The best of Italy escorted tour - copia

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Rome early this morning to transfer to the beautiful city of Florence. To break up this journey, stop in Orvieto*, a quaint town especially known for its renowned Duomo, European Gothic architecture and the San Patrizio Well, a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering in which you can immerse yourself, descending into the bowels of the earth. Next, take a break in Assisi, a majestic hilltop town known for its medieval architecture and the Basilica of St. Francis, a huge 2-level church. In the early evening, arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.

*Upon arrival at Orvieto you'll need to take a funicular to reach the hilltop meeting point as it's not accessible by bus. We advise you to take cash to pay for your ticket upon arrival at the station.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering the up-market Piazza Repubblica, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building within which a local market takes place.

Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Why not explore the city in more depth with one of our optional excursion to either the Uffizi* or the Leaning Tower**? Overnight stay in Florence.

*Optional excursion to The Uffizi: The Uffizi Gallery, designed in the mid-sixteenth century by Giorgio Vasari, consists of 90 museum rooms that host the most important and famous paintings in the history of art: works by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, in addition to numerous paintings by Flemish and Dutch painters exhibited in chronological order. A visit to this museum is a real journey through time by means of art.

Please note that this activity can de purchased up to 30 days before departure of your trip. This optional is not available on Mondays.

**Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don't miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a walking tour of Venice to discover all the beauty this city has to offer. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the City of Canals to learn about the history, culture and artistic heritage. Stroll through the most emblematic neighborhoods, see Venice's famous markets and pay a visit to the iconic Rialto Bridge.

The rest of the day is at your disposal to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Alternatively, we recommend taking part in one or both of the following optional activities: first, you can enjoy a quintessentially Venetian gondola ride* and then you can take part in an excursion to Murano and Burano islands.** Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

*Optional Gondola Ride Experience excursion: One of the most well-known characteristics of Venice are its historic gondolas. You can be a part of this legacy! Experience an unforgettable gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people.

**Optional Half-Day Murano and Burano excursion: Discover the most beautiful islands in Venice, enjoying the enchanting scenery of the Venetian lagoon. The tour includes two stops to visit Murano and Burano and discover their typical artisan products: the centuries-old glass processing in Murano, the fine lace in Burano. Enjoy the original colorful buildings as you tour this enchanting area.

Why not upgrade your trip with our Must Sees of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 10 days.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you'll depart to the enchanting town of Matera, famed for its Sassi—ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock. Take your time to stroll through its winding alleys, admire centuries-old stone churches, and enjoy panoramic views from scenic overlooks. Don’t miss the artisan boutiques or the chance to enjoy lunch in one of the town’s traditional trattorias.

In the afternoon, continue your journey into Puglia, arriving in Ostuni, La Città Bianca (The White City). You'll have time to settle in and explore the town’s charming streets during the evening. Overnight stay in Ostuni region.

Please note: You will travel approximately 380 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll explore some of Puglia’s most iconic destinations with the expertise of a local guide.

Your first stop is the stunning White City of Ostuni, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Stroll through its whitewashed alleyways and take in the panoramic views that make this town so unique.

Next, you'll head to Alberobello, famous for its charming trulli—whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Enjoy a guided tour through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about its fascinating history and architecture.

Later, indulge in a delicious olive oil tasting accompanied by traditional Puglian snacks—a flavorful introduction to the region’s rich culinary heritage.

In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Bari, Puglia’s vibrant seaside capital. Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace: stroll along the cobbled streets of the old town, visit the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, or sip a coffee by the harbor.

Overnight stay in Ostuni region.

Please note: You will travel approximately 180 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will set off to discover the art, history, and allure of Lecce and Otranto, the coastal cities of Salento region.

Lecce is often called the “Florence of the South” for its Baroque architecture. You will have free time to walk through the city and explore its ornate churches, grand piazzas, and artisan workshops. You will have the opportunity to try a typical pasticciotto, a custard-filled pastry, a traditional sweet treat of the region.

In the afternoon, you will visit Otranto. In this coastal town, you’ll have time to explore the ancient city walls, the Aragonese Castle, and the intricate mosaic floor of the Cathedral.

In the evening, you’ll return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ostuni region.

Please note: You will travel approximately 280 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s transfer will be a scenic one, taking you along the Sorrento coast and into the heart of the Italian countryside.

You’ll make a stop in the Paestum area, known for its ancient Greek temples. If history isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy one of the region’s most iconic specialties: Mozzarella di Bufala. Take part in a guided tasting of freshly made mozzarella, crafted just steps away from the buffalo farms.

Your journey continues as you head toward Sorrento, arriving in the evening with time to settle into your new accommodation. Overnight stay in Sorrento region.

Please note: You will travel approximately 370 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. You’ve arrived at the Amalfi Coast, and today it's time to journey through its most iconic towns, experiencing the essence of southern Italy’s charm and elegance.

Admire the Bay of Naples from the clifftops of Sorrento, and stroll through its lively historic center, filled with artisan shops and cafés nestled beneath lemon trees.

Enjoy a tasting of local limoncello, the iconic lemon liqueur of the Amalfi Coast—refreshing and full of sunshine.

Next, explore Positano, a postcard-worthy town of pastel-colored houses cascading down to the sea. Wander through its narrow streets, browse boutique shops, and relax at beachside cafés at your own pace.

Continue to Amalfi, where your guide will introduce you to the town’s highlights, including the Cathedral of St. Andrew and its vibrant piazzas. From there, take a scenic boat ride to Maiori, enjoying a unique perspective of the coastal towns from the water.

Finally, you’ll return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest. Overnight stay in Sorrento region.

Please note: You will travel approximately 90 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. On your last day before heading back home, you’ll have a full day to explore Sorrento at your leisure. If you’re in the mood to keep discovering, we suggest taking the optional tour to the island of Capri*, complete with a boat ride, breathtaking views, and garden walks. Overnight stay in Sorrento region.

*Optional Capri Tour: Your opportunity to explore the island of Capri at your own pace—discover breathtaking views, stroll through charming streets, and take in its spectacular scenery.