Italian Escape
History, food & culture
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Group Size: Avg 35
Trip code: CCIT
Duration: 6, 10 or 15 days
With wall-to-wall iconic sites, spectacular scenery and some of the best food of your life, Italy is a dream destination. Make a serious dent in that bucket list with historic heavy hitters like Rome’s Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice’s Grand Canal and the Vatican. Soak up Italy’s natural wonders, from the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast to Cinque Terre and the sparkling waters of Lake Como and pack your eating trousers – with risotto making classes, gelato, cicchetti, seafood feasts and a pizza tour on the menu, you’ll need them! All on trip transport and accommodation are included and you can choose from 6, 10 or 15 days of fun – perfetto!
Trip highlights
- Walk in the footsteps of gladiators in Rome’s colosseum
- Take a guided tour of Renaissance masterpieces in Vatican City
- Explore beautiful Cinque Terre by foot or rail with an unlimited train and hike ticket
- Take a cruise across spectacular Lake Como and along the rugged Amalfi Coast
- Ride a traditional motoscafo down Venice’s spectacular canals
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Download more trip information and detailed itinerary
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- 5, 9 or 14 nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast every day
- 2 or 4 dinners (depending on trip length)
- Trip manager, driver & local guide
- All on-trip transport (coach)
- Walking tour of Rome (all options)
- Walking tour of Florence (options 1 & 3)
- Tower of Pisa visit (options 1 & 3)
- Lucca visit (options 1 & 3)
- Cinque Terre National Park hike & train (options 1 & 3)
- Juliet’s balcony, Verona (options 1 & 3)
- Traditional boat ride, Venice (options 1 & 3)
- Guided tour of Vatican City (options 1 & 3)
- Mount Vesuvius (options 2 & 3)
- Positano visit (options 2 & 3)
- Isle of Capri visit (options 2 & 3)
- Amalfi Coast scenic boat ride (options 2 & 3)
- 24 hour emergency assistance
- Airport transfers
- Visas
- Insurance
- Some meals, snacks and drinks
- Optional activities
- Flights
This trip is designed to be modular. Take the whole 15 day trip, or if your time or budget are tight, you can opt for the shorter 6 or 10 day options. Just select your preferred option and dates when booking.
- Option 1: 10 days - Rome – Siena – Florence – Pisa – Lucca – Cinque Terre – Lake Como – Milan – Verona – Venice – Bologna – Rome
- Option 2: 6 days - Rome – Vatican City - Naples – Amalfi - Rome
- Option 3: 15 days - Rome – Siena – Florence – Pisa – Lucca – Cinque Terre – Lake Como – Milan – Verona – Venice – Bologna – Rome – Vatican City – Naples – Amalfi – Rome
You’ll find the complete 15 day itinerary below. The 10 day option is from days 1 to 10 and the 6 day option is from days 10 to 15. Download the trip notes for even more information.
Day 1: Rome. Ciao bella! Kick off your Italian Adventure in romantic Rome. Take a tour of the city’s ‘must-see’ spots, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum & the Roman Forum. Then enjoy an Italian feast, washed down with a glass or two of Chianti (when in Rome!)
Day 2: Florence (via Siena). Next up it’s fabulous Florence, via another Renaissance heavyweight – Siena! Take a stroll round the historic streets and grab a bite of something to eat before continuing to Florence. Where we’ll enjoy a delicious feast - Florence knows how to eat!
Day 3: Florence. Discover the wonders of Florence on a guided walking tour. We’re talking Giotto's Bell Tower, Basilica Santa Croce, the Duomo and more. This evening, learn to make risotto from the experts with an optional masterclass and family style dinner looking out over the Tuscan hills.
Day 4: Cinque Terre via Pisa & Lucca. Today is wall to wall culture, with a stop in Pisa for some classic Insta shots of the famous tower, followed by Renaissance marvels and historic cafés in Lucca. Last stop today - the Italian Riviera!
Day 5: Cinque Terre. Explore these five fishing villages however suits you with an unlimited hike and train ticket. They’re set in some of the most incredible scenery on the planet so get ready to have your mind blown! This evening, join an optional pesto making class – yum!
Day 6: Milan via Lake Como. Our first stop today is glamorous Lake Como. See the area from the water with a cruise to beautiful Bellagio, before continuing on to elegant Milan. Spend your evening exploring hidden bars and sampling local delicacies – bellissima!
Day 7: Venice via Verona. Fair Verona is next on our dazzling tour. Check out Juliet’s balcony, and the 1st Century Roman arena, before continuing to the one and only Venice. Marvel at the epic architecture and join a foodie walking tour, where you’ll sample delicious cicchetti (Venetian tapas).
Day 8: Venice. Venice is your oyster today. Take a tour on our traditional motoscafo, hit the highlights from the Doge’s Palace to the Rialto Bridge, glide through the backwaters on a gondola, join a mask painting workshop, or visit the island of Burano for a seafood feast.
Day 9: Rome via Bologna. All roads lead back to Rome, and we’re heading back to the capital today, via lunch in beautiful Bologna. Continue your culinary journey with a foodie evening with the locals in one of Rome’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Day 10: Rome. Kick off your day with a guided tour of the Vatican (get ready to peel your jaw off the floor – it’s pretty epic). Then spend the afternoon living la dolce vita with drinks or gelato in the city’s pretty piazzas. After the sun goes down, we’ll enjoy a delicious, shared dinner.
Day 11: Naples. Today’s destination is home to Italy’s finest pasta and pizza (which is really saying something), so come hungry! It’s not all eating though - explore Mt Vesuvius, take a trip to Pompeii, or get stuck into a pizza tour (it’ll be the best Napoletana of your life).
Day 12: Amalfi Coast. Ready for some serious views? Think sheer cliffs plunging down to a turquoise sea, with sun-bleached homes perching impossibly on the rugged coastline. Pay a visit to Positano and Capri for epic vistas, elegant villas, and a cruise to Capri’s iconic blue grotto.
Day 13: Amalfi. Take a scenic cruise along the coast before exploring pretty Amalfi. Visit a lemon farm to learn all about how the fruits are turned into limoncello and take part in a traditional Italian feast on an organic farm this evening, washed down with the delicious liqueur!
Day 14: Rome. Back in Rome today, you’ll walk in the footsteps of gladiators on our optional Emperors & Gladiators tour. Explore the unforgettable Colosseum, before enjoying a final night in the city with your travel buddies.
Day 15: Trip end. Your unforgettable Italian adventure ends after breakfast today. Say your farewells and head to the airport when you’re ready – Italy, you’ve been incredible.
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.All trip options kick off in Rome, so you’ll need to arrange flights to arrive in Fiumicino International Airport, also known as Leonardo da Vinci (FCDO) for the first day of your trip. There are no activities planned apart from a welcome meeting and orientation tour of the city at 4pm, so just make sure your flight gets in before then. You’ll need to make your own way to your starting accommodation from the airport. Taxis take around 40 minutes to the city centre and can be easily picked up from the airport. Bus is more affordable and takes around 50 minutes and there are two different train lines that run to the city.
The trip ends back in Rome for all trip options as well. Leave at a time that suits you. Return airport transfers aren’t included either but are easy to arrange. Ask your tour guide for more information.
Accommodation
This trip includes 5, 9 or 14 nights of accommodation, depending on which trip option you choose. All nights will be in triple share rooms in comfy, centrally located hotels. If you are a couple who wish to upgrade to a twin room for this tour please contact us for prices and availability.
Meals
You’ll be provided breakfast every day of your trip. With options 1 and 2, two dinners are provided and with option 3 there are 4 dinners. You’ll have to buy your other meals, snacks and drinks yourself. With a cuisine as varied and delicious as Italy’s, checking out restaurants and markets is all part of the fun.
Minimum age to participate in this programme is 18. This trip is designed for 18-35 year olds.
UK citizens can travel to countries in the European Schengen area (including Italy) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your departure.
All visa, passport and entry requirements are subject to change so we recommend travellers check the most up to date information with the relevant embassies before travel.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.