This escorted Italy tour visits the best of Italy’s vacation destinations. Tour Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice, Italian Lakes, and Florence. Travel to Italy’s beautiful cities, the Italian Lakes, and the Amalfi Coast on this comprehensive escorted best of Italy tour. To book this tour and for more information submit the form below or call ItalianTourism.us 800-227-1577.
Highlights
Best of Italy Escorted Tour Highlights:
- Rome View the Forum and Circus Maximus.
- Rome tour Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel.
- Pompeii Visit the excavations.
- Sorrento Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
- Inlaid wood-working demonstration in Sorrento.
- Assisi Visit St. Francis’ Basilica.
- Venice view St. Mark’s Square, the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
- Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory in Venice.
- Verona See the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony.
- Milan see the Duomo, La Scala and the Galleria.
- Stay in Lake Maggiore visit the magnificent Lake Como.
- Pisa View the Leaning Tower.
- Florence See the Cathedral and Signoria Square and view Ponte Vecchio. Admire Florentine leatherwork and enjoy views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Italy Tour Includes
- Meals: Breakfast Daily & 7 Dinners
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Skip the line VIP entry to sightseeing highlights
Accommodations
Best of Italy Tour Included Hotels
- Rome 2 Nights – Una Hotel Rome or iH Hotels Roma Cicerone Rome
- Sorrento 2 Nights – Johanna Park Hotel Sorrento or Grand Hotel Parco del Sole Sorrento
- Assisi 1 Night – Cenacolo
- Venice 2 Nights – Biasutti or Viktoria Palace
- Lake Maggiore 2 Nights – Simplon
- Florence 2 Nights – Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
- Rome 1 night – Shangri-La Rome
Optional Tours
Optional tours are scheduled during what is otherwise free time. Submit the form for the price of each experience.
Optional Rome Tours
Piazzas and Fountains of Rome
Discover the most charming areas in the city with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares of Rome’s historic center, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Optional Sorrento Tours
Amalfi Coast and Positano
Come with us for a drive along the famous Amalfi Coast. You’ll have a chance to visit the exclusive artists’ paradise of Positano, which is magnificently positioned on the Mediterranean coast.
Experience The Isle Of Capri
Experience Capri’s spectacular cliffs, famous turquoise waters and white grotto the best way: by boat. In Capri town, enjoy a lemon granita, a specialty of the island. Or if the weather doesn’t allow, we’ll take you on a tour of the island to Anacapri, and a visit to Villa San Michele.
Sorrento Farmhouse Dinner
A scenic drive takes you through the Sorrentino countryside to an 18th century Olive Oil mill. You’ll enjoy a guided visit of the gardens, mill and wine cellar, followed by a simple meal of traditional pizza and wine. And there’ll also be the chance to see how mozzarella and pizza are made.
Option Venice Tours
Gondolas and the Grand Canal
Join us for a scenic cruise by private water taxi along Venice’s Grand Canal. You’ll admire the magnificent palazzi, as well as catching a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge.
Venice’s Secrets and St. Mark’s Basilica
Explore the hidden maze of streets which make up this unique city as your Local Specialist gives you a fascinating insight into Venice’s past and present. You’ll visit the majestic Basilica of St Mark, where you’ll have a chance to view some of the prized trophies looted by the Venetians in their rise to power. Alternatively, we’ll visit the outside terrace for exceptional vistas.
Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks
Join us as we discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat. You will enjoy a delicious meal with a selection of drinks on the shermen’s island of Burano, famous for its multi-colored houses – a real photographer’s paradise.
Optional Lake Maggiore Tours
Treasures Of Milan
Join our Local Specialist at the impressive Castello Sforza museum, where you’ll see the ‘Pieta of Rondanini’ by Michelangelo, among other great works. Your tour nishes with a visit to the world renowned ‘La Scala’ opera house and museum. When La Scala or the Castello is unavailable, you’ll visit the Museum of Milan.
Discover The Borromean Islands
We’ve organised a private launch to take you to the beautiful islands of Lake Maggiore. Here you’ll see the Isola Madre, the Isola dei Pescatori, and on the Isola Bella we visit the magnificent palace of the Borromean Princes (this optional is only operated between mid March and the end of October).
Discover Lake Como
Enjoy views of elegant villas and gardens as you cruise with your Local Specialist along Lake Como, one of the most beautiful spots in the Italian Lake District.
Optional Florence Tours
Dinner, Wine And Music In The Tuscan Hills
Join us for a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We will enjoy a meal at a charming restaurant where a selection of regional favourites is served, accompanied by a selection of local wines and live music. A truly unforgettable experience, with an atmosphere that is the essence of all things Tuscan.
Michelangelo’s ‘David’ & Accademia
Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo and his masterpiece, David. We have fast track entry to the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you’ll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist.
14-Day Best of Italy Escorted Tour
Check the box next to the Best of Italy escorted tour you would like to join.
Similar Italy Tours:
14-Day Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan with Italian Lakes and Southern Italy
This tour travels north from Rome and includes visit to Cinque Terre, which Best of Italy tour does not include.
For a similar tour with less included tours thus less expensive check out the 14-day affordable tour to Northern Italy, Southern Italy, and Italy’s cities.
Other Italy Tour Packages
Book your Best of Italy Escorted Tour Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice, Lake Maggiore, and Florence submit form or call ItalianTourism.us today 800-227-1577
Best of Italy Escorted Tour Itinerary
Day 1 DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! Spend the rest of your day relaxing or take a leisurely stroll around the city. Join your companions and your Travel Director later for a Welcome Reception. Then enjoy an orientation drive to see St. Peter’s Basilica and other sights – a great introduction to this beautiful city.
Meal(s): (Welcome Reception)
Day 3 ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide begins at the Vatican Museums. Experience a Unique Insight in the Vatican when you ascend the smooth and step-less spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante. Admire Michelangelo’s magnificent fresco ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and then visit St. Peter’s Basilica to see his famous Pietà. Your tour continues in ancient Rome. View the Forum, Colosseum, Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own, or simply relax and watch the world go by!
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 ROME – POMPEII – SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS)
Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery near Monte Cassino. Your Local Guide tells you all about the devastation caused by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 during your walking tour of Pompeii. Arrive later at your hotel in Sorrento where you dine tonight.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
Witness the art of inlaid wood-working, for which Sorrento is famous. Later, embark on an included excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. See the local gardens and other sights during an orientation walk of Capri town. Spend time exploring this lovely island on your own.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 SORRENTO – ASSISI
Assisi is a mystical town perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio overlooking the peaceful Umbrian landscape. Under the protection of St. Francis this city is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Your Local Guide takes you on a walking tour, which includes a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco by Giotto depicting St. Francis’. Spend time afterwards exploring on your own and shopping for souvenirs. Dine at your hotel this evening.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 ASSISI – VENICE (2 NIGHTS)
Driving north from Assisi, cross the Apennines to the Adriatic Coast. Arrive in Venice, where you’ll stay for two nights.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 VENICE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square is magical! View the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful Doge’s Palace and the Basilica. Watch a demonstration of the ancient art of glass-blowing at a traditional workshop on Giudecca island. Spend free time seeing the sights of your choice. You might like to cruise across the lagoon to the Island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 VENICE – MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE (2 NIGHTS)
This morning cross the plains of Lombardy to Milan for a walking tour of this fashionable city with your Local Guide. See the Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera house and the famous Galleria.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 LAKE COMO EXCURSION
Travel to the beautiful Lake Como with free time to explore or simply soak up the scenery.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 LAKE MAGGIORE – PISA – FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS)
Cross the Plains of Lombardy, the forested Apennine Mountains, and pass by Genoa to Pisa. View the extraordinary Leaning Tower before arriving in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Tonight, you might like to sample some local Tuscan cuisine.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your Local Guide brings the city’s rich history to life during your walking tour. See the Cathedral and Signoria Square and view Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend free time exploring or shop for high quality leather and gold.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 FLORENCE – SAN GIMIGNANO – ROME
Set in scenic Tuscan countryside, visit the medieval town of San Gimignano, famous for its tower houses and beautiful ceramics. This evening in Rome, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 14 ROME – USA
Say ‘arrivederci Roma’ at the end of your memorable vacation in Italy. Transfers are available to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Conditions apply.