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Map of Highlights of Italy in Winter including Italy

See a less crowded side of Italy on this winter adventure.

Ah, Italia. It seems a little unfair that one country does food, architecture, art, history and the central social square so perfectly. It’s just a shame the rest of the world feels the same way! But while most associate Italy with summer, relatively mild winters make Italy the perfect place to visit during the off season. On this trip, you’ll see all the fabulous spots with far fewer tourists crowding the squares and clogging up the lines. Take in the crumbling ruins of Rome, whimsical Florence and the floating 15th century city of Venice in this diverse tour.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Rome, Italy
Finish
Venice, Italy
Destination
Italy
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
ZLSW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • This winter trip is a great way to see the highlights of Italy without any of the crowds.

  • Wander around Rome's famous landmarks including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and much more. This is a city where you'll be able to tick a lot off your bucket list.

  • The floating city of Venice is one place you’ll be happy to get lost in. The city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands lead to over 130 churches, all with their own distinct character.

  • Learn to make the king of comfort food – pasta – by hand in Bologna.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the trip notes.

  • Often there are no lifts or escalators in train stations or in the hotel, so you will have to carry your bags up and down the stairs yourself.

  • This trip is designed for off-season and takes place in the colder winter months of the year. It is essential that you are aware of the climate in Italy during this time. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially compared to American or Australian standards.

Burano Canal in Venice, Italy
Watch the busy waterways of Venice, Italy
The Church of San Roch, Venice, Italy
Sunset over the Duomo in Florence, Italy
Walk through the beautiful streets and laneways of Florence, Italy
Intrepid Travel Italy Bologna Market Cheese
Intrepid Travel italy salami market food

Itinerary
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Welcome to Italy! There’s nowhere quite like Rome, a city where designer shops, restaurants and cafes are slotted among ancient ruins and religious monuments. After tonight's welcome meeting why not head out for your first taste of Italy during an optional dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR21
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR15
  • Rome - Pantheon One Hour Guided Tour Urban Adventure - EUR35
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your Italian adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight – check with reception to confirm the time and place. We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand. If you're going to be late, please inform hotel reception. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). There are no activities planned before the meeting, so if you arrive early there are plenty of things to keep you busy.

Remember, the best attitude to embrace the chaos of this city is ‘when in Rome’! Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city and witness iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum (centre of ancient Rome), the Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Via Dei Condotti and Piazza Venezia. Your afternoon is free to explore further. Perhaps recharge with a slice of pizza and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona or throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish to return to the 'Eternal City'. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free and there's a small charge to climb the dome for a panorama over the city. History buffs will enjoy a jaunt through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Choose whether to have dinner with the group or find a spot on your own – there are plenty to choose from.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR8
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR16
  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR14
  • Rome - Imperial Fora - EUR9
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
  • Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR12
  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
  • Rome - Pantheon - EUR2
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and free (but expect large crowds). We recommend that you visit the Vatican Museum before the group meeting on day 1. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can and should be booked online at: biglietteriamusei.vatican.va. In order to allow enough time in the museum and to avoid the crowds it is recommended to start the museum visit as doors open. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica and its dome. Tickets for Galleria Borghese can also be booked online at galleriaborghese.it.

This morning depart the eternal city and catch a train to Florence. On arrival, check into the hotel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity, so perhaps explore some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany. Regional specialities are noted for their simplicity and fine flavour, and the use of high-quality olive oil, cannellini beans and fresh herbs. Meat lovers should try the bistecca alla fiorentina, a huge T-bone steak that's usually shared between two people, or ribollita, a thick delicious vegetable soup with bread, beans and greens. Panforte is the signature sweet treat.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Florence - Aperitivo Time! Urban Adventure - EUR77
  • Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR67
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The individual Florentine State Museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them but the website https://www.florence-museum.com/ has everything you need to know about all of them, including the option to purchase tickets. We suggest that you pre-book your visit to the Uffizi, as this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year round. Make your reservations for these museums for any time today.

