Europe
Discover Italy Tour
9 Day Guided Tour
Get lost in the Italian Renaissance with a journey back in time, visiting Italy’s most iconic cities including Rome, Vatican City, Venice and Florence. Enjoy walking tours visiting the famous landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
More exciting visits includes a train trip to the charming towns of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where colourful houses are nestled along the cliffside on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. The tour ends in Venice with a delightful boat ride through the waterways to St. Mark’s Square. The tour includes some free time for guests to visit some museums of their own choice such as the Vatican Museum, known for its stunning ceiling paintings by Michealangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Rome
We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.
Important:
Check-in: Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
Additional Nights: If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.
Optional Activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. If these activities are available on the tour app, we strongly recommend booking them as early as possible to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute may result in missed opportunities due to limited tickets, bus seats, or other factors.
Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.
Day 2 - Rome Tour
In the morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walking tour of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to admire one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. During the tour, we’ll see several iconic landmarks, including the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo.
This tour will end around 11:00 a.m. at Vatican City, an independent state within the city of Rome and the center of the Catholic Church. For those who are especially interested, our guide will offer an optional visit after the panoramic tour to explore the most important halls of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in more detail. Free afternoon.
6:00 p.m.: To end the day, we’ll include a transfer to the popular Trastevere neighborhood, known for its charming restaurants and vibrant atmosphere.
8:30 p.m.: Return to the hotel (Approx.)
Day 3 - Rome Free Day
Free day to explore. A day to enjoy the moment, discover new landscapes, and let every corner reveal its own story and beauty in peace.
Day 4 - Florence
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Rome. We will head north, enjoying the beautiful landscapes along the way. (Departure time may vary slightly depending on the pickup hotels.)
12:15 p.m. – Arrival in Florence. We will go directly to the Michelangelo Viewpoint, from where we will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Afterward, we will walk to the historic city center where, after some free time for lunch, we will take an included guided tour with a local guide of this iconic city, the capital of Tuscany, considered the cradle of the Renaissance and the birthplace of some of the most influential artists and thinkers in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael. During the tour, we will see its impressive Gothic cathedral (the Duomo), the ancient stone bridge known as the Ponte Vecchio with its traditional goldsmith shops, and Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city, where the town hall is located in a medieval building.The approximate duration of the guided visit is two hours.
After the tour, you will have free time. We suggest strolling through the city’s artistic center, walking across the Ponte Vecchio with its charming galleries, or relaxing in one of its elegant squares.
Note: Due to traffic regulations established by the City Council of Florence, tourist buses are not allowed to enter the historic city centre. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Day 5 - Pisa & Cinque Terre
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Florence.
09:15 a.m. – Pisa. We’ll be required to drop you off at the tourist bus parking area. From there, we’ll include a ride on the tourist train to access the monumental site. You’ll have time to explore the impressive complex of Pisa, featuring the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, and Cathedral.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from Pisa. We’ll continue traveling along the Mediterranean coast. Along the way, we’ll pass the Carrara Marble Mountains, which appear as if they are covered in snow.
12:45 p.m. – Levanto. We’ll arrive by train (tickets included) to one of its charming towns (normally Vernazza, but on peak tourism dates, it could be Manarola or Corniglia, very similar towns that are somewhat less crowded).
The train is scheduled to depart at 01:05 p.m. (subject to change), taking us through long tunnels next to the sea into the Cinque Terre region. Buses can’t access this area because of its steep, mountainous terrain. The area, which remained isolated and preserved its traditions, now thrives on sustainable tourism—thanks to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its international fame—complemented by high-quality agriculture and traditional fishing.
01:30 p.m. – Vernazza – Arrival by train. We’ll arrive in one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre region, which retains its coastal character. Highlights include the Santa Margherita Church, built in 1318 on the seashore. Time for lunch.
03:44 p.m. – Departure from Vernazza (time subject to change). We’ll return by train to Levanto, where our bus will continue along the coast towards Genoa.
Note: The train to Cinque Terre is a regular commuter service, not a tourist train. During peak tourism times, there can be long waits as trains may be full, and seat reservations are not available. In some cases, the journey might be done standing.
05:45 p.m. – Genoa – Arrival in the city of elegant Renaissance palaces and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Free time in its historic center—one of the largest in Europe—a labyrinth of narrow streets filled with palaces, churches, and charming little trattorias.
Day 6 - Portofino & Milan
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Genoa. We’ll travel along the stunning Italian Riviera.
09:00 a.m. – Santa Margherita Ligure.
10:15 a.m. – We’ll take a boat for a 20-minute crossing to Portofino, one of the most exclusive destinations in Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore this charming town.
12:00 p.m. – We’ll return to Santa Margherita, a delightful coastal town. There will be time for a leisurely walk and lunch.
Note: From May 30th to November 2nd, tourist buses are not allowed into Santa Margherita Ligure. During this period, the stop will be in Rapallo, another stunning coastal destination in the Liguria region, where we will board the boat to Portofino.
