three famous buildings (Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistery) that have historically been central to religious life.
From a more secular viewpoint, experience a wine tasting in Greve, the capital of Chianti, and visit Venice, reaching St. Mark’s Square by boat. Witness Venetian glassblowers creating works of art just as they did centuries ago, and spend free time admiring the crisscrossing canals, the legendary gondolas passing under the arched bridges, the palaces, and the quaint piazzas. All of this and more—including views of the most scenic Italian landscapes—are included on this fabulous Italy vacation designed for the value-minded travel lover.
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* (B)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.Journey to charming Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit the black basalt and travertine cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. Reach Siena, with time to visit this Tuscan jewel. The focal point of the town is Piazza del Campo, a special square, famed all over the world for its medieval-style Palio horse race. Today's Distance: 152 mi/ 245 km (B/D)
Arrive in San Gimignano and discover one of Tuscany's greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers are truly unique. Continue into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards, where Chianti Classico wines are produced. Stop in Greve for wine tasting at a local wine estate. Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes—with wine, of course. Today's Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B)
Florence, the Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis, will keep you enthralled the entire day. Wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty. Don't miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features special city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” Today's Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km (B/D)
This morning, drive to Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to the impressive Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower—180 feet high and approximately 4 degrees out of the perpendicular. Head across the wooded Apennine hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark's square at night will remove all doubt! Today's Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km (B)
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate works of art as they did centuries ago. Enjoy free time at leisure or join an optional excursion like a Venetian gondola ride through iconic canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B/D)
Travel across the Po Delta, then into the green Apennines to Umbria. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the town and the upper and lower basilicas with a Local Guide, then head for Rome. Today's Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* (B)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.Journey to charming Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit the black basalt and travertine cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. Reach Siena, with time to visit this Tuscan jewel. The focal point of the town is Piazza del Campo, a special square, famed all over the world for its medieval-style Palio horse race. Today's Distance: 177mi/ 285 km (B/D)
Arrive in San Gimignano and discover one of Tuscany's greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers are truly unique. Continue into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards, where Chianti Classico wines are produced. Stop in Greve for wine tasting at a local wine estate. Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes—with wine, of course. Today's Distance: 112mi/ 180 km (B)
Florence, the Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis, will keep you enthralled the entire day. Wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty. Don't miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features special city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” Today's Distance: 81mi/ 130 km (B/D)
This morning, drive to Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to the impressive Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower—180 feet high and approximately 4 degrees out of the perpendicular. Head across the wooded Apennine hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark's square at night will remove all doubt! Today's Distance: 261mi/ 420 km (B)
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate works of art as they did centuries ago. Enjoy free time at leisure or join an optional excursion like a Venetian gondola ride through iconic canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B/D)
Travel across the Po Delta, then into the green Apennines to Umbria. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the town and the upper and lower basilicas with a Local Guide, then head for Rome. Today's Distance: 373mi/ 600 km (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- And that's not all! Enjoy a canal cruise along the Giudecca Canal to the centre of Venice. and a boat ride along Venice's canals.
- Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
- Rome: Grand Fleming Hotel (First-Class)
- Siena: Executive (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Montecatini: Settentrionale Esplanade (First-Class)
- Venice Area: Poppi (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Rome: Cristoforo Colombo (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.
- For operational reasons, schedule changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
- 2025: Departure December 21 includes Christmas lunch in Florence.
- 2025: Departure December 30 includes New Year's Eve festive dinner in Rome.
- Guided sightseeing in Rome, featuring the iconic St. Peter's Square
- Orientation in Orvieto, featuring its charming Cathedral
- Stop in Siena and its famous Piazza del campo, the historic stage of the centuries-old Palio di Siena
- Stop in San Giminiano to admire the town's medieval towers
- Wine tasting in Chianti, a land rich in vineyards and history
- Guided sightseeing in Florence, the heart of Renaissance art and culture
- Scenic trip on a small train to Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the legendary Leaning Tower
- Venice boat ride to St. Mark's Square, featuring glass-blowing workshop
- Guided sightseeing in Assisi, including a visit to St. Francis Basilica
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
- Rome: Grand Fleming Hotel (First-Class)
- Siena: Executive (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Montecatini: Settentrionale Esplanade (First-Class)
- Venice Area: Poppi (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Rome: Holiday Inn Eur Parco Dei Medici (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- For operational reasons, schedule changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
- 2026: Departure December 21 includes Christmas lunch in Florence.
- 2026: Departure December 30 includes New Year's Eve festive dinner in Rome.
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (6) Most Recent 'The Splendors of Italy' Reviews
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Cosmos Worldwide (2025-26)
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Cosmos Worldwide (2025-26)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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