- Overview
- Trip Outline and Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Optional Excusions
Celebrate Christmas in bella Italia! This festive 8-day Italy vacation begins with ancient sights and architectural wonders in Rome! Explore magical Venice aboard a traditional gondola and marvel at Renaissance masterpieces in Florence. Experience the spectacular Italian countryside in Tuscany and Lake Garda. Spend Christmas Eve in colourful Cinque Terre and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Indulge in delectable Italian cuisine and discover unique Christmas dishes and regional festive traditions. From medieval hilltop towns and bustling cities to historic landmarks and cultural must-sees, this is an Italy tour you will never forget!
- Discover Rome on a walking tour
- Welcome dinner in Rome
- Visit Orvieto, a historic city perched on a rocky cliff
- Explore Venice on an orientation tour
- Discover Florence on an orientation tour
- Enjoy Christmas Eve dinner in Florence
- Explore the colourful villages of Cinque Terre
- See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit San Gimignano, a medieval hilltop town
- Explore the Tuscan city of Siena
- Enjoy a Tuscan wine tasting
Itineraries
Day 1
Start of tour in Rome
Welcome to Rome and the first day of your festive Italy tour! Arrive at your hotel in the morning and meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the group. The tour leader will give the group a brief overview of the upcoming tour itinerary. Then, set out on a guided walking tour of the city! See some of the best places to visit in Rome like the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and more. Enjoy free time to spend as you wish before joining the rest of the group for an included welcome dinner.
Day 2
Rome - Orvieto - Venice
Wave arrivederci to Rome and travel towards Venice today! En route, travel through the mountainous Umbria region which is famous for its local produce and cuisine. Stop over in the small city of Orvieto which is perched on volcanic rock and boasts breathtaking views. Take the funicular up to the city centre and enjoy some time to explore Corso Cavour, the town’s main street. Be sure to check out the exquisite 14th century Orvieto Cathedral and the impressive Albornoz Fortress. Later, arrive in Venice - Italy’s magical floating city! Enjoy a free evening to relax or join your tour leader on the Venice by Night optional excursion which features a twilight water taxi cruise along Venice’s iconic canals.
Day 3
Venice: Free Day
After breakfast, enjoy an orientation tour of Venice with your tour leader. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. Of course, one of the best things to do in Venice is to take a traditional gondola ride! This optional activity can be organised with your tour leader as well as an optional lagoon tour which visits Murano and Burano. These colourful islands are famous for their glass-blowing and lace-making crafts respectively. Alternatively, spend the day visiting top Venice attractions such as the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace or just wander around and admire the Christmas decorations. Later, why not try some local Venetian food during a Venice Food Tour?
Day 4
Venice - Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany
Depart Venice this morning and head towards Italy’s Tuscany region! Along the way, get your cameras ready for a stop in the resort town of Sirmione on the banks of Lake Garda. Later, arrive in Florence and embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Florence is known as the “Jewel of the Renaissance” and is home to both Renaissance masterpieces and Roman ruins. After the tour, enjoy some free time to see top sights like the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Florence is teeming with architectural and artistic wonders just waiting to be explored! Why not enjoy an optional dinner in Florence and get an authentic taste of Tuscany?
Day 5
Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany
Experience Christmas Eve in Italy and venture to one of the country’s most beautiful regions. This morning, head to La Spezia, the gateway to Cinque Terre. Five picturesque seaside villages along the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. These towns, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, have banned motorcycles and cars making it very pleasant to explore them by foot or train. In the afternoon, drive back to the Tuscan region and enjoy a stop in Pisa. See the legendary, 800-year-old Leaning Tower of Pisa and be sure to snap a fun picture with this classic Italy travel highlight! This evening, enjoy an included dinner.
Day 6
San Gimignano - Siena - Rome (Christmas Day)
Buon Natale! This Christmas morning, travel through Tuscany and admire some of the most stunning countryside landscapes in the world! Marvel at quaint Tuscan farmhouses, sweeping vineyards and olive groves while along the way. Stop in San Gimignano, a charming medieval Tuscan hilltop town. Discover its exceptional Romanesque and Gothic architecture and skyline of well-preserved medieval tower houses. Then, enjoy a wine tasting accompanied with antipasto! Next, head to the Tuscan city of Siena. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Siena is famous for the biannual Palio horse race held in the Piazza del Campo and its striking medieval brick buildings. Then, head back to Rome for a Christmas dinner with the group.
Day 7
Rome: Free Day
Today is free to spend as you wish in Rome! Hit the streets and see more of the Italian capital. There is so much to see, from ancient Roman ruins and medieval buildings to designer stores and trendy restaurants! Today could also be a great time to visit the Vatican City. Home to the Pope, the Vatican is especially beautiful during the Christmas season and is famous for its Christmas tree and Nativity scenes. Alternatively, do some last minute souvenir shopping or sit at a café and watch the world go by.
Day 8
End of tour in Rome
After breakfast, this festive 8-day Italy travel adventure comes to an end. Say arrivederci to your fellow travellers and bella Italia! Expat Explore hopes your Christmas in Italy was full of unforgettable experiences!
Accommodation
- 7 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Meals
- 7 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Tour Leader
- Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
- Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
- Visa to any Country (tourists must obtain before travelling to Europe), We will help with VISA Assistance only.
- International flights to and from Europe.
- Airport departure tax if required.
- Travel insurance (trip, medical and personal).
- Daily personal expenses.
- Early check-in or late check-out at hotels.
- Tip and gratuity for local tour guides and drivers.
- Please read terms and conditions at https://letstraveleuro.com/terms-and-conditions/
Venice was made to be viewed from the canals! So, hop aboard a water taxi and take a night cruise of the softly-lit waterways. Be enchanted by the romantic scene of the lights and sounds from the palazzos and old tavernas. It's your opportunity to see La Serenissima at her twilight best.
A gondola ride is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty and charm of Venice. Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years. Your visit isn't complete until you have experienced this!
Please Note: Gondolas can take up to 5 people, so you will be sharing your experience with other members of your group. After 19:00 hrs the cost will increase by an additional €5.00 per person.
Take a trip from the city of Venice to seek out the islands further out in the lagoon, accompanied by your tour leader on a private boat. You’ll get to discover two of Venice’s most famous crafts: glass blowing and lace-making! Experience a glass-making demonstration on the island of Murano before travelling to Burano to see the colourful fishermen's houses and learn about the intricate art of lace-making.
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