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Venice, Florence &...
 

A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

9 days |  11 days with Sorrento Peninsula extension
Group size1538 travelers
Reviews

4.7 star rating

1001
Physical activity
the exterior of the florence cathedral from street level
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a gothic face carved into stone in florence italy
several wine glasses filled with red wine
gondolas in venice
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Feel the pulse of Italy's vibrant culture.

With its millennia-spanning history, comforting regional cuisine, and countless artistic treasures, it’s no wonder Italy consistently ranks at the top of travelers' wish lists. Whether you’re planning your first visit or coming back for a taste of new-to-you cities and regions, this weeklong tour will take you straight to the pulsing heart of the country’s vibrant culture. Venice romances visitors with its sprawling, Baroque palaces and maze of winding canals. Florence, the Tuscan capital, wins hearts with its Renaissance architecture and art. And Rome dazzles with its ever-present history, from the hulking Colosseum to the Forum’s still-stately remains. Want to soak up even more of Italy’s epic history and endless charm? Extend your tour and continue south to the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii and the coastal city of Sorrento, where la dolce vita is embraced to the nth degree.

Special departures of this itinerary

New Year's Eve

Your tour package includes

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

  • St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
  • The Duomo of Florence
  • The Ponte Vecchio in Florence
  • The Piazza della Repubblica in Florence
  • The Grand Canal of Venice
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Start planning today

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Venice today.

Venice2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Venice
Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner featuring local specialties and beer or wine.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Venice
Included meal: Breakfast

Today, meet up with your local guide and explore the heart of Venice on foot and by vaporetto, or water taxi. Admire historic churches, hundreds of winding canals, and storied piazzas on a tour of the city, which was founded in the fifth century and is known as the Queen of the Adriatic. The entire city—including its 118 islands and the lagoon in which it sits—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its staggering concentration of architectural and artistic masterpieces, its unique and efficient network of canals, and the inextricable relationship between its people and surrounding ecosystem.

  • Step onto iconic St. Mark’s Square and enter St. Mark’s Basilica—an opulent, domed church built in the 11th century to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle
  • View the stately Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic style that was built in 1340 and served as both the residence of the Doge (the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government
  • Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs (or Ponte dei Sospiri in Italian), now a famous Venetian landmark that was built in 1600 to connect the Doge’s Palace to a prison situated just across the canal
  • See a Murano glassblowing demonstration and learn about Venice’s most celebrated art form, whose roots in the city date back to the 10th century

Then, enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Please note: Travelers should feel comfortable getting into and out of the water taxi.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

From $79 per person

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

From $159 per person

Florence2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Florence & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains to Florence—Tuscany’s capital and the world’s greatest treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture. Get to know the city with a local guide.

  • Head to Florence’s UNESCO-listed historic center and view its exquisite, 15th-century cathedral—the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or Duomo, which is the world’s third-largest church
  • Learn about the cathedral’s distinctive, marble-clad facade and its instantly recognizable dome, the latter of which was built by Filippo Brunelleschi and has become a symbol of the Renaissance and Florence itself
  • Pass Giotto’s Campanile, or bell tower, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that rises nearly 280 feet above the city and features the same red, white, and green marble found on the Duomo’s facade
  • Walk past the Piazza della Repubblica, one of Florence’s main squares, to the medieval Ponte Vecchio, an iconic bridge that spans the Arno River and has been lined with shops since the 13th century
  • Stroll along the Arno River and through the Uffizi Gallery’s courtyard to the Piazza della Signoria—a beautiful square that’s situated just outside Palazzo Vecchio and is home to several notable statues, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the fountain of Neptune

This evening, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for an included dinner featuring Tuscan specialties and beer or wine.

Day 5: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion.

San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors

From $109 per person

Rome3 nights
Day 6: Transfer to Rome & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Depart Florence for Italy’s capital, Rome, whose entire historic center—including its Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the religious and public buildings of papal Rome—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

  • Soak up more than 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the fourth-century Arch of Constantine—the largest surviving Roman triumphal arch—and the Arch of Titus
  • Enter the Colosseum, the iconic amphitheater that was built between 70–72 A.D. to host events such as gladiatorial games
  • Stop at the ruins of the Forum, which served as a setting for parades, elections, and trials
  • Pass by Palatine Hill to the ancient chariot-racing stadium known as Circus Maximus, as well as the Terme di Caracalla—a beautiful and luxurious public bath that functioned from the third century until the sixth century

Please note: While sightseeing in Rome, travelers should feel comfortable walking on uneven and rocky pathways and steps. Shade and seating are limited, especially at venues such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. 

