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Rome, Florence & Venice Carnival

Duration: 10 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 4

Discover Venice at its most vibrant.

Just before Lent, the city nicknamed La Serenissima (most serene) opens up into a wild world of luxury, indulgence, and merriment during the annual Carnival celebration. You’ll begin your Italian adventure in Renaissance Florence and Eternal Rome before donning a traditional masquerade mask and taking to the Venetian streets with thousands of revelers from near and far.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
4 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Carnival in Venice
the Colosseum
the Roman Forum
Florence’s Duomo
St. Mark’s Basilica

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Rome today.

Rome3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Rome

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. Later, meet your group at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

• Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus

• Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire

• Stop at the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials

• Pass Palatine Hill, see where ancient Romans raced chariots at Circus Maximus, and view the Baths of Caracalla

Day 4: Free day in Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Rome or add excursions.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Excursion (additional cost)

Dinner with Tenors

Excursion (additional cost)

Florence2 nights

Day 5: Transfer to Florence

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Cross through the Apennine Mountains as you make your way to Florence, home of the Renaissance. Then, get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour.

• 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 6: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day to explore Florence or add an excursion.

Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns

Excursion (additional cost)

Venice3 nights

Day 7: Carnival events in Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Venice this morning, then spend the afternoon discovering the excitement and appeal of Venice’s Carnival.

• Attend a mask-making workshop to learn about the history of Carnival and its famous disguises

• Try your hand at creating your own mask before taking to the streets to join in on the revelry

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Experience 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.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Free day in Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day exploring Venice on your own or add an excursion.

Later, say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner.

Islands of the Venetian Lagoon: Burano & Torcello

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 10: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

5 average

Venezia Carnavale

02/23/2016 by 3rd time traveler Terry L.

Venezia, Firenze, Roma.... and a few side trips... a great overall trip with lots of the highlights of Italia, plus the ambiance and mystique of Carnavale. A really unique experience. Loved the mask-making event, and a few of us brought costumes (not too elaborate) and had a fun evening out. Cool...

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The best tour ever

06/04/2015 by 2nd time traveler Jonathan B.

This was the best tour ever!! The food, shopping, tours and accomodations were wonderful. Thanks Tini, Excellent tour director.

Great Tour Director

02/27/2015 by 2nd time traveler Robert P.

Tini did a great job making our trip outstanding.

Visiting Venice (Venezia) Italy for Carnevale 2012

07/30/2012 by 5th time traveler PWARING1

Words simply cannot describe the experience of being a part of the world famous Carnevale 2012 in Venice, Italy as part of Go Ahead Tours "Rome, Florence and Venice with Carnevale" Tour. From the excellent hotels which were perfectly located in each city (within walking distance of all ot the sights...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

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.

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 Athenaeum

This plush hotel is located in the center of Florence. Guests enjoy a gourmet restaurant, fitness room, and billiard room. Nearby, you’ll find the Duo...

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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

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

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.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as stepping between boats and uneven docks.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Rome and depart from Venice. 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 are included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

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).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
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](https://www.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.

Cuisine

Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily's arancini).
Tuscany 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.
Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
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.

Electricity & air conditioning

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.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
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.

Tipping

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 $7USD 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.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Museums in Florence

If you are interested in visiting any of Florence's many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. See [uffizi.org](http://www.uffizi.org/) for the Uffizi Gallery or [accademia.org](http://www.accademia.org/) for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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2 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights, and based on two travelers per hotel room.

95% of travelers would recommend Go Ahead Tours to a friend.

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