Best of Northern Italy: Florence to Venice

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until tonight's welcome meeting.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Optional Experiences

• Florence Food Tour: Uncover the treasures of Florence, savoured by locals for generations, on this 3-hour walking tour through Oltrarno. Experience the unique flavours and foods that make the cuisine of this region so distinct from the rest of Italy. Famous for being the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, Florence is a city rich with culture, history and of course, some of the tastiest Tuscan food in the region. Wander the streets and soak up the bohemian vibe as you stop to sample wine and salami.

Head out of Florence on a private bus and visit Pisa en route to the coast, with a bit of free time to explore. Settle into the colourful, charming town in the Cinque Terre region. Travel to Pisa and stop for a visit at the Field of Miracles to see the famous leaning tower (entrance fee not included). Later, head on to the coastal paradise of Cinque Terre.

Included Experiences

• Pisa Visit: Visit Pisa and check out its famous leaning tower. Wander the area and take photos to your heart's content. Opt to enter the Pisa Cathedral, or enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Enjoy the flexibility to experience Cinque Terre your way. With your free time, you may choose to hike through some of the most scenic landscapes on earth, Monterosso to Vernazza, or explore the region at a more relaxed pace using your unlimited train pass. If you opt for the hike, you’ll follow picturesque coastal and hillside paths linking the five iconic villages of Cinque Terre. This moderately challenging optional hike through Cinque Terre National Park offers stunning views of terraced vineyards and charming hillside towns. Afterward, immerse yourself deeper in the Cinque Terre region with a short stop in the cliffside village of Riomaggiore. The national park pass and daily unlimited train ticket is included. Opt to follow your CEO along centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks leading through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards on a full day hike, or hop on and off the train, experiencing each town on your own. Choose to rest in each of the 5 villages, sampling delicacies in each place, such as local pesto, espresso, or delicious gelato.

Included Experiences

• Local Train: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Monterosso to Vernazza Hike: The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza winds through olive orchards and vineyards and is rocky in places, but offers superb views of the bay. Moderate Elevation Gain: 200m
• National Park Pass and Unlimited Train Ticket: Use the included Cinque Terre National Park pass and unlimited train ticket to explore this stunning stretch of coastline by train. Travel easily between the five villages, taking in breathtaking views, colorful cliffside towns, and the sparkling Ligurian Sea along the way.
• Riomaggiore Visit: Set out to explore Riomaggiore, a quaint village nestled on the coastline of this beautiful region. Take in views of colourful houses, steep cliffs, and terraced vineyards.

Travel to Lake Como, a perfectly picturesque region laden with villas and lush gardens. Arrive in the late afternoon then hop on the the historic Como-Brunate funicular. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Lake Como and the Alps. This quick 7-minute ride ascends to the charming village of Brunate, known as the "Balcony of the Alps." Set out from Cinque Terre on a train journey with a few changes en route, passing through Milan and on to elegant Como Town, located on the shores of Lake Como. On the border with Switzerland, enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the snowy-peaked Alps.

Included Experiences

• Local Train: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Funicular Ride: Enjoy a funicular ride from Como town to the hilltop village of Brunate. In operation since 1894, the historic lift is the best way to get a bird's eye view of the stunning region.

Spend the day on Lake Como, enjoying the scenery via ferry. Return to town in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Set out by ferry to explore the lake and the elegant towns of Menaggio and Bellagio. Explore shops, restaurants, and fine residences before spending the evening as you see fit. Soak up the elegant atmosphere in one of the lakeside cafés or restaurants. Take some time for shopping — some of the finest Italian designers are to be found in Como's chic boutiques.

Included Experiences

• Lake Como Ferry Excursion: Experience the beauty of Lake Como with a scenic ferry ride, stopping at the charming towns of Menaggio and Bellagio. Hop off at Menaggio to explore its beautiful hiking trails or wander the picturesque streets of Bellagio, discovering its quaint boutiques and artisan shops. Don't miss the walk to Punta Spartivento for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
• Free Time: Set out and explore this elegant lakeside town.

Optional Experiences

• Como Cathedral: Head to the piazza in the historic part of the city to pay visit to one of the most stunning sites in Como. With its ornate and unique architecture, you won't be able to miss it.

