The Splendors of Italy
The Splendors of Italy
$1884
The Splendors of Italy
9 Days Starting and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Arrive In Rome, Italy, Rome, Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve, Montecatini, Montecatini. Excursion To Florence, Pisa, Venice Area, Assisi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6400-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
You’ve dreamed about Italy—its magnificent architecture, majestic cathedrals, ancient ruins, world-class art, sumptuous cuisine and wine, and relaxing cafés—and now it is your time to experience it. On this affordable Italy tour, explore the most famous cities and discover the unique sights as you visit Rome, Siena, Montecatini, and Venice. This affordable Italy tour offers the opportunity to step back in time. Imagine what life was like in Rome 2,000 years ago, as the city was the political, social, and trading center of the Roman Empire. Imagine life during the Middle Ages as you explore San Gimignano’s medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers still standing. Fast forward to Renaissance times with a walking tour of Florence, featuring beautiful Piazza Signoria, the hub of the city’s social and political life since the 14th century. Discover some of Italy’s magnificent cathedrals: in Vatican City, wonder at the masterful St. Peter’s Basilica and square; in Orvieto, the Cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture in Italy; in Assisi, where St. Francis was born, the world-famous Romanesque and Gothic Basilica is a permanent exhibition of Giotto’s frescoes. Discover Pisa’s Square of Miracles—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its three famous buildings (Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistery) that have historically been central to religious life. From a more secular viewpoint, experience a wine tasting in Greve, the capital of Chianti, and visit Venice, reaching St. Mark’s Square by boat. Witness Venetian glassblowers creating works of art just as they did centuries ago, and spend free time admiring the crisscrossing canals, the legendary gondolas passing under the arched bridges, the palaces, and the quaint piazzas. All of this and more—including views of the most scenic Italian landscapes—are included on this fabulous Italy vacation designed for the value-minded travel lover.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Rome,Italy
Location: Arrive In Rome, Italy
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital with the help of the CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3: Rome,Orvieto,Siena
Location: Rome, Orvieto, Siena
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to charming Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit the black basalt and travertine cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. Reach Siena, with time to visit this Tuscan jewel. The focal point of the town is Piazza del Campo, a special square, famed all over the world for its medieval-style Palio horse race. Today’s Distance: 152 mi/ 245 km
Day 4: Siena,San Gimignano,Greve,Montecatini
Location: Siena, San Gimignano, Greve, Montecatini
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrive in San Gimignano and discover one of Tuscany’s greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers are truly unique. Continue into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards, where Chianti Classico wines are produced. Stop in Greve for wine tasting at a local wine estate. Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes—with wine, of course.Today’s Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km
Day 5: Montecatini. Excursion To Florence
Location: Montecatini. Excursion To Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Florence, the Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis, will keep you enthralled the entire day. Wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features special city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km
Day 6: Montecatini,Pisa,Venice Area
Location: Montecatini, Pisa, Venice Area
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, drive to Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to the impressive Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower—180 feet high and approximately 4 degrees out of the perpendicular. Head across the wooded Apennine hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark’s square at night will remove all doubt!Today’s Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km
Day 7: Venice Area
Location: Venice Area
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate works of art as they did centuries ago. Enjoy free time at leisure or join an optional excursion like a Venetian gondola ride through iconic canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Day 8: Venice Area,Assisi,Rome
Location: Venice Area, Assisi, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel across the Po Delta, then into the green Apennines to Umbria. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the town and the upper and lower basilicas with a Local Guide, then head for Rome. Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km
Day 9: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at the Grand Fleming Hotel, Hotel Executive, Settentrionale Esplanade, and Hotel Poppi.
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily and 3 dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Included guided tours in Rome, Florence, and Assisi.
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Wine Tasting
Wine tasting at a local wine estate in Greve.
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Transportation
Transportation between cities and attractions as per the itinerary.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Assisi, Florence, Rome, San Gimignano, Siena, Pisa, Montecatini, Vatican City, and Venice.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the gondola trip in Venice are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending points are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
UNESCO Sites
Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome|Historic Centre of San Gimignano|Historic Centre of Siena|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Montecatini|Vatican City
Accommodation
Rome:Grand Fleming HotelSiena:ExecutiveMontecatini:Settentrionale EsplanadeVenice Area:PoppiRome:Cristoforo Colombo
Notes
Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.For operational reasons, schedule changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of hotels, including the Grand Fleming Hotel in Rome, the Hotel Executive in Siena, the Settentrionale Esplanade in Montecatini Terme, the Hotel Poppi on the Riviera del Brenta, and the American Palace Eur in Rome. These hotels offer modern amenities, including multilingual staff, traditional Tuscan cuisine, free Wi-Fi, and convenient locations.
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What activities are included in the tour of Rome?
In Rome, you will start with an introduction to the city's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. You will enjoy a drive along the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. The tour also includes a walk from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum.
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What can I expect to see in Siena?
In Siena, you will have time to visit the town's focal point, Piazza del Campo, which is famous for its medieval-style Palio horse race. The town is a Tuscan jewel with a rich history and beautiful architecture.
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Will there be any wine tasting opportunities during the tour?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to stop in Greve, located in the heart of the Chianti vineyards, for wine tasting at a local wine estate.
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What are the highlights of the visit to Florence?
In Florence, you will have an included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring highlights such as Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi, Piazza del Duomo, the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the 'Gates of Paradise.'
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What will I see in Pisa?
In Pisa, you will enjoy a mini-train ride to see the impressive Square of Miracles, which includes the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, standing 180 feet high and approximately 4 degrees out of the perpendicular.
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What is included in the Venice tour?
In Venice, your tour includes a boat ride to St. Mark's Square, time at leisure, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate works of art. Optional excursions, such as a gondola trip with a local troubadour to serenade you, are also available.
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What will I experience in Assisi?
In Assisi, you will visit the town where St. Francis was born in 1182. The tour includes visits to the upper and lower basilicas with a Local Guide.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes buffet breakfasts daily and three dinners.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Historic Centre of Rome, the Historic Centre of Florence, the Historic Centre of San Gimignano, the Historic Centre of Siena, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the great Spa Towns of Europe in Montecatini, Vatican City, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.