Highlights
Experience la dolce vita on an unforgettable Italian getaway! From the UNESCO-listed highlights of Rome to the Renaissance architecture of Florence and the historic canals of Venice, this tour will make you fall in love with Italy, all over again! Your tour begins in Rome, where you’ll get to experience the Eternal City’s timeless culture and majestic monuments. Spend a day taking in the stunning art at the Vatican Museums, and later, proceed to the picturesque Umbrian countryside.
The highlight here is a funicular ride up to Orvieto, an ancient town perched atop a rocky cliff. Spend a couple of nights at the beautiful spa town of Montecatini Terme, before exploring Florence on an insightful walking tour. Next, delve deeper into Bologna’s rich culinary traditions, and stroll the cobbled streets of Venice as you soak in the beauty of its myriad canals. Discover the timeless appeal of Italy on this immensely enjoyable guided tour!
1 Country
Sightseeing
Hotel Accommodations
Meals
Service
Baggage Handling
Rome, Italy
Venice, Italy
Your adventure begins as you depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Arrive in historic Rome. This evening, meet your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days ahead, then relax over a tasty Italian dinner. (D)
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Today, take a guided tour of Vatican City, home of the pope. Explore the Vatican Museums, which house some of the most important and valuable art treasures in the world. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel, with floor-to-ceiling biblical frescoes painted by Michelangelo in around 1512.
Note: Touring the Vatican Museums requires walking up several staircases and 2-3 hours of walking. Vatican entry times may vary depending on availability. (B)
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Join us on a half-day sightseeing tour as you uncover the highlights of Eternal City. You’ll see outside views of the Roman Forum, once a marketplace and center of daily Roman life, the Piazza Navona, and the renowned Spanish Steps, as well as the fabled Trevi Fountain. (B)
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Add-On: Cooking class at Ristorante Gusto
Enjoy your day at leisure in Rome. Spend some time relaxing at the hotel or join us on a half-day optional add-on excursion to Tivoli and Villa d’Este, a famous 16th-century UNESCO-listed Renaissance villa. (B, D)
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Add-On: Half Day visit to Tivoli and Villa D’Este
Leave from Rome this morning and travel north into the picturesque Umbrian countryside. We stop and take the funicular up to the ancient town of Orvieto, where you can explore the rich history of this charming town and admire a variety of Etruscan, Medieval, and Renaissance art. The Orvieto funicular (a cliff cable railway) first opened in 1888 and uses water and gravity to transport its cars up and down the hillside. We then continue north and by late afternoon, we’ll arrive at Montecatini Terme, a beautiful spa town that was built around its mineral water springs. This is where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Hotel Boston or similar
Add-On: TUSCAN WINE TASTING & DINNER
Today, enjoy a walking tour of Florence. Here you’ll look at the 13th century Duomo with Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower). You’ll also discover Ghiberti’s golden “Gates of Paradise” doors at the marble-clad Baptistery of St. John, the Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge spanning the River Arno, complete with shops built along it. You’ll have some free time in Florence this afternoon, so why not explore the beautiful city on your own? (B)
Hotel Boston or similar
We drive northeast and stop in Bologna. Best known for its culinary tradition, Bologna also has an impressive history and is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 1088. Enjoy some time on your own and maybe savor some pasta with authentic bolognese sauce (ragù alla bolognese in Italian) before we continue toward the Adriatic coast. We’ll arrive in the Venice area by late afternoon and will stay just a few miles across the lagoon from the historic city. Join us for an included farewell dinner later in the evening. (B, D)
Hotel Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana or similar
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this amazing city, now a World Heritage Site, built on an archipelago of 117 islands in a lagoon. Formed by 177 canals and connected by 409 bridges, Venice is truly unique. Note that there are no motorcars or trucks in the city. Transfer by boat to St. Mark’s Square where you’ll begin your walking tour to see the lavish Doge’s Palace, (entrance not included) and the fabled Bridge of Sighs as well as the Rialto Bridge, Venice’s oldest, spanning the Grand Canal.
This afternoon you are free to wander through the labyrinth of canals and alleyways, lined with boutiques and souvenir shops, or perhaps relax and “people watch” over an espresso or tasty Italian gelato. If you want to get out on the water, there are a variety of boat rides available (not included) from water taxis to the traditional gondolas. By the end of the day you’ll be truly inspired by the history and romance of this wonderful city. (B)
Hotel Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana or similar
Add-On: Murano & Burano Tour
Your Italy vacation comes to an end today as you depart for home with newfound friends and a suitcase full of memories to last a lifetime!
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare. Passport required.
See Dates & Prices
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience where you’ll master two Italian classics: Fettuccine and Tiramisù. The evening begins with a hands-on session as you learn to make the creamy, indulgent Tiramisù. Working together as a group, you’ll craft the velvety cream, then personalize your very own glass of this beloved dessert.
Next, we’ll dive into the art of pasta-making. Learn the timeless technique of combining flour and eggs to create fresh, homemade pasta. Our expert chef will guide you through the process, teaching you about various pasta cuts and the perfect sauces to pair with each type.
Once the pasta is made, it’s time to sit down, savor your freshly prepared fettuccine, and enjoy your homemade Tiramisù, all complemented by a glass of fine Italian wine.
Inclusions
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $139 USD
Enjoy a captivating orientation tour of Tivoli, a a town steeped in history and beauty. As you wander through Tivoli’s charming streets, you’ll be introduced to its rich heritage and stunning landscapes, as you uncover its key landmarks and monuments.
Next, prepare to be enchanted as you step into the world-renowned Villa d’Este, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Renaissance villa, famous for its extraordinary gardens and opulent design, will transport you to a bygone era of royal indulgence. As you stroll through its meticulously manicured gardens, you’ll encounter an array of fountains, statues, and water features, each more breathtaking than the last. The villa itself is a masterpiece of Italian architecture, with frescoed halls and grand rooms that evoke the grandeur of its 16th-century origins.
Inclusions
Note: This tour involves moderate walking and standing for extended periods, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Guests will need to navigate several flights of stairs, narrow streets, and uneven terrain.
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Morning)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $129 USD
Enjoy your evening in classic Tuscan style with a vineyard tour, wine tasting and dinner. Your private coach will take you from your hotel to the Fattoria Il Poggio Winery, where you will be met by one of the property’s knowledgeable guides. Learn about the traditional wine making process and head to the converted wine cellar where your 3-course meal and wine tasting session await. Your first course will begin with an assorted antipasti menu paired with three white wines to sample, followed by three red wines to complement your main dish. Follow it up with local dessert paired with a traditional Vin Santo.
Inclusions
Note: This tour involves an approximately 200-yard walk with a slight incline.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours (evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $72 USD
Join your fellow travelers for an unforgettable afternoon as you discover the Islands of Murano and Burano. After your private boat ride from San Marco Square, see the exquisite glasswork of Murano and watch how the glassblowers create these works of art. Then, continue to Burano, famous for its long-standing tradition of lace-making. After a brief informative talk on the history of Burano, enjoy free time to wander the charming streets lined with colorful, picturesque houses.
Inclusions
Duration: Approx. 5 hours (afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $69 USD
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
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