Day 7: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Rome or add excursions. 

Please note: The Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may be offered on day 8, depending on the day of the week. Please call for more information.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

From $115 per person

Pasta-Making Class & Dinner

From $115 per person

Day 8: Free day in Rome
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Enjoy another free day to explore Rome, or add an excursion. Then, join your group at tonight’s farewell dinner. You'll enjoy a multi-course traditional Italian meal, complete with beer or wine, as well as live musical entertainment.

Please note: The Ancient Rome: St. Paul's Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may be offered on day 7, depending on the day of the week.

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

From $79 per person

Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to Rome’s airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit the Sorrento peninsula.

Extension to Sorrento Peninsula
From its perch high above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento waits to welcome you with its candy-colored villas, beautiful sea views, and food you’ll be talking about for a long time. Continue on with your Tour Director to explore the Sorrento Peninsula, which is just as inviting as it sounds, and uncover history on a tour of Pompeii.
Sorrento Peninsula2 nights
Day 9: Sorrento Peninsula via Pompeii
Included meal: Breakfast

En route to the Sorrento Peninsula, stop at Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided walking tour of the ancient city’s ruins.

  • Find out what Pompeii—once a flourishing resort city for ancient Rome’s elite—was like before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., burying the town in a blanket of volcanic ash and killing 2,000 people
  • Explore the excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples, and baths—and view the mummified remains of Pompeiian people—for a true understanding of what life was like in the once-thriving town, as well as the scale of the devastating eruption

Please note: Terrain at Pompeii is uneven and rocky in places and can be difficult for travelers with limited mobility to navigate. Both shade and seating are limited throughout the site.

Then, continue on to the Sorrento Peninsula, a scenic sliver of land whose southern shore is home to iconic resort towns, such as Positano and Ravello, and the glamorous Amalfi Coast.

Day 10: Free day on the Sorrento Peninsula
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy free time to explore the Sorrento Peninsula, or add an excursion.

This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Capri: A Day on the Iconic Island

From $115 per person

Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.7 star rating

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 1001 authentic traveler reviews
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    1.0 star rating

    Hotels
    5/24/23 by 1st-time traveler Tereon

    The 1st hotel was horrible Please have better food selections Breakfast was provided by hotel not EF Tours Stefani is the best

    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 6/9/23

    Hi Tereon, Thank you for your review. We are glad...

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    5.0 star rating

    5/24/23 by 1st-time traveler Caleb

    5.0 star rating

    Italy
    5/20/23 by 1st-time traveler Alice

    Fantastic trip. Andrea was the best guide I have had on these tours that I have participated in. I was disappointed in the condition of the buses that we took. Seats and seatbelts, reclining, etc. were not operable at all times.  Will definitely travel with EF again.

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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.
    Hotel Villa Mabapa
    Hotel Villa Mabapa

    This Art Nouveau hotel is located in Lido di Venezia. Guests enjoy a private beach area, restaurant and bar, and library. Nearby, you’ll find Lido Bea...

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    Hotel Corona d'Italia
    Hotel Corona d'Italia

    Only steps from the Santa Maria Novella train station, Hotel Corona d'Italia boasts a privileged position in the heart of the San Lorenzo district, wh...

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    Mercure Roma Piazza Bologna
    Mercure Roma Piazza Bologna

    This modern hotel is located in Rome’s Piazza Bologna. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a bar and lounge, and a fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the 19th-c...

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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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    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

    Print FAQ
    Passport, visa & entry 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.
    • 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 VFS.
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    Tour pacing & mobility
    • You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets, with few hills or 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.
    • 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.
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    Transportation & arrival information
    • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Venice and depart from Rome (or Naples 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 boat 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.
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    Baggage allowance
    • 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.
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    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).
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    Health
    • 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 VFS.
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    Cuisine
    • Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
    • 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.
    • 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).
    • 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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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 $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.
    • Tips can only be paid in cash.
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    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 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.
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    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 for the Uffizi Gallery or accademia.org for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.
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