Grand Italian Experience
Grand Italian Experience
Grand Italian Experience
17 Days Starting and ending in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Rome and Vatican City, Alberobello, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Venice, Verona, Milan, La Spezia, Florence
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITGAZM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a grand Italian adventure that takes you through the heart of Italy's most iconic cities and regions. The "Grand Italian Experience" tour is a cultural journey that spans the ancient streets of Rome, the unique trulli houses of Alberobello, the scenic Isle of Capri, and the historic ruins of Pompeii. With a local specialist, explore the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and marvel at the ancient sites and Renaissance art that Italy is famed for. Enjoy a scenic cruise to Capri and a private launch to Venice's St. Mark's Square, immersing yourself in Italy's rich history, art, and breathtaking landscapes. This tour offers a blend of guided visits and free time, allowing you to discover Italy's beauty at your own pace, all while enjoying the comfort of luxury air-conditioned coach travel, cherry-picked hotels, and a host of included meals and special extras that make this journey truly unforgettable.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome
Blaze a trail through la bella Italia – your epic journey begins in Rome, once the powerful capital of the world and yours to explore before meeting your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive introducing you to some of the city's iconic and unexpected highlights.
Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome And The Vatican City
Location: Rome and Vatican City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who for centuries have flocked to Vatican City. Visit St. Peter's Basilica, one of the holiest sites in Christendom, joining a Local Specialist for an included sightseeing tour. See Michelangelo's magnificent Pietà, hewn from a perfect block of Carrara marble. Then, venture into Ancient Rome to see Circus Maximus, where the thundering noise of chariot races once filled the air. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Sit on the Spanish Steps, shop up a storm on Via Veneto or continue your encounter with Ancient Rome on Palatine Hill to see the Temple of Apollo and Flavian Palace, among other excavations.
Day 3: Journey To The Alberobello Region
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sierra Silvana Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel east through the mountains of Campania to the orange and olive groves of Puglia on the Adriatic coast, our home for the next two nights. This evening, we enjoy a delicious local dinner at our hotel.
Day 4 : Admire Alberobello’S Iconic Architecture
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sierra Silvana Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience or relax with a swim at your hotel. This afternoon, the conical limestone houses of Alberobello take centre stage during our guided tour with a Local Specialist. Here, we’ll see the UNESCO-listed collection of almost 1,500 trulli dating back to the 14th century. This evening, we Connect With Locals with a Be My Guest experience at a traditional masseria. Meet Signor Luciano for dinner on his Alberobello farm where you can taste seasonal produce, including fresh almonds, cherries, tomatoes and olive oil.
Day 5: Onwards To Sunny Sorrento
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The fresh aroma of lemons is your constant companion in the stunning coastal town of Sorrento, your home for the next two nights. View the bustling Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia before spending the afternoon at leisure. Kick back and sip delicious Limoncello di Sorrento, enjoy lunch in this picture-perfect town or spend the afternoon soaking up la dolce vita. Tonight we dine at our hotel.
Day 6: A Day On The Isle Of Capri
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cruise the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the beautiful Isle of Capri. Enjoy a guided tour of Capri town, watching the beautiful people sip cappuccino in the glamorous piazzetta.
Day 7 : Uncover Pompeii's Ruins And On To Assisi
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Cenacolo Assisi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the tragic history of the ancient lost city of Pompeii with a Local Specialist. Gain a deeper understanding of what life was like in this Roman settlement that lay buried for centuries after Mount Vesuvius erupted. Continue your journey through the rolling green and golden fields of Umbria, arriving at the mystical hilltop town of Assisi. Meet your Local Specialist for a visit of the stunning Basilica of St. Francis, featuring exquisite frescoes by Giotto. We'll stay at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
Day 8 : Onwards To Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
We venture to the Adriatic coast bound for Venice. A city like no other in the world, you'll explore its canals and waterways during your time on the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, home to the artistic tradition of blown glass. Our home for the next two nights is one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories.
Day 9: Cruise The Canals Of Venice Make Travel Matter
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning start the day by observing the delicate craft of Venetian glassblowing that spans centuries. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps to preserve the traditions that have been handed down through the generations and you’ll be inspired to buy a souvenir to remind you of the talent and skill shared enthusiastically by the master craftsmen. Next you’ll glide by private launch along busy waterways to view the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica before exploring the city on your terms. Stroll beside the Grand Canal, nibble on delicious cicchetti at a cosy bacaro or cross the lagoon for an Optional Experience to the colourful fishermen's Island of Burano.
