Highlights of Italy

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
Highlights of Italy
8 Days
From AUD $2330
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Highlights of Italy

Highlights of Italy

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

How long does it take to fall in love? In a country where history spills from world-class museums and tiny osterias serve up life-changing pasta recipes, eight days might just be enough (but if you have more time, why not extend your adventure?).

Highlights

  • Explore rocky coastal pathways and pastel-coloured villages with a Cinque Terre day pass, which allows you to hike at your own pace and use the coast's public transport.
  • Get lost in the floating city of Venice and wander the city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands, and choose whether to opt in for an optional gondola ride.
  • Discover the landmarks of Rome with your handy local leader and wander around the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
  • Spend two days in Florence – a city known for its beauty and rustic Tuscan cuisine – and choose to discover the city’s culinary traditions on optional food excursions.
  • Make travel a breeze with a European trip that includes train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Train

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Venice, Italy

Finishes

Rome, Italy

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Venice
Ciao! Welcome to Venice. This waterside wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its iconic sights. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore at your own pace – the Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless boutiques that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After tonight's meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your fellow travel companions at a local restaurant.

Optional Activities:

  • Venice - Gondola Ride (80 EUR)
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs (30 EUR)
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection (17 EUR)
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile (12 EUR)
  • Venice - Accademia Gallery (16 EUR)
  • Ca’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti (15 EUR)
  • Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art (11 EUR)
  • Venice - Glass Museum Murano (11 EUR)
  • Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica (5 EUR)
  • Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco (14 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Venice
This morning, head out for an orientation walk of the city, exploring the Classical, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture that surround San Marco Square. Your leader will show you where to get the best cicchetti today (a tasty local snack that Venice is famous for). For lunch, maybe get involved in the lively social scene at a local bacaro or simply watch the world go by at a restaurant on the edge of the canals. Then, you’re free to explore Venice at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Maybe take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for views over the city. Ore, fulfil a bucket list favourite and take a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola if you haven’t already.

Included Activities:

  • Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Venice – San Marco Square
  • Venice - Cicchetti Snack Stop

Optional Activities:

  • Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure (112 EUR)
  • Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury (5 EUR)
  • Venice - Gondola Ride (80 EUR)
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs (30 EUR)
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile (12 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: La Spezia
Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia – known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – positioned on a series of coves between sheer cliffs. When you arrive in La Spezia, there won't be much time to explore (that’s what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel you can take a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione or head out for dinner with the group.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Cinque Terre / La Spezia
Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages, and the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader on which walking section is right for you, as some have challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Alternatively, take the train between any of the villages, or back to the group's base in La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite, maybe take advantage of an optional pesto class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch, if you’d prefer.

Included Activities:

  • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass

Optional Activities:

  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration (25 EUR)
  • Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise (41 EUR)
  • Cinque Terre - Via dell’Amore trail (10 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Florence
Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence. When you arrive, check into the hostel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity and the optional activities on offer reflect this. Maybe explore the city’s culinary history (and taste some local treats) on a Florence Foodies Walk with Urban Adventures. Carnivores might be drawn to try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Florentine Beef Steak, essentially a huge T-bone steak that comes with classic sides).

Included Activities:

  • Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure (79 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Florence
Enjoy another day in beautiful Florence. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so the best idea is to relax and pick a few things you really want to do. Maybe start with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David, or perhaps stop by the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries. Active types might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city. There are plenty of optional activities on offer during your time here, so be sure to grill your leader for the details on each so you can get a sense of what interests you.

Optional Activities:

  • Siena - Day Trip to Siena by Public Bus (24 EUR)
  • Florence - Brunelleschi 3 Days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome (30 EUR)
  • Florence - Palazzo Vecchio (12 EUR)
  • Florence - Accademia (20 EUR)
  • Florence - Uffizi Gallery (29 EUR)
  • Florence - Pitti Palace (Boboli Gardens, Museo Argenti, Costume Gallery, Porcellain Museum) (22 EUR)
  • Florence - Bargello Museum (16 EUR)
  • Florence - Medici Chapels (17 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Rome
Take the morning train to Rome and join your leader on an orientation walk around the city to see icons such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After all that walking it’s probably time for lunch! Maybe grab a slice of the good stuff and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona. You can spend your afternoon how you wish and there are plenty of heavy hitters to choose from. Maybe enter the Vatican and check out St Peter's Basilica. Within the Vatican, art lovers could visit the Sistine Chapel to admire the timeless work of Michelangelo, while history buffs may enjoy a walk through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Rome is packed full of trattorias that cater to every taste and budget, so this evening maybe link up with the group for dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rome – Trevi Fountain

Optional Activities:

  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo (19 EUR)
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs (10 EUR)
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill (19 EUR)
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House (6 EUR)
  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum (25 EUR)
  • Rome - Pantheon (5 EUR)
  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator (10 EUR)
  • Rome - Venezia Palace (17 EUR)
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese (17 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Rome
Your adventures come to an end today. There are no activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. As there is so much to see in Rome, it’s recommended that you stay a little longer to soak it up. If you need help booking additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent at the time of booking.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $2,330
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

How long does it take to fall in love? In a country where history spills from world-class museums and tiny osterias serve up life-changing pasta recipes, eight days might just be enough (but if you have more time, why not extend your adventure?).

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 29 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Emily
Traveled, September 2023

09/13/2023

This was my first time in Italy, and I am surprised by how much we explored in eight days or so. The trip offered a healthy balance of leader-led orientation walks and independent time to visit museums and participate in activities. For those traveling during the summertime, I recommend booking your optional activities and museum visits in advance; otherwise, you will have to wait in line.

4.5
Alexandria
Traveled, August 2023

09/07/2023

This trip was awesome. The accommodation was very good despite being one of the cheaper trips. Our tour leader Federico was excellent and very accommodating to the group’s needs. My only recommendation is for the Rome accommodation to be closer to the city as we were very far and was hard to travel using the public transport system over there. Perhaps not so many train journeys too given that the so many people use the trains and can be a bit overwhelming but otherwise great trip!!!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989