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Escorted Eternal Cities

Italy • 9 days / 7 nights

From $2,349

$3,619

35% off

Flights, hotels & activities included
Our classic escorted tour in Italy! Discover Rome with an included Colosseum tour, hilltop town Assisi, fascinating Orvieto, Florence and the Renaissance, historic Bologna, ancient Padua, and the stunning canals in Venice.
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Highlights

Overview

Trip map

Immerse yourself in Italian history, culture and gastronomy. Land in Rome and admire one of the most romantic cities in the world. Head to Florence to discover its hidden treasures and Renaissance heritage, via the quaint medieval towns of Assisi and Orvieto. Next, explore ancient Bologna and artistic Padova. Finally, uncover Venice, known for its stunning canals, built across 100 small islands.

Itinerary

Day 1

1

US - Night on board

US - Night on board

Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to the eternal city of Rome.* Night on board.

*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2

2

Rome

Rome

Land in Rome, the Italian capital known as the Eternal City. Transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to begin exploring this romantic, historic city. The evening is the most magical time of day in Rome when the streets take on an even more charming character, wander around the quaint streets and charming piazzas while you indulge in their world-famous gastronomy. Overnight stay in Rome.

Day 3

3

Rome

Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set off to explore two of the most iconic sites in Rome: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. On this guided tour, you’ll travel back over 2,500 years to uncover the fascinating history of the Roman Empire. Picture the roar of the crowd as you step into the legendary Colosseum, as seen in the latest Gladiator film — a timeless reminder of the epic battles and powerful stories that unfolded within these ancient walls.

Discover how the Romans lived, governed, and shaped the fate of the Mediterranean world. Walk through the ancient residences and gardens of the Vestal Virgins, admire the temples where Romans worshipped their gods, and explore bustling marketplaces and social gathering spots. Every stone tells a story — let the ruins reveal the secrets of an empire that changed the course of history.

The guided tour ends at the Colosseum. Return transfer to the hotel is not included, giving you the flexibility to continue exploring Rome at your own pace. From tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to trying authentic Italian gelato, there’s plenty to discover. 
 
Later in the evening, to end the day on a perfect note, we recommend joining an optional dinner at a local Italian restaurant—a great chance to continue your Roman experience together.* Overnight stay in Rome.

*Optional Authentic Roman Dining Experience: Savor an evening of authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of historic Rome. Let the charm of the city envelop you as you enjoy traditional Italian dishes at a local restaurant, fully immersed in the rich flavors and vibrant atmosphere of Roman culture.

Activities

Guided walking Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Guided walking Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

included
3h
Authentic Roman Dining Experience

Authentic Roman Dining Experience

Optional

Day 4

4

Rome

Rome

Breakfast at the hotel, today enjoy a day at your leisure in Rome. Perhaps visit the Vatican, trace the footsteps of the greats in the ancient streets of the old city or simply indulge in some delicious Italian ice cream. However you choose to spend your day, Rome is sure to delight you with its old-world charm and unbeatable sights. We suggest taking the optional Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel* or a nocturnal view of Rome with our Rome by Night - Baroque Rome, with Dinner excursion.** Overnight stay in Rome.

*Optional Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel: Explore the priceless treasures held within the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel! Visit the Pio Clementino Hall, Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, Maps Gallery, Candelabra Gallery, Tapestries Gallery and the incredible Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, discover the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica and the atmospheric St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola!

Please note: Optional tour available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays afternoon, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Sundays are closed. If you depart for Italy on a Sunday, the optional Skip-the-line Guided Tour of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, will take place on the following Wednesday evening as of 2026.

**Optional Rome by Night - Baroque Rome, with Dinner excursion: A nocturnal view of Rome, with the splendid squares illuminated and away from the daytime bustle. The charming Plaza de España with its spectacular staircase, the fairytale frame of the Trevi Fountain, the majesty of the Pantheon and the baroque Piazza Navona, a route structured to go back in time and evoke the times of the "Dolce Vita" fellini. The tour will end with a typical Roman dinner.

