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Renaissance, romance and ravishing cuisine, from Rome to Venice

The enduring phrase ‘la dolce vita’ – or the good life – truly captures the essence of Italy. Spend 14 days discovering the heart of all things Italian on a culturally rich adventure from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Tour the Tuscan countryside on a leisurely cycle along Lucca’s Serchio River, peer into Pisa and marvel at its Leaning Tower, take to the trails of the Cinque Terre for some stunning coastal views, and walk the Portofino Peninsula to be one with its glamourous residents. With time spent wine tasting in rural villages, ferry catching along Lake Como and relaxing among the vibrant centres of Milan and Venice, you’ll soon understand why Italy remains in the hearts of all who visit.

Trip Highlights:

Meals

7 breakfasts

Accommodations

Hotel (13 nights)

Trip Length

14 Days Fully Escorted

Tour Type

Adventure Travel

Day 1: Rome

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Maybe save the unmissable sights for later and today do as the Romans do – sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes and sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city. For those captivated by the ‘Eternal City’, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome. Keep in mind that there will be an important welcome meeting, usually at around 6pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Rome – Pantheon – EUR2
  • Rome – Christian Catacombs – EUR8
  • Rome – Castel Sant’Angelo – EUR14
  • Rome – Galleria Borghese – EUR15
  • Rome – Keats-Shelley Memorial House – EUR6
  • Vatican City – St Peter’s Dome Climb & Elevator – EUR10
  • Vatican City – Vatican Museum – EUR21
  • Rome – Pantheon One Hour Guided Tour Urban Adventure – EUR35
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask hotel reception where and when exactly the group meeting will take place. If you can’t arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Please note that our accommodation in Rome is centrally located only a short walk from Rome Termini railway station in a lively local neighbourhood. Rooms can be small; however, they all are clean and have ensuite facilities.

Enjoy some free time in Rome or, if you wish, your group leader will be available for an orientation walk, taking in some of the best-known sights of Rome like the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Roman Forum. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free and there’s a small charge to climb the dome for a breath-taking panorama over parts of the city. If there’s time, visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon you’ll travel by train from Rome to Florence – Italy’s outdoor museum (approximately 2 hours). Florence, the cultural heart of Tuscany, bursts with religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces. It’s been said that during the second millennium, a third of Europe’s most important artists lived in Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all flourished here. After checking in to your hotel, the rest of your evening is free to explore the city of the Renaissance. Food is also a major part of the city’s identity, so why explore some of the Tuscan delicacies on offer with your travel pals.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

Check the Vatican website for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can and should be booked online at biglietteriamusei.vatican.va. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it’s open and free but expect huge crowds. Tickets for Galleria Borghese can also be booked online at galleriaborghese.it. The best day to visit will be your first day in Rome before the welcome meeting, or this morning before the departure to Florence. In order to allow enough time in the museum and to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to start the museum visit as doors open. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter’s Basilica and its dome.

Today is a free day for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. It’s impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so take your time to work out a plan. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot – 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. Otherwise, take a visit to the Uffizi – one of the world’s oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself. If you’re wanting to see Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell’Accademia. In the evening, perhaps climb the steep stairs uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo a renowned sunset view across the rooftops of Florence. Afterwards, join the locals in taking a passeggiata – a leisurely socialising stroll – perhaps between Piazza Beccaria and Piazza della Repubblica. That is, if you aren’t enjoying a Tuscan meal instead.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Florence – Foodies Walk Urban Adventure – EUR67
  • Florence – Aperitivo Time! Urban Adventure – EUR77
  • Florence – Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome – EUR30
  • Florence – Accademia – EUR16
  • Florence – Uffizi Gallery – EUR24
  • Florence – Bargello Museum – EUR13
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

The individual Florentine State Museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them. Check firenzemusei.it for everything you need to know about all of them, including the option to purchase tickets. It is highly recommended that you pre-book your visit to the Uffizi, as this museum experiences enormous queues – upwards of five hours – all year round. With your free day, you can make your reservations for any time.

