Share on Pinterest
There are no images.
More share buttons
Share with your friends










Submit
Pricing and Dates

Heart of Italy Tour (8 Day Tour)

Vacation Code: EVAT0611
8 Days and 7 Nights
11 Meals: 8 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

Tour Description

A highly popular trip, our Heart of Italy vacation package gives you the perfect introduction to the 2 most popular cities in Italy: Rome and Florence. Rome, Italy’s capital, is a city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, has St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes. In Florence, you’ll learn about the Renaissance, the cultural movement that lifted Europe to new heights, and in Chianti, you’ll sample the region’s wine. Along the way, the group will sample regional cuisine in local restaurants and trattorias.
 

View Heart of Italy in a larger map

Vacation Package Itinerary at a Glance



Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Rome
Day 4: Rome – Siena – Florence
Day 5: Florence
Day 6: Florence – Cinque Terre
Day 7: Florence – Chianti
Day 8: Florence

Day 1: Friday – Rome (Dinner)

Your trip begins! Upon arrival at Rome airport collect your luggage and meet the driver to be transferred to your hotel. We’ve left the rest of your day free to explore the Eternal City. Return to your hotel in time for an evening meeting with your tour host (around 6:30pm), who will provide an overview of the destinations you will visit on the tour. This is your opportunity to learn all about the tour program, receive tour literature and ask questions. At the end, walk to the restaurant and enjoy a tasty welcome dinner. Overnight in Rome.


Day 2: Saturday – Rome (Breakfast)

After breakfast, meet your driver and your guide and reach the Vatican Museum by private van. Access the Museum easily with your skip the line tickets. Your visit will be memorable: our guides have drawn up a route to include all the major sights as well as some unexpected surprises. See the Belvedere Courtyard with Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön & His Sons, Raphael Rooms, the Galleries of the Candelabra, of the Maps and of the Tapestries, the Sistine Chapel Pinecone Courtyard, St. Peter’s Basilica. At the end, exit on the St. Peter’s Square and enjoy the magnificent view of the imposing Cathedral.

You will return to your hotel to relax after a challenging morning.

Late afternoon meet your tour leader for a walking tour of the Baroque Town with Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, the Italian Parliament and the fascinating narrow streets of ancient Rome. Return to hotel and Overnight in Rome.


Day 3: Sunday – Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

Eat breakfast at the hotel. At this point in the trip, you will have the whole day to explore Rome at your leisure. Overnight in Rome.

OPTIONAL TOUR ($80 per person): Tour of the Coliseum and Imperial Rome.


Day 4: Monday – Rome – Siena – Florence (Breakfast, Lunch)

Meet your driver in the morning, ready for departure to Siena. The drive itself will take you on a magnificent path along the roads of Tuscany. Enjoy stunning views of hills covered by vineyards and olive trees. Catch a glimpse of the original bell towers as you pass through small villages along the way. Upon arrival in Siena enjoy a wine and food experience in the heart of the town.

After lunch, time to explore. This is probably Italy’s loveliest medieval city. At the heart of Siena is Il Campo, the Square where the famous horse race Il Palio takes place twice every summer. After leaving Siena you’ll continue your journey to Florence. Check-in at your hotel and spend an evening relaxing. Overnight in Florence.


Day 5: Tuesday – Florence (Breakfast)

Start your exploration of Florence from the unknown and most picturesque sides of the city. Visit the fresh market of San Lorenzo where is possible to find the food arriving fresh everyday from the Tuscany Countryside. It’s a great opportunity to taste many varieties of cheeses, fruits and vegetables, breads, etc.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, meet your expert guide in the hotel and get ready to explore the heart of the town.

Lorenzo de Medici transformed Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance by attracting the best artists, architects and writers of the time; Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli who he commissioned to produce various works of art and architecture. We’ll visit Piazza della Signoria, walk by the Palazzo Vecchio, , the Duomo with Giotto’s bell tower ( from outside), Ponte Vecchio. Our walk through Florence will end with a visit to the Accademia to admire, among the many masterpieces, the jewel of Michelangelo: the statue of David.


Day 6: Wednesday – Florence – Cinque Terre (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today discover a spectacular corner of Italy, famous for its panorama, its wine, its food, beautiful sea and hiking opportunities. Leave Florence early morning with your guide driving to North West Riviera with a comfortable air-conditioned minivan. During the ride, you will enjoy the view of Tuscan Hills till the moment you will see the Southern part of Alps, that divide Tuscany from Liguria.

