Compare Venice, Florence, Rome & Sorrento by Great Value Vacations vs Great Italian Cities (Summer) by Trafalgar
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 11 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,683 | $ 2,650 |
| Price Per Day | $ 244 | $ 265 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | NA | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
This vacation has been carefully crafted for a great independent travel experience. This isn’t a bus, group, or tour guided vacation but one where you can set your own pace of discovery every day. However, you’re not alone – if you need any help during your trip, we’ re just a phone call or an email away. Begin your adventure in the captivating waterways of Venice, where every corner reveals a new wonder and every canal beckons with timeless charm. Next, hop on a scenic train ride to Florence, a city that exudes artistic splendor at every turn. Immerse yourself in the masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, and savor the flavors of Tuscan cuisine in this cultural gem. Continue your odyssey to Rome, where ancient ruins and modern life intertwine seamlessly. Uncover the secrets of the Colosseum, stroll through the Vatican City, and experience the pulse of Italy's capital city. Finally, bask in the coastal beauty of Sorrento, where azure waters meet dramatic cliffs and lemon-scented breezes fill the air. Relax on sun-kissed beaches, explore charming coastal towns, and indulge in the culinary delights of the Amalfi Coast. |
Rome, Florence and Venice are the stars of the show on the most incredible of Italy trips. This unforgettable trio features visits to food markets, ancient Roman ruins and the artistry of great masters. But that’s not all, as you’ll also get to dine with an Italian family in their beautiful Tuscan villa. |
Day 1 Welcome to Venice!
Arrive at Venice Airport and enjoy a transfer to your hotel. The rest of your day is to enjoy at leisure; consider celebrating your first night in Italy by treating yourself to a glass of Prosecco, a specialty of the Veneto region.
Day 2 Venice
Enjoy your included walking tour today! Afterwards, treat yourself to a gondola ride and relax during a leisurely ride on the waters of Venice. On your last night in Venice, enjoy the iconic Italian dessert that has its roots in the Venuto region: tiramisu!
Day 3 Venice - Florence
After a leisurely morning in the stunning city of Venice, make your way to the train station to embark on the journey to your next destination. Be sure to look out the window during your train ride; you'll drive through the picturesque region of Tuscany before reaching Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.
Day 4 Florence
Florence is home to some of the world's most moving masterpieces. Consider exploring the Accademia, where you can get up close and personal with Michelangelo's David. Or you can pay a trip to the Uffizi Gallery, where you can gaze at the works of Botticelli, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and more. After a long day of exploring, treat yourself to a serving of mouth-watering gelato - invented in the 16th century by a Florence native!
Day 5 Florence - Rome
After one more train ride, you'll arrive in The Eternal City, Rome! After nightfall, consider taking a stroll to the Trevi Fountain to see it illuminated in the evening.
Day 6 Rome
Experience the remnants of the ancient civilization. Visit the Colosseum and imagine what it was like with 50,000 spectators cheering on their favorite gladiator. Or explore the ancient Pantheon, which is now in use as a Catholic Church.
Day 7 Rome
Take the day to see the best of Rome, like visiting Vatican City and exploring the highlights of this Italian city-state. You'll want to leave some time to explore the Vatican Museums; here you'll find the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Day 8 Rome - Sorrento
Today, you'll pick up your rental car and make your way south to your next destination - Sorrento!
Day 9 Sorrento
Explore the beautiful coastal town of Sorrento. You can meander through its picturesque old town, made up of narrow streets lined with shops. Quite a few historical buildings dot the area as well, including the Basilica of Sant’Antonino. Or you could head down to the water where Marina Grande and Marina Piccola offer views of colorful boats that move in and out of the port throughout the day. Here you can find ferries that can take you on day trips to Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast.
Day 10 Sorrento
Enjoy your second full day in Sorrento by delving into its history. You could visit the Correale di Terrnova Museum for arts of the ages or the Archaeological Museum to take a look into the past of the land. If you're just looking to unwind and enjoy the day, head down to the Piazza Tasso and grab a chair at one of the many cafes in the area. Graze on snacks, people watch, and enjoy the simple moments. And maybe after, you'll go shopping for souvenirs!
Day 11 Depart Italy
Pack away your souvenirs and drop off your car before boarding your plane home!
Day 1: Welcome to Rome
You're in for a bellissimo journey through the spectacular cities of Italy, which kicks off in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Join your travel companions and Travel Director for a delightful Welcome Dinner. Your introduction to la dolce vita begins with an orientation drive past Rome's most magnificent sights.
Grand Palatino
Dinner
Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City Dive Into Culture
This morning we join our Local Specialist for a very special experience as we Dive Into Culture in the smallest nation on earth - Vatican City. Explore the extraordinary collections of the Vatican Museums and stand beneath Michelangelo’s sublime ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, admiring the artistry of great masters and walking in the footsteps of popes who have found peace within the walls of this enclave for centuries. Visit the expansive St Peter’s Basilica before continuing to the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, where you’ll enjoy a tour of the lush gardens and lunch in its beautiful surrounds before returning to Rome.
Grand Palatino
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Rome Your Way
Enjoy a full free day to explore Rome your way, or consider an Optional Experience delving into the tragic history of Pompeii - the Roman city frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient story of this city to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.
Grand Palatino
Breakfast
Day 4: Admire Assisi and on to Florence
Journey north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. Here your Local Specialist will reveal the story of this most venerated figure on a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of this famous saint and home to a wonderful series of frescoes by Giotto. Later we continue our journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, we Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience enjoying delicious specialties against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.
Grand Mediterraneo
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Discover Renaissance Florence
Enjoy a leisurely encounter with the artistic and architectural marvels of Florence during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and palazzi. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the multi-colored marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through the historic center of Florence, shopping for high-quality leather for which the city is famous, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.
Grand Mediterraneo
Breakfast
Day 6: Uncover Pisa’s Treasures Connect with Locals
After a morning at leisure in Florence, cross the fertile Arno Valley to Pisa and join a Local Specialist to visit the Square of Miracles, home to the incredible Leaning Tower and the iconic marble Cathedral. See the ornate Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.
Grand Mediterraneo
Breakfast
Day 7: Journey to Bologna and Venice
Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name. Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes views of the Kissing Towers which lean towards each other, seemingly poised to embrace. Then it's off to the romantic island city of Venice with its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Spend time at leisure gliding along its enchanting canals in a gondola or wander through the city's labyrinthine lanes, over bridges and into quiet campi.
Amadeus, Principe
Breakfast
Day 8: Cruise Venice’s Canals Make Travel Matter
Savor the iconic and unexpected highlights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to admire the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian churches, Customs House, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will see you enjoy one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll gain insights into the delicate Venetian art of glassblowing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure admiring this city on water or consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano where colorful fishermen’s homes line the canals.
Amadeus, Principe
Breakfast
Day 9: Experience Venice’s Food Market
Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when we join a Local Specialist for a walking tour from our hotel along the canals to the famous Rialto Bridge, where all the flavors of Italy come to life at a centuries-old food market. Amble through the narrow calli of Venice and admire the beautiful architecture, walking over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day visiting the sights of your choice. Our love affair with Italy's great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as we enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Amadeus, Principe
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Farewell Venice
For now, it's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and newfound friends who have shared in the memorable sights, sounds and flavors.
Breakfast
