Grand Italian Experience
Grand Italian Experience
Grand Italian Experience
17 Days Starting and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Alberobello, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Venice, Lake Maggiore, La Spezia, Florence
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITGAZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Grand Italian Experience, a captivating journey through Italy's most iconic destinations. Begin in Rome, exploring ancient wonders and the Vatican City, before venturing to the charming trulli of Alberobello. Delight in the flavors of Sorrento and the stunning Isle of Capri, then uncover the ruins of Pompeii. Experience the spiritual allure of Assisi and the romantic canals of Venice, where you'll witness the art of glassblowing. Discover the elegance of Milan and the serene beauty of Lake Maggiore. Wander through the picturesque landscapes of La Spezia and the Cinque Terre, and marvel at Pisa's Leaning Tower. Conclude in Florence, the heart of the Renaissance, before returning to Rome. With luxury accommodations, expert guides, and unforgettable experiences, this tour offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and breathtaking scenery. Enjoy daily breakfasts and select dinners, ensuring a truly immersive Italian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: A. Roma Lifestyle
Meals Included: Dinner
Blaze a trail through la bella Italia – your epic journey begins in Rome, once the powerful capital of the world and yours to explore before meeting your travel companions and Travel Director for a light supper and orientation drive introducing you to some of the city's iconic and unexpected highlights.
Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome And The Vatican City
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: A. Roma Lifestyle
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist for an included sightseeing tour to introduce you life in modern day Rome and how Romans lived in ancient times. See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, then venture into Ancient Rome to see Circus Maximus, where the thundering noise of chariot races once filled the air. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Stroll down the Spanish steps or sit in an outdoor cafe on the famous Via Veneto, or continue your encounter with Ancient Rome on Palatine Hill to see the Temple of Apollo and Flavian Palace, among other excavations.
Day 3: Journey To The Alberobello Region
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sierra Silvana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel east through the mountains of Campania to the orange and olive groves of Puglia on the Adriatic coast, your home for the next two nights. This evening, enjoy a delicious local dinner at your hotel.
Day 4: Admire Alberobello’S Iconic Architecture Connect With Locals
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sierra Silvana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Consider an optional experience or relax with a swim at your hotel. This afternoon, the conical limestone houses of Alberobello take center stage during our guided tour with a Local Specialist. Here, you’ll see the UNESCO-listed collection of almost 1,500 trulli dating back to the 14th-century. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience at a traditional masseria. Meet Signor Luciano for dinner on his Alberobello farm where you can taste seasonal produce, including fresh almonds, cherries, tomatoes and olive oil.
Day 5: Onwards To Sunny Sorrento
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Vesuvio Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The fresh aroma of lemons is your constant companion in the stunning coastal town of Sorrento, your home for the next two nights. View the bustling Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia before spending the afternoon at leisure. Kick back and sip delicious Limoncello di Sorrento, enjoy lunch in this picture-perfect town or spend the afternoon soaking up la dolce vita. This evening soak up the atmosphere of Sorrento while enjoying dinner.
Day 6: A Day On The Isle Of Capri
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Vesuvio Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cruise the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the beautiful Isle of Capri. Enjoy a guided tour of Capri town with a Local Specialist. After, explore or sip cappuccino in the glamorous piazzetta.
Day 7: Uncover Pompeii's Ruins And On To Assisi Stays With Stories
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cenacolo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the tragic history of the ancient lost city of Pompeii with a Local Specialist. Gain a deeper understanding of what life was like in this Roman settlement that lay buried for centuries after Mount Vesuvius erupted. Continue your journey through the rolling green and golden fields of Umbria, arriving at the mystical hilltop town of Assisi. Meet your Local Specialist for a visit of the stunning Basilica of St. Francis, featuring exquisite frescoes by Giotto. You'll stay at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
Day 8: Onwards To Venice Stays With Stories
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Venture to the Adriatic coast on your way to Venice. A city like no other, you'll explore its canals and waterways during your time on the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, home to the artistic tradition of blown glass. Your home for the next two nights is one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories.
Day 9: Cruise The Canals Of Venice Make Travel Matter
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning start the day by observing the delicate craft of Venetian glassblowing that spans centuries. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps to preserve the traditions that have been handed down through the generations and you’ll be inspired to buy a souvenir to remind you of the talent and skill shared enthusiastically by the master craftsmen. Next you’ll glide by private launch along busy waterways to view the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica before exploring the city on your terms. Stroll beside the Grand Canal, nibble on delicious cicchetti at a cozy bacaro or cross the lagoon for an Optional Experience to the colorful fishermen's Island of Burano.
