from $1199.00
Venice to Rome Adventure
Or call 800.497.0236
Day 1 Venice
Arrive Venice any time. As your fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities, so check-in to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the evening meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting, you can head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group (optional). Please make every effort to arrive on time for this important welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us - contact numbers are provided in these notes. Your Tour Leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.
Day 2 Venice
This "floating" city is best explored on foot, wandering through labyrinthine alleys and streets, over bridges and into squares, discovering opulence and beauty at every turn. Venice is teeming with world-class museums, like the Accademia or the Scuola di San Rocco, playing host to the greats of the renaissance like Jacopo Tintoretto, Vittore Carpaccio and Tiziano. For a more contemporary take, visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery, located inside her former home, right on the Grand Canal itself. The fantastic smattering of works of every major contemporary artist competes with the lapping waters and floating gondalas just outside. To capture all Venice has to offer go out the door of the hotel and keep walking. Wind around, check in with the map occasionally, and see if you can find your way to the major sites! Wander over the Ponte Rialto and stroll on down to Piazza San Marco. From here you get spectacular views of the Grand Canal, you can visit the famous Basilica San Marco, climb the Campanile or take a tour of the Palazzo Ducale and Bridge of Sighs. Once you’ve tired yourself out jump on a vaporetto (water bus) and make your way home, or stop off to take a gondola ride through the backalleys of Venice. Venezia, as they say in Italian, is an indescribable place you have to see to believe. It has a magical, mystical quality that can’t be captured or replicated. After just a few moments, this city will capture your heart and leave you thinking dreamily of your time in Venice for the rest of your life.
Days 3-4 Cinque Terre
Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours We travel by train to the Ligurian coast and the five stunning villages of the Cinque Terre. The following day is free for options including hiking in Cinque Terre National Park, local wine-tasting, Ligurian cooking classes, boat trips or even a visit to Portofino, Portovenere or Genoa. Cinque Terre consists of five coastal villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is quintessential Italy- small colourful villages perched onto little outcroppings of land with sheer cliffs, blue waters and olive groves, lemon trees and colourful flowers blanketing the hills. Pick up a day pass that gets you into the National Park and unlimited train access between the towns for a full day of hiking, beaching, swimming, eating…you name it! Hiking between the villages is the best way to see all the area has to offer on the well-marked and well-maintained paths leading through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods, stopping in each village to grab a cappuccino, a slice of pizza, a mouthwatering plate of "spaghetti alle vongole" (spaghetti with fresh clams), or just sit and enjoy! This area really offers something for everyone- avid hikers, someone looking for an easy stroll or a sun-worshipper looking for a little downtime in the sun. At the end of a long day outdoors, head into one of the local restaurants offering up Ligurian specialties like the local recipe of pesto, unlimited seafood dishes, a litre of vino della casa (house wine) and an after dinner taste of local grappa you won’t be able to resist! Our simple hotel has some triple rooms
Days 5-6 Florence
Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours Today we head to our first Tuscan town, Pisa, to pose for some unique photos of the famous Leaning Tower before moving further east to Florence (Firenze), the capital of the region. No city can boast of such artistic richness as the romantic Renaissance city of Florence. Food, art, culture, and beautiful views put this outstanding Italian city in a field of its own. The list of things to see and do in Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside is unlimited, be it art, nature, architecture, history or food and drink! The number one recommendation on the must-see list would be a visit to Michelangelo’s “David” in the Accademia. The size and quality of this imposing sculpture will leave you speechless. For more art, head next to the Uffizi Galleries to witness the Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci paintings in person. The Pitti Palace provides an array of art-viewing opportunities with the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Galleria del Costume all being housed in this magnificently grand palatial complex. This is also where you’ll find the Boboli Gardens, one of the lovliest examples of an Italian garden with its shady walkways and sculptures. For the engineers among us or people who just like to see how things work, visit one of the Leonardo da Vinci museums around the