- Go on a guided sightseeing tour of Rome
- See the Sistine Chapel & Michelangelo’s frescoes in Vatican City
- Take a funicular up to Orvieto
- Explore the impressive sights of Bologna
- Enjoy a walking tour of Florence
- Discover Venice on a guided tour
Timeless Italy
Highlights
Experience la dolce vita on an unforgettable Italian getaway! From the UNESCO-listed highlights of Rome to the Renaissance architecture of Florence and the historic canals of Venice, this tour will make you fall in love with Italy, all over again! Your tour begins in Rome, where you’ll get to experience the Eternal City’s timeless culture and majestic monuments. Spend a day taking in the stunning art at the Vatican Museums, and later, proceed to the picturesque Umbrian countryside.
The highlight here is a funicular ride up to Orvieto, an ancient town perched atop a rocky cliff. Spend a couple of nights at the beautiful spa town of Montecatini Terme, before exploring Florence on an insightful walking tour. Next, delve deeper into Bologna’s rich culinary traditions, and stroll the cobbled streets of Venice as you soak in the beauty of its myriad canals. Discover the timeless appeal of Italy on this immensely enjoyable guided tour!
What Guests are Saying
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
Click to Learn More
Tour Includes
1 Country
- Italy
- The Vatican
Locations Visited
- Rome
- The Vatican City
- Florence
- Orvieto
- Bologna
- Venice
Hotel Accommodations
- 8 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Rome, Italy
Tour Ends:
Venice, Italy
Day 1
Depart for Rome
Your adventure begins as you depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Rome
Arrive in historic Rome. This evening, meet your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days ahead, then relax over a tasty Italian dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Day 3
Vatican City
Today, take a guided tour of Vatican City, home of the pope. Explore the Vatican Museums, which house some of the most important and valuable art treasures in the world. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel, with floor-to-ceiling biblical frescoes painted by Michelangelo in around 1512.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Touring the Vatican Museums requires walking up several staircases and 2-3 hours of walking. Vatican entry times may vary depending on availability.
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Add-On: Ostia Antica Tour with Dinner
Day 4
Rome
Join us on a half-day sightseeing tour as you uncover the highlights of Eternal City. You’ll see outside views of the Roman Forum, once a marketplace and center of daily Roman life, the Piazza Navona, and the renowned Spanish Steps, as well as the fabled Trevi Fountain.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Add-On: Cooking class at Ristorante Gusto/Ostia Antica Tour with Dinner
Day 5
Rome
Enjoy your day at leisure in Rome. Spend some time relaxing at the hotel or join us on an optional add-on excursion to Tivoli and Villa d’Este, a famous 16th-century UNESCO-listed Renaissance villa.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel H10 Roma or similar
Add-On: Visit to Tivoli and Villa D’Este
Day 6
Orvieto and Montecatini Terme
Leave from Rome this morning and travel north into the picturesque Umbrian countryside. We stop and take the funicular up to the ancient town of Orvieto, where you can explore the rich history of this charming town and admire a variety of Etruscan, Medieval, and Renaissance art. The Orvieto funicular (a cliff cable railway) first opened in 1888 and uses water and gravity to transport its cars up and down the hillside. We then continue north and by late afternoon, we’ll arrive at Montecatini Terme, a beautiful spa town that was built around its mineral water springs. This is where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Boston or similar
Add-On: TUSCAN WINE TASTING & DINNER
Day 7
Florence
Today, enjoy a walking tour of Florence. Here you’ll look at the 13th century Duomo with Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower). You’ll also discover Ghiberti’s golden “Gates of Paradise” doors at the marble-clad Baptistery of St. John, the Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge spanning the River Arno, complete with shops built along it. You’ll have some free time in Florence this afternoon, so why not explore the beautiful city on your own?
Note: Due to local traffic regulations in Florence, coach parking is located approximately 20 minutes from the historic city centre. A moderate amount of walking will therefore be required throughout the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Boston or similar
Add-On: Guided Tour of Galleria Dell’Accademia
Day 8
Bologna and Venice
We drive northeast and stop in Bologna. Best known for its culinary tradition, Bologna also has an impressive history and is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 1088. Enjoy some time on your own and maybe savor some pasta with authentic bolognese sauce (ragù alla bolognese in Italian) before we continue toward the Adriatic coast. We’ll arrive in the Venice area by late afternoon and will stay just a few miles across the lagoon from the historic city.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana or similar
Day 9
Venice
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this amazing city, now a World Heritage Site, built on an archipelago of 118 islands in a lagoon. Formed by 77 canals and connected by 450 bridges, Venice is truly unique. Note that there are no motorcars or trucks in the city. Transfer by boat to St. Mark’s Square where you’ll begin your walking tour to see the lavish Doge’s Palace, (entrance not included) and the fabled Bridge of Sighs as well as the Rialto Bridge, Venice’s oldest, spanning the Grand Canal.
This afternoon you are free to wander through the labyrinth of canals and alleyways, lined with boutiques and souvenir shops, or perhaps relax and “people watch” over an espresso or tasty Italian gelato. If you want to get out on the water, there are a variety of boat rides available (not included) from water taxis to the traditional gondolas. By the end of the day you’ll be truly inspired by the history and romance of this wonderful city. Join us for an included farewell dinner later in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana or similar
Add-On: Murano & Burano Tour
Day 10
Depart for Home
Your Italy vacation comes to an end today as you depart for home with newfound friends and a suitcase full of memories to last a lifetime!
