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Grand Tour of...
 

Grand Tour of Italy

15 days |  17 days with Rome extension
15 days |  17 days with Rome extension
Group size1538 travelers
Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

819
Physical activity
woman standing in front of the colosseum in rome italy
looking up at the statue of dante in florence italy
a place of fresh pasta on a white dish
villas on a lakeside in Italy
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Immerse yourself in Italy’s history and beauty on a grand journey from Milan to Rome.

From wandering through medieval piazzas, to basking in postcard-worthy views of Naples and sampling antipasti in Umbria, a tour of Italy is a feast for the eyes—and your taste buds. Our enchanting two-week tour will guide you through the iconic cities you’ve been dreaming of, including Florence, Rome, and Venice, as well as the smaller treasures of Lake Como, Assisi, and Sorrento. Add a can’t-miss excursion and venture to Tuscan hill towns or the island jewel of Capri or use your downtime to experience the Italian art of dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing. Not ready to leave? We wouldn’t want to, either. Take advantage of our two-day Rome extension—and take your time.

Your tour package includes

  • 13 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 13 breakfasts
  • 6 dinners with beer or wine
  • 7 sightseeing tours
  • Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights

  • Villa Carlotta
  • Roman Theater of Verona
  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Florence Duomo
  • Assisi’s basilicas
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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Milan today.

Lake Como Region2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Milan & transfer to Lake Como Region
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Take a deep respiro, or breath—you’re in Italy! After arriving in Milan, you’ll transfer to your hotel in the Lake Como region. Relax and unpack before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner served with beer or wine.  

Day 3: Villa Carlotta visit
Included meal: Breakfast

Start the day with a visit to Villa Carlotta, a lush botanical garden and art museum with striking, sparkling views of Lake Como. Built at the end of the 17th century by the marquises Clerici of Milan, it boasts fragrant rose gardens, splashy azalea bushes, and a pair of citrus-rimmed tunnels that date to the first occupants of the villa.

Afterward, you can choose to return to your hotel and unwind, or do some solo exploration. Alternatively, take to the glittering waters of Lake Como by adding a scenic cruise to your itinerary. You’ll float by some of Italy’s most sumptuous residences and gardens, and stop in the village of Bellagio for good measure.

Please note: From November through March, an ascent by funicular to the village of Brunate will replace the visit to Villa Carlotta—another breathtaking way to take in a panoramic view of Lake Como and the Alps

Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio

From $105 per person

Venice2 nights
Day 4: Venice via Verona
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s easy to fall in love in, and with, Verona and its maze of ancient Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine architecture tucked into the bends of the Adige River. No wonder it served as the backdrop for Romeo and Juliet. Join your Tour Director for a walk through this UNESCO-recognized city center.

  • Imagine your own “Oh, Romeo, Romeo” moment with a visit to Casa di Giulietta, site of the famous balcony built in honor of Shakespeare’s tale of the ill-fated lovers.
  • Soak in the history in the oldest square in Verona, Piazza delle Erbe, then enjoy some free time to explore the less crowded Gothic architecture of Piazza Dante—named for Italian poet Dante Alighieri of The Divine Comedy fame.
  • Marvel at the grandeur of the 2,000-year-old Verona Arena, still in use today, whose pink and white stones have stood witness to gladiator shows, opera productions, and modern concerts.
  • Enjoy free time to explore Verona on your own.

Continue to Venice where you’ll wind down the day with your fellow travelers over an included dinner served with beer or wine.

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Venice
Included meal: Breakfast

Surrender to the beauty of Venice’s labyrinthine canals, elegant bridges, and ornate Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Close your eyes and let the sound of lapping water and the passing gondolas soothe you, but not for too long—there’s so much to see! You’ll meet up with your local guide and explore the heart of Venice on foot and by vaporetto, or water taxi.

  • Feel the energy of St. Mark’s Square, with its thriving cafes and sumptuous buildings, and marvel at St. Mark’s Basilica.
  • See the Bridge of Sighs, named after the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of their beloved Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells in the New Prisons.
  • Watch a Murano glass blowing demonstration where artisans keep the Venetian glasswork tradition alive. Observe as they skillfully use the distinctive millefiori technique—where intricate patterns are created by fusing together tiny glass rods.

Spend a free afternoon exploring Venice’s canals or add an excursion.

