Bella Italia 2025

Date: By Categories: Escorted Tours 2025 Uncategorized No comments

13 Day Tour – Rome, Vatican City, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Florence, Venice, Burano Island, Gubbio, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri Island (opt), Pompeii, Roman Castles

Tour Start in Rome (FCO) – End in Rome (FCO)

Check DEPARTURES and PRICES:

US Dollar (USD) / Canadian (CAD) / Australian (AUD) / New Zealand (NZD)

25 Meals to include – 12 buffet breakfasts, 3 lunches, 10 dinners

Designed for customers who come to Italy for the first time. Bella Italia is a 13-day-tour perfectly paced with a three-night stay in Rome, three-night-stay in Tuscany, one-night-stay in Venice, one-night on the hilltop of Gubbio, three-night-stay in the Amalfi Coast, and one-night stay in the Roman Castles hills. Travelers will have the opportunity to experience the must-see sights while still having free time to enjoy these amazing cities. During this marvelous vacation through Italy, you will not only visit the most important cities of, ROME, VENICE, FLORENCE, and SORRENTO, but you will also enjoy many picturesque towns of scenic beauty such as BURANO island, SIENA, VOLTERRA, SAN GIMIGNANO, GUBBIO, AMALFI COAST, CAPRI ISLAND (opt) and POMPEII. Most of these cities are also part of the cultural and natural heritage (whc.unesco.org). Italy is an amazing country filled with beautiful art, magnificent architecture, an extensive history, delectable cuisines, fine wines, and friendly people. Known for its relaxed lifestyle, you will explore Italy in the same fashion.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Welcome to Italy!

Arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) and meet your tour guide and tour driver then head to your hotel via minibus transfer at 9:30 am, 12:00 pm, or 2:30 pm. In the afternoon, a comfortable sightseeing bus tour of Rome followed by a short walk to see the Trevi Fountain ending with a delicious Italian welcome dinner.

Hotel: Belstay Roma or similar (3 nights)

Day 2 – Rome

Today, visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Roman Catacombs with our local guide. In the afternoon,free time to stroll around Rome on your own, shopping, or enjoy a quaint café amongst the locals. Later, meet up for dinner in one of our selected local restaurants.

Day 3 – Rome – Vatican City

Discover the independent Vatican State with a local guide, visiting the Museums, Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s famous ceiling paintings including the “Last Judgement”, then the monumental St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. In the afternoon experience the grandeur of the “Eternal City” with our local guide while walking through Rome’s city center to see the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. The day will conclude with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 – Winery – Siena – Tuscany

Drive North to reach a typical Tuscan winery to taste the local wine and food specialties. Next, on to Siena to see the city center, admire the Gothic Cathedral, Town Hall, Piazza Del Campo (site of the spectacular Medieval style horse race), or enjoy a coffee and shopping. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Hotel: Fattoria degli Usignoli, Star Hotel Vespucci or similar (3 nights)

Day 5 – Florence

Follow the local guide for the highlights of Florence. See the famous “Ponte Vecchio”, the marble Cathedral and Baptistery (where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise were recreated), Signoria Square, the church of Santa Croce (where the tombs of Galileo & Michelangelo are kept). Then visit the Academy Museum to admire Michelangelo’s Statue of David followed with free time for activities like shopping and learning the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork. Stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for a scenic picture overlooking Florence before ending the day with an authentic local restaurant.

Day 6 – San Gimignano – Volterra – Tuscan countryside

After a comfortable breakfast, relax and ride through unforgettable landscapes composed of gently rolling vine-clad hills before taking a walk in San Gimignano and Volterra (two of the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns). Enjoy lunch at an Osteria or dinner at an Agriturismo (farm to table) with Tuscan specialties.

Day 7 – Venice – Burano Island – Glass factory

This morning, leave the region of Tuscany for a beautiful drive through the wooded Apennine Mountains to reach Venice. Enter a glittering maze of islands, canals, and bridges with a lagoon cruise to the colorful Island of Burano where traditional fishing boats are still used by the island’s inhabitants. Enjoy lunch with some free time on the island before returning to Venice for a walking tour to see the famous St. Marks’ Square, Byzantine Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and the local Glass Factory.

Hotel: Belstay Mestre, Voco or similar (1 night)

Day 8 – Venice – Gubbio

This morning, enjoy Venice at your own pace with time for shopping or a gondola ride. In the afternoon, say “ciao” to Venice and enjoy a scenic drive through the wild Apennine Mountains towards the stone-built hill town of Gubbio. Tonight, dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.