Travel to Venice, the "city of canals," and enjoy a guided walking tour over bridges and canals, and view the Piazza San Marco. Venice is truly unique and magificent to behold and explore. There will be plenty of time to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and wide piazzas, crossing hundreds of tiny bridges over the canals and, of course, getting lost in Venice's labyrinth.

Included Experiences

• Local Train: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Free Time: Head out through the winding alleyways for your first taste of magical Venice.
• Guided Walking Tour of Venice: Discover iconic Venetian landmarks on a guided walking tour. Revel in the labyrinth like alleyways, charming bridges, and bustling squares, while gondolas glide through serene canals. Enjoy the unique ambiance of this historic city where every corner tells a story.

Spend the day getting lost in Venice. Opt for a vaporetto (water taxi) ride to the islands of Murano and Burano, take a gondola under the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers), explore the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, savour traditional Venetian cuisine on a food tour, or get lost in the twisting maze of the city.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: With so much to see and do, don't waste a minute.With so much to see and do, don't waste a minute -- get out and explore the "city of canals".

Optional Experiences

• Venice Food Tour: Immerse yourself in Venice’s rich culinary heritage with a guided food tour through Cannaregio and the historic Jewish Ghetto. Savor a progressive meal that embodies authentic Venetian flavors — from the city’s signature spritz to locally produced wines paired with creamy risotto. Enjoy traditional cicchetti such as baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, and polenta, among other local delights, then raise a glass of crisp prosecco to your journey. As you wander through Venice’s hidden alleyways and canals, uncover the stories, culture, and centuries-old influences that have shaped its unique cuisine. End your culinary adventure with a sweet finale, a classic tiramisù or artisanal gelato.
• Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Visit : Visit this former palace, rebuilt and restored numerous times, and admire the Gothic Venetian architecture. Once the seat of the government, the Palazzo Ducale is now a grand museum. Enjoy the stellar artwork, ornate chambers, and courtyards.
• Gondola Ride: Sit back and enjoy a different point of view as you glide through the historic canals of Venice on a gondola.
• Saint Mark's Square and Basilica Visit: Enter the picture-perfect Piazza San Marco from one of the many winding alleyways and stare in awe at the grandeur. With the massive, ornate basilica standing tall at one end, pigeons gathering and flying around, and violinists playing a Vivaldi tune at a café table — this is Venice. Wander the square and people watch or duck inside the glittering basilica for more Venetian inspiration.
• Murano and Burano Islands Visit: Take a quick trip across the lagoon and experience Venice’s artisanal roots. Explore the island of Murano, famous for its skilled glassblowers, and walk along the colourful streets of Burano, known for a centuries-old tradition of lacemaking.
• Campanile San Marco Lookout: Climb to the top of the Campanile - Venice's tallest building - to take in a great bird's eye view of the cityscape and lagoon.
• Scuola Grande di San Rocco: Noted for its collection of more than 60 paintings by Italian master Tintoretto, Scuola Grande di San Rocco is the last remaining "scuole" or confraternity dedicated to charitable works. The Upper Hall, which contains Tintoretto's ceiling masterpiece, allows visitors a peek into opulent Venetian court life.
• Guggenheim Museum Visit: While walking down the Grand Canal, stop into this museum to see its extensive modern art collection.

Depart at any time. We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this beautiful city has to offer.

Optional Experiences

• Gallerie dell'Accademia: Featuring works from famed artists including Bellini, Tintoretto, and Veronese, there is no better place to delve into the history of Venetian art.
• Gondola Ride: Sit back and enjoy a different point of view as you glide through the historic canals of Venice on a gondola.
• Scuola Grande di San Rocco: Noted for its collection of more than 60 paintings by Italian master Tintoretto, Scuola Grande di San Rocco is the last remaining "scuole" or confraternity dedicated to charitable works. The Upper Hall, which contains Tintoretto's ceiling masterpiece, allows visitors a peek into opulent Venetian court life.
• Campanile San Marco Lookout: Climb to the top of the Campanile - Venice's tallest building - to take in a great bird's eye view of the cityscape and lagoon.
• Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Visit : Visit this former palace, rebuilt and restored numerous times, and admire the Gothic Venetian architecture. Once the seat of the government, the Palazzo Ducale is now a grand museum. Enjoy the stellar artwork, ornate chambers, and courtyards.
• Guggenheim Museum Visit: While walking down the Grand Canal, stop into this museum to see its extensive modern art collection.