Taste Of Italy (2025 Departures)
Taste Of Italy (2025 Departures)
Taste Of Italy (2025 Departures)
7 Days Starting and ending in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Orvieto, Venice, Lake Garda, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITT25
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Spend a week exploring some of Italy’s most beautiful cities, iconic landmarks and scenic sights! This 7-day Taste of Italy tour ticks off top bucket-list experiences. Uncover the ancient history of Rome, spot the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa and wander through the colourful villages of Cinque Terre. Marvel at the Tuscan countryside and the winding waterways of Venice. Taste delicious local wine and cuisine and immerse yourself in unique cultures. Expat Explore’s Italy travel packages will leave you with a lifetime of memories!
To combine this itinerary with a tour of southern Italy, have a look at our 16-day Italy Explorer tour!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
Today marks the start of your week-long Italian adventure! Meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel in Rome this morning. After an introduction to the upcoming itinerary, get ready to head into the city. After some free time for lunch, set off on a walking tour with an expert local guide. Learn all about this “Eternal City” and its astounding history which has been the focus of art, film and literature for centuries! Stand in awe of the Spanish Steps, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and more. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and get to know your new travel buddies over some delicious Italian cuisine.
Walking tour of Rome: This city has so much to see and do, we can’t even list everything here! Your walking tour of Rome with a professional local guide will give you a great start for further exploration in your free time. See the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Septimus Severus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona (Fountain of the Quattro Fiumi), the Spanish Steps, and other attractions that make Rome a perennial favourite with travellers all over the world!
Welcome dinner: Celebrate the first night of your Italy tour with a welcome dinner! Join your tour leader and the rest of the Italy tour group, and head to a nearby local restaurant for a delicious dinner.
Day 2: Rome - Orvieto - Venice
Location: Rome, Orvieto, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart Italy’s capital as the tour travels through the Umbria region towards Venice. Enjoy a stop in the Umbrian city of Orvieto which boasts particularly dramatic scenery thanks to its location atop a sheer vertical volcanic rock! Travel up to the historic centre via funicular and look forward to some free time to explore. Admire the facade of the Gothic-Romanesque Cathedral of Orvieto, see the Papal Residence and marvel at the views from the Albornoz Fortress. Then, it's on to the floating city of Venice! Arrive and enjoy a free evening to relax or set off on an optional water taxi cruise through Venice‘s canals. Seeing the lights of Venice at night is a sight to behold!
Orientation tour of Orvieto: Explore some of the sights of this city perched on top of a rock cliff. Take a trip to the top using the funicular. Enjoy free time to find something to eat, see the streets, and visit the top sights including the Cathedral of Orvieto, the papal residence and the Albornoz Fortress.
Day 3: Venice: Free Day
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start this full day in Venice with a guided orientation tour. See top sights including the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge! This tour should give you a great overview of the city which you can explore at your own pace for the rest of the day. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience Venice in the best way possible - from its waterways! Ask your tour leader about the optional gondola ride. To venture further out into the lagoon, join the optional excursion which visits Murano and Burano, colourful islands known for their local crafts.
Orientation tour of Venice: Join your tour leader on a trip into the heart of this unique floating city. The orientation tour will help you explore and see St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Day 4: Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany
Location: Lake Garda, Florence, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving the floating city behind, the tour travels to Florence. En route, look forward to a comfort stop at Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake! Set off on a guided tour with a passionate local guide upon arrival in Florence. Learn all about this awe-inspiring city which was the birthplace of the Renaissance! Admire some of the top sights in Florence including the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza Della Signoria. Then, visit a local leather shop for a leather-making demonstration. These local artisans are highly skilled in their craft! Finally, enjoy an included group dinner in Florence before travelling to the hotel in Montecatini, an ancient Tuscan spa town!
Photo stop at Lake Garda: Enjoy the chance to visit the stunning Lake Garda and snap some incredible photos! The tour will stop in Sirmione, a lovely town located on the shores of Lake Garda.
Guided tour of Florence: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Florence. You’ll be introduced to the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David. A cultural and political focal point during the Renaissance, Florence is endowed with a huge variety of important buildings and famous artworks.
Leather-making demonstration: Step inside the world of Italian leather crafting; visit a local leather shop and factory, Leonardo Leather and Gold, for insight into how bespoke Italian leather goods are produced. Italy has been famous for leather production for centuries!
Day 5: Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany
Location: Cinque Terre, Pisa, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast
Two highlights of Italy travel packages are on the agenda today! Starting this morning with a trip to the enchanting Cinque Terre via La Spezia. Consisting of five stunning cliff-side villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore), Cinque Terre offers spectacular coastal views. The villages are linked by rail and footpaths, making exploration peaceful and car-free. Later this afternoon, head back to Tuscany and prepare to be wowed by the second highlight of the day - the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Be sure to snap some pictures of this iconic Italian landmark. Why not round off this exciting day with an optional Tuscan dinner in scenic Montecatini?
Explore Cinque Terre's five picturesque villages: Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, you'll have plenty of free time to experience this picturesque region, which also offers some of the best seafood in Italy!
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: Visit Pisa to see one of Italy’s most iconic monuments; the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa! Make the most of photographic opportunities during the visit. A photo of you ‘holding up’ the tower is a classic!
Day 6: San Gimignano - Siena - Rome
Location: San Gimignano, Siena, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Soak up the last of the Tuscan scenery as the tour travels through the idyllic countryside complete with olive groves, rolling hills and vineyards! Before heading back to Rome this evening, look forward to visiting two more Tuscan gems. First up is the Medieval town of San Gimignano. This walled, hilltop town is known as the “Town of Fine Towers” and is famous for its Medieval tower houses, 14 of which are still standing! Here, taste some local Tuscan wines with an included wine tasting! The next stop is Siena, a UNESCO-listed city which is most famous for hosting the Palio horse race twice a year. Finally, travel back to Rome and enjoy a farewell group dinner.
Visit San Gimignano: Admire the stunning scenery and drink in the restful ambience of this stunning town. San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 14 well-preserved medieval towers which create an unforgettable skyline. Here, enjoy a tasting of local wines in a beautiful setting.
Discover Siena: Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the Palio horse race. This bareback horse race has taken place since the 14th century in the main town square of Siena, and the 17 participants represent local families.
Farewell dinner in Rome: Join your tour leader and the rest of the group for a final dinner in Rome. Toast to an amazing week spent exploring the highlights of Italy!
Day 7: End Of Tour In Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the end of this unforgettable 7-day Italy tour. If time allows, make the most of your last day in Rome and choose to join the optional guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans, emperors, gladiators and even lions! Be sure to swap contact details with your new travel friends before travelling onwards. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Experiences
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Rome
Welcome dinner in Rome
Visit Orvieto; a historic city perched on a rocky cliff
Discover the top sights of Venice
Enjoy a photo stop at Lake Garda
Explore Florence; the heart of the Italian Renaissance
Learn all about Italian leather-making
Explore Cinque Terre’s picturesque villages
Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa; one of Italy’s iconic monuments
Visit the gorgeous hill town of San Gimignano
Discover Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Enjoy a farewell dinner in Rome
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Terms and Conditions