Set out to the nearby city of Pisa (approximately 30 minutes by local train). A short orientation walk will help you to get your bearings in this easily navigable and small city. Then there'll be ample time for you to visit the quirky world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli, once the largest in Europe) and Pisa Baptistry (please note that it's not always possible to climb the tower). The tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of 4 degrees (after restoration and stabilising work). Wander the narrow streets, which feature everything from high-end boutiques to speciality book and antiques stores, and perhaps enjoy an aperitif. Back in Florence take your time and be captivated by the culture-rich atmosphere, from family-run vineyards on the outskirts of the city to the Duomo’s magnificent marble facade. Maybe start with a visit the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Stop by the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries, or walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city – a lovely way to while away the afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pisa - Half Day Trip to Pisa
Optional Activities
  • Florence - Baptistry - EUR10
  • Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR15
  • Florence - Pitti Palace, Gallery of Modern Art & Palatine Gallery - EUR19
  • Florence - Accademia - EUR16
  • Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR24
  • Florence - Palazzo Vecchio - EUR12
  • Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
  • Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR13
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a final free morning in Florence before jumping on an afternoon train to Bologna. Often neglected by travellers, Bologna is a charming city filled with medieval and Renaissance buildings and art. Get acquainted with this orange-hued city during an orientation walk. Later, learn the fine art of Italian cooking with an evening class, crafting that king of comfort food – pasta. Of course, this being Italy, the class ends with the chance to stuff yourself silly with your carb creations.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bologna - Pasta Making Class including Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that there is no gluten free option for tonight's pasta making class. Please speak to your leader at the start of the trip should you wish to opt out of this activity.

Enjoy a free morning in Bologna, perhaps ambling through one of the many porticoes – a network of sheltered walkways that lead all over the city, perfect for winter when rain is a possibility. In the afternoon, get the train to the watery wonderland that is Venice. Full of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas that remain practically unchanged since the 15th century, Venice is just as beautiful as you've always imagined. An orientation walk will help you to get the hang of the maze of the complex canal system, then you can set out on your own. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Explore Venice with your tastebuds today on a cicchetti tasting tour. Cicchetti are small snacks that are served in most drinking establishments and cafes, and are a delightful surprise to many thirsty travellers. On this two-and-a-half-hour tour, you’ll snack and sip your way through the bars and taverns. Then, board a traghetto (public gondola) and see the city from the water, as was intended. In the evening, why not visit busy San Marco square and listen to the sounds of orchestras and the rush of canals.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Venice - Cicchetti Tour & Tasting
  • Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower
  • Venice - Traghetto Boat Ride
Optional Activities
  • Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco - EUR14
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
  • Venice - Venezia Ca' d'Oro - EUR14
  • Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
  • Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
  • Venice - Guggenheim Museum - EUR16
  • Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art - EUR11
  • Venice - Glass Museum Murano - EUR11
  • Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
  • Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Your adventure comes to an end on the final morning. There are no activities planned for today and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time before check-out. As there is so much to see in Venice we recommend you to stay a little longer. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent at the time of booking.
Optional Activities
  • Venice - The Sweet Taste of Venice Urban Adventure - EUR94
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you have some more time in Venice why not check out the day trips offered by Urban Adventures. Check out urbanadventures.com for more information.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Train, Public bus, Metro

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Pisa - Half Day Trip to Pisa
  • Bologna - Pasta Making Class including Dinner
  • Venice - Cicchetti Tour & Tasting
  • Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower
  • Venice - Traghetto Boat Ride

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Highlights of Italy in Winter trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip takes place during the colder winter months. While this allows you to experience the highlights of Italy without the crowds it is important to bear in mind that winters in Europe are usually quite cold and possibly snowy. Temperatures can drop to freezing or below, and snowfalls are common, especially at higher altitudes. If temperatures are above freezing there is a likelihood of rainy days during this time of year. You will need to be prepared to travel in varying temperatures, rain and snow.
2. A single supplement is bookable for this trip. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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