Highlights of Italy: Venice to Rome

You’ll arrive in Venice and be welcomed by your friendly tour manager to the charming ‘Floating City’. A private coach will then transfer you to your hotel in Mestre, a mainland town located just across the Venetian Lagoon.   

After checking in and getting settled, dinner will be served at the hotel’s restaurant with your fellow travellers.  

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll depart by train for a short journey to the railway station in central Venice. Your local guide will meet you here and you’ll set off on a three-hour walking tour around this unique city’s intricate network of streets and canals. During this excursion, you’ll take in notable landmarks like the Basilica di San Marco (St Mark’s Basilica), a Byzantine-style architectural masterpiece, with intricate mosaic, stonework arches and gilded domes.  

Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is overlooked by the cathedral church and has served as a gathering place for generations of Venetians. Surrounded by significant buildings, including Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), and the clock tower, Torre dell'Orologio, this public piazza was described as ‘the world’s most beautiful drawing room’ by Napoleon.  

Your guide will then lead you across Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), an enclosed white limestone structure that connects a historic prison to the interrogation rooms in Palazzo Ducale. Now a symbol of the city’s past, this bridge allegedly got its nickname from the sighs of prisoners who would catch a final glimpse of Venice through the small, barred windows.  

The final stop of the tour will be the ornate bridge of Ponte di Rialto, which dates back to the 11th century and is the oldest of the four bridges that crosses the Grand Canal in the city. Boasting an elegant stone arched design, this crossing has served as a marketplace for centuries and offers beautiful views over the canal and the nearby Venetian buildings.  

You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace, perhaps seeking out one of the local osterias to have a lunch of Venetian cicchetti (small plates). You may then want to take to the waters on a traditional gondola, the most romantic way to see the city and its canals from a different perspective.  

In the evening, you’ll return with the group by train back to the hotel to unwind and have dinner at your leisure.  

Enjoy breakfast, check out of the hotel and then travel to the city of Padova, also known as Padua. To make the most of your visit, you’ll embark on a guided tour covering the city’s highlights. You’ll start with the famed Basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova (Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua), a magnificent church and pilgrimage site with elaborate Byzantine-style domes and home to the tomb of Saint Anthony. As Anthony is the patron saint of lost objects and curing illness, you’ll notice people leaving notes with requests and thanks on his tomb.  

A stroll will then be taken through Prato della Valle, one of Europe's largest squares. Elliptical in shape, this pleasant square is known for encompassing 78 statues of historical figures, as well as a central green island ringed by a canal. Nearby, you’ll find Scrovegni Chapel, a marvel of Italian Gothic design and a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with extraordinary frescos by the artist Giotto. These murals depict detailed biblical scenes of the Virgin Mary and Christ, and are regarded as one of the most important works of Western art.  

Later in the day, you’ll continue towards Bologna, where you’ll check into your next hotel and have dinner with your fellow travellers at the restaurant.  

Fuel up for a day of discovery as you head out on a half-day tour and introduction to the city. The starting point will be Piazza Maggiore, a 12th-century central square and cultural and political centre, hosting events and markets. From here, you’ll enter the Basilica of San Petronio, an imposing church set on the square, one of the largest basilicas in the world and dedicated to Bologna's patron saint, Saint Petronius. Inside, you’ll be able to view an astronomical sundial created by the astronomer Cassini, which is the longest in the world.  

You’ll then be led through Piazza Delle Mercanzie, a pretty square lined with artisanal shops. Next, you’ll see the Two Towers (2 Torri). These medieval turrets, Asinelli and Garisenda, lean at remarkable angles and were built during the Middle Ages, providing a military function and representing the social prestige of the family that had them built. The final destination of this morning’s tour is Basilica di Santo Stefano, a distinctive religious complex of interconnected churches and chapels. Originally featuring seven churches, the site now houses four which have remained intact.  

When afternoon comes around, you can opt to survey more of the sights on your own or join an optional visit to FICO Italy, an Italian food theme park. Here, you can take advantage of Italy’s culinary heritage, experiencing everything from farm-to-table dining to interactive food exhibits. Learn how to make your own pasta and pizza, discover the secrets of gelato, or sample wines from local vineyards.  

In the evening, you’ll head back to the hotel to unwind and have dinner.  

Have breakfast before embracing a day of self-exploration, perhaps discovering some local markets or sipping an espresso at a sidewalk café. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to Ravenna. Renowned for its well-preserved Byzantine and early Christian mosaics, which embellish its churches and monuments, this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

You’ll start with a visit to the Basilica di San Vitale and the mosaic-covered Church of San Vitale, where you can see the tomb of the greatest Italian poet, Dante Alighieri. Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, the burial place of the Roman emperor Honorius and the oldest building in the city, is next followed by a stroll across the Piazza del Popolo. The final stop is the Archiepiscopal Museum, which houses a collection of artefacts, such as early Christian and Byzantine sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and manuscripts.  

Later in the day, you’ll return to the hotel and have a free evening.  

