Day 1: Start of tour in Rome
Welcome to Rome and the start of the Taste of Italy New Year tour! Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group at the hotel this morning. Then, it’s time to head into the city centre and enjoy free time to explore. There’s nothing quite like walking the historic streets of the “Eternal City”! This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know your fellow travellers over delicious Italian food! After, enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. Join a local guide and see highlights of Rome including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona.
Day 2: Rome - Orvieto - Venice
It’s time to hit the road and see more of Italy! Travel through the scenic Umbria region which is famous for its produce and beautiful mountain landscapes. Arrive at Orvieto and take a funicular to the historic centre of this city dramatically perched atop a sheer volcanic rock cliff! Enjoy free time to explore and see the sites including the facade of the Cathedral of Orvieto and the Albornoz Fortress. Next, travel onwards to Venice, Italy’s famous floating city! This evening is free to spend as you wish. Stroll through Venice and enjoy the festive atmosphere or choose to see Venice under the stars and join your tour leader on an optional Venice by night excursion.
Day 3: Venice: Free Day
Begin today with an orientation tour of Venice which will help you become familiar with your surroundings. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish! A gondola ride is a must when visiting Venice; cruise the canals and enjoy sightseeing from the water! The optional Venice Lagoon Tour offers a great way to discover the islands of Murano and Burano which are famous for the arts of glass-blowing and lacemaking. Alternatively, explore at your own pace. St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace are some of Venice’s top attractions! Sampling the local cuisine is another must-do when in Venice which you can do on the Venice Food Tour optional.
Day 4: Venice - Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany
There is no slowing down on this Taste of Italy New Year tour! Today, the tour travels to Florence in Tuscany. On the way, enjoy a stop at Lake Garda and admire the beautiful scenery. Arrive in Florence and join a local guide for a walking tour. Florence is famous for its Renaissance architecture, art and culture! Enjoy free time afterwards to visit famous sights such as the Florence Cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio and the Basilica of Sante Croce. Tonight, why not join the Taste of Tuscany optional dinner to experience authentic Tuscan cuisine?
Day 5: Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany (New Year’s Eve)
Say goodbye to the old year and hello to brand new travel adventures! This morning, Cinque Terre is calling! Travel to La Spezia which is the gateway to Cinque Terre. Journey by train to Cinque Terre which is made up of five picturesque see-side towns, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Cars and motorcycles are banned and the towns are connected by rail and footpaths, making it a wonderful destination to explore! In the afternoon, return to Tuscany. On the way, make a stop at one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks - the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Be sure to grab your opportunity to get a photo with the famous tower. Tonight, enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner with the group.
Day 6: San Gimignano - Siena - Rome (New Year’s Day)
Start this New Year off on an exciting note and hop back aboard the coach. Marvel at the breathtaking Italian countryside landscapes en route to today’s first stop. Arrive in San Gimignano, a small hilltop town famous for its 12 striking medieval towers! Enjoy an orientation tour and some free time in this historic city filled with stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Then, indulge in an included Tuscan wine tasting along with some antipasto! Next, take a short drive to Siena. The historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Siena is famous for the Palio horse race which is hosted in the city’s main piazza twice a year. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight.
Day 7: Rome: Free Day
Live la dolce vita on a free day in Rome! This city dates back thousands of years and has witnessed the rise and fall of empires… so there is no shortage of fascinating historic monuments and landmarks to explore today! Why not use this free day to visit the Vatican City to see its famous Christmas displays? Another great way to spend your day is to discover one of the things Italy is most famous for - food! Taste a range of authentic local treats just by wandering the city and stopping at a café or two. Alternatively, simply explore and absorb the unique atmosphere of this beautiful city.
Day 8: End of tour in Rome
Buongiorno, it’s the final morning of this tour of Italy! After 8 fun-filled days and celebrating the new year, Italian style, the tour comes to an end after breakfast. Be sure to swap contact details with your new travel friends before departing. Arrivederci, Italia!