Your magical tour of Italy will lead you through six of Italy’s most beautiful, historic, and memorable cities. you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and lifestyle Italy is known for as you explore ancient cathedrals and cities of ruin, thriving economies and majestic and romantic vistas. Renowned for its embrace of la dolce vita, your sojourn in Italy will introduce you to the way life should be.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lake Como

Board an overnight flight to Italy.

Day 2 - Milan

Touch down in Milan, where a Go Ahead representative greets you and escorts you to your hotel. Meet the rest of your group at tonight’s dinner. 
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Lake Como

Admire spectacular lake views from the elaborate gardens of an 18th-century Italian villa on our morning visit to Villa Carlotta (seasonal; in the off-season, a funicular ride to Brunate may be offered instead). The most popular attraction by Lake Como, the villa contains a copy of Canova’s Cupid and Psyche. Then your Tour Director introduces you to the sights and main square of Como before a free afternoon for shopping and discovering this scenic area. This evening, opt for our Lake Como Cruise excursion.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Villa Carlotta

$75 USD

Lake Como Cruise This excursion begins with a scenic cruise of Lake Como. Here you’ll see some of Italy’s most genteel estates set amid splendid gardens with flowering paths. This unforgettable cruise up the lake takes you past charming lake towns to visit lovely Bellagio. Please note: Departure time for this excursion depends on the season and is offered March through October.

Day 4 - Milan

Return to Milan today for a guided tour of the city best known for opera and fashion. Discover the city’s artistic and historic legacy with visits to attractions like Milan’s Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world. You’ll also visit the precincts of Castello Sforza, an imposing Renaissance castle. Then continue on to Venice in time for this evening’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - Venice

Experience the romance of “La Serenissima” during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Doge's Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. Continue on to view the 900-year-old Basilica of St. Mark, a rich mosaic of Byzantine, Romanesque and Islamic influences entombing the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist. This afternoon, consider joining an optional gondola ride on the canals, complete with music.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Doge’s Palace

$65 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. Please note: A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person. Advanced reservations are required.

Day 6 - Florence

Make your way south to Florence, passing through Bologna, a hidden gem of Italy known for its pasta, mortadella sausage and for being the location of the oldest university in Europe. Take a sightseeing tour of Bologna with an expert local guide. Arrive later in the Tuscan city of Florence, center of the Renaissance. Dinner is included in Florence this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 7 - Florence

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, with the adjacent Campanile by Giotto. You’ll also see the gold Baptistery doors of Ghiberti. Then discover the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo, as well as the Dante Memorial are displayed. This evening, attend an optional dinner in the nearby Etruscan hill town of Fiesole. Enjoy a drive through the town and take in the lights and landscapes of this quintessential Italian village.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Chiesdli di Santa Croce

$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."

Day 8 - Florence

During free time in Florence, choose to admire the world’s finest collection of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery. Stroll through parks along the romantic Arno River. Take time 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 into the Tuscan countryside villages of Siena and San Gimignano. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest wines. Admire Siena’s cathedral and famed Campo before continuing on to San Gimignano, where you might choose to visit the Palazzo del Popolo or the Citadel.
Included meals: breakfast

$105 USD

Siena & San Gimignano In Siena, a local guide shows you the city’s marble cathedral and stunningly adorned baptistery, as well as the famous Campo. Next, journey through the countryside to the town of San Gimignano with its unusual skyline of huge, medieval towers. End today’s excursion with a sampling of the region’s finest wines. Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking.

Day 9 - Assisi

Drive through spectacular Umbria to hillside Assisi, birthplace of both St. Francis and St. Clare. Visit Assisi’s Lower and Upper Basilicas, whose most magnificent feature is the Giotto frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis. Dinner is included tonight in Assisi.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Upper and Lower Basilicas

Day 10 - Perugia

Spend the day at your leisure in the town of Assisi or join an optional excursion to the city of Perugia, located in the heart of the Umbrian region and known for its fine chocolate.  
Included meals: breakfast

$75 USD

Perugia Travel to Perugia, the hub of the Umbrian region. A local guide introduces you to the vibrant streets and landmarks of this enticing medieval city.