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Reviews
I would definitely go through YMT again
Group leader was awesome! Flights, motels, tours, food, everything was great and we were always right where we needed to be when we were supposed to be there, thanks to our group leader. I can’t say enough about her. Bus driver was also great, he was very helpful with luggage and kept us safe on the road at all times. I would definitely go through YMT again.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Cooking Class at Ristorante Gusto - Pasta & Tiramisú (2026 only)
Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience where you’ll master two Italian classics: Fettuccine and Tiramisù. The evening begins with a hands-on session as you learn to make the creamy, indulgent Tiramisù. Working together as a group, you’ll craft the velvety cream, then personalize your very own glass of this beloved dessert.
Next, we’ll dive into the art of pasta-making. Learn the timeless technique of combining flour and eggs to create fresh, homemade pasta. Our expert chef will guide you through the process, teaching you about various pasta cuts and the perfect sauces to pair with each type.
Once the pasta is made, it’s time to sit down, savor your freshly prepared fettuccine, and enjoy your homemade Tiramisù, all complemented by a glass of fine Italian wine.
Inclusions
- Round trip transportation
- Cooking class and dinner: Fettuccine with chosen sauce, Tiramisú, Glass of wine, Glass of Limoncello or coffee and water
Note: For the Timeless Italy Tour, this activity is only available with the September 23, 2026 tour departure
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $159 USD
Guided Tour of Galleria Dell'Accademia
Step into the heart of Florence and experience one of the most breathtaking artistic journeys in the world — a guided tour through the Galleria dell’Accademia, a place where history, genius, and beauty converge.
As you move through the galleries, imagine the sweeping changes of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Take in the perfection of Michelangelo’s David. Towering at over 17 feet, this symbol of human perfection and civic pride was moved from its original location in Piazza della Signoria to Florence. Follow the corridors to encounter Michelangelo’s Prisoners, unfinished sculptures that seem to struggle out of their marble blocks.
As you move through the museum, don’t miss the luminous paintings of Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio, among others — works that bring the splendor of the Florentine Renaissance to life with every brushstroke.
Inclusions
- Entrance to Galleria dell’Accademia
- Guided tour
Duration: Approx. 2 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $69 USD
Murano & Burano Tour
Join your fellow travelers for an unforgettable afternoon as you discover the Islands of Murano and Burano. After your private boat ride from San Marco Square, see the exquisite glasswork of Murano and watch how the glassblowers create these works of art. Then, continue to Burano, famous for its long-standing tradition of lace-making. After a brief informative talk on the history of Burano, enjoy free time to wander the charming streets lined with colorful, picturesque houses.
Inclusions
- Private boat ride from San Marco Square to Murano & Burano islands
- Complimentary tea or coffee at Ferro & Lazzarini Factory.
- Complimentary bracelet from the Ferro & Lazzarini Factory
- Tour of Burano
Duration: Approx. 5 hours (afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $69 USD
Ostia Antica Tour with Dinner
Experience the majesty of ancient Rome on this historic tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your coach will bring you to the ruins of Ostia Antica on the mouth of the River Tiber, once a busy port city of the Roman Empire. After the tour, enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner at a restaurant nearby the ruins before returning to the hotel.
Inclusions
- Guided exploration of the Ostia Antica ruins
- 3-course meal including water, and a choice of a glass of wine or a soft drink
Note: This tour requires moderate walking and standing for long periods of time, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Terrain is mostly flat and even but may require walking some stairs in amphitheater. There is one step going into the restaurant entrance, two to access each room of the restaurant, and two to reach the toilets.
Duration: Approx. 5 hours (afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $159 USD
Tuscan Wine Tasting & Dinner
Enjoy your evening in classic Tuscan style with a vineyard tour, wine tasting and dinner. Your private coach will take you from your hotel to the Fattoria Il Poggio Winery, where you will be met by one of the property’s knowledgeable guides. Learn about the traditional wine making process and head to the converted wine cellar where your 3-course meal and wine tasting session await. Your first course will begin with an assorted antipasti menu paired with three white wines to sample, followed by three red wines to complement your main dish. Follow it up with local dessert paired with a traditional Vin Santo.
Inclusions
- Guided walking tour of the vineyard
- Dinner at a wine cellar with live music; Menu includes handmade pasta, a chicken, sausage, and ribs platter, and two sides of your choice. Dessert will be a tiramisu served and almond biscuits. All meals will come with red or white wine and unlimited water
Note: This tour involves an approximately 200-yard walk with a slight incline.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours (evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $119 USD
Visit to Tivoli and Villa d'Este
Enjoy a captivating orientation tour of Tivoli, a a town steeped in history and beauty. As you wander through Tivoli’s charming streets, you’ll be introduced to its rich heritage and stunning landscapes, as you uncover its key landmarks and monuments.
Next, prepare to be enchanted as you step into the world-renowned Villa d’Este, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Renaissance villa, famous for its extraordinary gardens and opulent design, will transport you to a bygone era of royal indulgence. As you stroll through its meticulously manicured gardens, you’ll encounter an array of fountains, statues, and water features, each more breathtaking than the last. The villa itself is a masterpiece of Italian architecture, with frescoed halls and grand rooms that evoke the grandeur of its 16th-century origins.
Inclusions
- Orientation tour in Tivoli
- Admission to Villa d’Este
- Transportation included
Note: This tour involves moderate walking and standing for extended periods, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Guests will need to navigate several flights of stairs, narrow streets, and uneven terrain.
Duration: Approx. 6 Hours (Morning/Afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $129 USD
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