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Get caught up in the laid-back Italian lifestyle.
It would be hard to leave northern Italy feeling stressed. Along the glimmering shores of Lake Como and the meandering canals of Venice, leisure and relaxation remain mainstays of the Italian lifestyle. Amble around every corner of sleek and stylish Milan. Soak up the sun on the Italian Riviera. Escape to the picturesque villages of Cinque Terre. Just unwind and let the Italians teach you a thing or two about indulgence (trust us, they know best).
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
3 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Teatro alla Scala
Milan's Duomo
Villa Carlotta
Certosa di Pavia monastery
Cinque Terre
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s apericena-style welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Milan
Included meal: Breakfast
Meet up with a local guide and embark on a sightseeing tour of Italy’s fashion capital.
Pass by the 15th-century Sforza Castle
Walk through the Brera District and see the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and Piazza della Scala
Enter Teatro alla Scala and view the elegant concert hall
Visit the theater’s museum to see exhibits that highlight Italy’s historic connection to the opera
Step inside the Gothic-style Milan Cathedral, Italy’s largest cathedral
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Milan at your leisure.
Lake Como Region2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Como Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to the Lake Como region and sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 5: Como & Villa Carlotta
Included meal: Breakfast
Head out on a morning trip to explore Como, known for its mix of cultural and natural attractions.
Enjoy free time in Como for lunch and shopping, while admiring the lakeside vistas
Transfer to the beautiful Villa Carlotta to soak in spectacular views from the elaborate villa gardens (open March through October)
Enjoy free time in the Lake Como region or add an excursion.
Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio
From $105 per person
Italian Riviera3 nights
Day 6: Italian Riviera via Certosa di Pavia monastery
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving the Lake Como region, stop in Lombardy to visit the exceptionally beautiful Certosa di Pavia monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, continue south to the seaside paradise of the Italian Riviera and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Cinque Terre
Included meal: Breakfast
Join your Tour Director to discover Cinque Terre, an idyllic cluster of five villages set on seaside cliffs.
Board a train to Monterosso and soak in views of the pebble beach that the village is known for
Hop about a boat to the village of Vernazza and admire the colorful houses that dot the waterfront
Continue by boat to the dramatic coastal village of Riomaggiore
Learn about Via dell'Amore, one of the area’s most famous hiking paths, which connects two of the five villages
Enjoy short walks through each village before spending free time exploring, shopping, and eating
Admire the Liguria regions’ varied landscape as you transfer back to your hotel by train
Please note: The boat ride is weather-dependent. In the case of inclement weather, you’ll visit the villages by train. In addition, the specific villages you visit may vary.
Day 8: Free day on the Italian Riviera
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day on the Italian Riviera or add an excursion.
Villages of the Italian Riviera & Lunch
From $115 per person
Venice2 nights
Day 9: Venice via Verona
Included meal: Breakfast
En route to Venice, stop in Verona and walk through the city with your Tour Director.
Stroll through the city’s UNESCO-recognized historic center
Admire the Roman arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and the balcony of Shakespeare’s Juliet
Enjoy free time before continuing on to Venice.
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Venice
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic.
Step into the iconic St. Mark's Square and enter St. Mark's Basilica
View the stately Doge's Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340
Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge's Palace and the New Prison
See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city's most celebrated art
Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.
Later, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise
From $89 per person
Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two
From $165 per person
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Florence.
Extension to Florence
Not ready to say arrivederci? Continue your trip in the Tuscan capital of Florence, where Renaissance beauty and really (really) good food are practically everywhere. Travel there by train, then enjoy sightseeing with a local guide.
Florence3 nights
Day 11: Train to Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
Say goodbye to Venice and board a train to Florence, Italy.
Please note: You will need to handle your own baggage during the train transfer.
Then, get to know Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, as you make your way through the UNESCO-recognized historic center.
View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
Walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the medieval Ponte Vecchio
Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life
Day 12: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Florence or add an excursion.
Accademia Gallery
From $65 per person
Day 13: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
Explore Florence at your leisure or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns
From $125 per person
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.5 star rating
Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
Based on 178 authentic traveler reviews
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5.0 star rating
9/16/23 by 1st-time traveler Ellen
3.0 star rating
what was not on tour
9/23/23 by 1st-time traveler Tom
You should not go to Milan and miss the Lords Supper. Free time is OK but please provide ideas from guide other than shopping. Airline arrangements were great!
4.0 star rating
9/9/23 by 4th-time traveler Luis
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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.
Crowne Plaza Milan City
This urban hotel is located in the Isola Bosco Verticale area of Milan. Guests enjoy the fitness center, wellness area, and outdoor pool. Nearby you'l...
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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, ...
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CDH Hotel La Spezia
This contemporary hotel is located in the heart of La Spezia on the Italian Riviera. Guests enjoy bicycle rentals, the on-site coffee house, and bar. ...
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Hotel Giorgione
This charming hotel is located in the Cannaregio district in central Venice. Guests enjoy a private courtyard, pool, and billiards area. Nearby, you’l...
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Hotel Diplomat
This charming hotel is located near the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find t...
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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
In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VCR.
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved paths, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions will increase the amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and trains.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Milan and depart from Venice (or Florence on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. 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.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Water taxi rides in Venice, as well as a boat ride and train rides in Cinque Terre, are included in the price of the tour. (The tour extension also includes a train ride from Venice to Florence.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VCR.
Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
On the Italian Riviera, a taste of the region’s famous basil pesto is a must. Delicious seafood dishes are popular along the shore, but true Ligurians favor simple, traditional recipes like minestrone soup and farinata, an unleavened chickpea pancake.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
Tuscany, on the tour extension, is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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 withdraw 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.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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