city, featuring models of his inventions and other details about his life. Another often overlooked but stunning museum of sculpture is the Bargello where you can see Donatello’s “David”, quite a different interpretation from Michelangelo’s. Please note that it is advisable to book tickets in advance for both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, otherwise you will need to spend most of the day waiting in line to get in. You can book online from home before you leave or ask your Tour Leader to help you while you're on the road. If you’re ready to move on from the museums, head straight to the jewel of the city - the Piazza del Duomo. This Cathedral is a breathtaking example of Italian religious architecture with the stunning green and white marble. Climb to the top for a dazzling view of the red rooftops that Tuscan cities are famous for. After the Duomo, you can start your shopping! Start in the south at the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. This bridge, covered in gold shops, is the perfect place to get a look at the Arno river before heading north to the leather markets of San Lorenzo and Mercato Centrale. Pick up a purse (or several!), leatherbound journals, Florentine paper, and any off-colour David statue souvenirs you may require. Don’t forget to make time for some gelato - the perfect way to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. Try a new flavour everyday while wandering the streets and squares, soaking up the history and beauty of a typical “citta Toscana”. Our simple hostel accommodation in Florence has multishare rooms
Day 7 Rome
Estimated Travel Time: 2 hrs Today we leave the romance of Florence for the history and vibrance of Rome. Possibly the most recognized symbol of the city is the Colosseum, the scene of the bloody gladiator bouts for the entertainment of ancient Rome's aristocracy. Take a tour around the old venue and then head over to the Palatine hill and the Roman Forum to see where it all began. Even with the bustle of modern day Rome whizzing past on Vespas you can still lose yourself in the fragmented columns and ancient ruins, conjuring images of the rich Romans sauntering by in togas. From the Colosseum it's not too much of a hike to Piazza Navona. Known for the Baroque buildings surrounding the square, and its beautiful central fountain, it's truly a great place to walk, mingle with the Romans, and sip a cappuccino at one of the sidewalk cafés. Next stop can be the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Sit among the young Italians cuddling on the steps or watch the rich and powerful shopping in the elegant boutiques nearby. Take a short walk over to the Fontana di Trevi to throw a coin over your shoulder backwards to ensure your return to this magical city. When you’ve had enough of secular Rome, head to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City. Located within the city of Rome, the Vatican City is a separate country ruled by the pope and the perfect place to see art and religion intertwined. Within the Vatican, you will find the famous St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church and the headquarters of Roman Catholicism. It is difficult to decide whether to look up, down, or to the side as there are treasures everywhere in the church: Bernini’s canopy, the dome, the treasury, the statue of St. Peter, the Pieta, and the grotto should all be seen, and it can be possible to attend services in the church. The Vatican Museums are near the basilica and contain priceless works of art from ancient to modern times. There are many different galleries but seeing all of them is definitely not possible in one day, so do a little research before visiting and decide what you really want to see. There are countless pieces of art, including statues, busts, Renaissance paintings, tapestries, early icons and Egyptian artifacts, just to name a few. Two of the most well-known exhibits in the Vatican Museums are the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms. Although the Sistine Chapel is always very crowded, it is a must-see for any visitor to the Vatican. The magnificent frescoed ceiling of the chapel painted by Michelangelo depicts over 300 figures from the Book of Genesis, the most well-known being “The Creation of Adam,” showing God touching the finger of Adam. “The Last Judgment” on the west wall depicts a scene from the Book of Revelations. It’s a good idea to book a ticket to the Vatican online from home or with some advice from your Tour Leader as waiting until the day you arrive may well be too late! Ask your Tour Leader for help booking tickets in advance. As you move further south you will recognize the different cultures that make up Italy, starting with the food. Eating in Italy is deeply embedded in the country’s culture, and is very localized, changing from city to city, region to region. Dining in Rome consists of many courses and can sometimes seem to last forever! The city also offers a vibrant nightlife, with bars and cafes to relax in as well as the many excellent restaurants.
Day 8 Departure
Arrivederci and buon viaggio! You are free to depart Rome at any time.
Or call 800.497.0236
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