Best of Italy

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome is the perfect spot to kick off your trip. Your adventure starts in Rome with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and nightlife spots, it’s recommended that you arrive a few days early to see everything and experience the culture of this fantastic city. Maybe sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes and throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome. After, why not head out for dinner with your group and get to know each other over your favourite carb?

Today you have a free morning to soak up the sights and sounds of Rome. There will be an optional leader-led orientation walk, taking in some of the best-known sights of Rome like the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum if you’ve only just arrived. Then, maybe head to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Later, you'll travel by train to Florence – the cultural heart of Tuscany, bursting with religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces. It's been said that during the second millennium, a third of Europe's most important artists lived in Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all flourished here. After checking in to your hotel, join your leader for an orientation walk of Florence, then the rest of your evening is free to explore at your own pace. Food is also a major part of the city's identity, so why not explore some of the Tuscan delicacies on offer with your group. (B)

Today is a free day for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot like the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the Santa Croce Church. Maybe visit the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries, or discover Michelangelo's iconic statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Later, maybe climb the stairs to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset view across the rooftops of Florence. Tonight, join the locals in taking a passeggiata (a leisurely social stroll) between Piazza Beccaria and Piazza della Repubblica. (B)

After a leisurely morning, board the train to Lucca – one of Tuscany's real hidden gems, with centuries-old buildings, beautiful churches, wide piazzas and narrow streets within the ancient city ramparts. You’ll be staying in the city centre which allows easy access to all the sights, restaurants and bars – all an easy stroll from the hotel's front door. Tonight, you might like to join the tradition of many locals and take a stroll along the top of the city walls that surround the perimeter of the old city. (B)

Set off on a cycling tour this morning, following the scenic Serchio River through the Tuscan countryside. Then, you’ll catch the train to Pisa and visit the world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Pisa Baptistry. The Leaning Tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of four degrees, after restoration and stabilising work. Then, continue to wander the streets past high-end boutiques, speciality book and antiques stores. After, head back to Lucca, where the rest of the night is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to a local bar for a Prosecco (or two) and a fresh focaccia with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese – best enjoyed in the shadow of the Palazzo Pretorio.

Travel by train to La Spezia – the gateway to the gorgeous Italian Riviera. A medieval port town whose name is derived from its historic importance in the spice trade, La Spezia is your base for exploring the nearby stretch of coast known as the Cinque Terre. The name comes from the five tiny villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, whose position, wedged into a series of coves between cliffs, makes it one of the highlights in the country. After lunch, you have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe head out by ferry or bus to the pretty seaside town of Portovenere, walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour in La Spezia or visit Lerici – a small village across the Bay of Poets dominated by its castle – for a waterside dinner.

This morning, venture out through olive groves and vineyards on the Cinque Terre Trails. This path runs between the villages that were once the only way to travel through the region. After your hike this morning, maybe continue along the walking through the countryside, passing narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges or take a train to a nearby town. After, find a place for lunch in one of the towns and relax in the vibrant atmosphere before heading back to base in La Spezia later today. (B)

Start your day with a scenic train ride from La Spezia to the coastal town of Rapallo. Once you arrive, drop off your luggage and make your way to the harbor to catch a ferry to Portofino. Here, take your time exploring its colorful streets, boutiques, and waterfront cafes. If you're up for a bit of a climb, maybe follow the winding path that leads up to the Portofino Lighthouse at Punta del Capo for panoramic views over the Ligurian Sea. Later, unwind on a relaxing train ride to Asti—where a thriving food scene awaits, perfect for ending the day with a memorable meal. (B)

This morning, travel to the nearby rural village of Castagnole Monferrato, where you’ll visit the home of a local winemaking family to sample their vintages. The Ruche grape variety is unique to this region of Italy – it's grown in just seven small villages in the province of Asti and produces a ruby-red, intense and aromatic wine. Have some lunch, then return to Asti. This town was one of the most important in medieval times, sitting on trade routes between Turin, Milan, and Genoa. Today, it’s best known as the home of some of the finest and most sought-after wines in Europe. It's also the best place to find ‘tartufo’ (truffles). You may be lucky enough to be here on a market day, when the Piazza del Palio hosts the region’s largest open-air market. (B)

Travel by train to Milan, then continue to Bellagio – a village on the coast of Lake Como known for its cobbled lanes, elegant buildings and the Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden with lake views. Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out to explore this area of natural beauty and unique landscapes. Your hotel tonight is on the shores of Lake Como, where you can soak up the serenity from your room. Later, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your local leader will have the best recommendations! (B)

This morning, explore the village of Bellagio. Set off on a short walk through the countryside and discover the estate of the Villa Melzi – this grand white villa sits just back from the water, and its surrounding estate is filled with rare and exotic plant life. The rest of the day is free – maybe take the ferry between the various parts of this area of Lake Como, like Varenna, Cadenabbia or the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, which film fans may recognise from franchises like James Bond and Star Wars. Maybe wander through acres of manicured Italian gardens at Villa Carlotta or visit Cadenabbia is Tremezzo, where you can find delicious food or an aperitif. Simply strolling and admiring the beautiful views whichever way you turn is an ideal way to spend the day. (B)

Leave the lakes district behind and take your private vehicle to Milan. From here, catch a train to Venice – the grand city of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas, practically unchanged for 600 years. Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. There are plenty of things to keep you busy when you arrive. When you arrive, join your local leader for a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and learn about the complex canal system. Your leader will introduce you to the local way of crossing the canal, by traghetto, then the rest of the day is free. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. For dinner, maybe seek out Venice's distinctive culinary heritage, which goes back to ancient times and features rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta. (B)

Today is a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the Grand Canal or the Rialto Bridge, discover Doge's Palace or see Piazza San Marco with its golden Basilica. Then, you could take a vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. No trip here would be complete without a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola, so maybe treat yourself to a cruise through the waterways and tick this iconic experience off your bucket list. Later, maybe wander through the Palazzo Ducale, overflowing with paintings by Italian masters, before joining your leader for a cicchetti stop as a real Venetian. Tonight, join your group for a celebratory dinner of Venetian specialties, like fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti.

As there are no activities planned for today, you can depart the accommodation at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Venice, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.