18 Day Italy Tour with Mediterranean Cruise & Flights

Rome

Transfer to your hotel by taxi for your overnight pre tour accommodation.

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome

Meals included: Nil

Rome

After meeting up with the tour leader and the rest of the group this morning, it’s time to head out on a guided walking tour of the city! See ancient Roman architecture, medieval buildings, Renaissance artworks and more remnants of Rome’s illustrious past as capital of the Roman Empire. At the end of the tour, join an optional visit to the magnificent Colosseum! Tonight, get to know the rest of the tour group during an included welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: breakfast & dinner

Rome 

Enjoy a free day in Rome! Head into the city to see the sights that make Rome famous the world over. An ancient city that has seen the rise and fall of entire empires, there is no shortage of historical real estate to feast your eyes on. Not to mention designer shopping and brilliant food! Make the most of the free day and choose to take a guided tour of the Vatican City, and marvel at glittering artworks, vast marble halls and opulent architecture. Eating and drinking is an important part of Roman life, and as they say: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ so join a Rome food tour for an experience of Italy’s best-loved dishes! Try excellent Italian cuisine, and be sure to grab a famous Roman gelato while you’re sight-seeing!

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: breakfast

Orvieto - Venice

Leave the capital behind, and drive through the Umbria region. Known as the 'fruit bowl of Italy', it is famous for its produce, food and beautiful mountainous landscapes. Prepare for one of the most spectacular sights in Europe as the tour approaches Orvieto; a city perched dramatically atop a sheer vertical volcanic rock. Take the funicular up to the historic centre, and enjoy free time to explore. See the exquisite facade of the Cathedral of Orvieto, the papal residence and the Albornoz fortress. Next, it’s time to travel to Venice. The evening is free to relax at the hotel or explore Venice with the option to join your tour leader on a twilight water taxi cruise of the Venetian canals.

Accommodation: Elite Residence Hotel or similar, Venice
Meals included: breakfast

Venice

The day begins with an orientation tour of Venice. Join the tour leader to explore the heart of this enchanting city. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore more of Venice. The gondola ride optional excursion is a classic Venetian experience not to be missed! Explore the islands of Murano and Burano which are famous for their glass-blowing and lace-making crafts on the Venice Lagoon Tour optional excursion which is a great way to see more of the “Floating City”. Any foodies on the tour? Join the Venice Food Tour optional and stroll through the famous city’s streets, sampling delicious local dishes along the way! Excitingly, all three optional excursions can be enjoyed during today’s free day.

Accommodation: Elite Residence Hotel or similar, Venice
Meals included: breakfast

Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany

It’s time to travel to the beautiful city of Florence, stopping along the way in Lake Garda for a photo opportunity. Arrive in Florence, and embark on a guided tour to learn more about the heritage of this city, its Renaissance artworks and Roman ruins. Sights to see in your free time include Ponte Vecchio, the Basilica of Santa Croce and, of course, Michelangelo’s David. After the tour, make a stop at Leonardo Leather for a leather-making demonstration. Enjoy an included group dinner in Florence tonight. Next, it’s time to travel to tonight’s accommodation in the ancient spa town of Montecatini Terme.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Panoramic Montecatini Terme or similar, Tuscany
Meals included: breakfast

Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany

This morning, the tour heads to La Spezia; the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Perched on the rugged coastline, Cinque Terre means ‘Five Lands’, and consists of five picturesque coastal cliff-side towns; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. All are linked by rail and footpaths. With cars and motorcycles banned from the towns, enjoy exploring the towns by train or on foot. Later in the afternoon, travel back to the Tuscan region, stopping off to see the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa en route. Now over 800 years old, it’s a classic sight in Italy, and gives you the opportunity to take a picture 'holding up' the tower! Join tonight’s optional for a wonderful Tuscan dinner with beautiful views!

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Panoramic Montecatini Terme or similar, Tuscany
Meals included: breakfast 

San Gimignano - Siena - Rome

This morning, travel through one of the world’s most picturesque countryside landscapes. Admire Tuscan farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves during the drive. First stop of the day is San Gimignano; a small, walled hilltop town. Known as the 'Town of Fine Towers', it offers beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and 14 well-preserved tower houses. Next up is a short drive to Siena; a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the 'Palio' horse race held twice a year in the main piazza. Enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by antipasti in Siena before travelling back to Rome. Round off the day with a farewell dinner with the group to toast the last night of the tour.

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

End of tour in Rome and time for Mediterranean Cruise

The tour ends after breakfast this morning. After an amazing 8 days of discovering the delights of Italy, it is time to wrap up this Italian adventure. Swap memories, and exchange contact details with your new-found travel friends.   Transfer to the Rome cruise port for your MED cruise on MSC Seashore.

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Palermo

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - At Sea

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Ibiza

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Valencia

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Marseille

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Genoa

Accommodation: MSC Seashore cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Arrive Rome

Your MED cruise arrives back in the port of Rome this morning.  Transfer to the airport for our flights home to Australia.

Meals included: inflight only

Arrive Australia 

Your flights arrive Home in Australia.  Tour Concludes.