Hotel: Hub Hotel, Relais Ducale or similar (1 night)

Day 9 – Gubbio – Amalfi Coast

Visit the lovely town of Gubbio by land train with our tour guide followed by some free time. Driving south, enjoy the Highway of the Sun passing by the hilltop monastery of Cassino before arriving to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Tonight, enjoy an authentic taste of local Amalfitano cuisine.

Hotel: Due Torri, La Lucertola or similar (3 nights)

Day 10 – Amalfi Coast – Sorrento

Enjoy the morning at your own pace in Sorrento. Lunch in a local restaurant with a breathtaking panoramic view. After lunch, take in views of the colorful towns built on steep inclines along the Amalfi Coast, including the distinctive Moorish homes of Positano (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Day 11 – Relax or enjoy Capri Island

Take the day at your own pace. Relax in the hotel, enjoy the beaches, go shopping, do some trekking, or visit Capri Island with your tour guide (ferry to/from Capri and the blue grotto not included). Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner all together.

Day 12 – Pompeii – Castelli Romani

Visit the site of Pompeii which was buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. See the ruins of this well-preserved Roman city, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, as well as the Forum, with our local tour guide. Late afternoon drive north towards the hilltops of the “Castelli Romani” for dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation.

Hotel: Castel Vecchio, Benito al Bosco or similar (1 night)

Day 13 – Leaving for home

Arrivederci Bella Italia! The departure transfer will arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) at 7:00 am and 9:00 am.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

Transportation:

Private airport transfer on arrival & departure in Rome (See the Itinerary)
Luxury air-conditioned private coach
Lagoon cruise to/from Burano Island

Accommodations:

First Class Hotels
Includes all taxes (tax, city night tax)
Baggage handling included (ask your driver)
All standard gratuities for hotel personnel

25 Meals:

12 breakfast buffets.
1 wine and olive oil tasting with fine local Tuscan cuisine
2 lunches – two main courses, dessert, mineral water and local fine wine (1/4)
10 dinners – two main courses, dessert, mineral water and local fine wine (1/4)
All standard gratuities for restaurant personnel

Tour Guide & Tour Driver:

Your tour will be conducted by our tour guide and/or tour driver. They will keep the worry out of foreign travel as they manage the intricate details of your tour, keeping you entertained with anecdotes & stories to make sure your vacation is educational, entertaining, fun and safe!
Any gratuities are at your discretion for your tour guide & tour driver

Licensed Local Guides:

Local expert guides in Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Venice and Pompeii
Our local expert guides are city natives. They offer a fascinating insight into local history, customs, and traditions while entertaining you with stories only a local would know!

Equipment:

Wireless headsets to hear our guides clearly and distinctly in public places, allowing you to roam & explore sites (within 60 feet) without missing any insight information (group of 9 or more)
Travel documents (PDF) included
One umbrella per person in case of rain

View, Visit, Walking tour, Museums, and Gallery: 

Rome:

Highlights of Rome Bus Tour
Visit the Basilica and Catacombs of Early Christian Rome (WLG)*
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica (WLG)
Visit the superb Vatican Museums & admire Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel (WLG)*
Visit the wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum (WLG)*
Roman Passeggiata: Walk with your guide through the city center. See the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Navona Square, Trevi Fountain, and the best-preserved Roman temple still standing today: the Pantheon (WLG)*

Siena:

Explore the city center and admire the elaborately carved Gothic Cathedral, Town Hall, and Piazza del Campo

Florence:

Guided visit to Florence’s Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s original “Statue of David” (WLG)*
Walking tour through Florence’s “Il Duomo” Cathedral, Bell tower, Gates of Paradise, Signoria Square and Santa Croce (WLG)*
View from Piazzale Michelangelo

San Gimignano – Volterra:

Visit the beautiful villages at leisure

Venice:

Lagoon cruise and lunch in Burano Island
See a demonstration of traditional glass-blowing
Walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs (WLG)*

Gubbio:

Visit the amazing city centerr Umbria’s most evocative medieval town by land train

Amalfi Coast – Sorrento:

View of the villages and its coast with some free time in Sorrento

Pompeii:

Visit the ruins of the best preserved Roman city, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum (WLG)*

Suggested attire:

Comfortable shoes are important for walking on the uneven surfaces
Attire for Italian Churches: NO shorts skirts, tank tops, or bare shoulders for men or women are permitted. Bermuda shorts are permitted

*(WLG) = With local guide and wireless headsets

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