Compare Italy By Rail by Alexander+Roberts vs Italy in 9 days - Ancient Rome, Cathedrals & Canals - Superior by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 1,699 | $ 1,399 |
| Price Per Day | $ 243 | $ 155 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Luxury |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
Meals: 6 Breakfasts |
8 breakfasts. |
| Description |
Create your own Italian holiday with our choice of city-center hotels, comfortable first class rail and uniquely flexible sightseeing. |
Travel to Italy and immerse yourself in its history, culture and gastronomy. Land in Rome and admire one of the most romantic cities in the world, filled with cultural delights, such as the Colosseum, before heading to Florence to discover its hidden treasures and Renaissance heritage. Finally, explore Venice, known for its waterways and canals, built across 100 small islands. |
Day 1 - Benvenuto a Roma!
Welcome to the Eternal City! Check in to your choice of city-center hotel.
Day 2 - Customize your stay in Rome
Meals: Breakfast
Tailor your vacation to your own interests by choosing any one of these included tours. Visit us online at AlexanderRoberts.com for detailed sightseeing descriptions, classic Rome features and all the city’s best-known sites, including the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
- + Imperial Rome showcases ancient Rome, including the Forum and Colosseum.
- + Vatican Museums including the aweinspiring Sistine Chapel.
- + Rome by Night reveals all the magic and romance of the Eternal City.
Day 3 - Through the Tuscan countryside!
Meals: Breakfast
A reserved first class seat on the Italo train is a comfortable and efficient way to travel. Delight in the picturesque Tuscan landscapes as you travel to Florence, the city of the Medicis and the Renaissance. Check in to your choice of city-center hotel.
Day 4 - Pursue your own passions.
Meals: Breakfast
Customize your stay in Florence with the included tour of your choice. Detailed sightseeing descriptions are available online:
- Best of Florence and The Academy shows you the city’s best known landmarks and takes you through the famed Accademia
Museum, home to Michelangelo’s David.
- Bike Florence is a fun, expertly guided 2-wheeling tour that includes many of the city’s iconic landmarks as well as charming areas off the beaten path.
- Florence Highlights and the Uffizi begins in the ancient town of Fiesole and continues with a walking tour through the historic heart of Florence. Finish at the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and other masters.
- Pisa Excursion takes you through the lovely Tuscan countryside to see the Piazza del Duomo and its iconic Leaning Tower.
Day 5 - A scenic rail journey to Venice
Meals: Breakfast
Travel by first class Italo train through the scenic countryside to Venice. Check in to the hotel of your choice.
Day 6 - Tailor your stay in Venice
Delight in the magic of Venice with one of these included tours:
- Ducal Venice takes you along the city’s most historic streets, through St. Mark’s Square and inside the lavish Ducal Palace.
- Unusual Venice & Gondola Promenade explores the backstreets between St. Mark’s and the Rialto Bridge and ends with an enchanting Gondola ride.
- Excursion to the Three Islands visits Murano, Burano and Torcello.
- Twilight Gondola Serenade takes you on a romantic voyage along the canals of Venice accompanied by music.
Day 7 - Depart Venice
Meals: Breakfast
Your tour ends today.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to the eternal city of Rome.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Rome
Arrive in Rome, the Italian capital, and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to begin exploring this romantic, historic city. The evening is the most magical time of day in Rome when the streets take on an even more charming character. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 3: Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, three of the main archaeological sites of the Eternal City. Learn about the history of this empire, from its birth to the gladiatorial fights in the Colosseum, and appreciate the preserved corners of ancient Rome in the Forum and the Palatine Hill. We recommend the optional Piazzas and Fountains of Rome excursion.* The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the historic streets of Rome and dine on delicious Italian cuisine!** Overnight stay in Rome. * Optional Piazzas & Fountains of Rome Excursion: Take a pleasant walk through the artistic heart of Rome to visit its most symbolic piazzas and fountains! Visit Piazza Navona, the most elegant of all Rome squares and home to Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain. See the Church of San Luigi, the incredible Pantheon and the legendary Trevi Fountain, an icon of the city. Finally, pay a visit to the famous Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, the most photogenic spot in the city! ** Optional Authentic Italian meal at a restaurant in Campo Di Fiori: Enjoy an evening of authentic Italian cuisine in beautiful Campo Di Fiori Square, nestled in the heart of historic Rome. Soak up the atmosphere as you indulge in Italian dishes at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Rome
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at your leisure in Rome. Perhaps visit the Vatican, trace the footsteps of the greats in the ancient streets of the old city or simply indulge in some delicious Italian ice cream. However you choose to spend your day, Rome is sure to delight you with its old-world charm and unbeatable sights. We suggest taking the optional Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel*. Overnight stay in Rome. * Optional Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel: Explore the priceless treasures held within the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel! Visit the Pio Clementino Hall, Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, Maps Gallery, Candelabra Gallery, Tapestries Gallery and the incredible Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, discover the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica and the atmospheric St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola! Please note: Optional tour available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must See's of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 5: Rome - Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, meet your transfer and head to the train station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Florence. Arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and self-transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city and keep enjoying the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 6: Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre of Florence for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering Piazza Repubblica, one of the fanciest of the city, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building where a local market takes place. Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower. Rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 7: Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your leisure to enjoy your last day in the city. Florence's historical centre is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so why not take a stroll on your own to discover its hidden treasures. Overnight stay in Florence. * Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don't miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments and visit the spectacular Pisa Cathedral before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.
Day 8: Florence - Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Venice (Mestre Station). Arrive in the romantic city of Venice, self-transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Built across more than 100 small islands, Venice is a pleasure to explore on foot as you get lost in the labyrinthine streets, stumbling across hidden cafes and cultural gems along the way. Get out and discover the plentiful delights on this eternal city, such as the immense Piazza San Marco. Overnight stay in Venice.
Day 9: Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a guided walking tour through Venice, through the fascinating streets and across the canals; a crossroads of culture where East meets West. Admire the Basilica and Piazza of San Marco next to Gothic-style Doge's Palace, the Campanile and the Clock Tower stand. Soak up the lively atmosphere of the Campo, a bustling square next to the Church of Santa Maria. Continue to marvel at the grand Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo, uncover legendary tales of Marco Polo and finally return to St. Mark’s Square by strolling through the main Venetian shopping street, the Mercerie, and immerse yourself in the historic buzz of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Venice. *Optional Gondola Ride Experience: One of the most famous characteristics of Venice is its historic gondolas and now you can be a part of this legacy yourself! Experience an unforgettable 35-minute gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must see`s of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 10: Venice - US
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer by car from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.