Day 10: Journey To Northern Trento
Location: Verona
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Simplon Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Celebrate the epic tale of Romeo and Juliet during this morning's visit to the fair city of Verona and view the Roman arena build in the 1st century and famously used for opera these days. We spend this afternoon on the quiet shores of Lake Maggiore, soaking up the pleasant lakeside atmosphere and exploring Baveno. An Optional Experience takes you to dinner in an iconic setting on Lake Maggiore.
Day 11 : Explore Milan
Location: Milan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Simplon Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax on the shores of Lake Maggiore or take an Optional Experience to the Borromean Islands and soak up the incredible beauty of the Italian Lakes. Later, experience the fashion capital of Milan. Enjoy free time to explore on your own after an orientation of the city's iconic sights. See the exquisite Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and the Galleria, one of the world's oldest shopping malls.
Day 12: Onwards To La Spezia
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy the sunrise reflected on the picturesque Lake Maggiore, or take a leisurely stroll before your leave your lakeside resort. Later travel to the port city of La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast.
Day 13: La Spezia Your Way
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Indulge in a full free day to soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront or consider joining an Optional Experience to Porto Venere and the Bay of Poets where you’ll embark on an encounter with the cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre. This evening, we dine locally.
Day 14: Uncover Pisa And On To Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travelling south through the unforgettable scenery of Tuscany, we arrive in Pisa to view its famous Leaning Tower before continuing to the Renaissance city of Florence. This afternoon is yours at leisure to wander through the grand squares and labyrinthine lanes of Florence, whose connection with the Medici family saw this city become one of the world's most cultural centres. Consider a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see the Michelangelo's statue of David, amble along the Arno River or ascend the stone steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo for spectacular views of the city.
Day 15: Discover Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist this morning to view the city's finest masterpieces – the magnificent Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower and the 13th-century Santa Croce Basilica, the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Later, learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio which has straddled the Arno River for almost 700 years, or wander through the Renaissance Boboli Gardens, stopping for a slice or two of schiacciata along the way.
Day 16 : All Roads Lead To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shangri-La Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we journey past the sprawling vineyards of Chianti and beneath the hill-towns of Umbria before arriving in Rome. This evening we Dive Into Culture on a tour of the extraordinary Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist, including views of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, we gain exclusive access to the Vatican's Anima Mundi Museum for an exclusive farewell dining experience surrounded by art from around the world as we toast to our adventure.
Day 17: Journey Home
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our epic encounter with Italy has come to an end. We say arrivederci to Rome and our newfound friends at the end of our Grand Italian Experience.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Return cruise to the Isle of Capri
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Optional Experiences and free time
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys). Return cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice.
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted. An expert Travel Director and professional Driver. All porterage and restaurant gratuities. All hotel tips, charges and local taxes.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The highlights of the Grand Italian Experience tour include exploring Rome, Alberobello, Capri, Pompeii, Assisi, and Florence with a Local Specialist, discovering Sorrento, Venice, and Milan, visiting the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the excavations at Pompeii, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, and a glassblowing factory in Venice. Additionally, you will view the ancient sites of Rome, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence. The tour also includes a scenic cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice.
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What type of transportation is included in the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The Grand Italian Experience tour includes luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys), and a return cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice.
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What type of accommodation is provided on the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The accommodation on the Grand Italian Experience tour includes cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, with an expert Travel Director and professional Driver. All porterage and restaurant gratuities, as well as all hotel tips, charges, and local taxes, are included.
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What meals are included in the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The Grand Italian Experience tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.
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Are there any exclusions I should be aware of for the Grand Italian Experience tour?
Yes, the exclusions for the Grand Italian Experience tour are international airfare to/from the start/end of your tour and travel insurance, which is recommended for all travelers.
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What are the pick-up and drop-off times for the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The pick-up times for the Grand Italian Experience tour at Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) are 09:30, 12:30, and 15:30. The drop-off times at Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) are 07:00 and 09:30.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions