Duration
9 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Rome
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
The tour will end in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. For those interested, our guide will offer an optional tour after the scenic tour, allowing you to explore St. Peter´s Basilica and the most outstanding rooms of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, in more detail.
Free time in the afternoon. 06:30 p.m. - In the evening, we´ll include a transfer to Trastevere, a lively neighborhood known for its charming traditional restaurants. We’ll return to the hotel at approximately 08:30 p.m.
Note: Due to ongoing municipal regulations regarding the circulation of tourist coaches in Rome, the described scenic tour may be subject to variation.
Scenery: Pleasant landscapes of historical towns along the route.
Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as the city tour of Florence involves walking.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Rome (time may vary, depending on the departure points).
12:30 p.m. – Florence. Upon arrival, we´ll stop at the Michelangelo viewpoint for a photo opportunity, offering one of the most stunning views of the city. Following this, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour with a local guide of this renowned city, one of Italy´s most visited destinations considered the cradle of the Renaissance and some of the most influential artists and thinkers in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael. Highlights of the tour include the Gothic cathedral Duomo di Firenze, the historic Ponte Vecchio, known for its goldsmith workshops along its paved streets and Piazza della Signoria, the city´s political heart featuring the medieval town hall. Free time in the afternoon. We recommend visiting one of its impressive museums, such as the Accademia Gallery or the Uffizi Gallery.
Scenery: Today is a day by the sea. The Ligurian Rivera coastline offers some of the most beautiful scenery and coastal gems in Europe.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Florence.
09:15 a.m. - Pisa. We’ll be required to drop you off at the tourist bus parking area. From there, we’ll include a ride on the tourist train to access the monumental site. You’ll have time to explore the impressive complex of Pisa, featuring the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, and Cathedral.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from Pisa. We’ll continue traveling along the Mediterranean coast. Along the way, we’ll pass the Carrara Marble Mountains, which appear as if they are covered in snow.
12:45 p.m. - Levanto. We’ll arrive by train (tickets included) to one of its charming towns (normally Vernazza, but on peak tourism dates, it could be Manarola or Corniglia, very similar towns that are somewhat less crowded).
The train is scheduled to depart at 01:05 p.m. (subject to change), taking us through long tunnels next to the sea into the Cinque Terre region. Buses can’t access this area because of its steep, mountainous terrain. The area remained isolated, preserving its traditions. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
01:30 p.m. - Vernazza - Arrival by train. We’ll arrive in one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre region, which retains its coastal character. Highlights include the Santa Margherita Church, built in 1318 on the seashore. Time for lunch.
03:44 p.m. – Departure from Vernazza (time subject to change). We’ll return by train to Levanto, where our bus will continue along the coast towards Genoa.
Note: The train to Cinque Terre is a regular commuter service, not a tourist train. During peak tourism times, there can be long waits as trains may be full, and seat reservations are not available. In some cases, the journey might be done standing. If this happens, we recommend walking to the monumental site, which is approximately 900 meters away.
05:45 p.m. - Genoa - Arrival. The city where Christopher Columbus was born. Time to explore its monumental center.
Note: By boat, we’ll reach the enclave of Portofino. It’s advisable to wear warm clothing to enjoy the trip on deck.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Genoa. We’ll travel along the stunning Italian Riviera.
09:00 a.m. - Santa Margherita Ligure.
10:15 a.m. - We’ll take a boat for a 20-minute crossing to Portofino, one of the most exclusive destinations in Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore this charming town.
12:00 p.m. - We’ll return to Santa Margherita, a delightful coastal town. There will be time for a leisurely walk and lunch.
Note: During winter, weather conditions may prevent the boat to Portofino from operating. In such cases, we’ll spend more time in Santa Margherita. If you wish, you can take an urban minibus to Portofino (service quality may be poor, with sometimes long waits).
02:00 p.m. – Departure from Santa Margherita.
04:30 p.m. – Milan. Free time until 07:30 p.m. We recommend a stroll through its historic center, bustling with commercial life, and home to the magnificent Gothic cathedral.
Scenery: We’ll see the beautiful region of the Italian Lakes; the mountain scenery with snow-peaked summits and large Alpine lakes surrounded by picturesque villages is unforgettable.
Note: Bring some warm clothes; you may need them for the boat trips. On days with bad weather, our stop in Stresa might be shorter.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Milan. We’ll take the motorway to the great lakes. First, we’ll travel to Lake Orta; its isolated position and smaller size give it a special charm.
09:00 a.m. - Orta San Giulio - A beautiful, intact medieval town by the lake. In the center of the lake, we’ll immediately see the Island of San Giulio with its monastery. We’ll take a small tourist train to the town and then sail across the lake on hired boats to the island. We’ll have time to explore the town and the island.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from Orta San Giulio. We’ll travel to Lake Maggiore.
11:45 a.m. - Stresa - Arrival in this tourist town by Lake Maggiore. You’ll have time to stroll and enjoy lunch. If you wish, there’s also an opportunity to take a boat trip to the Borromean Islands located just off the town’s shore.
03:45 p.m. – Departure from Stresa. We’ll leave the mountains and travel through the industrious areas of the Po Valley.
07:30 p.m. - Verona.
Note: During the winter months, the Orta train does not operate. If that is the case, you can access the medieval town by walking approximately 800 meters from the bus parking lot.
Scenery: A picturesque entrance to Verona over its large bridge.
Verona – You’ll have some time to explore the enchanting city of Romeo and Juliet.
11:30 a.m. - Departure from Verona.
Note: Depending on the time of year, sunlight, and traffic conditions, we might visit Verona upon arrival from the lakes. In these cases, we’ll leave for Venice earlier.
01:00 p.m. - Venice. We’ll arrive at the port of Tronchetto and take a short boat ride to Venice. To get to know this magical city, we’ll include a visit to St. Mark’s Square with a local guide. You will also see the famous Murano glasswork. Afterwards, enjoy some free time—perhaps a gondola ride?
07:30 p.m. - Evening transfer to the hotel, normally in Mestre or Marghera.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.