Duration: 7 Days
Your dream of visiting the shining cities of Italy with budget travel in mind can easily come true. With seven days to see the sights from Rome to Venice—including Pisa, Verona, and Florence—your guided Italy tour is waiting. Majestic Rome, with its historical sites beyond compare, is your first discovery on this affordable Italy holiday. From St. Peter’s Square at the heart of the Vatican to the Colosseum, you’ll see why this “eternal city” is a must-see on every travel bucket list. From Rome, your escorted Italy tour takes you to Pisa and Florence through a gentle landscape of exquisite vineyards, olive groves, and the rolling hills of Tuscany. In Pisa, visit the Square of Miracles and see the famed leaning tower before heading to Florence— “Cradle of the Renaissance”. Take a guided walking tour of Florence to soak up the world-famous squares and palazzos of the ornate city, including the Duomo and the Baptistery’s bronze door (“Gate of Paradise”).
Off to Venice, stop in Verona—the setting for Shakespeare’s fabled tragedy of Romeo & Juliet. See the ancient Roman Arena, which today is the home of the summer Opera Festival. From Verona, continue to romantic Venice, the city of unparalleled beauty. Take a boat to St. Mark’s square and gaze upon the canals with their gondolas and bridges. You can visit an original glassblowing workshop, discover the "calli" (narrow alleyways of Venice) and admire the exquisite palaces at your leisure for the perfect end to your inspiring Italy tour.
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi, as well as a canal boat in Venice. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Special Departures
December 30 Departure – New Year’s Eve in Rome including festive dinner.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Steeped in history, the "Eternal City" is vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. * (B)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and charming villages form the backdrop as you journey into the heart of Tuscany. Stop in Pisa to enjoy a mini- train ride to the Square of Miracles and see the legendary Leaning Tower. Then, head east to magnificent Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes-with wine, of course! Today's Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km (B)
Today, discover the wonders of Florence, starting with a guided walking tour, featuring some of the city's greatest attractions. See Piazza Santa Croce; world-famous Signoria Square; 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; the unique Duomo with Giotto's Gothic Bell Tower and the Baptistry's ornate bronze door known as the "Gate of Paradise." (B)
Travel north and cross the Po River to Verona, setting for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Marvel at the ancient Roman Arena, built for gladiator fights but now still used as a popular venue for festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city centre. Continue to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark's square at night will remove all doubt! Today's Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B)
Venice is a place of unmatched beauty and a feast of fantastic sights. View the delightful crisscrossing canals, the gondolas, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation features a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop. You'll have time to explore at leisure on your own or join one of our wonderful optional excursions. Otherwise, just relax, sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called "spritz" at one of the many bars or cafes. (B,D)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