Why not upgrade your trip with our Must See's of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Activities

Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Optional
3h
Baroque Rome by Night & Dinner

Baroque Rome by Night & Dinner

Optional
3h
Pack of 2 Excursions: Must-sees of Italy

Pack of 2 Excursions: Must-sees of Italy

Optional

Day 5

5

Rome - Orvieto - Assisi - Florence

Rome - Orvieto - Assisi - Florence

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Rome early this morning to transfer to the beautiful city of Florence. To break up this journey, stop in Orvieto*, a quaint town especially known for its renowned Duomo, European Gothic architecture and the San Patrizio Well, a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering in which you can immerse yourself, descending into the bowels of the earth. Next, take a break in Assisi, a majestic hilltop town known for its medieval architecture and the Basilica of St. Francis, a huge 2-level church. In the early evening, arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.

*Upon arrival at Orvieto you'll need to take a funicular to reach the hilltop meeting point as it's not accessible by bus. We advise you to take cash to pay for your ticket upon arrival at the station.

Activities

Short Stop in Orvieto

Short Stop in Orvieto

included
1h 30m
Short Stop in Assisi

Short Stop in Assisi

included
2h

Day 6

6

Florence

Florence

Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering the up-market Piazza Repubblica, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building within which a local market takes place.

Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Why not explore the city in more depth with one of our optional excursion to either the Uffizi* or the Leaning Tower**? Overnight stay in Florence.

*Optional excursion to The Uffizi: The Uffizi Gallery, designed in the mid-sixteenth century by Giorgio Vasari, consists of 90 museum rooms that host the most important and famous paintings in the history of art: works by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, in addition to numerous paintings by Flemish and Dutch painters exhibited in chronological order. A visit to this museum is a real journey through time by means of art.

Please note that this activity can de purchased up to 30 days before departure of your trip. This optional is not available on Mondays.

**Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don't miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.

Activities

Guided Walking Tour of Florence

Guided Walking Tour of Florence

included
1h 30m
Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower

Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower

Optional
5h 30m
The Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery

Optional
2h

Day 7

7

Florence - Modena - Bologna - Venice Mestre

Florence - Modena - Bologna - Venice Mestre
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, depart from Florence and head to the captivating city of Venice. Along the way, stop in Modena, a vibrant and historic city in the Emilia-Romagna region. Enjoy some free time to explore at your leisure, or enhance your experience with one of our optional activities, such as a visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum* or a guided tour of a traditional Acetaia**, where you can savor a tasting of the region’s renowned balsamic vinegar.
 
Afterward, we’ll transfer to Bologna for an included typical local lunch. Then, you’ll have free time to explore the beautiful city center.
 
Continue your journey to Venice Mestre, a charming mainland town connected to Venice by rail and road bridges across the lagoon. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening at leisure, with convenient access to frequent trains and buses that take you directly to Venice’s historic center. Your hotel is within walking distance of the train station/bus stop, making it easy to reach the heart of Venice. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.
 
*Visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum: Dive into the world of Ferrari’s legendary founder. Admire iconic cars, interactive exhibits, and fascinating insights into Enzo Ferrari’s life and legacy—a must for car lovers and history buffs!

**Visit to an Acetaia with tasting: Visit a traditional Acetaia in Modena and uncover the art of balsamic vinegar making. Learn about its aging process, explore the barrels, and enjoy a guided tasting of this exquisite delicacy—a true culinary gem of Emilia-Romagna!

Please note that the optional activities overlap, and only one can be attended. Please select your preferred option.