Please note: On some departures travelers may enter St. Mark's Basilica after the sightseeing tour based on ticket time availability.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

From $89 per person

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

From $165 per person

Florence3 nights
Day 6: Florence via Ferrara
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sulla strada per Firenze (that’s Italian for “on the way to Florence”), stop in Ferrara, a city center wrapped in defensive walls and surrounded by agricultural land. You’ll immerse yourself in the Renaissance splendor of the city center as you wander along its cobblestone streets. Take in the majestic Este Castle—watch out for the moats—and the Palazzo dei Diamanti, named for the 8,000 pink and white diamond-shaped blocks that cover its facade. 

End the day in Florence and linger with your fellow travelers over an included dinner, served with beer or wine.  

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Florence
Included meal: Breakfast

Florence was the beating heart of the Renaissance period and is the final resting place of luminaries such as Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli.

  • Admire the architectural masterpiece of Florence Cathedral (Duomo) with its iconic dome, complemented by the Gothic beauty of Giotto’s Campanile—a freestanding bell tower adorned with colorful marble panels and detailed relief work.
  • Wander across the iconic Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with charming shops, offering stunning views of the Arno River.
  • Explore the renowned Basilica of Santa Croce, a 13th-century Franciscan church containing magnificent frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis and the tombs of Michelangelo and Niccolo Machiavelli.

Enjoy free time in Florence or add an excursion.

Accademia Gallery

From $65 per person

Day 8: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast

The day is yours! Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion to the Tuscan hill towns.  

Need inspiration for your day in town? Escape the crowds and wander through the Boboli Gardens, located behind the grand Pitti Palace. Explore the extensive greenery, hidden pathways, and stunning sculptures in this peaceful oasis. Dive into the vibrant Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, serving locals for more than 100 years. Smaller than its more famous counterpart, the Mercato Centrale, you’ll get an intimate and authentic appreciation for how Florentines live. Browse through market stalls bursting with fresh produce, regional delicacies, and traditional wares. Join the locals for a coffee or a bite to eat at the market’s lively cafes. 

   

San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors

From $115 per person

Assisi2 nights
Day 9: Transfer to Assisi and sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The route from Florence to Assisi takes you through the picturesque landscapes of central Italy. As you leave Florence behind, you’ll journey through rolling hills, vineyards, and idyllic Tuscan countryside dotted with cypress trees and quaint farmhouses.

  • Visit the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi  and admire the stunning frescoes by renowned artists, including Giotto, depicting the life of Saint Francis.
  • Take in the serene and spiritual hilltop sights before ending the night with the included cena—dinner—served with beer or wine.

Please note: The Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi is closed on Sundays for worship.

Day 10: Free day in Assisi
Included meal: Breakfast

You’ll be so glad that you have more time in Assisi. Take time to lose yourself in the medieval streets of Assisi’s historic center, characterized by stone buildings, piazzas, and alleyways. Discover local artisan shops, cozy cafés, and hidden corners you’ll treasure. Looking for more guided exploration? Join the optional excursion to Perugia, brimming with Renaissance art and architecture, where you’ll enjoy an expert-led tour, Umbrian cuisine, and a visit to a cave wine cellar—with a tasting, of course.  

Perugia: City Highlights & Wine Tasting

From $115 per person

Sorrento Peninsula2 nights
Day 11: Sorrento Peninsula via Pompeii
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On our way to the Sorrento peninsula, stop in Pompeii. Step into an ancient city frozen in time, where excavated ruins unveil the daily life and tragedy of a bygone civilization. Marvel at the well-preserved streets, houses, and public buildings that offer a glimpse into the life of ancient Romans.  

Continue to the Sorrento peninsula and sit down for an included dinner served with beer or wine. 

Day 12: Free day on the Sorrento Peninsula
Included meal: Breakfast

With the Sorrento peninsula as your stomping ground for the day, add an optional excursion to the resort island of Capri. Or, use this free day to journey to nearby Positano or Amalfi on your own for a hike up narrow, colorful streets or scenic coastal trails. Al fresco dining with a cliffside view is a must.  

Capri: A Day on the Iconic Island

From $125 per person

Rome2 nights
Day 13: Transfer to Rome & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Step into Rome, a living tapestry of contradictions where ancient ruins coexist with a vibrant, modern spirit. Lose yourself in a chaotic symphony of honking Vespas, busy markets, and secret alleyways.

  • Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Imperial Rome, where history unfolds around every corner.
  • Experience the awe-inspiring Colosseum, the monumental amphitheater that echoes with the roar of ancient spectacles where you can walk in the footsteps of gladiators and feel the weight of history.
  • Traverse the evocative ruins of the Forum, once the pulsating heart of Roman life. Imagine the echoes of parades and gripping trials as you explore the remnants of this ancient marketplace.
  • See Palatine Hill, one of the oldest parts of the city and said to be the birthplace of Rome itself.
Day 14: Free day in Rome
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

On your free day in Rome, you can discover the hidden gem of Trastevere, a bohemian and mostly car-free neighborhood filled with narrow streets and delectable trattorias. Need a moment of respite? Visit the picturesque Aventine Hill, home to the peaceful Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) and the famous keyhole view of St. Peter’s Basilica—which you can visit by adding the guided tour of Vatican City to your day. Here, you’ll also experience the grandeur and serene beauty of the Vatican Museum, as well as the Sistine Chapel’s venerated ceiling fresco. The day is yours to seize.

Finally, join your group at tonight’s farewell dinner, served with beer or wine. You’ll be treated to a multi-course traditional Italian meal and a hearty helping of live traditional entertainment.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

From $125 per person

Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or resta ancora un po'—Italian for stay a little longer—to relish more of Rome’s unforgettable sites.   

Extension to Rome
Rome wasn’t built in a day and, if you ask us, it wasn’t meant to be enjoyed in a day either. We know you’ll want more time in the Eternal City. Whether you play time-traveler while hopping between historic sites or live out your best take on Roman Holiday, it’s in your hands, and we’re here to help. Ask your Tour Director for their favorite ways to savor the city—like their secret spot for pasta carbonara—and get going!
Rome2 nights
Day 15: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast

Use your free day in Rome to enjoy the city at your own pace. Be sure to ask your Tour Director for recommendations—there’s more to Rome than meets the eye, including beneath the city. Did you know that you can descend into eerie underground chambers adorned with bones and skeletal remains in a unique display of artistic macabre at the Capuchin Crypt, also known as the Bone Chapel? And when in Rome, do as the Romans do and bring a refillable water bottle to top off at any of the city's nasoni—cast-iron water fountains.  

Don’t feel like making decisions? Add a guided walking tour through Rome where you can delight in the lushness of the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona. How could this day get any better? Add a pasta-making class where you can end the evening dining on your own creation!   

Pasta-Making Class & Dinner

From $119 per person

Walking Tour of Rome's Iconic Sights

From $85 per person

Day 16: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast

It’s your final full day in Rome. You won’t want to skip the guided tour of St. Paul’s Basilica—one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas.  

Prefer to spend the day on your own? Whether you want to take it easy over a morning cappuccino or take in the beauty of the Galleria Borghese’s art collection, the day belongs to you.   

Celebrate your trip and raise your glass for a farewell drink with your fellow group members on your last night in Rome.  

Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs

From $89 per person

Flight Home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Arrivederci e a presto—goodbye and see you soon. 

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Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 819 authentic traveler reviews
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    5 out of 5 stars

    Great Tour of Italy
    8/31/23 by 1st-time traveler Dan

    Excellent guide, wonderful travelers, great food, outstanding tours, lifelong memories.......

    5 out of 5 stars

    2/24/24 by 1st-time traveler Madison

    5 out of 5 stars

    Amazing!!
    2/24/24 by 1st-time traveler Nichole

    We just returned from this Grand Tour of Italy and we cant stop talking about it. The itinerary was fabulous and our tour director (Sabra) was knowledgeable, informative and patient! The local guides were all fantastic! The hotels were comfortable, the included dinners were fun and enjoyable and bus...

    Read more +
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    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    NH Pontevecchio
    NH Pontevecchio

    This scenic hotel is located in Lecco, on the shores of Lake Como. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a gym, and restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find walking paths, ...

    Read more +
    Hotel Riviera
    Hotel Riviera

    This classical hotel is located in on the Venetian island of Lido. Guests enjoy a solarium, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find the Ve...

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    FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
    FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo

    This modern hotel is located in the Lugarno neighborhood of Florence. Guests enjoy the outdoor terrace, on-site restaurants, and bar. Nearby you’ll fi...

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    Hotel La Terrazza
    Hotel La Terrazza

    This traditional hotel is located near the city center of Assisi. Guests enjoy a restaurant, pool, and spa. Nearby, you’ll find the Basilica of Santa ...

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    Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto
    Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto

    This cozy hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Piazza Tasso, Marameo Beach, and...

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    Best Western Hotel President
    Best Western Hotel President

    This modern hotel is located near Termini Station. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a minibar, and laundry center. Nearby, you'll find Arcibasilica di San Giov...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

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