Best of Italy

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome is the perfect spot to kick off your trip. Your adventure starts in Rome with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and nightlife spots, it’s recommended that you arrive a few days early to see everything and experience the culture of this fantastic city. Maybe sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes and throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome. After, why not head out for dinner with your group and get to know each other over your favourite carb?

Today you have a free morning to soak up the sights and sounds of Rome. There will be an optional leader-led orientation walk, taking in some of the best-known sights of Rome like the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum if you’ve only just arrived. Then, maybe head to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Later, you'll travel by train to Florence – the cultural heart of Tuscany, bursting with religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces. It's been said that during the second millennium, a third of Europe's most important artists lived in Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all flourished here. After checking in to your hotel, join your leader for an orientation walk of Florence, then the rest of your evening is free to explore at your own pace. Food is also a major part of the city's identity, so why not explore some of the Tuscan delicacies on offer with your group.

Today is a free day for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot like the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the Santa Croce Church. Maybe visit the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries, or discover Michelangelo's iconic statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Later, maybe climb the stairs to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset view across the rooftops of Florence. Tonight, join the locals in taking a passeggiata (a leisurely social stroll) between Piazza Beccaria and Piazza della Repubblica.

After a leisurely morning, board the train to Lucca – one of Tuscany's real hidden gems, with centuries-old buildings, beautiful churches, wide piazzas and narrow streets within the ancient city ramparts. You’ll be staying in the city centre which allows easy access to all the sights, restaurants and bars – all an easy stroll from the hotel's front door. Tonight, you might like to join the tradition of many locals and take a stroll along the top of the city walls that surround the perimeter of the old city.

Set off on a cycling tour this morning, following the scenic Serchio River through the Tuscan countryside. Then, you’ll catch the train to Pisa and visit the world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the nearby Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Pisa Baptistry. The Leaning Tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of four degrees, after restoration and stabilising work. Then, continue to wander the streets past high-end boutiques, speciality book and antiques stores. After, head back to Lucca, where the rest of the night is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to a local bar for a Prosecco (or two) and a fresh focaccia with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese – best enjoyed in the shadow of the Palazzo Pretorio.

Travel by train to La Spezia – the gateway to the gorgeous Italian Riviera. A medieval port town whose name is derived from its historic importance in the spice trade, La Spezia is your base for exploring the nearby stretch of coast known as the Cinque Terre. The name comes from the five tiny villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, whose position, wedged into a series of coves between cliffs, makes it one of the highlights in the country. After lunch, you have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe head out by ferry or bus to the pretty seaside town of Portovenere, walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour in La Spezia or visit Lerici – a small village across the Bay of Poets dominated by its castle – for a waterside dinner.

This morning, venture out through olive groves and vineyards on the Cinque Terre Trails. This path runs between the villages that were once the only way to travel through the region. After your hike this morning, maybe continue along the walking through the countryside, passing narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges or take a train to a nearby town. After, find a place for lunch in one of the towns and relax in the vibrant atmosphere before heading back to base in La Spezia later today.