Best of Italy

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome is the perfect spot to kick off your adventure. Packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and nightlife spots, it’s recommended that you arrive a few days early to see everything and experience the culture of this fantastic city. Maybe sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes and throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After, why not head out for dinner with your group and get to know each other over your favourite carb?

Today you have a free morning to soak up the sights and sounds of Rome. There will be an optional leader-led orientation walk, taking in some of the best-known sights of Rome like the Spanish steps, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum if you’ve only just arrived. Why not then head to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica – entry to the Basilica is free, but there's a small charge to climb the dome for a breath-taking panorama over parts of the city. Later, you'll travel by train to Florence – the cultural heart of Tuscany, bursting with religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces. It's been said that during the second millennium, a third of Europe's most important artists lived in Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all flourished here. After checking in to your hotel, join your leader for an orientation walk of Florence, then the rest of your evening is free to explore at your own pace. Food is also a major part of the city's identity, so why explore some of the Tuscan delicacies on offer with your group.

Today is a free day for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. It's impossible to see everything, so take your time to work out a plan. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot – the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Arno riverside, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, 13th-century, the Baptistry and the Belltower, and the Santa Croce Church. Maybe visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries. If you want to see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell'Accademia. Tonight, maybe climb the steep stairs to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset view across the rooftops of Florence. After, join the locals in taking a passeggiata – a leisurely social stroll – between Piazza Beccaria and Piazza della Repubblica.

Soak up a leisurely morning in Florence, then take the train to Lucca – one of Tuscany's real hidden gems, with centuries-old buildings, beautiful churches, wide piazzas and narrow streets within the ancient city ramparts. You’ll be staying in the city centre which allows easy access to all the sights, restaurants and bars – all an easy stroll from the hotel's front door. Tonight, you might like to join the tradition of many locals and take a stroll along the top of the city walls that surround the perimeter of the old city.

Set off on a cycling tour this morning, following the scenic Serchio River through the Tuscan countryside. Then, you’ll catch the train to Pisa and visit the world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Pisa Baptistry. The Leaning Tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of four degrees, after restoration and stabilising work. Continue to wander the streets past high-end boutiques and speciality book and antiques stores, perhaps stopping to enjoy an aperitif. After, head back to Lucca and maybe head to a local bar for a Prosecco (or two) and a fresh focaccia with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese, best enjoyed in the shadow of the Palazzo Pretorio.

Travel by train to La Spezia – the gateway to the gorgeous Italian Riviera. A medieval port town whose name is derived from its historic importance in the spice trade, La Spezia is your base for exploring the nearby stretch of coast known as the Cinque Terre. The name comes from the five tiny villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, whose position, wedged into a series of coves between cliffs, makes it one of the highlights in the country. After lunch, explore the city or perhaps head out by ferry or bus to the pretty seaside town of Portovenere, known for its colourful houses straddling the waterfront. Return to La Spezia and walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour. Otherwise, opt to take another ferry to Lerici – another small village across the Bay of Pts dominated by its castle – for a waterside dinner.

This morning, venture out to explore the gorgeous Cinque Terre hiking trails. The footpaths that run between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region, and take you through olive groves and vineyards. If you're feeling energetic, walking parts of the path (up to 12 km or approximately 5 hours) will give you the best taste of the villages and countryside, though will require a good level of fitness. Some sections of path can be difficult, as there are challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. It's also possible to take the train between any of the villages or back to your base in La Spezia whenever you want. Stop off for lunch at one of the towns and relax in the vibrant atmosphere.

Travel by train to Santa Margherita on the Peninsula of Portofino. Store your luggage and set off on a hike, finishing in Portofino. Start by wandering down to the Santa Margherita waterfront, past small fishing boats in the marina, enjoying the views back to town. Continue along the road, passing beach clubs, private villas and hotels that command the skyline, where the hills of the Italian Riviera meet the Bay of Tigullio. Spot locals sunbaking in the coves, then cross through some undulating forested terrain. Descend to the port of Portofino, then continue to the viewpoints surrounding the town. From here, maybe people-watch along the harbour or stop at a focacceria to try the typical Ligurian bread. After, soak up the coastal scenery with a boat ride back to Santa Margherita (weather permitting). Continue by train to Asti, where a mouth-watering culinary scene thrives.

This morning, take a private vehicle to the green hills of the nearby rural village of Castagnole Monferrato, where you’ll visit the home of a local winemaking family to sample their vintages. The Ruche grape variety is unique to this region of Italy – it's grown in just seven small villages in the province of Asti and produces a ruby-red, intense and aromatic wine. You may even like to treat yourself to a home-cooked lunch in the village, before returning to Asti. This town was one of the most important in medieval times, sitting on trade routes between Turin, Milan, and Genoa. Today, it’s best known as the home of some of the finest and most sought after wines in Europe. It's also the best place to find ‘tartufo’ (truffles). You may be lucky enough to be here on a market day, when the Piazza del Palio hosts the region’s largest open-air market.

Travel by train to Milan – Italy's second largest city – for a few hours of exploring. In this city known for fashion, this is the place for any upmarket shopping you wish to do. Explore the city's historic centre, visit the Gothic Duomo and walk between its rooftop sculptures, admiring the views and the Gothic terrace. Maybe head to see Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper (but be sure to book tickets well in advance) or head to the park of Castello Sforzesco. Later in the afternoon, continue by train and bus to Lake Como – an area of natural beauty, full of unique landscapes. Your hotel tonight is on the shores of Lake Como, where you can soak up the serenity.

This morning, explore the village of Bellagio. Maybe walk through the countryside and discover the estate of the Villa Melzi – this grand white villa sits just back from the water and its surrounding estate is filled with rare and exotic plant life. The rest of the day is free to take the ferry between the various parts of this area of Lake Como, like Varenna, Cadenabbia, or the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, which film fans may recognise from franchises like James Bond and Star Wars. Villa Carlotta is another waterfront villa open to the public. It holds a range of artwork and is surrounded by acres of manicured Italian gardens. Just past Cadenabbia is Tremezzo, where you can find delicious food or an aperitif. Simply strolling and admiring the beautiful views whichever way you turn is an ideal way to spend the day.

Leave the lakes district behind and take your private vehicle to Milan, then catch a train to Venice – the grand city of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas, practically unchanged for 600 years. Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. There are plenty of things to keep you busy when you arrive. Join your leader for a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and begin to understand the complex canal system. Your leader will introduce you to the local way of crossing the canal, by traghetto, then the rest of the day is free. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. For dinner, perhaps seek out Venice's distinctive culinary heritage, which gs back to ancient times and features rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta.

Venture out and explore Venice today at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Take in the famous sights – the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco with its golden Basilica, and of course, the evocative Bridge of Sighs. You could take a vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. No trip here would be complete without a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola, so maybe treat yourself to a cruise through the waterways and tick this iconic experience off your bucket list. Visit the Palazzo Ducale, overflowing with paintings by Italian masters, and contrast it with the modern Guggenheim. In the evening, join your leader for a cicchetti stop as a real Venetian, then continue for a celebratory dinner of Venetian specialities, like fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti.

There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the accommodation at any time. That dsn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! As there is so much to see in Venice, you may want to consider extending your stay. There’s a range of Urban Adventures to embark on in Venice, including Cicchetti & Wine Tour, which takes you around the lanes and canals in search of the best of Venetian culture and wine. If you would like to spend more time in Venice, just get in touch with your booking agent.