Once in Cinque Terre National Park enjoy the most astonishing views either from land and sea, as we stroll along the national park by boat, train, and walking fabulous trails on the cliff. Your experience include a delicious full lunch with wine tasting in a local restaurant on the sea where you will enjoy incredible fresh seafood cooked the Ligurian way, accompanied by some great white wines typical of this region.


Day 7: Thursday– Florence – Chianti (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast the morning is at your leisure. You can just relax and take a walk on the beautiful streets of Florence, visit the Boboli Gardens or the Pitti Palace.

In the afternoon, meet your tour guide and start your Chianti experience. With a 25 minute ride, a comfortable van will shuttle you to the rolling hills of the Chianti Wine Region till you reach a noble Villa with a Boutique Winery on top of a hill.

The landscape is marvellous with beautiful vineyards and olive groves that surround you. Once there, a wine expert will welcome you and take you for the 500-year-old cellar visit, still used today for a very small, selected wine production and ageing, listed in the top 100 on Wine Spectator’s. You will taste all the different product of this boutique winery while you will learn the sophisticated techniques of winemaking and teach you to distinguish the different and various scents and flavors that each wine presents.

At the end, you will enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner that includes local charcuterie and cheese selection, paired with different jams and balsamic vinegar, plus a selection of two pasta dishes and a main course made of a traditional meat dish. A Tuscan dessert is then served with local sweet wine. The dinner will be served in a charming restaurant, where you will also learn how to pair different wines with specific dishes. You will enjoy 4 different wines, including the world renowned Supertuscan of the estate. You will also taste the region’s finest olive oil with typical Tuscan bread.

Coming back to Florence, you will stop at Piazzale Michelangelo belvedere, for a breathtaking view of Florence, admiring all the lights of the city.


Day 8: Friday– Florence (Breakfast)

Rise early and enjoy a hearty Italian breakfast before leaving the hotel for your transfer to the Airport or Railway Station (not included) to end your trip.


Featured Properties (All 4 stars hotels)

HOTEL IN ROME: Hotel Della Conciliazione, Hotel Londra & Cargill or similar

HOTEL IN FLORENCE: Hotel Executive, Hotel Cellai, Hotel Pierre or similar

Hotel may be substituted with similar according to availability. Hotels will be confirmed up to 21 days prior to the arrival


Additional Information:

The tour packages include:

  • Transfer from Rome airport to hotel
  • 3 nights in Rome
  • 4 nights in Florence
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Tour Escort Service
  • Welcome Briefing and Dinner in Rome
  • Walking Along the Heart of Rome
  • Guided visit of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel with skip the line reservation
  • Transfer from Rome to Florence with stop in Siena
  • Typical Lunch and Wine Experience in Siena
  • Walking along the heart of Siena
  • Fresh Market tour in Florence & Walking tour of Florence with Accademia Gallery
  • Guided visit of Cinque Terre with lunch and wine tasting
  • Wine & Olive Oil Experience in Chianti with dinner


The tour does not include:

  • Departure transfer in Florence
  • Tips
  • Porterage at airport
  • Luggage handling at hotel
  • Beverages and meals not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional excursions


*Tour Host
These tours are operated with a tour escort. We guarantee bookings with a minimum of two participants. With groups of six or under, the tour will include a tour host. Groups of seven or more include a tour guide, who travels with your group.

Your tour host will escort guests to the restaurants when dinner is included. Your tour host is available by phone 24 hours.

The passengers are provided at their arrival with a Travel Pocket Guide with information, maps and an itinerary with details, tips and emergency toll free number.

Pricing and Dates

Departure Date Double Single Triple Reservation Deposit
Sep-30-2022$ 1700.00$ 2455.00$ 1550.00$ 300.00
Oct-14-2022$ 1700.00$ 2455.00$ 1550.00$ 300.00
Oct-28-2022$ 1700.00$ 2455.00$ 1550.00$ 300.00
Nov-11-2022$ 1490.00$ 2000.00$ 1400.00$ 300.00
GRAB OUR ITALY VACATION GUIDE & CHECKLIST
GET IT NOW!
close-image