Dreaming of your own Roman Holiday? This 14-day tour captures the very best of Italy on a whirlwind journey from Rome to Venice and all the highlights in between. This is the trip to experience all things quintessentially Italy! Stroll on the thousands year old cobblestones in Rome, ride the gondola along the Venice canals, bask under the Tuscan sun, cycle along Lucca’s Serchio River, take your own snaps against the Leaning Tower of Pisa, step into the stunning coastal scenes of the Cinque Terre, walk the glamorous Portofino Peninsula and more. There’ll be plenty of wine tasting and fine Italian cuisines to indulge in along the way. You’ll fall in love with Italy quicker than you can say ‘ti amo’!

Best of Italy | by Intrepid

Benvenuto to Italy! Congratulations, you’ve arrived in one of earth’s most ancient civilisations. Surrounded by classical ruins, Rome’s historic character blends with modern life packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. With only 2 days in this grand city, you’ll want to get exploring as soon as possible. Don’t let an opportunity pass to sip an espresso at a streetside café or taste as many gelatos as your sweet tooth will allow. In all the excitement, don’t forget to make it to the welcome meeting around 6pm to meet your group leader and fellow travellers (ask hotel reception on check-in for exact details).

Day 1: Rome

For a city as historic and grand as Rome, we get it – there’s so much to see and do. Enjoy free time in the morning or you have the option to join your group leader for an orientation walk past the Colosseum, the Spanish Step, the Roman Forum, the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. If time allows, we’ll visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, we’ll take the train to Florence, the cultural heart of Tuscany. As you take in the religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces, marvel over this fact that a third of Europe's most important artists lived in Florence during the second millennium including Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo. Check-in to hotel and enjoy the rest of your evening exploring the city of the Renaissance and tasting all the delicacies Tuscan offers.

Day 2: Rome / Florence

Today is a free day for you to explore Florence at your own pace and preferences. You’ll want to do some planning before heading out to squeeze in everything you want to see. The main sights are easy to get to on foot like the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Arno riverside, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, 13th-century, the Baptistry and the Belltower, and the Santa Croce Church. If you prefer museums, Uffizi is a must-visit as it’s one of the world's oldest art galleries and Michelangelo's iconic statue of David is at the Galleria dell'Accademia. For sunset views, climb the steep stairs uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking the rooftops of Florence. Select a restaurant to relish in a scrumptious Tuscan meal.

Day 3: Florence

Day 4: Florence / Lucca

Lace up your sneakers and pack a water bottle. We’re setting off on a cycling tour along the scenic Serchio River in the Tuscan countryside. In the afternoon, take a local train to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Pisa Baptistry. Continue to wander the streets past high-end boutiques and speciality book and antiques stores. Stop by to sip a cheeky aperitif. Back in Lucca, head to a local bar for a refreshing Prosecco and a delicious focaccia with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese, best enjoyed in the shadow of the Palazzo Pretorio to end your charming day.

Day 5: Lucca / Pisa 

We’re taking the train to La Spezia today, the gateway to the gorgeous Italian Riviera. A medieval port town whose name comes from its historic spice trade, La Spezia is right near the stunning stretch of coast known as the Cinque Terre. Translating to ‘five lands’ – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – that surround the cliffside, it is one of the most famous scenes of Italy. Take the ferry or bus to the pretty seaside town of Portovenere, with its colourful houses on the banks of the waterfront. In La Spezia, walk around the Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour. For a waterside dinner, take another ferry to Lerici, a small village across the Bay of Poets dominated by its castle.

Day 6: La Spezia

We’re stepping into the postcard picturesque Cinque Terre. The footpaths we’ll walk on between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region. Along the way, you’ll be enchanted by the olive groves, vineyards and idyllic, enchanting vistas. The full walk is up to 12km and will take approx. 5 hours if you’re up for a full day of activity. The payoff is worth it as you’ll see the best of the villages and countryside and is an experience unlike no other. Take up the challenge! You can always take the train in between any of the villages or back to your base in La Spezia at any time.

