Highlights of Italy Winter | 11 Days

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TRIP IN BRIEF

Highlights of Italy Winter

4.5
(5 Reviews)
From $3,641 AUD
  • 11 Days
  • Cities Visited

    Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Montepulciano, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri

    Group Size:
    2 to 50
    Age Range:
    0 to 99
    Languages: English
    Type: Guided Group Tours

Or contact your local travel agent.

Italy
Speak to our Italy Expert - Natalie

Natalia is in love with Italy. Contact her for advice on Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Como, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Sicily.

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Tour at a Glance

Tour at a Glance

Explore the wonders of Tuscany, Rome, Venice & Sorrento on this spectacular tour

  • Spend two nights in romantic Florence, heart of the Renaissance era
  • Marvel at the medieval brick-walled town of Siena in Tuscany
  • Wander the canals & streets in gorgeous Venice
  • Enjoy a lunch under the Tuscan sun in Montepulciano
  • Visit the famous pilgrimage town of Assisi with free time to explore
  • Explore the famed eternal city of Rome
  • Journey into Naples, Capri & Sorrento
  • Start Point:
  • End Point:
  • Stops:
  • Map is an indication of destinations visited and may not depict the exact route taken.

Itinerary

Benvenuti a Roma! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel and then enjoy your first day in the city at your own leisure. At 07:45 pm, you will be picked up at the hotel and reach Via del Teatro Marcello. Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day – absolutely romantic at sunset. You will cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, full of history and with a real Roman atmosphere. As you know, one of Rome’s typical landmarks are its beautiful fountains, and one of the prettiest is the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in Piazza Mattei. The Jewish Ghetto of Rome is the second most ancient after the one in Venice and it can be considered the heart and soul of Roman cuisine! Then you will walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the lit view of the Pantheon, the former temple of Marcus Agrippa later converted into a church: this is the only ancient Roman temple that remained untouched through the centuries and it’s stunning at night when the crowds are away. Next Stop…Close your eyes and throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the Trevi Fountain: it’s said that those who do so, are granted to come back to Rome someday. Your walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, one of the city’s most popular squares, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top! After this intense and gratifying walk, there is only one thing missing to end this experience: relax enjoying a creamy and tasty Gelato, it’s on us! The tour ends in Spanish Steps area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay. Overnight in Rome.

Departing at 7:15 am from your hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and then, have free time for lunch (not included). Continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, continue to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner. Overnight Florence.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Commune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches, and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure. Overnight Florence.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in Florence, departure to Bologna. There, you will discover the elegant city centre with its “porticos”, it’s shopping streets and so on. From Piazza Malpighi you will walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune square and Major square) in the heart of the city, then King Renzo’s Palace; Palazzo Podestà and the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. Bologna it’s a real gourmet’s heaven…don’t miss a tasty meal at your own leisure! In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with Sant’Antonio Basilica: one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the catholic world. Later, arrival in Venice. Check in at your hotel for overnight stay. Overnight Venice.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco, visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After this walking tour, let us offer you a spritz or a prosecco to crown your visit to Venice highlights with the company of your tour leader. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, Montepulciano also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included. After lunch, quick stop to spend some free time. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel. Overnight Rome.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch

Between 07:45 – 8:00 am, after breakfast, departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, you will be taken by a privileged door to St. Peter’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world! The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or at night. Overnight Rome.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

After breakfast, pick up at your hotel at approximately 7:00 am. Departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Arrival in Naples and short panoramic tour climbing up to Vomero hill to enjoy beautiful views over the Gulf of Naples with the Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Procida and the city below; time to take some nice pictures. Descending towards the port of Mergellina, you will leave the city and travel south towards Mount Vesuvius and, once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza. After lunch, you will enter one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, traveling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You’ll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel. Overnight Sorrento.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel and free time to discover Sorrento or, if you want, you may opt for a visit to the island of Capri (not included). Dinner at the hotel (dress code: jacket for men) and overnight stay. Overnight in Sorrento.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel. Time at your leisure going shopping or tasting some nice Limoncello. As an option, you may go for a short excursion to the Amalfi coast (not included). In the afternoon, at around 4:00 pm, departure back to Rome. Check in at your hotel and overnight stay. Overnight Rome.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

Breakfast at your hotel. End of our services.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

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What’s included?

Accommodation in 4* hotels

English speaking tour escort

Visits with local expert guide as per itinerary (Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Capri)

Tours as per itinerary

10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle

Visit of the Blue Grotto in Capri

Entrance tickets to:

  • Archaeological site in Pompeii with ‘skip the line’ access
  • Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica with ‘skip the line’ access

Tips and gratuities to tour directors, drivers and local guides

Porterage service

Passport or visa fees

Any beverages or food not listed in itinerary

Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned

Baggage and personal insurance of any kind

Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling

City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)

Any other items of personal nature

Pricing & Availability

Filter Dates
2024
2025
Departing Ending

All rates are based on twin/double share. Please enquire for single and triple rates. Rates are based on AUD. Availability is conditional on final confirmation from the supplier and is subject to change.

Hotel List (or similar)

Hotel St. Martin Rome
Via S. Martino della Battaglia, 58, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Tel: +39 06 8401 0200
Rating
5
Hotel St. Martin Rome
Hotel Raffaello Florence
Giovan Battista, Viale Giovanni Battista Morgagni, 19, 50134 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 436 9725
Rating
3
Hotel Raffaello Florence
Quality Hotel Delfino Venezia Mestre
Corso del Popolo, 211, 30172 Venezia VE, Italy
Tel: +39 041 531 0699
Rating
3.5
Quality Hotel Delfino Venezia Mestre
Hotel Savoia & Jolanda Venice
Riva degli Schiavoni, 4187, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Tel: +39 041 520 6644
Rating
4.5
Hotel Savoia & Jolanda Venice
Michelangelo Hotel Sorrento
Corso Italia, 275, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
Tel: +39 081 878 4844
Rating
4.5
Michelangelo Hotel Sorrento
Grand Hotel Vesuvio Sorrento
Via Nastro Verde, 7, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
Tel: +39 081 878 2645
Rating
4
Grand Hotel Vesuvio Sorrento

Important things to note

Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your tour director.

Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.

Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

For operational reasons, order of itinerary and/or excursions is subject to change at any time. Optional excursions not specified in our itinerary will be suggested by the tour leader.

Please note, November 19 2023 and March 17 2024 departures may be operated bi-lingually (English/French).

Please note, during Low Season (05Nov23-17Mar24), visit to Capri on Day 9 is not included, but can be added as an optional tour, payable direct.

Venice accommodation is in Mestre on the mainland. A supplement applies for accommodation on Venice island. If you wish to upgrade to have accommodation on Venice island, please advise at time of booking.

A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.

Have a question about this tour?

You can ask your question here, and we’ll get back to you!

Reviews for Highlights of Italy Winter

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Maria
17 day tour great weather

Review for: Glorious Italy

We were lucky to have great weather from Rome to Rome taking in the sights of Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Montepulciano, Rome beautiful destinations and incredible history. Both Nancy our tour guide who was knowledgeable and Luigi our bus driver they  were fantastic and worked great together. We had a different tour guide and driver from Naples to Taormina sights seen were great as well Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri then to Palermo, Monreale, Erica, Marsala, Agrigento, Armenian, Ragusa, Noto, Siracusa, Mt Etna not to forget the beautiful Taormina. We loved Sorrento full of life and Palermo great arancini and Sicilian canoli (was in heaven).
Review Image
Review Image
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Elizabeth and Gordon Wood
The standard of hotels and the level of guide expertise was excellent

Review for: Fantasy of Puglia

The standard of hotels and the level of guide expertise was excellent. The fact that breakfast and dinner were included in the pre-tour costs was of benefit to us. Our only concern would be the quality of the dinners presented to us during our 2 night stay in Alberobello. As the "dispersed hotel" did not have catering facilities, we ate at the same restaurant for 2 nights. This restaurant made little effort to give us meals comparable to the standard of the other included meals. On our first night the first course was a pasta with minimal sauce, the second course was 2 small Italian sausages with a small scoop of fried potato and the dessert was a chocolate sauce on ice-cream. Some of our group complained to Angela, our guide, who agreed that it was not satisfactory and rang the restaurant to ask for a higher quality meal the next night. On the second night, for the first course we were given a very similar pasta to the night before, then a small undressed tomato, mozzarella and lettuce salad accompanied by a small dressed tomato and lettuce salad. This was topped off by a slice of watermelon for dessert. We particularly enjoyed the final dinner at the 'Masseria le Stanzie' outside Lecce.
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Tim
We were lucky to

Review for: Art Cities & Tuscany with Rome Winter

We were lucky to have such an amazing tour director- really the best of the 3 trips we had with Sun Island!

Looking for more?

TRIP IN BRIEF

Highlights of Italy Winter

4.5
(5 Reviews)
From $3,641 AUD
  • 11 Days
  • Cities Visited

    Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Montepulciano, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri

    Group Size:
    2 to 50
    Age Range:
    0 to 99
    Languages: English
    Travel Style: Guided Group Tours

Or contact your local travel agent.

Italy
Speak to our Italy Expert - Natalie

Natalia is in love with Italy. Contact her for advice on Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Como, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Sicily.

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