Rome, Tuscany & Cinque Terre - 9 days
Rome, Tuscany & Cinque Terre - 9 days
9 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in La Spezia, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Siena, Florence, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Portofino
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 25
Age range:
0-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through Italy with the "Rome, Tuscany & Cinque Terre" tour. Begin in Rome, where you'll skip the lines for a guided tour of the Vatican City, including the Sistine Chapel. Explore the charming hilltop town of Montalcino with wine tasting, and discover Siena's Piazza del Campo. Wander through the medieval streets of San Gimignano and enjoy a free afternoon in Florence, admiring its Renaissance architecture. In Lucca, take a guided tour within its fortified walls, and marvel at Pisa's Leaning Tower. Spend three nights in La Spezia, with excursions to the picturesque Cinque Terre villages and a scenic boat ride to the glamorous Portofino. Enjoy wine tasting in Sestri Levante and relax in 4-star accommodations, with meals and transportation included. This small group tour offers a perfect blend of guided sightseeing and leisure time to explore Italy's iconic destinations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Rome! On arrival, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we explore Vatican City, home to the Pope and technically an independent country - another one you can tick off your list!
Departing the hotel after breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican's museums and galleries with 'skip the line' tickets. Take in the Gallery of Tapestries, the beautifully decorated frescoes of Raphael's Rooms, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. We can also admire the stunning St Peter's Basilica from the outside. This iconic landmark dominates the Vatican and is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, as well as being the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture. It is allegedly where Saint Peter was buried and titans of Italian design including Donato Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its creation. The rest of today is at leisure in Rome.
Day 3: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rome - Montepulciano - Pienza - Montalcino - Siena. We depart Rome early this morning, travelling through the tranquil regions of Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. We reach medieval Montepulciano, known for its wine and historic architecture. There is free time to explore the town and find an authentic local restaurant for lunch.
We continue to Pienza, jewel of the Val d'Orcia region. This town was the birthplace of Pope Pius II and it was here that Renaissance-era town planning was first put into place by the Pope in 1459. There's free time to explore before we arrive in Montalcino with time to wander the walls of the town's hilltop fortress. Then we enjoy an included wine tasting at Enoteca la Fortezza, one of Montalcino's most established wine bars. Regional wines will be paired with light bites and pecorino cheese. After this authentic experience, we proceed to Siena for the evening.
Day 4: Siena
Location: Siena
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Siena - Greve - Poggio al Sole - San Gimignano - Siena. After breakfast we head out for a full day of exploration in the Chianti Hills. We stop first in Greve to admire the triangular-shaped plaza, and there is free time for you to take a stroll.
Moving on to Poggio al Sole, we enjoy wine tasting and a light lunch of Tuscan specialties at a local winery. You will also enjoy a guided tour of the wine cellar and learn about the production process, from grape to bottle!
Our final stop of the day is the famous UNESCO-listed town of San Gimignano. Admire the medieval buildings and the famous fortified wall, plus spend your free time enjoying local delicacies such as medieval ricciarelli (almond biscuits). We return to Siena for a second evening at leisure.
Day 5: Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Siena - Florence - Lucca. We can't leave Siena without first exploring this medieval walled town. During our short walking tour we see the magnificent Piazza del Campo, which hosts the bi-annual "Il Palio" horse race featured in the James Bond movie 'Quantum of Solace'.
Leaving Siena, we make our way to the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', Florence. This beautiful city is home to some of Italy's finest architecture, including the beautiful Duomo, the majestic Basilica of Santa Croce and Palazzo Vecchio. You can also see the iconic replica of Michelangelo's David. We have free time to explore the centre of the city before we make our way to Lucca. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 6: La Spezia
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Lucca - Pisa - La Spezia. This morning we enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour in Lucca. Passing through the city's iconic fortified walls, we take in highlights including the Piazza di San Michele, the Cathedral of San Martino and the grand Basilica of San Frediano.
Departing Lucca, our next stop is Pisa, home to the famed Leaning Tower. You will have plenty of time to admire the tower from the outside with free time in the Piazza dei Miracoli. You may choose to pay to go inside the tower, if time allows. After our visit in Pisa, we complete our drive north along the coast to La Spezia, where we spend the night.
