Highlights of Italy – Venice to Rome

From the romantic canals of Venice to Rome's celebrated Colosseum, this is an odyssey of cultural enlightenment packed with ancient sights and artistic masterpieces.

Begin in the ‘Floating City’ of Venice as you pursue the network of canals threading through its historic heart, observing the Byzantine-style landmarks and elaborate bridges. Continue to Padova, adorned with Giotto’s mosaics and frescoes, before arriving in Bologna, where the magnificent Basilica of San Petronio awaits. Optionally, take a culinary turn at the Italian food theme park, FICO Italy or journey to Ravenna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and survey the tomb of the famed poet, Dante Alighieri.

A stop at San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries allows you to view the cobblestone streets and castle-like citadels in its medieval old town. Time spent in Perugia, built across a hilltop and encircled by ancient walls, encompasses a visit to a local chocolate factory and museum, as well as a tasting. Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis is next, and you’ll have a chance to see its intricately frescoed Basilica di San Francesco. Finally, in Rome, you’ll marvel at the eternal city’s ancient landmarks, from the grandeur of the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine to the architectural wonders of the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Further discovery can be experienced on an optional excursion to the famed Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world and the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

- Explore and stay in the ‘Floating City’ of romantic Venice, known for its labyrinth of canals, Byzantine-style Basilica di San Marco, and the ornate Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

- Discover Padova (Padua), a city famed for its frescoes, Basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova and Scrovegni Chapel

Sightsee around Bologna, taking in its Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest in the world and join an optional visit to FICO Italy, an Italian food theme park

- Embark on an optional guided excursion to Ravenna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its well-preserved Byzantine and early Christian mosaics

- Spend time in San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries and see the medieval old town and Three Towers

- Wander around hilltop, walled Perugia and learn about its history of chocolate production at a factory and museum

- Survey Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and home to the frescoed Basilica di San Francesco

- Marvel at Rome’s ancient landmarks, from the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain

- Take advantage of a free day in Rome or opt for an excursion to the famed Vatican City, the smallest in the world, as well as the Sistine Chapel, the pope’s official residence

10 breakfasts and five dinners

Half-day tour of Venice

Half-day tour of Padua/Padova

Half-day tour of Bologna

Half-day tour of San Marino

Half-day tour of Perugia and a visit to the Chocolate Factory and Museum

Half-day tour of Assisi

Full-day tour of Rome

Return flights to Venice and from Rome

Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel throughout

Fully escorted by friendly, experienced tour managers

Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.

An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.

The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.