No doubt there’ll be more to see in Florence this morning, then this afternoon, take a train to Lucca (approximately 2 hours). Lucca is one of Tuscany’s real hidden gems, with centuries-old buildings, beautiful churches, charming piazzas and narrow streets within its ancient city ramparts. You’ll be captivated by this charming and medieval town. You’ll be staying in the city centre which allows easy access to all the sights, restaurants and bars – all an easy stroll from the hotel’s front door. Make sure you join the traditional evening pastime of many locals and take a stroll along the top of the famous city walls that surround the perimeter of the old city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Set off on a cycling tour following the scenic Serchio River through the Tuscan countryside (4 kilometres round the walls that are now a tree-lined avenue, and 14 kilometres by the river, approximately 3-4 hours). Your base in Lucca provides you with the perfect opportunity for a later outing to the nearby city of Pisa (approximately 30 minutes by local train). Here there’ll be ample time for you to visit the world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Pisa Baptistry. The Leaning Tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of four degrees, after restoration and stabilising work. Continue to wander the streets past high-end boutiques and speciality book and antiques stores, perhaps stopping to enjoy an aperitif. Afterwards, head back to Lucca. An ideal way to end the day is to 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.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lucca – Bicycle Tour
  • Pisa – Half Day Trip to Pisa
Optional Activities
  • Pisa – Leaning Tower of Pisa – EUR18
  • Pisa – 5 Monuments Combo Ticket – EUR10
  • Lucca – Cathedral of San Martino & Ilaria del Carretto Tomb – EUR3
  • Lucca – Guinigi Tower Climb – EUR5
  • Lucca – National Gallery Villa Guinigi – EUR4
  • Lucca – Day Trip to Barga (by public bus) – EUR9
  • Lucca – Palazzo Pfanner House & Gardens – EUR6
  • Lucca – Cathedral Museum – EUR4
  • Lucca – Puccini concert – EUR20
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

The bike ride may take place today or the previous day, depending on the weather forecast. Your leader will advise closer to the date. Please note that it’s not always possible to climb the tower of the Pisa Baptistry.

Travel by train to La Spezia (approximately 3 hours) – the gateway to the gorgeous Italian Riviera. A medieval port town whose name is derived from its historic importance in the spice trade, La Spezia is your base for exploring the nearby stunning stretch of coast known as the Cinque Terre. The name comes from the five tiny villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – whose position, wedged into a series of coves between cliffs makes it one of the highlights in the whole of Italy. After lunch, explore the city or perhaps head out by ferry or bus to the pretty seaside town of Portovenere, known for its colourful houses straddling the waterfront. Return to La Spezia and walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour. Otherwise, opt to take another ferry to Lerici – another small village across the Bay of Poets dominated by its castle – for a waterside dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Portovenere – Evening Boat Trip – EUR6
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Please note that depending on yesterday’s activities our visit to Pisa may take place today on our way to La Spezia.

This morning, venture out to visit the enchanted Cinque Terre. The footpaths that run between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region, and take you through olive groves, vineyards and on to idyllic, breath-taking vistas. If you’re feeling energetic, walking parts of the path (up to 12 kilometres, approximately 5 hours) will give you the best taste of the villages and countryside, though will require a good level of fitness. Some sections of path can be difficult, as there are challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. It’s also possible to take the train between any of the villages or back to your base in La Spezia whenever you want. Stop off for lunch at one of the towns and relax in the vibrant atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cinque Terre – Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

Due to recent landslides in the area, it is currently not possible to walk the Via dell’Amore and the coastal section between Manarola and Corniglia. There are alternative inland routes, however these are of a higher physical rating and involve steep ups and downs. It is possible to take the train or a bus for these sections. Due to safety reasons some sections of any path can be closed at short notice. Please remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes.

