Essential Italy

10 Days | Discover Tuscany and the Mediterranean coast on this bucket-list exploration of Italy

4.9 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
EUR €1,715
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

Eat your weight in pasta, spend afternoons lazing in the sun, explore some of the best local hotspots and see one of the Seven Wonders of the World on this 10-day adventure through Italy’s essentials. From Venice to Rome, you’ll be ticking off bucket list items, and might even find that one hidden gem you recommend to friends for years to come. Beach hop around lakes and the sea, sample Tuscan wine, eat your favourite foods in the cities they were born in and soak in more art, history and culture than you can handle. When your bellies, brains and bags are full at the end of this whirlwind Italian experience, say arrivederci to your new travel besties and the trip of a lifetime.

Trip overview

Map of Essential Italy including Italy
Start
Venice, Italy
Finish
Rome, Italy
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Italy
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18- Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
ZMYR
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinationsTick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Great valueAffordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Meaningful experiencesConnect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience

Why you'll love this trip
  • Hike or train between the colourful towns of Cinque Terre – walk one of the trails with your leader, alongside gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea, then explore at your own pace, maybe hanging out at one of the many scenic beaches or hiking through the hills.
  • Sip an aperitivo at sunset in Piazzale Michelangelo, overlooking Florence as night falls – after a full free day to explore the art and culture (and wine) of this amazing city, this might just be your new favourite place!
  • Recite Shakespeare as you gaze up at Juliet’s balcony in Verona, then take a half day trip to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower – this trip will tick all the iconic sights off your list.
  • Eat your way through Italy, stopping in at some of the country’s finest food destinations. Whether it’s a real spaghetti carbonara in Rome, a traditional pesto-making demonstration in Cinque Terre or wine windows in Florence, your tastebuds are front and center.
  • Soak up Italian history in some of Italy’s most storied cities. Explore ancient Roman architecture of the Colosseum or wander through 16th century strongholds – on this trip, there’s a little something for the history buff in all of us.

Is this trip right for you?
  • As accommodation on this trip is twin and multi-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender, an excellent opportunity to get to know other like-minded people. Travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms when multi-share is used due to the single gender dormitories.
  • Summer temperatures reach over 40°C in Italy during summer. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning and consider the time of the year you wish to travel.
  • The primary means of transportation on this trip is 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 busy. 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 specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential trip information’ section.
  • This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic Europe: Central and Italy.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Essential Italy including Italy

Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

Train

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multi-share) (4 nights), Guesthouse (multi-share) (2 nights)

Activities
  • Verona - Orientation walk & Juliet's Balcony
  • Peschiera del Garda – Orientation walk
  • Parma – Orientation Walk
  • Cinque Terre – Leader-led Hike
  • Cinque Terre – Day Pass
  • Pisa - Half Day Trip
  • Florence – Orientation Walk
  • Florence - Sunset Aperitivo in Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Rome - Orientation Walk
Optional activities
  • Venice - Glass Museum Murano - EUR11
  • Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art - EUR11
  • Ca’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti - EUR15
  • Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
  • Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco - EUR14
  • Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
  • Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
  • Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
  • Peschiera del Garda – Gardaland Park - EUR50
  • Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise - EUR41
  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration - EUR25
  • Cinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail - EUR10
  • Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR67
  • Florence - Aperitivo Time! Urban Adventure - EUR77
  • Florence - Pitti Palace (Boboli Gardens, Museo Argenti, Costume Gallery, Porcellain Museum) - EUR12
  • Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR13
  • Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR15
  • Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR24
  • Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
  • Florence - Palazzo Vecchio - EUR12
  • Florence - Accademia - EUR16
  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR22
  • Rome - Pantheon - EUR5
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
  • Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR16
  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR13
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is not available on this trip.

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Abbey · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 07 Oct 2024

Liam · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 07 Oct 2024

Troy · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 06 Oct 2024

Samantha · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 23 Sep 2024

Gina · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 21 Sep 2024
Essential Italy
From
EUR €1,715