Day 7: La Spezia / Cinque Terre

Today we leave La Spezia and travel onwards to Santa Margherita on the Peninsula of Portofino. Jump off the train, store your luggage and get ready for a fun 5-7 kilometre walk, finishing in Portofino. We’ll wander around the quaint Santa Margherita waterfront with its small fishing boats and beautiful views back to town. We’ll continue walking past beach clubs, private villas and hotels all the while enjoying views of the hills of the Italian Riviera that meet the Bay of Tigullio. We’ll even cross through some easy forest terrain. Taste the experience of the rich and famous when they come to play as we descend on the glamorous port of Portofino. Meander around the picturesque harbour, wander the high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants, step into a focacceria to try Ligurian bread. As weather permits, we’ll enjoy the fabulous coastal scenery with a boat ride back to Santa Margherita. We’re back on the train to Asti in the Piedmont region, where mouth-watering culinary delights await. Here’s a hint – a dish flavoured with truffle and a tipple of Italian wine.

Day 8: Portofino Peninsula / Asti

Wine lovers, this day is for you! We’re taking a bus to the rural village of Castagnole Monferrato to visit the home of a local winemaking family and sample their vintages. Taste the Ruche grape variety that’s unique to this region of Italy, grown in just seven small villages in Asti and produces a ruby-red, intense and aromatic wine. Asti, in the Piedmont region, is best known as producing some of the finest and most sought after wines in Europe – excellent reds and the sparkling white ‘spumante’. It's also the best place to find ‘tartufo’, or truffles, a distinctive regional delicacy. Opt-in for a home-cooked lunch in the village before returning to Asti. Cross your fingers you’ll be here on a market day when the Piazza del Palio hosts the region’s largest open-air market.

Day 9: Asti

Get your vogue on as we travel by train to Milan, Italy’s most fashionable and cosmopolitan city. We have a few hours to explore here. Strut along the shops and cafes, explore the city's historic centre, visit the Gothic Duomo, visit Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper (though you’ll need to book tickets well in advance). Or you can chill out at the park of Castello Sforzesco. In the afternoon, we’ll continue by train and bus to the stunning Lake Como, the third largest lake in Italy. Check-in to our accommodation in Cadenabbia that sits right on the lake and discover the beauty of this tranquil town.

Day 10: Milan / Lake Como

Today we’ll board a ferry to travel across the sapphire waters of Lake Como to the pretty village of Bellagio. Described as the Pearl of Lake Como, this town is one of the most beautiful places in Lombardy. We’ll visit the Villa Melzi, a botanical paradise with statues, lakeside paths and its grand white villa. Today is a free day so you can explore to your heart’s content. Take the ferry between different spots in this area like Varenna, Cadenabbia, or the beautiful Villa Balbianello (which has appeared in films like James Bond and Star Wars). Villa Carlotta is another waterfront villa open to the public showcasing artwork and surrounded by manicured Italian gardens. Indulge in fine Italian food in Tremezzo, dockside, lakeside or on a veranda!

Day 11: Lake Como

From one waterway to another, we’re headed to the City of Water today. Welcome to Venice, the grand old city (virtually unchanged for 600 years) of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas. Here’s a fun fact, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. Upon arrival, we’ll walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and learn about the complex canal system of Venice. Cross the canal by traghetto, the way the locals do – a must have experience in Venice. Today is another free day for you to fall in love with this romantic city. Explore the world-famous Grand Canal and the stunning St Mark’s Basilica. Appreciate Venice’s distinctive culinary heritage featuring rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta.

Day 12: Venice

Today is another free day because there is so much to do and see in this spectacular city. Whatever you didn't fit in yesterday, today is your chance! Explore the pink and white buildings that are the gothic masterpiece, Doge’s Palace, where the annual Venice Carnival celebrations are held. Take a gondola ride to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for modern art or the Galleraia dell’Accademia for classics from the Renaissance period. Also, don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs with its white limestone and the most beautiful bridge in all of Venice, the Rialto Bridge. Few cities are as rich and diverse in priceless art from the Italian masters, historical heritage, and grand architecture. Enjoy a final meal with your fellow travellers for a celebratory dinner of Venetian specialities such as fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti.

Day 13: Venice

Your incredible, unforgettable 14-day trip has reached its end. Those headed for home can make their way to airport or next destination. If you can’t tear yourself away from magical Italy just yet, extend your stay!

Summary

Best of Italy | by Intrepid

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