Day 7: Cinque Terre
Location: Cinque Terre
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
La Spezia - Cinque Terre - La Spezia. Today we discover one of Italy's most famous destinations - Cinque Terre. A cluster of colourful villages perched on clifftops and offering some of the clearest water and lushest scenery in the Mediterranean. Our trip begins with a bus ride to Levanto and we make use of the local train network to explore some of the villages which make up Cinque Terre, each offering something unique. There's free time to wander down winding paths, admire pretty terraced vineyards and gaze out to sea from one of the many vantage points. You will also be able to find a charming restaurant in which to enjoy lunch. After several hours of exploration, we make our return to La Spezia for the evening.
Day 8: Portofino
Location: Portofino
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
La Spezia - Rapallo - Portofino - Sestri Lavante - La Spezia. Today we travel to Rapallo for an enjoyable harbourside walk, flanked by a historic medieval castle. We can also delve into some of the town's rich Roman heritage with a stroll down narrow grid-aligned streets. We then enjoy a scenic boat ride first to Santa Margherita Ligure and then onwards to glamorous Portofino.
In Santa Margherita Ligure we can admire the port and the surrounding mountains. In Portofino, we have free time to explore the colourful streets and admire the coastal views. Known for exclusive beaches, luxury boutique shopping and fine dining, it's one of Liguria's top destinations.
Returning to Rapallo, we then drive to Sestri Lavante for wine and food tasting. Then it's back to La Spezia for the night.
Day 9: La Spezia
Location: La Spezia
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour arrangements come to an end today after a final breakfast in the hotel.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4-star hotels -
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.
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8 nights 4 star hotels
Accommodation for 8 nights in 4-star hotels is included.
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Escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader with specialist guides for some sightseeing
The tour is escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader, with specialist guides for some sightseeing.
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 9
Airport transfers are included on arrival on day 1 and departure on day 9.
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Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi, audio headsets and onboard toilet
Transportation is provided by a deluxe coach equipped with Wi-Fi, audio headsets, and an onboard toilet.
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Skip the line entrance tickets to the Vatican
Skip the line entrance tickets to the Vatican are included.
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Guided sightseeing in Siena & Lucca
Guided sightseeing tours in Siena and Lucca are included.
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Wine tasting and wine cellar tour in Poggio al Sole
A wine tasting and wine cellar tour in Poggio al Sole is included.
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Cinque Terre day trip
A day trip to Cinque Terre is included.
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Scenic boat journey from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure & Portofino
A scenic boat journey from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino is included.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Additional meals and drinks unless specified
Additional meals and drinks are not included unless specified.
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Entrance fees not mentioned in Inclusions
Entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions are not included.
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.
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City tax of €1 - 6 per person per night
City tax of €1 - 6 per person per night is not included and must be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out.
Age Policy
No Minimum Age. Children aged 0 - 5 travel free. Children aged 6+ pay adult priceMaximum Age: No maximum age but not suitable for pax with mobility issues
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with transportation by deluxe coach featuring Wi-Fi, audio headsets, and an onboard toilet, along with airport transfers on arrival and departure days.
Accommodation
Enjoy 8 nights in 4-star hotels, providing comfort and convenience throughout your journey in Italy.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 8 nights in 4-star hotels.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an English-speaking Italian tour leader with specialist guides for some sightseeing.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 9 are included.
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided by a deluxe coach with Wi-Fi, audio headsets, and an onboard toilet.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.
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Is the entrance to the Vatican included in the tour?
Yes, 'skip the line' entrance tickets to the Vatican are included.
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Will there be any wine tasting experiences during the tour?
Yes, there are wine tasting experiences in Montalcino and Sestri Levante, as well as a wine cellar tour in Poggio al Sole.
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Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, there is no minimum age for the tour. Children aged 0-5 travel free, and children aged 6 and above pay the adult price.
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Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
The tour is not suitable for passengers with mobility issues.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Wednesday
Oct 15, 2024 - Oct 23, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.