After breakfast, you’ll leave Bologna and travel to San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries located within the Italian peninsula. With no border controls, you can easily explore its medieval capital of the same name, which is set on the rocky slopes of Monte Titano and ringed by walls. Dating back to 301 AD, this country started off as a small monastic community and is now one of the world’s oldest republics. Some time spent on a guided half-day tour in its historic old town of cobblestone streets will reveal the Three Towers, a trio of castle-like citadels, a basilica, and views over the surrounding countryside.  

Back on the coach, you’ll continue to another historical hilltop city, Perugia, situated in the Umbria region. After checking into the hotel, you can rest before joining the other travellers for dinner.  

Following breakfast, you’ll head out to discover Perugia, one of Italy’s oldest cities, with a rich cultural heritage, well-preserved walls, and impressive medieval and Renaissance architecture. The tour will start with Fortezza Rocca Paolina, the remains of a grand medieval fortress and continue to the central square of Piazza IV Novembre. In the centre of the square, you can observe the Fontana Maggiore, a medieval fountain as well as the art galleries, cathedrals and ancient municipal buildings that border it. You’ll then call at Palazzo Dei Priori, a Gothic 13th-century structure, off the main street of Corso Vannucci. Formally the headquarters of the local magistracy, today it houses the main art gallery of Perugia and a collection of historic rooms.  

The final highlight of the day, especially for chocolate enthusiasts, will be Casa del Cioccolato Perugina, a chocolate factory and museum. Founded in 1907, this factory and its historic presence resulted in Perugia being known as the ‘City of Chocolate’. Some of the confectionary produced here includes the iconic Baci Perugina, chocolate-covered hazelnuts with romantic messages inside each wrapper. You’ll spend some time learning about the city’s chocolate-centric history in the museum, witnessing the production process, and partaking in a tasting. 

You’ll return to the hotel in the evening for another included dinner. 

Check out after having breakfast and board the coach for a short journey to Assisi, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill. A guide will show you around the birthplace of Saint Francis, one of the most beloved and influential saints in the history of Christianity.  

The Basilica di San Francesco, one of the most important religious sites in Italy will prove most memorable. Consisting of two churches, the Upper Basilica and the Lower Basilica, this elaborate complex is embellished with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Saint Francis and other biblical stories. You’ll also take in the medieval architecture and piazzas of the old town as you wander, as well as the Basilica of Saint Clare and the imposing fortress, Rocca Maggiore.  

There’ll then be some free time to have lunch on your own account, perhaps sampling traditional Umbrian cuisine like truffle dishes and cured meats, paired with wine from the neighbouring vineyards.  

As the day progresses, you’ll travel on to Rome, the Eternal City, check into your hotel and enjoy an evening at your leisure.  

Following breakfast, your exploration of Rome will unfold as you cover its ancient treasures. In the centre of the city, you’ll first view the Fori Imperiali, also known as the Imperial Forums, several monumental public squares, and forums. Built by successive Roman emperors, they originally served as the centre of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. Construction began during the reign of Julius Caesar and each forum had a different purpose and theme.  

The Colosseo, commonly known as the Colosseum, is sure to be a wish-list sight, as it’s one of the most recognisable ancient Roman monuments. Dating back to the 1st century AD, this engineering marvel is one of the most well-preserved amphitheatres in the world, which was used for various forms of public spectacles and could hold up to 80,000 spectators. Nearby, the Arch of Constantine, dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great, can be found. Its large three arches are decorated with statues and descriptions commemorating his achievements.  

In the afternoon, the tour will take on Baroque Rome, starting with the Pantheon, characterised by its innovative dome, and serving numerous purposes throughout the centuries, like a Christian church and a dedication to the gods of ancient Rome. 

A stop at the 18th-century Trevi Fountain, one of the most beloved fountains in the world, allows you to partake in a coin-throwing tradition (throw it over your left shoulder with your right hand to ensure a return trip to Rome!). Depicting Oceanus, the God of water and built from Travertine stone, the ‘Fountain of Love’ as it’s designated, symbolises the power of water in Roman culture. Lastly, you’ll meander over to the elegant Piazza di Spagna, home to the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Boat), and Spanish Steps, 135 steps that climb to Trinità dei Monti Church.  

This day of exploring will conclude back at the hotel, where you’ll have another free evening.  

It’s your last day, and you can do as little or as much sightseeing as you like on your own schedule, perhaps ambling around with a gelato and picking up some souvenirs. If you’d like further guidance, an optional tour will take you to the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel.  

An independent city-state in Rome and the smallest in the world, the Vatican City is a spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. Inside this city, you’ll find St. Peter's Basilica, one of the world’s largest and most famous churches, a complex of museums and galleries, manicured gardens and the Apostolic Palace. The Sistine Chapel makes up part of the Apostolic Palace, and is a definite must-see, with its frescoed ceiling painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. Depicting world-famous scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the famous ‘Creation of Adam’, the frescos are not allowed to be photographed due to potential damage from camera flashes.  

A free evening waits for you to take in the sights by night one more time and find a fitting farewell dinner spot.  

Savour your last breakfast on Italian soil before transferring to the airport and flying back to the UK.