Day 10: Journey To Verona, Explore Milan And On To The Italian Lakes
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Simplon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Celebrate the epic tale of Romeo and Juliet during this morning's visit to the fair city of Verona and view the Roman arena build in the 1st century and famously used for opera these days. Later, experience the fashion capital of Milan. Enjoy free time to explore on your own after an orientation of the city's iconic sights. See the exquisite Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and the Galleria, one of the world's oldest shopping malls. Arrive on the quiet shores of Lake Maggiore, soaking up the pleasant lakeside atmosphere and exploring Baveno. An optional experience takes you to dinner in an iconic setting on Lake Maggiore.
Day 11: Explore Lake Maggiore
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Simplon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax on the shores of Lake Maggiore or take an Optional Experience taking a scenic train ride through the Alps. This afternoon, the Borromean Islands optional experience is a wonderful way to soak up the incredible beauty of the Italian Lakes.
Day 12: Onwards To La Spezia
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy the sunrise reflected on the picturesque Lake Maggiore, or take a leisurely stroll before you leave your lakeside resort. Later, travel to the port city of La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast.
Day 13: La Spezia Your Way
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Firenze & Continentale La Spezia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Indulge in a full free day to soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Stroll along the waterfront or consider joining an Optional Experience to Porto Venere and the Bay of Poets where you’ll embark on an encounter with the cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre. This evening, dine locally.
Day 14: Uncover Pisa And On To Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Mediterraneo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Traveling south through the unforgettable scenery of Tuscany, we arrive in Pisa to view its famous Leaning Tower before continuing to the Renaissance city of Florence. This afternoon is yours at leisure to wander through the grand squares and labyrinthine lanes of Florence, whose connection with the Medici family saw this city become one of the world's most cultural centers. Consider a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see the Michelangelo's statue of David, amble along the Arno River or ascend the stone steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo for spectacular views of the city.
Day 15: Discover Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Mediterraneo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist  this morning to view the city's finest masterpieces – the magnificent Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower and the 13th-century Santa Croce Basilica, the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Later, learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio which has straddled the Arno River for almost 700 years, or wander through the Renaissance Boboli Gardens, stopping for a slice or two of  schiacciata along the way.
Day 16: All Roads Lead To Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Shangri-La Roma
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we journey past the sprawling vineyards of Chianti and beneath the hill-towns of Umbria before arriving in Rome. Tour the extraordinary Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist, including views of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. This evening, Roman flavors and ancient ruins take center stage as you dine at Ristorante Pancrazio, located just a stone’s throw away from where the Emperor Julius Caesar is said to have been assassinated. Toast your travels over a selection of signature Roman dishes handed down over four generations.
Day 17: Journey Home
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your epic encounter with Italy has come to an end. Say arrivederci to Rome and your newfound friends at the end of your Grand Italian Experience.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) is included.
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Return cruise to the Isle of Capri
A return cruise to the Isle of Capri is included.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are included.
What's Not Included
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi in most countries, or enjoy alternative transportation such as rail journeys. Experience a return cruise to the Isle of Capri and a private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice.
Accommodation
Enjoy stays at cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, with an expert Travel Director and professional Driver. Benefit from all porterage and restaurant gratuities, hotel tips, charges, and local taxes. Breakfast is provided daily, along with up to half of your evening meals.
Dining Summary
- 8 Dinner (D)
- 16 Breakfast (B)
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Grand Italian Experience tour?
The tour includes a Be My Guest experience at a traditional masseria in Alberobello where you can meet Signor Luciano and taste seasonal produce. Additionally, there is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Venice where you can observe the ancient craft of Venetian glassblowing, supporting sustainable cities and communities.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach transportation with Wi-Fi in most countries, as well as alternative transportation such as rail journeys. There is also a return cruise to the Isle of Capri and a private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice.
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What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. One of the unique accommodations is the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery that blends ancient and modern comforts.
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Are meals included in the Grand Italian Experience tour?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. There are also special dining experiences such as a Be My Guest dinner in Alberobello.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include exploring Rome, Alberobello, Capri, Pompeii, Assisi, and Florence, discovering Sorrento, Venice, and Milan, visiting the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and enjoying a scenic cruise to the Isle of Capri.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions