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Discover Bella Italia on Tauck’s most comprehensive Italy tour – in the country, on visits to scenic Tuscan hill towns, in centuries-old cities and countryside villages, and along the Amalfi Coast. Experience the rich history of the Vatican and the Roman Empire. Art is the focus in the beautiful city of Florence, which is an Italy tour highlight. A lecture by a university professor who is an art historian precedes a visit to Galleria dell’Accademia, where you’ll see masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s statue of David. You’ll also tour the magnificent Uffizi Gallery, accompanied by a local guide. Cruise by private boat along the shores of Cinque Terre villages clinging to coastal mountains, and stay at a 17th-century country house hotel in Torgiano where you’ll share the secrets of great Italian cooking with an Umbrian chef. Historic sights in Pompeii, a two-night stay in magical Venice, and visits to the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and San Gimignano complement a three-night stay in Rome.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Naples and head to Sorrento
Tauck’s most comprehensive of Italy tours begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. A transfer is included from Naples International Airport to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in the southern resort town of Sorrento. Your historic hotel – family owned and operated since 1834 – overlooks the beautiful Bay of Naples and powerful Mt. Vesuvius. Get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 2
A drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast
Take an unhurried drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most dramatic shorelines. Stop in Positano and visit Amalfi, where some medieval dwellings date to the 10th century, and Ravello, perched on towering cliffs above the sea. Explore Sorrento’s piazzas, old Roman streets and narrow alleys as you please upon your afternoon return, spending the evening as you wish and enjoying dinner on your own.
Lodging
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 3
Explore Pompeii, then on to the Eternal City of Rome
Today, explore an ancient community captured in time – the excavated ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Walk through city streets with a local expert, where you’ll discover remarkably preserved ancient architecture and artefacts that portray what daily life was like in this 1st-century city. Continue on to remarkable Rome, where your next three nights are spent at The Westin Excelsior, Rome, one of the most prestigious addresses on the famed Via Veneto.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 4
Tauck Exclusive in Rome – After-hours Vatican Museums visit
Your sightseeing in Rome on this most remarkable of Italy tours is highlighted by a special Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). This after-hours visit means you’ll avoid the long lines found earlier in the day; the experience is rich when you explore the treasures in the Vatican Museums without the usual crowds. See the Candelabra Gallery, Map Gallery, and the Tapestries. In the Sistine Chapel, you’ll view artist Michelangelo’s masterpiece frescoes acorning the chapel’s ceiling – and be able to contemplate all that you see in quieter surroundings. It’s certain to be a true highlight on this most memorable of Italy tours… one that you’ll remember forever.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 5
The Colosseum, St. Peter’s & more in the Rome of the Caesars
A sightseeing excursion begins the day in Rome, once the virtual capital of the ancient world, and now Italy’s capital city. Tour the 2,000-year-old Colosseum; see Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held, and the ruins of the Imperial Palace. View the Roman Forum from above, then return to the microstate of Vatican City for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica to view the art and architecture, and explore St. Peter’s Square. Pursue your own passions in Rome during the afternoon. You’ll get an authentic taste of Italian cuisine tonight when you dine family style at a local restaurant in Rome.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 6
Orvieto’s Duomo and a wine tasting in Torgiano
Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot-high plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. After a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo and some time to explore, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in Torgiano, a small village in the Tiber Valley, and your home for the next two nights, Le Tre Vaselle. The present-day hotel is a carefully renovated 17th-century country villa of which the key elements have been preserved – thick walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, broad stone fireplaces, antique furniture and handwoven fabrics – with its own private winery. Warm hospitality, elegant decor and exquisite cuisine are reminiscent of the aristocratic country houses of centuries past. Tonight, you’ll attend a wine tasting and sample the vineyard’s grapes in the osteria.
Lodging
Le Tre Vaselle
Day 7
Back in time in old Assisi – and a chef shares secrets
Drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hill town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, and the hometown of St. Francis, the revered patron saint of animals and founder of the Franciscan order. Visit the Basilica di San Francesco, built to honour Assisi’s beloved saint and favourite son and his final resting place. Gaze at the basilica’s impressive 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, some of Italy’s finest, and enjoy some free time in the center of town. This evening, return to Torgiano, where you’ll discover the secrets of great Italian cuisine from an Umbrian chef who shares insights into the nuances of Italian cooking at a demonstration – another highlight of one of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours!
Lodging
Le Tre Vaselle
Day 8
Traces of Tuscany’s medieval days in San Gimignano & Viareggio
A trip through Tuscany is pure enchantment, where for centuries the beauty of nature has blended with the ingenuities of mankind; your travels through the rolling Tuscan hills take you through golden landscapes dotted with olive and fig trees. Arrive in the hilltop town of San Gimignano, one of its gems. Medieval towers, built in the 12th century by the nobility, are visible from afar. Stroll along the quaint streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy’s most picturesque town squares. Continue your journey through lush Tuscan countryside to the seaside resort town of Viareggio for an overnight stay.
Lodging
Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte
Day 9
Cinque Terre’s seaside storybook villages
Cinque Terre was accessible only by sea for hundreds of years, five picture-book fishing villages nestled between the Mediterranean’s blue waters and the rugged coastal mountains. Travel by train through the mountains to one of the villages, where you’ll get a look at daily life – from the colourful fishing boats home from the sea, to the wine, olives, and citrus fruit produced locally. You’ll have some time to explore the cobblestone streets and alleyways, perhaps sampling the unique flavors of the local cuisine for lunch. Cruise along the Mediterranean shores of the Italian Riviera where views of these centuries-old Cinque Terre villages, set on rocky bluffs hemmed in by steep cliffs, are a knockout! Journey on to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay in the heart of the city.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 10
Become an art aficionado in Renaissance Florence
A briefing by an art history lecturer precedes a walking tour of Florence and a guided visit through the collections of works by many of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries – including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David and paintings by Botticelli, Uccello, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and others – at Galleria dell’Accademia. Flourishing for more than four centuries, the world-renowned institution was established in 1563 as the first art school in Europe. You’ll have time on your own in Florence this afternoon; your hotel is right in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to explore! Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 11
Masterpieces of the Uffizi in Florence
Join a local expert for a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence’s extraordinary art museum founded by the Medici family in the 16th century; it can be rightfully called the oldest art gallery on Earth. Admire some of the world’s greatest art masterpieces on display within its walls, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more. The remainder of the day is spent as you please; you may want to visit the Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapels, or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the lovely Boboli Gardens.
Lodging
The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 12
By high-speed rail to Venice for St. Mark’s, a gondola serenade & more
Guests rave that one of the things they like best about our Italy tours is travelling by different modes of transportation; Classic Italy continues today with a journey aboard a sleek high-speed train from Florence to Venice. Transfer by canal boat to your hotel, conveniently located near St. Mark’s Square; after lunch, embark on a walking tour. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica as well as the sumptuous Doge’s Palace, once the official residence of the elected officials of the Venetian Republic. You’ll also indulge today in the quintessential Venetian experience, a serenade aboard a gondola on the canals. Dinner tonight is on your own in Venice, a city embraced by the most popular Italy tours for its many fine restaurants!
Lodging
The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 13
The romance of Venice, as you please
The entire day is free to do as you please in Venice – and to say that you have a lot of choices is an understatement. You might decide to visit the museums, an eclectic group housing some of the world’s most famed art; stroll the winding, narrow streets that lead to countless bridges; or perhaps you might choose to take a boat to one of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, such as Murano, Burano or Torcello, where centuries-old crafts and a kaleidoscope of color are found… This evening, join us for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner that marks the end of one of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours.
Lodging
The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 14
Ciao and homeward bound
One of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours ends in Venice. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Naples and head to Sorrento
Tauck’s most comprehensive of Italy tours begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. A transfer is included from Naples International Airport to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in the southern resort town of Sorrento. Your historic hotel – family owned and operated since 1834 – overlooks the beautiful Bay of Naples and powerful Mt. Vesuvius. Get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 2: A drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast
Take an unhurried drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most dramatic shorelines. Stop in Positano and visit Amalfi, where some medieval dwellings date to the 10th century, and Ravello, perched on towering cliffs above the sea. Explore Sorrento’s piazzas, old Roman streets and narrow alleys as you please upon your afternoon return, spending the evening as you wish and enjoying dinner on your own.
Lodging: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 3: Explore Pompeii, then on to the Eternal City of Rome
Today, explore an ancient community captured in time – the excavated ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Walk through city streets with a local expert, where you’ll discover remarkably preserved ancient architecture and artefacts that portray what daily life was like in this 1st-century city. Continue on to remarkable Rome, where your next three nights are spent at The Westin Excelsior, Rome, one of the most prestigious addresses on the famed Via Veneto.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 4: Tauck Exclusive in Rome – After-hours Vatican Museums visit
Your sightseeing in Rome on this most remarkable of Italy tours is highlighted by a special Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). This after-hours visit means you’ll avoid the long lines found earlier in the day; the experience is rich when you explore the treasures in the Vatican Museums without the usual crowds. See the Candelabra Gallery, Map Gallery, and the Tapestries. In the Sistine Chapel, you’ll view artist Michelangelo’s masterpiece frescoes acorning the chapel’s ceiling – and be able to contemplate all that you see in quieter surroundings. It’s certain to be a true highlight on this most memorable of Italy tours… one that you’ll remember forever.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 5: The Colosseum, St. Peter’s & more in the Rome of the Caesars
A sightseeing excursion begins the day in Rome, once the virtual capital of the ancient world, and now Italy’s capital city. Tour the 2,000-year-old Colosseum; see Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held, and the ruins of the Imperial Palace. View the Roman Forum from above, then return to the microstate of Vatican City for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica to view the art and architecture, and explore St. Peter’s Square. Pursue your own passions in Rome during the afternoon. You’ll get an authentic taste of Italian cuisine tonight when you dine family style at a local restaurant in Rome.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 6: Orvieto’s Duomo and a wine tasting in Torgiano
Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot-high plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. After a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo and some time to explore, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in Torgiano, a small village in the Tiber Valley, and your home for the next two nights, Le Tre Vaselle. The present-day hotel is a carefully renovated 17th-century country villa of which the key elements have been preserved – thick walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, broad stone fireplaces, antique furniture and handwoven fabrics – with its own private winery. Warm hospitality, elegant decor and exquisite cuisine are reminiscent of the aristocratic country houses of centuries past. Tonight, you’ll attend a wine tasting and sample the vineyard’s grapes in the osteria.
Lodging: Le Tre Vaselle
Day 7: Back in time in old Assisi – and a chef shares secrets
Drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hill town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, and the hometown of St. Francis, the revered patron saint of animals and founder of the Franciscan order. Visit the Basilica di San Francesco, built to honour Assisi’s beloved saint and favourite son and his final resting place. Gaze at the basilica’s impressive 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, some of Italy’s finest, and enjoy some free time in the center of town. This evening, return to Torgiano, where you’ll discover the secrets of great Italian cuisine from an Umbrian chef who shares insights into the nuances of Italian cooking at a demonstration – another highlight of one of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours!
Lodging: Le Tre Vaselle
Day 8: Traces of Tuscany’s medieval days in San Gimignano & Viareggio
A trip through Tuscany is pure enchantment, where for centuries the beauty of nature has blended with the ingenuities of mankind; your travels through the rolling Tuscan hills take you through golden landscapes dotted with olive and fig trees. Arrive in the hilltop town of San Gimignano, one of its gems. Medieval towers, built in the 12th century by the nobility, are visible from afar. Stroll along the quaint streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy’s most picturesque town squares. Continue your journey through lush Tuscan countryside to the seaside resort town of Viareggio for an overnight stay.
Lodging: Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte
Day 9: Cinque Terre’s seaside storybook villages
Cinque Terre was accessible only by sea for hundreds of years, five picture-book fishing villages nestled between the Mediterranean’s blue waters and the rugged coastal mountains. Travel by train through the mountains to one of the villages, where you’ll get a look at daily life – from the colourful fishing boats home from the sea, to the wine, olives, and citrus fruit produced locally. You’ll have some time to explore the cobblestone streets and alleyways, perhaps sampling the unique flavors of the local cuisine for lunch. Cruise along the Mediterranean shores of the Italian Riviera where views of these centuries-old Cinque Terre villages, set on rocky bluffs hemmed in by steep cliffs, are a knockout! Journey on to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay in the heart of the city.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 10: Become an art aficionado in Renaissance Florence
A briefing by an art history lecturer precedes a walking tour of Florence and a guided visit through the collections of works by many of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries – including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David and paintings by Botticelli, Uccello, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and others – at Galleria dell’Accademia. Flourishing for more than four centuries, the world-renowned institution was established in 1563 as the first art school in Europe. You’ll have time on your own in Florence this afternoon; your hotel is right in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to explore! Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 11: Masterpieces of the Uffizi in Florence
Join a local expert for a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence’s extraordinary art museum founded by the Medici family in the 16th century; it can be rightfully called the oldest art gallery on Earth. Admire some of the world’s greatest art masterpieces on display within its walls, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more. The remainder of the day is spent as you please; you may want to visit the Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapels, or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the lovely Boboli Gardens.
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 12: By high-speed rail to Venice for St. Mark’s, a gondola serenade & more
Guests rave that one of the things they like best about Tauck’s Italy tours is travelling by different modes of transportation; Classic Italy continues today with a journey aboard a sleek high-speed train from Florence to Venice. Transfer by canal boat to your hotel, conveniently located near St. Mark’s Square; after lunch, embark on a walking tour. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica as well as the sumptuous Doge’s Palace, once the official residence of the elected officials of the Venetian Republic. You’ll also indulge today in the quintessential Venetian experience, a serenade aboard a gondola on the canals. Dinner tonight is on your own in Venice, a city embraced by the most popular Italy tours for its many fine restaurants!
Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 13: The romance of Venice, as you please
The entire day is free to do as you please in Venice – and to say that you have a lot of choices is an understatement. You might decide to visit the museums, an eclectic group housing some of the world’s most famed art; stroll the winding, narrow streets that lead to countless bridges; or perhaps you might choose to take a boat to one of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, such as Murano, Burano or Torcello, where centuries-old crafts and a kaleidoscope of color are found… This evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner that marks the end of one of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours.
Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 14 :Ciao and homeward bound
One of Tauck’s most popular Italy tours ends in Venice. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Departures & Rates
Discover Bella Italia on Tauck’s most comprehensive Italy tour – in the country, on visits to scenic Tuscan hill towns, in centuries-old cities and countryside villages, and along the Amalfi Coast. Experience the rich history of the Vatican and the Roman Empire. Art is the focus in the beautiful city of Florence, which is an Italy tour highlight. A lecture by a university professor who is an art historian precedes a visit to Galleria dell’Accademia, where you’ll see masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s statue of David.
You’ll also tour the magnificent Uffizi Gallery, accompanied by a local guide. Cruise by private boat along the shores of Cinque Terre villages clinging to coastal mountains, and stay at a 17th-century country house hotel in Torgiano where you’ll share the secrets of great Italian cooking with an Umbrian chef. Historic sights in Pompeii, a two-night stay in magical Venice, and visits to the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and San Gimignano complement a three-night stay in Rome.
Rates
| Date | Prices from |
| 06Apr16, 13Apr16 or 25Apr16 | US$7,290 |
| 04May16, 18May16, 25May16, 01Jun16 or 15Jun16 |
US$7,790 |
| 27Jul16, 10Aug16 or 17Aug16 | US$6,790 |
| 31Aug16, 07Sep16, 12Sep16, 16Sep16 or 05Oct16 |
US$7,790 |
| 24Oct16 | US$7,290 |
Fares Include:
- TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS! Encounter spectacular scenery around every bend on a drive along the celebrated Amalfi Coast – the perfect blending of earth, sea and sky!
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE! After-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, without the crowds – see the Vatican treasures at your own pace
- A wine tasting from local vineyards in Umbria, where you’ll discover the nuances of Italian cooking from a chef
- An in-depth briefing by an art historian before a walking tour of Florence and a guided visit through the famed Galleria dell’Accademia, the oldest art school in Europe
- A boat cruise along the Mediterranean shores of Cinque Terre for an in-depth look at these remote, centuries-old coastal villages
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- 26 meals (13 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 9 dinners)
- Service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
Special Solo traveller Savings – save US$300 on the single room price of select departure dates including; 06Apr16, 25May16, 13Jul16, 31Aug16 and 24Oct16.
Prices are per person twin share in USD and are subject to availablity and change. Itinerary may differ at time of booking. Fares are based on the lowest available and may differ at time of booking. For more information and full terms and conditions please contact one of our travel specialists.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