Travel by train to Santa Margherita on the Peninsula of Portofino (approximately 1 hour). Store your luggage and set off on an energetic 5-7 kilometre walk, finishing in Portofino. Start by wandering down to the Santa Margherita waterfront, past small fishing boats in the marina, enjoying the views back to town. Continue along the road, passing beach clubs, private villas and hotels that command the skyline, where the hills of the Italian Riviera meet the Bay of Tigullio. Spot locals sunbaking in the coves, then cross through some undulating forested terrain. Descend down to the picturesque port of Portofino – the place where the rich and famous come to play. Continue up to the viewpoints surrounding the town, join the glamorous for coffee and people-watching along the harbour, or perhaps stop at a focacceria to try this typical Ligurian bread. Afterwards, enjoy the fabulous coastal scenery with a boat ride back to Santa Margherita (weather permitting). Continue by train to Asti (approximately 2.5 hours) in the Piedmont region, where mouth-watering culinary delights await. Be sure to try a dish flavoured with truffle and indulge in a tipple of Italian wine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Portofino Peninsula – Walk and Boat Ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, take a bus to the green hills of the nearby rural village of Castagnole Monferrato, where you’ll visit the home of a local winemaking family to sample their vintages. The Ruche grape variety is unique to this region of Italy – it’s grown in just seven small villages in the province of Asti and produces a ruby-red, intense and aromatic wine. You may even like the option to enjoy a home-cooked lunch in the village, before returning by bus back to Asti. The town of Asti, located in the Piedmont region, was one of the most important towns in medieval times, sitting on trade routes between Turin, Milan, and Genoa. Today, it’s best known as the home of 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. You may be lucky enough to be here on a market day, when the Piazza del Palio hosts the region’s largest open-air market.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Asti – Village Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Asti – Bike Hire – EUR3
  • Asti – Archaeological Museum – EUR5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel by train to Milan (approximately 3 hours) – Italy’s second largest city and the capital of Lombardy – for a few hours to explore. In this most fashionable of cities, this is the place for stylish shopping and cafes! Explore the city’s historic centre, visit the Gothic Duomo and walk between its rooftop sculptures, admiring the views and the stunning Gothic terrace. You may like to visit Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece – The Last Supper – if there’s time, so be sure to book tickets well in advance. Alternatively, head to the park of Castello Sforzesco; the perfect destination on a hot day. Later in the afternoon, continue by train and bus to Lake Como (approximately 2 hours) – an area of stunning beauty full of unique and evocative landscapes. Instead of being in the busy Cuomo town, your hotel tonight is in a small village on the shore of Lake Cuomo where you’ll be able to experience its true serenity.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Milan – Duomo Rooftop Visit
  • Milan – Half Day Trip
Optional Activities
  • Milan – Castello Sforzesco – Free
  • Milan – La Scala Museum – EUR9
  • Milan – Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ – from – EUR29
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

Please note that your bags will be stored at the railway station in Milan while exploring the city. There is a limit of one bag per person for the lockers, so please make sure you pack accordingly. Many visitors to Milan will want to take a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. Tickets are limited, generally selling out extremely quickly – up to six months in advance. If you want to see the Last Supper, you must make arrangements in advance. Today between 1 pm and 3 pm is the most suitable time. The viewing is 15 minutes and, in order not to lose the reservation, visitors must arrive 15 minutes before the time allocated for the visit. For information and reservations visit vivaticket.it and search by its Italian name ‘Cenacolo Vinciano’. Other websites will only sell a ticket in conjunction with an additional product such as a guidebook, tour or another museum entry.

