Highlights of Italy

8 Days | Taste the icons of Italia, from canals to clifftop villages

4.8 out of 5 based on 98 reviews submitted.
Explorer
Rail
From
EUR €1,600
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How long does it take to fall in love? In a country where history spills from the world-class museums and on to the streets, where tiny osterias serve up life-changing pasta and sumptuous architecture sits on canals and perches on cliffs, we think eight days can easily do the trick. Begin your Italy adventure among the canals of Venice, hike through the charming Cinque Terre, soak up beauty and history in Florence and wind up in the piazzas of Rome. With plenty of free time for independent exploration and the freedom to discover Italy's history and culture at your own pace, there's no better way to see this wonderful pocket of Europe.

Trip overview

Map of Highlights Of Italy including Italy
Start
Venice, Italy
Finish
Rome, Italy
Theme
Explorer, Rail
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 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
ZMRR
This trip generates 17 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Explore rocky coastal pathways and pastel-coloured villages with a Cinque Terre day pass, which allows you to hike at your leisure and use the coast's public transport.
  • Get lost in the floating city of Venice and wander the city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands, and choose whether to enjoy an optional gondola ride.
  • Discover the landmarks of Rome with your leader and wander around the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
  • Spend two days in Florence, a city known for its beauty and rustic Tuscan cuisine, and choose to discover the cities culinary traditions on optional food excursions.
  • Make travel a breeze with a European trip including train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.
  • 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.

Itinerary

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

Map of Highlights Of Italy including Italy

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts

Transport

Train

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Hostel (2 nights)

Activities
  • Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Venice – San Marco Square
  • Venice - Cicchetti Snack Stop
  • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
  • Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rome – Trevi Fountain
Add on activities
  • Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
  • Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
  • Ca’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti - EUR15
  • Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art - EUR11
  • Venice - Glass Museum Murano - EUR11
  • Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
  • Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco - EUR14
  • Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration - EUR25
  • Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise - EUR41
  • Cinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail - EUR10
  • Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR79
  • Siena - Day Trip to Siena by Public Bus - EUR24
  • Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
  • Florence - Palazzo Vecchio - EUR12
  • Florence - Accademia - EUR17
  • Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR24
  • Florence - Pitti Palace (Boboli Gardens, Museo Argenti, Costume Gallery, Porcellain Museum) - EUR15
  • Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR14
  • Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR17
  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR14
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR22
  • Rome - Pantheon - EUR5
  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
  • Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR16

Dates and availability

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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

4.8 out of 5 based on 98 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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Vivian · Traveled September 2024
My daughter and I very much enjoyed Highlights of Italy. This is our third Intrepid trip, and it did not disappoint. The itinerary allowed enough time in each city/area for optional activities, and included activities that we were not expecting. Prior to starting the trip, Intrepid staff on the "online chat" helped me book additional nights in hotel at start and end, as well as transport from airport. When the transport for airport didn't show, Intrepid made it right by refunded what I had paid in advance. Our group leader was fantastic. Serena's friendliness, personality, knowledge, and problem solving skills allowed for a smooth trip despite some challenges with transportation. I would so enjoy another Intrepid adventure with Serena as a leader!
Review submitted 18 Sep 2024

Amy · Traveled September 2024
Best trip ever. Serena made it so I have memories for life.
Review submitted 11 Sep 2024

Haydn · Traveled August 2024
What a great tour. Did not feel like 7 days, it felt longer due to how much we got to fit in! Would highly recommend for anyone wanting the highlights of this lovely country.
Review submitted 01 Sep 2024

Linnette · Traveled August 2024
Our trip highlights of Italy was amazing ! Made even better by the wonderful, easy going , knowledgeable and well organised Luca !!! Would definitely rate him as your guide of Choice .
Review submitted 08 Sep 2024

Daisy · Traveled August 2024
Loved the trip!! Luca was an awesome tour guide!! The company needs to be more clear on the fitness level as my friend it very difficult on long walks.
Review submitted 08 Sep 2024
Highlights of Italy
From
EUR €1,600