8 Days • 7 Nights
Rome, Florence & Venice: Italy's Classic Trio
Tour Includes
About the Trip
In Rome, walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, stand in awe beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. In Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, come face to face with the original David and watch the sun set over terracotta rooftops. And in Venice, glide by gondola through quiet back canals and lose yourself in a city unlike any other on earth.
Designed with expert local guides, skip-the-line access and plenty of free time to wander, this is the perfect first encounter with Italy — richly rewarding, effortlessly paced, and entirely tailorable to you.
Trip Highlights
- Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill – walk through two thousand years of history with skip-the-line access and an expert guide
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica – marvel at the greatest collection of art and architecture in the Western world
- Trevi Fountain & the Pantheon – wander Rome's timeless piazzas and toss a coin for a return to the Eternal City
- Michelangelo's David & the Uffizi – stand before the icons of the Renaissance in Florence
- Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset – a golden-hour panorama over the domes and rooftops of Florence
- A private gondola ride – drift through Venice's quiet back canals, an experience found nowhere else
- St Mark's Square & the Doge's Palace – the glittering heart of the Venetian Republic
- High-speed rail between all three cities – fast, scenic and effortlessly comfortable
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Benvenuti in Italia! On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred in comfort to your centrally located hotel. After settling in, the remainder of the day is yours to unwind or begin soaking up the atmosphere of the Eternal City. Wander the cobbled lanes to a neighbourhood trattoria for your first plate of authentic Roman pasta as the evening light turns the buildings honey-gold.
After breakfast, meet your private guide for a captivating journey into ancient Rome. Step inside the mighty Colosseum, where gladiators once fought before roaring crowds, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the political and imperial heart of the ancient world. In the afternoon, set out at your own pace to the domed Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, where tradition says a tossed coin guarantees your return to Rome.
This morning, skip the long queues and enter the Vatican Museums with your expert guide, following a route through galleries of priceless art to the breathtaking Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's world-famous ceiling. Continue into the vast St Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. The afternoon is free to relax, browse the boutiques, or cross the river to the charming, ivy-draped lanes of Trastevere for lunch.
A short, scenic high-speed train whisks you north to Florence in around ninety minutes, the Tuscan countryside slipping past your window. On arrival, a walking tour introduces the cradle of the Renaissance — the magnificent Duomo with its terracotta dome, the Baptistery's golden doors, and the medieval Ponte Vecchio lined with goldsmiths. The evening is free to enjoy hearty Tuscan cuisine and a glass of Chianti.
Spend a full day immersed in the artistic heart of Italy. Stand before Michelangelo's David, sculpted from a single block of marble, and explore the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo and Raphael. In the late afternoon, make your way up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the classic panorama of Florence bathed in golden light — one of the most beautiful city views in the world.
Travel north once more, this time to the incomparable floating city of Venice. A private water taxi delivers you along the canals to your hotel, an unforgettable arrival in itself. Your first evening is free to wander the atmospheric lanes and bridges as the day-trippers depart and the city grows quiet, revealing the Venice that most visitors never see.
A guided walk reveals the glittering heart of Venice — the mosaics of St Mark's Basilica, the grandeur of the Doge's Palace and the bustle of the Rialto. Then step aboard a gondola for a serene glide through the quiet back canals, gliding beneath ancient bridges. This afternoon, an optional boat trip carries you across the lagoon to the glassblowers of Murano and the rainbow houses of Burano.
After a leisurely breakfast, your private water taxi and transfer carry you to Venice airport for your onward flight. As your Italian adventure comes to a close, you leave with memories of ancient wonders, Renaissance masterpieces and canal-side sunsets — and, perhaps, plans to return for more.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival transfer from Rome airport to your hotel
- 3 nights in Rome with daily breakfast
- Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill with skip-the-line entry
- Skip-the-line guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica
- High-speed train from Rome to Florence
- 2 nights in Florence with daily breakfast
- Guided Florence walking tour including the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery & Michelangelo's David
- High-speed train from Florence to Venice
- 2 nights in Venice with daily breakfast
- Guided Venice walking tour with St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace & a gondola ride
- Private departure transfer to Venice airport
- Daily breakfast at your hotels
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and experiences listed in the itinerary
- Private, licensed English-speaking local guides
- Comfortable private air-conditioned vehicles for transfers and tours
- Warm meet-and-greet on arrival
- Complimentary 24/7 in-trip travel assistance
- All applicable local taxes and service charges
Exclusions
- International airfare and applicable airport taxes
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Lunches, dinners and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards, shopping and minibar
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Optional excursions and activities not listed in the inclusions
- Room, flight and category upgrades
- Early hotel check-in and late check-out charges unless specified
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Passport & Visa: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Most nationalities require a Schengen visa for Italy — please check your own requirements and apply in good time
- Currency: Italy uses the euro (EUR). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets, cafes, tips and small vendors
- Getting Around: Your trip uses Italy's high-speed trains between cities and a private air-conditioned car with driver for day tours and transfers
- Weather & Packing: Pack comfortable, broken-in walking shoes for cobbled streets, layers for changeable weather, sun protection and a light rain jacket
- Church & Site Etiquette: Dress modestly to enter churches, cathedrals and religious sites — shoulders and knees should be covered
- Dining Hours: Italians eat late — lunch from around 1pm and dinner after 8pm. Reservations are advised for popular restaurants
- Stay Connected: Local SIM cards and eSIMs are inexpensive and give excellent coverage across Italy
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive insurance covering medical care, cancellation, delays and belongings is strongly recommended
- Pace of Travel: There is a good deal of walking at the historic sites; let us know if you would like a gentler pace and we will adjust
- Local Customs: A friendly 'buongiorno' opens doors, and it is polite to ask before photographing people
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour customizable?
Yes, completely. We can add cities, extend nights, upgrade hotels or change the pace to suit you entirely.
How do we travel between the cities?
On Italy's fast, comfortable high-speed trains, which are more scenic and central than flying.
What is the best time to take this trip?
April to June and September to October offer warm weather and thinner crowds.
Are entrance fees and skip-the-line tickets included?
Yes, entry and skip-the-line access to every sight listed in the itinerary is included.
What class of hotels is used?
Comfortable, centrally located hotels as standard, upgradable to four and five-star on request.
Is this trip a lot of walking?
There is a fair amount of walking on cobbled streets; we can adjust the pace and add rest time.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast is included; lunches and dinners are left free so you can explore Italy's wonderful food scene.
Can we extend to the Amalfi Coast or Tuscany?
Easily — this trip pairs beautifully with the coast, Tuscany or the Cinque Terre.
Do you provide a guide throughout?
Expert local guides accompany all the sightseeing; you also have free time to explore independently.
How far in advance should we book?
Three to six months ahead is ideal, especially for spring, autumn and the festive season.
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