17 Day Italy Tour with Mediterranean Cruise & Flights

Rome

Welcome to Rome! Today, meet up with your tour guide at your accommodation in the afternoon and prepare for the tour of a lifetime! If you arrive early, head into the city and see some of the sites that make Rome famous the world over. An ancient city that has seen the rise and fall of entire empires, there is no shortage of historical real estate to feast your eyes on. Not to mention designer shopping and brilliant food. Tonight, you’ll meet the rest of the tour group at the welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: dinner

Rome

Today we’ll take a guided walking tour of the city, stopping off at the landmarks that have made Rome a perennial favourite with travellers from all over the world. See ancient Roman architecture, medieval buildings, Renaissance artworks and more remnants of Rome’s illustrious past as capital of this incredible country – and of the Roman Empire at large. Be sure to see sightseeing highlights like the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Later, you’ll have the option of taking a guided walking tour of the Vatican City (optional). Marvel at glittering artworks, vast marble halls and opulent architecture – all part and parcel of the Vatican’s status as the seat of papal power. Eating and drinking well is also an important part of Roman life, and as they say, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ Try excellent Italian cuisine, and be sure to grab a famous Roman gelato while you’re sight-seeing!

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: breakfast

Orvieto Venice

Leaving the capital behind, we'll drive through the region of Umbria. Known as the 'fruit bowl of Italy', it is famous for its produce, food and beautiful mountainous landscapes. Prepare for one of the most spectacular sights in Europe as we approach Orvieto, a city perched dramatically atop a sheer vertical volcanic rock. We'll take the funicular up to the historic centre, where you'll have some free time to explore and see the sights, including the exquisite facade of the Cathedral of Orvieto, the papal residence and the Albornoz fortress before we travel on to Venice. You have the evening free to relax at the hotel or explore Venice with the option to join your tour leader on a twilight water taxi cruise of the Venetian canals (optional).

Accommodation: Elite Residence Hotel or similar, Venice
Meals included: breakfast

Venice 

You’ll start your day in Venice with an orientation tour led by your tour leader so you can get your bearings, after which you have free time to explore this unforgettable city at your leisure. Every visit to Venice should include a gondola ride, which your tour leader can organise for you, as well as a trip further out into the lagoon to visit Murano and Burano. These islands are famous for their glass-blowing and lace-making crafts respectively, and rows of beautiful multi-coloured houses. Alternatively, you can simply relax and soak up the sun on the sandy beaches at Jesolo or Lido. There’s also the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace to see – and any number of culinary delights to sample too!

Accommodation: Elite Residence Hotel or similar, Venice
Meals included: breakfast

Lake Garda Florence Tuscany 

Today, we make our way to the beautiful city of Florence, stopping along the way in Lake Garda for a photo opportunity. On arrival in Florence your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour to learn more about the heritage of this city, which stretches back through the ages to encompass Renaissance artworks and Roman ruins. Sights to see in your free time include Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce and of course Michelangelo’s David. A cultural and political focal point during the Renaissance, Florence is endowed with a huge variety of important buildings and famous artworks. We’ll then make our way to your accommodation in Tuscany.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Panoramic Montecatini Terme or similar, Tuscany
Meals included: breakfast, antipasto and dinner

Pisa Cinque Terre Tuscany 

This morning we head to La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre literally means ‘Five Lands’ and consists of five picturesque coastal cliff-side towns linked by rail and footpath - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. With cars and motorcycles banned from the towns, you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the towns by train or on foot. Later in the afternoon, we'll head back to the Tuscan region, stopping off in Pisa to see the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa. Now over 800 years old, it’s a classic sight in Italy and gives you the opportunity to take a picture 'holding up' the tower!

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Panoramic Montecatini Terme or similar, Tuscany
Meals included: breakfast

San Gimignano Siena Rome

This morning we make our way through one of the world’s most picturesque countryside landscapes, admiring Tuscan farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves as we drive by. Our first stop of the day will be in San Gimignano, a small walled hill town. Known as the 'Town of Fine Towers', it offers beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture and 12 well-preserved tower houses. We'll then make the short drive to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the 'Palio' horse race held twice a year in the main piazza, or public square. We'll enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by antipasto before we head back to Rome.

Accommodation: Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome
Meals included: Breakfast

 Mediterranean Cruise - Embark

After breakfast, transfer to the Rome cruise port for your 7-night Mediterranean Cruise! The cruise departs from port at 7 PM. 

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Palermo

Arrive at the port in Palermo at 10 AM and depart at 6 PM in the evening. Explore this beautiful city at leisure!

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Cagliari

Arrive in Cagliari at 9 AM and depart from the port at 5 PM today. Discover Cagliari at leisure! 

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Palma de Mallorca

Arrive at the port in Palma de Mallorca at 1:30 PM and depart at 11:59 PM.

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Valencia

Your cruise arrives in Valencia at 8 AM and departs in the evening at 4 PM today.

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Marseille

Explore Marseille as your cruise arrives at the port around 12 PM and departs at 8 PM.

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Mediterranean Cruise - Genoa

As your cruise arrives in Genoa at 8 AM today, discover this incredible city before heading back to your cruise ship and departing at 6 PM.

Accommodation: MSC Fantasia cruise ship in an Interior Cabin on a twin share basis
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Rome Australia

Your cruise ship will dock at the Rome cruise port at  7 AM this morning, and you will disembark before catching a taxi back to the airport for your flight home! 

Meals included: Breakfast 

Australia

Arrive home today. Tour concludes - memories begin! 

Meals included: inflight only