Day 11 - Sorrento

Travel to Pompeii, one of the world’s best archaeological sites, for a guided tour of the ruins. Discover how Roman citizens lived 2,000 years ago, before Mount 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. Pompeii is located near the idyllic Bay of Naples, known for its expansive views of the area’s islands, capes and nearby Mount Vesuvius. Then continue on to Sorrento, an enchanting resort town. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Pompeii ruins

Day 12 - Sorrento

Exalt in the sun-kissed seabreezes of Sorrento with a free day today. Meander the charming streets and find a cafe to sip cappucino or limoncello as you watch the world go by. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Capri, the “Island of Dreams,” where both Roman emperors and Hollywood starlets once vacationed. Here, you can explore the island, ride to its peak by funicular or indulge in a boat ride around the island (weather permitting). Tonight, opt for an evening of mouth-watering cuisine and traditional dancing at our
Tarantella Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$105 USD

Capri Travel by ferry across the blue Mediterranean to the fabled Isle of Capri, a beloved resort since ancient Roman times. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy a mini-cruise around the island. Later, discover the allure of Capri’s stunning beaches. If weather permits a mini-cruise, you’ll travel to the village of Anacapri, which offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

$79 USD

Tarantella Dinner Tarantella dancing is a centuries-old folk tradition in this part of Italy. Tarantella is the Italian word for tarantula, and the frenzied steps of the dance are said to be designed for sweating out the poison if one is bitten by a tarantula.Savor a locally prepared dinner at the Teatro Tasso, then watch a live performance.

Day 13 - Rome

Travel to Rome this morning and check in to your hotel. Then follow in the footsteps of Caesar during your guided tour of Rome. Highlights include photo stops outside the Colosseum, where 50,000 spectators cheered gladiators to victory, and the ruins of the Forum Romanum, from which the Caesars ruled their vast empire. Tonight, join one of our most popular optional excursions, Dinner with Tenors.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Colosseum

$79 USD

Dinner with Tenors End your day with a delicious four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine on a savory meal, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of opera’s most beloved masterpieces.

Day 14 - Rome

Today’s guided tour takes you into the world’s smallest state, Vatican City. Visit the Vatican Museums and the enormous St. Peter’s Basilica, the same cathedral in which the pope celebrates Mass. Treasures loom at every turn from Bernini’s magnificent staircase (ceremonial entrance to the Vatican Palace) to Michelangelo’s Pietà. Next, visit another timeless Roman classic: the Sistine Chapel, painted with Michelangelo’s captivating frescoes depicting the history of humankind. This afternoon, you might join an optional excursion into the ancient catacombs, where persecuted Christians once buried their popes and saints, and a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul. Dinner is included tonight in Rome.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

$65 USD

Catacombs Descend into Rome’s ancient catacombs, underground labyrinths where 2nd-century Christians buried their dead, including saints and popes. A local guide leads you through burial chambers decorated with some of the earliest Christian symbols and artwork for an unforgettable glimpse into a fascinating period in history. You’ll also visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking.

Day 15 - Rome

Prolong your stay in Rome on our tour extension. Otherwise, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast

(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

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. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian 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 Milan and depart from Rome. When you first arrive in Milan, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting another traveler to the bus at the time of your arrival. Included transportation on “The Magic of Italy” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities of Venice, Florence and Rome 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. Venice is also a great city to explore on foot.

Florence is split into two separate sections by the Arno River, with most of the attractions spread out around the Duomo. The city is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines.

Rome has one of Europe’s best metro systems, serving all the major attractions, from the Roman ruins to Vatican City. Tickets can be purchased separately or in bulk and also cover bus and tram travel.

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 use on 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 exchanged for cash at local banks. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the Cirrus and Plus networks, 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—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

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!

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.