Activities

Short Stop in Bologna

Short Stop in Bologna

included
Short Stop in Modena

Short Stop in Modena

included
1h
Visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena

Visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena

Optional
1h
Visit to an Acetaia with tasting in Modena

Visit to an Acetaia with tasting in Modena

Optional
1h

Day 8

8

Venice

Venice

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a walking tour of Venice to discover all the beauty this city has to offer. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the City of Canals to learn about the history, culture and artistic heritage. Stroll through the most emblematic neighborhoods, see Venice's famous markets and pay a visit to the iconic Rialto Bridge.

The rest of the day is at your disposal to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Alternatively, we recommend taking part in one or both of the following optional activities: first, you can enjoy a quintessentially Venetian gondola ride* and then you can take part in an excursion to Murano and Burano islands.** Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

*Optional Gondola Ride Experience excursion: One of the most well-known characteristics of Venice are its historic gondolas. You can be a part of this legacy! Experience an unforgettable gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people.

**Optional Half-Day Murano and Burano excursion: Discover the most beautiful islands in Venice, enjoying the enchanting scenery of the Venetian lagoon. The tour includes two stops to visit Murano and Burano and discover their typical artisan products: the centuries-old glass processing in Murano, the fine lace in Burano. Enjoy the original colorful buildings as you tour this enchanting area.

Why not upgrade your trip with our Must Sees of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Activities

Guided Walking Tour of Venice

Guided Walking Tour of Venice

included
1h 30m
Gondola Ride Tour in Venice

Gondola Ride Tour in Venice

Optional
35m
Half-Day Murano and Burano Excursion

Half-Day Murano and Burano Excursion

Optional
4h

Day 9

9

Venice - US

Venice - US

Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 10 days.

 

What's included

  • Departures from main US airports.
  • International flights: US - Rome, Venice - US.
  • 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.*
  • 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch in Bologna.
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.**
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • Guided walking tours in Florence and in Venice and a panoramic view on the bus in Rome.***
  • Tour Leader from day 2 to day 8. Guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill in Rome.
  • Groups of 36.

Accommodation

These are our featured hotels for this tour. Hotel allocation depends on availability and seasonality, so you may be assigned any hotel from our selection.

Select your departure date

April to May 2026

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We recommend booking early

Prices can change and departure dates may sell out.

Flexible payment options available

Pay in full, make a deposit, or split payments.

Best prices

Included activities

Optional activities

Personalization options

  • Extra NightsExtend your stay with additional nights before or after the tour.
  • Flight optionsCustomize your flights by selecting your preferred airline, cabin class, and departure and arrival times.

Additional information

What's not included

Tax*, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

*Accommodation tax in Italy must be paid directly to the hotel (Approx. 6 € per person per night). We recommend taking cash in the local currency with you on this trip

*Please note that hotel ratings in Italy are not governed by the same standards as those in the US.

Important: please bear in mind that the accommodation included in Venice is located in Venice Mestre, which is situated outside the island, approximately 25-30 minutes away by train, bus or Taxi.

Please note that there is no luggage assistance included throughout the trip. We recommend packing accordingly.

Please note: If you depart for Italy on a Sunday, the optional Skip-the-Line Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel will take place on the following Wednesday evening as of 2026. If you depart on a Thursday, this optional tour will be on your own.

Due to the nature of the destination the terrain can be uneven at times, it may require you to walk on a rocky path, and up and down hills.

Please bear in mind that some of the points of interest are not accessible by bus. In these cases, you will either walk the final stretch or take alternative transport such as the metro.

***Times and days in rome can be changed in according to the availability of the colosseum tickets. Clients will be inform by the tour leader during the welcome speech. All included excursion are already guaranteed.

If you visit during a religious or an official event or during a national holiday, certain attractions may be closed.

Important: The availability of some activities cannot be guaranteed during major holidays, including Christmas & Holy Week.

The activity vouchers will be sent before your departure and will be available in the customer account and in the Exoticca: Traveler's app - Documents section, confirming the exact schedules and meeting points.

Extra Services: Before selecting any optional service, make sure to check the inclusions of the package to avoid choosing anything that is already included in your selected package.

Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +1 888-488-0592 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

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