Wonders of Italy
Experience Overview
Want the full Italian Experience? Cruise Cinque Terre’s rugged coastline, get lost in San Gimignano’s quaint center and discover the art of glassblowing in Venice. From Rome to Lucca and Bologna, the Wonders of Italy come alive over a glass of Tuscan Chianti.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Florence: Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest meal with the Landi family at their home near Florence, set within a garden of oak trees against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
Iconic Experience
- Rome: Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums.
- Rome: Due to increased demand during the Jubilee year, access to the Vatican Museums may be limited. If tickets are unavailable during your visit, your sightseeing will instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to the Capitoline Wolf, ancient Roman bronzes and Renaissance art. From its spot on Capitoline Hill, you’ll have the chance to take in views of the Roman Forum.
- Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
- Enjoy an after-hours visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Get up close to the legendary Mouth of Truth, an ancient Roman marble mask said to bite any liar who places their hand in the mask’s mouth. Dare to test the legend yourself and take one of the city’s most coveted photos.
- Lucca: Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist will show you the churches, squares and palaces within the medieval ramparts.
- Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Specialist, visit this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked away on the mountainous Italian Riviera coastline. Admire the charming fishing villages and perhaps snap some memorable pictures.
- Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- San Gimignano: Visit the medieval Manhattan of Italy as you explore the UNESCO-listed center of San Gimignano and admire the city's distinctive towers.
- Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
- Verona: During an exploration of Verona, see Juliet's balcony in the courtyard of a Renaissance villa.
- Bologna: View Bologna's famed Kissing Towers and enjoy some time at leisure in this historic university city.
- Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artistic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
- Tivoli: Join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour of Tivoli and the gardens of Villa d'Este.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Rome, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Florence and Assisi
- Discover Pisa, San Gimignano, Verona and Venice
- Visit Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Colosseum, a glassblowing factory in Venice, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, and Villa d'Este Gardens in Tivoli
- View the ancient sites of Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Santa Croce Basilica and Duomo in Florence, Juliet's Balcony in Verona, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and the Kissing Towers of Bologna
- See the marble quarries of Carrara
- Scenic Cruise to Cinque Terre and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
Trafalgar Difference
- Assisi: Built to welcome pilgrims visiting Assisi, Hotel Cenacolo is a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery with the original structure maintained, a masterful blend of ancient and modern comforts.
Trip Details
Product Code: 31832
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 149.455B
Starts: Rome, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,705 ($337 /day)
Itinerary
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Benvenuti a Roma! Get swept up in the city’s passion, past and flavors, from storied piazzas to recipes passed down through generations. Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica Santa Maria in Cosmedin with a private after-hours visit. See the 'Mouth of Truth' without the crowds, learn the legend behind it and explore the church and crypt, where the relics of Saint Valentine are kept*. Later, come together with your travel companions over dinner to celebrate the start of your Italian journey. *This visit may be scheduled on day 2.
Accommodation: Il Cantico
Meals: Dinner
Enjoy a guided visit with a Local Specialist through the Vatican Museums, home to a treasure trove of art and history. Stand beneath the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo’s Pietà inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Then, walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators at the mighty Colosseum and pass the Circus Maximus, once the stage for ancient chariot races.
Accommodation: Il Cantico
Meals: Breakfast
Travel north to Lucca for a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist to admire the 14th-century San Martino Cathedral and Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman arena. In your free time, relax in Piazza San Michele or ascend one of the city's ancient towers for panoramic views.
Accommodation: Best Western Grand Guinigi
Meals: Breakfast
A sea of pastel pink, yellow and blue houses cling dramatically to the Ligurian cliffs in the villages of the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we will explore today on our included excursion. Join a Local Specialist and delve into daily life in these picturesque fishing villages. Later, visit Pisa and its UNESCO-listed 'Square of Miracles' to view the architectural feat that is the Leaning Tower.
Accommodation: Best Western Grand Guinigi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The gentle Tuscan landscape leads us to our next destination, the hilltop town of San Gimignano, famed for its stunning medieval architecture and historic towers, which stand today as a testament to the wealth and power of aristocratic families who lived here centuries ago. Later, join your fellow travelers for an opportunity to Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience set against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
Accommodation: Grand Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover Renaissance treasures, extraordinary art and exquisite architecture in one of the cultural capitals of the world. Join a Local Specialist who will bring the legacy of the influential Medici family to life. Walk along narrow lanes into expansive piazzas, viewing the magnificent marble Duomo and a replica of the David statue in Piazza della Signoria. View the Ponte Vecchio, almost 700 years old, and admire the spectacular panorama from Piazzale Michelangelo. You’ll also learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. The rest of the day is yours to explore the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'. Visit the masterpieces of Michelangelo, wander through the architectural wonder of Palazzo Vecchio or shop for high-quality leather and gold.
Accommodation: Grand Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast
Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers are remembered today during our jaunt to the romantic city of Verona where you'll view the 1st-century Roman arena, still used today to host spectacular operatic performances and wander along cobbled streets in the city of star-crossed lovers. Then, venture to Venice, spending your leisure time searching for hidden treasures. Watch the sun set over the Venetian lagoon or perhaps join an optional experience.
Accommodation: Principe
Meals: Breakfast
On this morning’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, witness the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing that has been passed down from generation to generation. You may wish to buy a souvenir to remind you of the talent and skill of the master craftsmen who delight in sharing with visitors how they’re preserving this local craft. You’ll see St. Mark's Basilica, the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs next, imagining how prisoners felt when they gazed over Venice for the very last time before being imprisoned. Cruise by private launch to see the city's most iconic attractions before enjoying free time to explore the city on your terms. Wander through alleys, over ornate bridges and into quiet campi as you indulge your inner explorer and get lost in this enchanting city on water.
Accommodation: Principe
Meals: Breakfast
Travel through scenic countryside to the mystical town of Assisi, stopping en route in the city of Bologna to view its Kissing Towers that lean towards one another, seemingly poised to embrace. Continue to your hotel in Assisi for your Stays With Stories experience – a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
Accommodation: Cenacolo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Discover the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi in his home town on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its beautiful frescoes depicting the life of this beloved saint. Then, continue to Tivoli for a guided visit with a Local Specialist of the UNESCO-listed terraced hillside Renaissance gardens of Villa d'Este. Wander past bubbling fountains, manicured hedges and ornate statues as you soak up the tranquil atmosphere of this historic hill town. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers and Travel Director.
Accommodation: Precise House Mantegna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
It's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and your newfound friends after a memorable journey.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
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