Additional note: Due to adverse weather conditions or during winter, the boat trip to Portofino (whether from Santa Margherita or Rapallo) may be canceled. In such cases, you will have extra free time in the town, and if you wish, you can reach Portofino by local shuttle buses. Please note that this service may have limitations in frequency and comfort, including long waiting times.
02:00 p.m. – Departure from Santa Margherita.
04:30 p.m. – Milan. Arrival in this elegant city, a symbol of modernity and culture in northern Italy. You´ll have time to stroll through the city center, where you´ll find Milan’s famous Gothic cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, along with the statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy in 1861. We also recommend walking through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II—an iconic shopping arcade with impressive glass vaults—and continuing to the city’s renowned opera house, La Scala.
7:30 p.m. – Transfer to the hotel.
Note: By boat, we’ll reach the enclave of Portofino. It’s advisable to wear warm clothing to enjoy the trip on deck.
Day 7 - Lake Region
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Milan. We’ll take the motorway to the great lakes. First, we’ll travel to Lake Orta; its isolated position and smaller size give it a special charm.
09:00 a.m. – Orta San Giulio – A beautiful, intact medieval town by the lake. In the center of the lake, we’ll immediately see the Island of San Giulio with its monastery. We’ll take a small tourist train to the town and then sail across the lake on hired boats to the island. We’ll have time to explore the town and the island.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from Orta San Giulio. We’ll travel to Lake Maggiore.
11:45 a.m. – Stresa – Arrival in this tourist town by Lake Maggiore. You’ll have time to stroll and enjoy lunch. If you wish, there’s also an opportunity to take a boat trip to the Borromean Islands located just off the town’s shore.
03:45 p.m. – Departure from Stresa. We’ll leave the mountains and travel through the industrious areas of the Po Valley.
07:30 p.m. – Verona.
Note: Bring some warm clothes; you may need them for the boat trips. On days with bad weather, our stop in Stresa might be shorter.
Day 8 - Verona & Venice
Verona – You’ll have some time to explore the enchanting city of Romeo and Juliet.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Verona.
Note: Depending on the time of year, sunlight, and traffic conditions, we might visit Verona upon arrival from the lakes. In these cases, we’ll leave for Venice earlier.
01:00 p.m. – Venice. We’ll arrive at the port of Tronchetto and take a short boat ride to Venice. To get to know this magical city, we’ll include a visit to St. Mark’s Square with a local guide. You will also see the famous Murano glasswork. Afterwards, enjoy some free time—perhaps a gondola ride?
07:30 p.m. – Evening transfer to the hotel, normally in Mestre or Marghera.
Day 9 - Depart Venice
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
Tour Rates
Low Season
from R
22,310
per person sharing
-
Departs every Friday
Mid Season
from R
23,937
per person sharing
-
Departs every Friday
High Season
from R
25,699
per person sharing
-
Departs every Friday
Low Season
from R
33,570
per person single
-
Departs every Friday
Mid Season
from R
35,198
per person single
-
Departs every Friday
High Season
from R
36,959
per person single
-
Departs every Friday
Prices exclude flights from South Africa (can be added on request)
*This tour is also available as a private itinerary. Contact us for private tour rates
Travellers that are traveling alone but do not want to book a single room can request a shared room to share with another same-sex traveller on tour.
Italy Guided Tour
Included
Excluded
Hotels
Depature Dates
Included
- Transport by tour bus
- English speaking guide
- 4 Star Hotels
- Breakfast buffet daily.
- Arrival airport transfer
- City tour in: Rome, Florence & Venice
- Boat trip to Island of St. Giulio and St. Marks in Venice
- Evening transfer to Trastevere in Rome
- Transfer to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
- Ticket admission: Murano glasswork in Venice
- Train to the monumental field of Miracles in Pisa, Cinque Terre region and Orta
- Ferry to Sta Margarita de Ligure/ Portofino
Excluded
- Departure Airport Transfer to Venice Airport (available at R 1,700 per vehicle)
- International flights from South Africa (can be included on request)
- Meals and Drinks not mentioned
- Travel Insurance (ask your travel consultant for assistance)
- Schengen Visas.
- Activities and tours not mentioned
- Items of personal nature
Packages prices listed on this website are subject to increases by the tour operator and any unforeseen circumstances and can change without prior notice.
Hotels
The below hotels are the preferred accommodations for this tour but can change due to availability.
- 4 Star Ergife, Rome
- 4 Star Aran Park, Rome
- 4 Star Grand Fleming, Rome
- 4 Star Nil Hotel, Florence
- 4 Star Raffello, Florence
- 4 Star Novotel Firenze, Florence Nord
- 4 Star Grand Mediterraneo, Florence
- 4 Star AC Marriott Genova, Genova
- 4 Star Tower Genova Airport, Genova
- 4 Star Amedia Milan, Milan
- 4 Star Barcelo Milan, Milan
- 4 Star Maxim, Verona
- 4 Star Airport Hotel Verona, Verona
- 4 Star SHG Hotel Catullo, Verona
- 4 Star Lugano Torretta, Venice Mestre
Depature Dates
Mar 2026
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Legend
Available - Low Season
Available - Mid Season
Available - High Season
On Request