13 Days • 12 Nights
Grand Tour of Italy
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll explore the Colosseum and the Vatican, meet Michelangelo's David, taste Chianti among the vineyards, drift along Venice's Grand Canal, and wind along the Amalfi Coast to Positano and Capri. Fast trains and comfortable drives link it all, with long lunches and endless gelato in between.
With a rich mix of city, country and coastal hotels and guided touring throughout, this is Italy in full — the trip of a lifetime.
Trip Highlights
- Rome — the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain
- Florence — Michelangelo's David and the Duomo
- A Chianti winery and the hills of Tuscany
- Venice — the Grand Canal and St Mark's Square
- The Amalfi Coast — Positano, Amalfi and Capri
- Pompeii beneath Vesuvius
- Twelve nights across five celebrated regions
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and wine and seafood meals
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 13-day journey.
Arrive in Rome and settle in, with a welcome dinner in Trastevere to begin your grand Italian journey.
A full day of icons — the Colosseum and Forum, then the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's.
A walking tour of the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, with a free afternoon in the Eternal City.
Take the high-speed train to Florence, with a guided introduction to the Duomo and the Renaissance city.
Meet Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, explore the Uffizi or the Ponte Vecchio, and climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset.
Travel into the Tuscan hills for a Chianti Classico winery visit and lunch among the vines, overnighting in the countryside.
Travel north to Venice, the city of canals, with a guided walk to St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.
A Grand Canal boat ride and a Murano glass workshop, with free time to wander the backstreets and bridges.
Fly south to Naples and explore Pompeii, the Roman city frozen by Vesuvius, then settle into clifftop Sorrento.
A day on the legendary coast road to Positano and Amalfi, with a seafood lunch above the sparkling sea.
A boat trip to glamorous Capri — the Piazzetta, the gardens, and (sea permitting) the Blue Grotto.
A free day on the coast — Sorrento's cafes, a limoncello tasting, or an optional trip to Ravello high above the sea.
A final coastal breakfast before your transfer to Naples airport, twelve glorious nights behind you.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 12 nights in hand-picked city, country and coastal hotels
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a Chianti wine lunch and an Amalfi seafood lunch
- A guided Colosseum, Forum and Vatican tour with skip-the-line entry
- A guided Florence tour with the Accademia (David) and a Chianti winery
- A guided Venice walking tour and Grand Canal boat ride
- A Pompeii visit, an Amalfi Coast drive and a Capri boat trip
- Frecciarossa high-speed trains and internal transfers
- Local guides and all listed entry fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Italy
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Additional domestic flights beyond those stated
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can advise
- Language: The language is Italian, and a warm buongiorno and grazie are always appreciated. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small cafes, markets and tips
- Tipping: A cover charge (coperto) often applies at restaurants, so tipping is not expected — rounding up for good service is plenty
- Best seasons: Italy is wonderful year-round. Spring and autumn are ideal for touring, summer is hot and busy in the cities, and the Amalfi Coast and Sicily shine from May to October
- Dress code: Churches such as St Peter's and the Duomo require covered shoulders and knees, so carry a light scarf. Smart-casual is ideal for dinner
- Getting around: Italy's Frecciarossa high-speed trains link the cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Opening times: Many sites close one day a week and some shops pause midday; the Vatican Museums close on Sundays (except the last of the month). Your itinerary is arranged around this
- Driving zones: Historic city centres have restricted traffic zones (ZTL). We use trains and licensed drivers so you never risk a fine
- Safety: Italy is very safe, but as at any major attraction keep an eye on your belongings on busy transport and in crowded squares
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Tuscan wine lunch or an Amalfi seafood dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Italy's wonderful trattorias and gelaterias.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there is nothing to organise on the ground.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal, with pleasant weather and thinner crowds. The Amalfi Coast and Sicily are loveliest from May to October.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by Italy's superb Frecciarossa high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
How do we cover so much of Italy?
A mix of comfortable private drives, Italy's superb high-speed trains and one internal flight (Venice to Naples) links the regions, so the long legs are swift and easy.
Is thirteen days too much?
Not at all — with multi-night stays in each region, the journey feels indulgent rather than rushed, and it truly shows you the whole of Italy.
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