This morning, explore the pretty village of Bellagio. Here you can enjoy a walk through the countryside and discover the estate of the Villa Melzi. This grand white villa sits just back from the water and its surrounding estate is filled with rare and exotic plant life. The rest of the day is free to take the ferry between the various parts of this area of Lake Como, like Varenna, Cadenabbia, or the beautiful Villa Balbianello, which film fans may recognise from films franchises like James Bond and Star Wars. Villa Carlotta is another waterfront villa open to the public. It holds a range of artwork and is surrounded by acres of manicured Italian gardens. Just past Cadenabbia is Tremezzo, where you can find delicious food or an aperitif – sitting dockside, lakeside, or out on a veranda. Simply strolling and admiring the beautiful views whichever way you turn is an ideal way to spend the day. With some fine Italian food tonight, of course.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Como – Ferry Pass
Optional Activities
  • Lake Como – Villa Balbianello – EUR22
  • Lake Como – Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo – EUR12
  • Lake Como – Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio – EUR10
  • Lake Como – Vezio Castle in Varenna – EUR5
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Leave the lakes district behind and take the train to Verona (approximately 2.5 hours). This city, possibly best known from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is worth a stop on any Italy itinerary. After a brief orientation walk by your leader enjoy some time to explore the city. Besides Juliet’s balcony, a visit to the Arena is highly recommended. Perhaps stroll through the historical centre or get off the beaten path by finding the Well of Love that is revocably linked to the tragic love story between the soldier Corrado of San Bonifazio and Isabella of Donati family.
Later in the afternoon continue to Venice (approximately 1.5-2 hours – depending on the train connections available). This grand city of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years. Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. There are plenty of things to keep you busy when you arrive. Join your leader and take a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and begin to understand the complex canal system of Venice. Your leader will introduce you to the local way of crossing the canal, by traghetto. It only takes a minute or so, but it is a quintessential experience to have in Venice. Stop for a snack with a side of inspiration at a local restaurant that employs, supports and advocates for migrants who have made long and at times dangerous journeys to Europe. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. For dinner, perhaps seek out Venice’s distinctive culinary heritage, which goes back to ancient times and features rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Venice – Traghetto Boat Ride
  • Venice – Orient Experience Snack Stop
  • Verona – Orientation walk & Juliet’s Balcony
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Venture out and explore Venice today at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Take in the famous sights – the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace, Piazza San Marco with its golden Basilica, and of course, the evocative Bridge of Sighs. You could take a vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. No trip here would be complete without a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola. See Venetian creativity and artisan wares in the glass in Dorsoduro or down the streets spreading out from the Campo Santo Stefano. Visit the Palazzo Ducale, overflowing with paintings by Italian masters, and contrast it with the modern Guggenheim. In the evening, maybe gather your travel crew together for a celebratory dinner of Venetian specialities, such as fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Venice – St Mark’s Basilica Treasury – EUR5
  • Venice – Venezia Ca’ d’Oro – EUR14
  • Venice – Accademia Gallery – EUR16
  • Venice – Guggenheim Museum – EUR16
  • Venice – St Mark’s Campanile – EUR12
  • Venice – Doge’s Palace & Bridge of Sighs – EUR26
  • Venice – Gondola Ride – EUR80
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! As there is so much to see in Venice, you may want to consider extending your stay. There’s a range of Urban Adventures to embark on in Venice, including Cicchetti & Wine Tour, which takes you around the lanes and canals in search of the best of Venetian culture and wine. See urbanadventures.com/destination/Venice-tours for more information. If you would like to spend more time in Venice, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Venice – The Sweet Taste of Venice Urban Adventure – EUR94
  • Venice – Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure – EUR99
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you haven’t had enough of Italy yet, why not consider combining this adventure with Intrepid’s Umbrian Discovery back to Rome, taking in the best of this beautiful Italian region, such as Gubbio and Assisi. Most departure dates are designed to create the perfect Classic Italy combination trip. Search trip code ZMSDC on the Intrepid website for more information.

Starting at $3,995

per person

Best of Italy with Intrepid Travel

Request to Book
What’s Included:
Breakfast Included
Guided Tour
Hotel Included
Local Guide Included
Valid Departure Dates:
  • April 10, 2023 – April 22, 2023, 2023: $3,995 per person
  • June 8, 2023 – June 21, 2023: $4,235 per person
  • August 28, 2023 – September 10, 2023: $3,995 per person

Trip code: ZMSV

Expires: 2/3/2023

*Pricing and availability subject to change until booked. Pricing, unless noted otherwise, is based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply.