Your tour of Rome, Florence, Venice & Oberammergau will lead you through three of Italy’s greatest cities. Experience the majesty and romance of Venice, get swept away in the history and art of Florence, the Renaissance city, and then travel to ancient Rome, where you’ll be engrossed in the culture, tradition and allure of this Eternal City. Finally, end your journey in the German village of Oberammergau, where you'll witness one of the most powerful and moving Passion Plays ever performed on stage.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Rome

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Rome aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Rome

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. If you have taken our pre-tour extension to Rome, join the rest of your tour today. The rest of the day is free to begin your explorations of Rome. At tonight’s included dinner, meet your fellow travelers. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Rome

Follow in the footsteps of Caesar during your guided sightseeing tour of Rome. Highlights include the Colosseum, where 50,000 spectators cheered their favorite gladiators to victory, and the ruins of the Forum Romanum, from which the caesars ruled their vast empire. This afternoon is free to further your explorations of ancient Rome. Visit the Pantheon, or tour one of Rome’s many important churches. (B)

Day 4 - Rome

Spend a free day in Rome however you choose. Take in all the art and architecture that greet the eye at every turn—from relics of Caesar’s reign to treasures of the Renaissance. Stroll across the Spanish Steps. See Bernini’s captivating Fountain of the Four Rivers and stop at the legendary Trevi Fountain, into which centuries of visitors have tossed coins to ensure their eventual return to Rome. You might also wish to join an optional morning excursion to Vatican City, featuring visits to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. This afternoon, you can choose to embark on an optional excursion to explore the Basilicas of Rome, known for their religious significance. This evening, you can opt to end the day at a Dinner with Tenors, an evening of food and live opera music. (B)

$79 USD

Dinner with Tenors End your day with an elegant four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of opera’s most beloved masterpieces. Don’t miss this festive evening, sure to leave you with wonderful memories of Italian hospitality!

$85 USD

Vatican City *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* This guided tour takes you into the world’s smallest state, Vatican City, and visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.  Please note: This excursion requires advance reservations and must be booked prior to your final payment deadline.

Day 5 - Rome

Enjoy another free day in Rome or join a full-day optional excursion to excavated Pompeii, an ancient Roman city buried in volcanic ash in A.D. 79. (B)

$165 USD

Pompeii Discover how Roman citizens lived two thousand years ago, before Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, preserving the town of Pompeii in a flood of volcanic ash. View the excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples and baths.

Day 6 - Florence

As you journey to Florence, stop at the ancient Etruscan stronghold of Orvieto. Situated on a pedestal of volcanic rock, the lovely town of Orvieto boasts one of the finest Romanesque cathedrals in the country. Travel to this impressive Gothic city by funicular and take in views of the surrounding Volscian Mountains. Continue on to the timeless city of Florence, birthplace of the Italian language, the Renaissance and opera. Guided sightseeing of Florence introduces you to the city’s Renaissance splendor. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece—Florence’s massive pink, white and green Duomo, complemented by Giotto’s Campanile. Then discover the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo as well as the Dante Memorial are displayed. You’ll also see the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazzo San Lorenzo and the Pitti Palace, home of the Medici rivals, and housing work by Raphael and Veronese. Dinner is included tonight. (B, D)

Day 7 - Florence

During free time in Florence, choose to admire the world’s finest collection of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery. Stroll along the romantic Arno River or visit the Accademia Galleria to view Michelangelo’s early masterpiece, the sublime statue of David, sculpted when the artist was 26 years old. You could also join an optional excursion to San Gimignano and Siena in the Tuscan countryside. You’ll begin in San Gimignano, where you might choose to visit the Palazzo del Popolo or the Citadel. Next, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Siena’s glorious scenery and landmarks, including the cathedral and the famed Campo. On your way back to Florence, stop at the Palagio Castle, where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest wines. (B)

$105 USD

Siena & San Gimignano Journey through the countryside to the town of San Gimignano, with its unusual skyline of huge, medieval towers. In Siena, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Siena’s glorious scenery and landmarks, including the cathedral and the famed Campo. On your way back to Florence, stop at the Tenuta Torciano, where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest wines.

Day 8 - Florence

Enjoy another free day in Florence. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Pisa, where you’ll see the 12th-century Leaning Tower and visit both the adjacent cathedral and the Baptistery. Tonight, travel to the hilltop town of Fiesole for an optional dinner and spectacular views of Florence. (B)

$59 USD

Dinner in Fiesole Explore Fiesole, a hill town which features panoramic views of Florence. It was also where Leonardo da Vinci experimented with his "flying machine."

$69 USD

Pisa Travel through the Tuscan countryside for a visit to Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) where you can view the 12th-century Leaning Tower.

Day 9 - Venice

Cross the sprawling plains of Po’ Valley to the Floating City of Venice. Take advantage of free time to begin exploring the city’s streets and canals before this evening’s included dinner. (B, D)

Day 10 - Venice

Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Gothic Doges’ Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. This afternoon, you’ll embark on a walking tour of the Frari Church, a magnificent Gothic basilica built by Franciscan monks in the 14th century, and the maze-like streets surrounding it. Tonight, consider joining an optional gondola tour, including music and champagne, of the canals. (B)

$75 USD

Gondola Ride with music Gliding along the canals aboard a black gondola is a timeless and romantic tradition. This memorable excursion includes a scenic gondola ride with music.

Day 11 - Venice

You’ll have free time today to explore the city on your own. Find a hidden trattoria and enjoy a delicious Venetian lunch. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge or follow alleyways lined with boutiques of handblown glass treasures. or leave the famed waterways for an optional excursion to Padua, to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony. (B)

$99 USD

Padua Spend the day exploring the numerous attractions of medieval Padua, or Padova. Visit the 13th-century university with its exquisite medieval architecture, the clock tower at Palazzo del Capitano (said to be Italy’s oldest clock) and the Scrovegni chapel.

Day 12 - Oberammergau

This morning, you’ll cross the Italian and Austrian Alps on your way to Oberammergau, a German village where the townspeople have been performing the Passion Play every ten years since 1632 in gratitude to God for delivering them from the plague. Along the way, you’ll stop to visit the beautiful Alpine city of Innsbruck, known for its majestic mountain views. Upon arrival in Oberammergau, settle into your hotel and join your group for an included dinner. (B)

Day 13 - Oberammergau

Enjoy a free morning to visit the town church and learn about the art of woodworking from Oberammergau's many artisans. Rejoin your group for an included lunch. Then get ready to watch Oberammergau’s 40th Passion Play. One of the most evocative and emotionally powerful plays you'll see in your lifetime, this seven-hour play gives you the feeling of actually stepping back in time to witness the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, complete with intermission for an included dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 14 - Munich

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the Munich airport for your return flight home. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy.

It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Venice and depart from Rome. When you first arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

Included transportation on Venice, Florence & Rome is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the three cities on foot or by public transportation.

In Venice, each section of the city is connected by water bus (least expensive), water taxi or gondola. You can purchase discounted bulk passes from vendors or purchase single tickets at each dock.

Florence is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines.

Rome offers both underground transportation and bus service to the city’s major attractions. Subway and bus tickets may be purchased separately or in bulk.

Venice, Florence & Rome does involve a moderate amount of walking.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to access cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 USD per person per day for your driver and $4 USD to $6 USD per person per day for your tour director. If you have local guides on your tour, we recommend tipping $1USD per local guide per day.