Best of Italy
- 2025
- 2026
The masterpieces of Italy: the canal city of Venice, the opulent art of Florence, the wine and cuisine of Tuscany, the history—both modern and ancient—of Rome & an optional extension to Sorrento
Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
Departures | September – November 2025 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture, Bucket List, City Stays | ||
Activity Level | |||
What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitnessTravel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 9 nights accommodations in First Class and Superior hotels
- 14 meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners; plus wine, balsamic vinegar and cheese tastings
- Comprehensive tour program including entrance fees
- Professional, English-speaking tour director and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional Gondola ride
- Optional Uffizi Gallery privately-guided tour
- Optional Hot Air Balloon with Prosecco breakfast
- Optional Sorrento post-tour extension
- Optional excursion Capri & Anacapri
Why you'll love it
- Explore the wonders of Italy with a small group of no more than 16 like-minded travelers.
- Relax in centrally-located hotels in every city plus an overnight stay in the Tuscan countryside.
- Indulge in the arts with a Murano glass blowing demonstration.
- Taste the flavors that have made Italian cuisine world famous in Modena, the food capital of Italy.
- Appreciate Michelangelo's timeless masterpieces including David and the Sistine Chapel.
- Try your hand at the art of pasta making in Tuscany.
- Indulge in exquisite wine tastings amidst Italy's picturesque vineyards, immersing yourself in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of the country's renowned winemaking regions.
- Explore the wonders of charming Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Visit a pecorino cheese producer and learn about this iconic cheese paired with a tasting.
- Watch history come alive at the Doge's Palace, Vatican Museum, Colosseum, and Roman Forum.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Venice
- 3 Venice
- Optional Excursion: Gondola Ride , $50
- 4 Modena & Florence
- 5 Florence
- Optional Excursion: Privately-guided visit to Uffizi Gallery , $110
- 6 Florence
- Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Prosecco breakfast , $620
- 7 Tuscany countryside
- 8 Montepulciano & Rome
- 9 Rome
- 10 Rome
- 11 Rome/USA
Sorrento Post-tour Extension
- 11 Rome & Sorrento
- 12 Amalfi Coast
- 13 Sorrento
- Optional Excursion: Full-Day Excursion to Capri & Anacapri , $176
- 14 Sorrento/USA
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart on your overnight flight to Venice, Italy
Day 2 Venice
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel
- Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner with wine
Hotel Giorgione Venice or similarDinner
Day 3 Venice
- Enjoy a private walking tour of Venice, including St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace
- See a glass-blowing demonstration
Hotel Giorgione Venice or similarBreakfast
Day 4 Modena & Florence
- Indulge in balsamic vinegar tastings in the Emilia-Romagna region
- Enjoy lunch at an osteria
- Explore Florence at your own pace
FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 5 Florence
- Enjoy a private walking tour of Florence, including the Accademia Gallery Museum
- Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional tour of the Uffizi Gallery
FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similarBreakfast
Day 6 Florence
- Enjoy a free day in Florence to explore at your leisure
- Or, join an optional excursion
FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similarBreakfast
Day 7 Tuscany countryside
- Travel to the Tuscan countryside
- Join an authentic pasta-making class with wine, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar tastings
- Enjoy a private walking tour of Siena
Villa Curina Resort or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Montepulciano & Rome
- Visit the medieval town of Montepulciano
- Visit a pecorino cheese producer followed by a tasting of this iconic cheese
- Travel to Rome
Monti Palace Hotel or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Rome
- Tour Ancient Rome, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum
- Spend the afternoon at leisure
Monti Palace Hotel or similarBreakfast
Day 10 Rome
- Tour the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica
- Spend the late afternoon at leisure
- Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant
Monti Palace Hotel or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 11 Rome/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to USA
Breakfast
Sorrento Post-tour Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare with a post-tour extension to Sorrento along the sun-splashed Amalfi coast! You'll return to the USA 3 days after the return dates listed.
Note: This extension requires a minimum of 4 passengers to operate at the listed price.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 11 Rome & Sorrento
- Visit a vineyard at the foot of Vesuvius
- Enjoy lunch at a winery with a tasting of organic wines, pasta, and more
- Take a guided tour of the town of Pompeii, destroyed by the Vesuvius Volcano
Hotel Michelangelo or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 12 Amalfi Coast
- Discover the villages of the beautiful Amalfi Coast
- Embark on a boat ride from Amalfi to Maiori
- Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers
Hotel Michelangelo or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 13 Sorrento
- Spend the day at leisure in Sorrento, or join an optional tour of Capri and Anacapri
Hotel Michelangelo or similarBreakfast
Day 14 Sorrento/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at the time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Italy?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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