Dolce Vita
The perfect introduction to Europe’s most visited destination, this eclectic tour travels from Rome heading north of this amazingly diverse country, providing our guests an opportunity to explore the most beautiful and intriguing parts of Italy, from its vibrant cities, like Rome and Venice, to its awe inspiring countryside. A balanced blend of sightseeing, guided touring, and time for leisure, this tour is ideal for travelers of all experience levels, from the novice European visitor to seasoned travelers who’ve already scoped out their favorite parts of this remarkable country. From beginning to end, this tour provides you with memories that last a lifetime, all wrapped up in one neat little vacation package – Italy!
Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence
Day 3: Florence
Day 4: Florence – Bologna – Padova – Venice
Day 5: Venice
Day 6: Venice – Montepulciano – Rome
Day 7: Rome
Day 8: Rome
Welcome to Italy! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable experience. Upon your arrival, a private driver will meet you and take you to the hotel. At 07:45 pm pick-up at the hotel and reach Via del Teatro Marcello. Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day – absolutely romantic at sunset. You will cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighborhoods, full with history and with a real Roman atmosphere. As you know, one of Rome’s typical landmarks are its beautiful fountains, and one of the prettiest is the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in Piazza Mattei. The Jewish Ghetto of Rome is the second most ancient after the one in Venice and it can be considered the heart and soul of Roman cuisine! Then you will walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the lit view of the Pantheon, the former temple of Marcus Agrippa later converted into a church: this is the only ancient Roman temple that remained untouched through the centuries and it’s stunning at night when the crowds are away. Next Stop… Close your eyes and throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the Trevi Fountain: it’s said that those who do so, are granted to come back to Rome someday. Your walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, one of the city’s most popular squares, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top! After this intense and gratifying walk, there is only one thing missing to end this experience: relax enjoying a creamy and tasty Gelato, it’s on us! The tour ends in Spanish Steps area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.
Early morning departure from the hotel.
We’ll board a deluxe coach, for our trip to the town of Assisi. In this city surrounded by ancient walls, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Visit the Basilica of St. Francesco, a nod to St. Francis of Assisi, with its wonderful frescoes by artists Giotto and Cimabue.
After a lunch break (not included), we’ll head to Siena, a medieval town known for its marvelous Romanesque cathedral, the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo – famous for hosting the Palio horse race, a breathtakingly beautiful town hall, and several other notable structures.
Departing Siena, we’ll reach our destination for the evening, magnificent Florence. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the largest city in the Tuscan region.
After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning exploring this popular city of Etruscan- Roman origins, which flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune. Now the most populated city in Tuscany, Florence is recognized as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and is lauded for its magnificent sites. You’ll visit the architectural gem of Florence, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as The Duomo (outside visit). This 14th century masterpiece is visible throughout the city and is the most-visited attraction in Florence. The tour will then proceed to the Campanile (bell tower), partly designed by Giotto, and the accompanying Baptistery, graced with spectacular bronze doors that artist Michelangelo dubbed “The Gates of Paradise.
Lunch in a typical restaurant in Santa Croce Square.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, with the option of visiting nearby Pisa (46 euros per person to be paid directly to the tour guide). Known, of course, for the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city achieved notoriety as one of Italy’s four 11th century Maritime Republics and was the birthplace of physicist/astronomer Galileo. While in Pisa, we’ll take time to admire the Square of Miracles where we’ll find the lovely Duomo, the quirky Leaning Tower, and many other notable sites.
Upon return to Florence, settle in for an overnight stay
Start the fourth day of your trip with a delicious breakfast and then depart for Bologna.
Known for its excellent quality of life, Bologna has a strong industrial tradition and is known for its medieval towers and ramparts and its many elegant porticos. We’ll visit the Piazza del Nettuno with its beautiful Neptune fountain, Piazza Maggiore, and other sites in the heart of the city like King Renzo’s Palace, the Podestà Palace, and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest basilicas in the world.
In the afternoon, we will continue towards the town of Padova, where Shakespeare set his “Taming of the Shrew.” Here, visitors can view the 13th century Pisano-designed Sant’ Antonio Basilica and other historic structures. In the evening, head for Venice, world-famous for its canals and gondolas and its numerous museums, palazzi, churches, and villas.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the city the New York Times called “undoubtedly the most beautiful city ever built by man.”
Eat breakfast and then transfer by vaporetto to St Mark Square. You’ll tour the square and see some famous sights such as St Mark’s Cathedral and Doge’s Palace (outside), a symbol of the glory and authority of Venice, former residence of the Dukes, and seat of the government and the Court of Justice. We’ll cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, where it is said prisoners would catch their last glimpse of Venice before being incarcerated in the attached prison.
After the walking tour, allow us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco, as a delightful conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, 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 (light lunch).
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and the chance to visit numerous other Venetian sites such as Ca d’Oro – one of the city’s most magnificent palazzi, or the Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight.
Breakfast and departure by motor coach from Piazzale Roma to the Chianti Region of Tuscany, known for its wines, and then on to Montepulciano, Tuscany, a Renaissance hill town known for its churches and palazzos.
A great place to explore on foot, Montepulciano is famous in Italy for its Vino Nobile, considered one of the best wines in the country and available in many locations throughout the town. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Spend the afternoon exploring Montepulciano at your own pace.
Use your free time to enjoy a glass or two or to visit the 16th century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
In the evening, return to Rome to conclude the sixth day of your trip.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart at approximately 7:30 am for a walking tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and jump the lines! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival at Vatican City, your guide will lead you into the museums where you will visit one of the most important art collection in the world.
Admire the beautiful spiral stairway, the gallery of tapestries and geographical maps, before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel. The tour also includes the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica.
After lunch, meet the group by the Colosseum for an afternoon guided tour. The Romans built an empire of truly gigantic proportions. The testimony of its greatness is still visible in the places where the city was built, more than 2772 years ago, by the legendary twin brothers Romulus and Remus.
To see it with your own eyes, join us and our professional guide on this 3- hour-tour: we’ll provide you with a pocket radio receiver and earphones, and let you access the Colosseum skipping the long line. You’ll walk inside the Flavian Amphitheater, seeing the places where the Ancient Romans used to watch a variety of events, such as gladiatorial shows or staged animal hunts, and you’ll learn more about the way Romans used to enjoy their leisure time.
You’ll stroll around the Palatine Hill, the place where Rome was founded and where Roman emperors used to live: the view is spectacular from here, so get your camera ready for some perfect shots from above! You’ll also reach the Roman Forum, the pulsating heart of ancient Roman life, to see some very well preserved ruins of that time: let the tour guide take you back in time and try to imagine how it was like to be a Roman citizen.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure exploring more sites, eating gelato, or hobnobbing with the friendly locals.
Have breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to the Eternal City, and transfer to the airport for your trip home. (End of services) Not ready to go home yet? Having too much fun exploring magnificent Italy? Your travel specialist will review all the options available to you at the end of the trip, including an extended opportunity to explore the country or the option of spending an extra night in Rome. If you must go, you’ll head to the airport for your return home. Remember, we are always eager to help you create the travel experience you desire, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like to keep your travel options open!
PRICING & DATES
| Departure Date | Cost* |
|---|---|
|
Oct-20-2024 |
$ 1850.00 |
|
Oct-25-2024 |
$ 1850.00 |
|
Oct-27-2024 |
$ 1850.00 |
|
Nov-10-2024 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Nov-17-2024 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Nov-24-2024 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Dec-01-2024 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Dec-15-2024 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Dec-29-2024 |
$ 1850.00 |
|
Jan-12-2025 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Jan-26-2025 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Feb-09-2025 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Feb-23-2025 |
$ 1500.00 |
|
Mar-09-2025 |
$ 1500.00 |
TOUR INCLUSION
- Transfers to/from Rome airport
- Transportation by deluxe motor coach
- Monolingual tour guide and escort
- Accommodation at the hotels
- Meals as per itinerary
- Guided visit with entrance tickets to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Church
- Guided visit with entrance tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatin Hill
- Panoramic visits as per itinerary
- Luggage service: 1 piece of luggage per person in Florence and Venice
- Taxes and fees
- 24 hour emergency hotline
The tour does not include:
- Tips
- Drinks and extras in hotel
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums not included in the itinerary
- Everything that is not mentioned in “The tour includes” section
- Extra luggage may incur an additional fee
- Rome Hotel Taxes (6 euros per person per day) paid to the hotel
- Florence Hotel Taxes (4 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to the hotel
- Venice Hotel Taxes (4 euros per person per day) to be paid directly to the hotel
