Rome | Art Cities & Southern Jewels

Itinerary What's Included Pricing Hotels Map Request

Italy's Cities of Art & the Amalfi Coast fully escorted coach tours brings you to some of Italy's most fascinating & historical sites mixed with the spectacular views & sights of the Amalfi Coast. Visit important religious sites in Rome & Assisi, immerse yourself in the artistic delights of Florence & the mystery of Venice, savour traditional Tuscan cuisine, then discover the famous coastline of Amalfi & the delightful island of Capri. Unforgettable!  

Day 1: Rome

Benvenuti in Italia! Arriving at Rome's Fiumicino Airport you will meet your driver who is ready to bring you to your hotel in central Rome. After checking in, set out to discover Rome with an open top Hop-on Hop-of bus tour and spot your favorite city landmarks and enjoy spectacular views of the most iconic monuments of the Eternal City. Your ticket is valid for the entire day and all you have to do is jump on board and relax, listen to the audio commentary and then get on & off at any of the eight stops available along the route you wish to explore. Return to the hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest. 

Day 2: Rome | Assisi | Siena | Florence

Today there will be an early morning departure by deluxe motorcoach to reach Assisi. Located just 90 miles north of Rome and set in the rolling hills of Umbria, here you will have time on your own to explore this tiny walled town from the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue, and then enjoy lunch on your own (not included). Board the coach again to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site and world-renowned for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Finally, you will continue on to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner which is included tonight. (B.D)

Day 3: Florence

After breakfast at your hotel, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches, and buildings such as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you are sure to be amazed by its magnificent dome which was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch, today will be served in a typical Tuscan restaurant located in Piazza Santa Croce. Once the guided tour has ended, you can then spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner, this evening is on your own. (B.L)

Day 4: Florence | Bologna | Venice

Following breakfast in Florence, we depart to the elegant city of Bologna. Upon arrival, enjoy some time to discover the charming city center, adorned with its iconic porticos, on your own. We suggest to begin your walking tour at Piazza Malpighi, leading to the heart of the city at Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. Here, you can marvel at the historic Palazzo Podestà as well as the Basilica of San Petronio, the largest Gothic church in the world built with bricks. We will then show you why Bologna is often hailed as Italy's gastronomic capital as you delve into its vibrant street food scene, which is as rich and diverse as its culinary heritage. Meandering through the city's medieval streets, you will encounter a delightful array of food stalls and markets, each offering a mouthwatering selection of both traditional and contemporary treats. As you explore the charming alleys and bustling piazzas, you will immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that goes beyond just a meal. With a street food light lunch experience at a local eatery offered by us, this is your chance to savour the authentic flavours and unique dishes that define Bologna's renowned gastronomic identity. Later in the afternoon we continue our journey to Venice (Mestre), where you'll spend the next two nights. (B)

Day 5: Venice

This morning, a water-taxi transfer will take you to Piazza San Marco to visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, a symbol of Venice’s glorious past, and the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. Following this walking tour, let us offer you a spritz or a prosecco as a delightful conclusion to your visit to Venice's highlights, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous "Cicchetti," a Venetian variation of tapas. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel to rest after such a day! (B)

Day 6: Venice | Tuscany Wine Region | Rome

After breakfast, we depart from Piazzale Roma head to Tuscany, world-renowned for its magnificent landscapes, its churches, and castles plus its delicious wines. We'll drive to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, for sale in local wine houses, Montepulciano also offers stunning panoramic views and a rich cultural heritage. Lunch, which is included today, will be a highlight and held in a typical Tuscan restaurant! After lunch, there will be a quick stop to enjoy some free time. We then continue to Rome where we'll arrive in the evening in time for check-in at your hotel. (B.L)

Day 7: Rome

Enjoy breakfast before departing from your hotel for your included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, proceed to admire the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica Basilica, the largest church in the world. The tour ends in St Peter's Square. Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or evening. (B)

Day 8: Rome | Pompeii | Sorrento

After an early morning departure from Rome, you'll see Southern Italy highlights as you cross the regions of Lazio and Campania onboard a comfortable motorcoach. Your journey begins heading south along the so-called Sun Highway, crossing the fertile Roman countryside and the area known as Castelli Romani, dotted with enchanting medieval villages. Once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter the world-famous archaeological site of Pompeii with “Skip the Line” tickets for a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, travelling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You’ll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before that fateful day. After the visit, continue along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento in time for dinner (dressy casual attire is required) and an overnight in your hotel. (B.L.D)

Day 9: Sorrento | Capri | Sorrento

Following breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat, where the sunlight passes through an underwater cavity and shines through the seawater, creating a magical blue reflection. Afterward, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own (lunch not included) and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return your hotel in Sorrento for dinner and overnight. (B.D)

Day 10: Sorrento | Rome

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and the spend some time at leisure exploring Sorrento, going shopping or tasting some nice Limoncello. As an option, you may Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and a day at leisure to explore Sorrento as you please, do some shopping and perhaps taste some nice Limoncello. Or, if you wish, go for a short excursion to the Amalfi coast (not included). In the afternoon, at around 4:00 pm, you'll be taken back to Rome for your final overnight in Italy. (B)

Day 11: Rome

Enjoy a final breakfast in Rome before your driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your journey home. Arrivederci! (B)

Set departures:

Friday & Sunday - March 23 & 30; April 06, 13, 18, 20, 25 & 27; May 02, 04, 09, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 & 30; June 01, 06, 08, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 & 29;  July 04, 06, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 & 27; August 01, 03, 08, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 31; September 05, 07, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28; October 03, 05, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 & 26, 2025.
Upgrade to accommodation at a hotel on Venice Island is available on request.