Your tour of Venice, Florence & Rome will lead you through three of Italy’s greatest cities. Experience the majesty and romance of Venice, get swept away in the history and art of Florence, the Renaissance city, and end your journey in ancient Rome, where you’ll be engrossed in culture, tradition and allure of this Eternal City.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Venice

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Venice aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Venice

Welcome to Venice! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring Venice. At tonight’s included dinner, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Venice

Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Gothic Doges’ Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. Wind through the maze-like streets and view several important churches. This afternoon, opt to join a gondola tour of the canals, complete with music.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Doges’ Palace

$65 CAD

Gondola Ride with Music Gliding along the canals aboard a black gondola is a timeless and romantic tradition. This memorable excursion includes a scenic gondola ride with music. Please note: A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person. Advanced reservations are required.

Day 4 - Venice

You’ll have free time today to explore the city on your own. Find a hidden trattoria and enjoy a delicious Venetian lunch. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge or follow alleyways lined with boutiques of handblown glass treasures. Alternatively, enjoy an optional tour of the beautiful islands of Burano and Torcello.
Included meals: breakfast

$95 CAD

Burano & Torcello Visit the islands of the Venetian lagoon, a favorite day trip for locals and travelers alike.

Day 5 - Florence

Cross the sprawling plains of Po’ Valley to the timeless city of Florence, birthplace of the Italian language, the Renaissance and opera. A guided sightseeing tour of Florence introduces you to the city’s Renaissance splendor. You can marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece—Florence’s massive pink, white and green Duomo, complemented by Giotto’s Campanile.

Then, discover the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo as well as the Dante Memorial are displayed. You’ll also see the Palazzo Signoria, which serves as an open-air gallery of ancient and Renaissance statues. This Romanesque, crenellated fortress palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Santa Croce

Day 6 - Florence

During free time in Florence, choose to admire the world’s finest collection of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery. Stroll along the romantic Arno River or visit the Accademia Galleria to view Michelan-gelo’s early masterpiece, the sublime statue of David, sculpted when the artist was 26 years old. You could also join an optional excursion to San Gimignano and Siena in the Tuscan countryside. You’ll begin in Siena, where you’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Siena’s glorious scenery and landmarks, including the cathedral and the famed Campo. Contine on to San Gimignano, where you might choose to visit the Palazzo del Popolo or the Citadel. On your way back to Florence, stop to sample some of the region’s finest wines.
Included meals: breakfast

$105 CAD

Siena & San Gimignano In Siena, a local guide shows you the city’s marble cathedral and stunningly adorned baptistery, as well as the famous Campo. Next, journey through the countryside to the town of San Gimignano with its unusual skyline of huge, medieval towers. End today’s excursion with a sampling of the region’s finest wines. Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking.

Day 7 - Florence

Enjoy another free day in Florence. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Pisa, where you’ll see the 12th-century Leaning Tower and visit both the adjacent cathedral and the Baptistery. Tonight, travel to the hilltop town of Fiesole for an optional dinner and views of Florence.
Included meals: breakfast

$59 CAD

Dinner in Fiesole Explore Fiesole, a hill town which features panoramic views of Florence. It was also where Leonardo da Vinci experimented with his "flying machine."

$69 CAD

Pisa Travel through the Tuscan countryside for a visit to Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) where you can view the 12th-century Leaning Tower.

Day 8 - Rome

As you journey to Rome, stop at the ancient Etruscan stronghold of Orvieto. Situated on a pedestal of volcanic rock, the lovely town of Orvieto boasts one of the finest Italian Gothic cathedrals in the country. Travel to this impressive Medieval city by funicular and take in views of the surrounding Volscian Mountains. Arrive in Rome, where dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Funicular ride

Day 9 - Rome

Follow in the footsteps of Caesar during your guided sightseeing tour of Rome. Highlights include the Colosseum, where 50,000 spectators cheered their favorite gladiators to victory, and the ruins of the Forum Romanum, from which the Caesars ruled their vast empire. This afternoon is free to further your explorations of ancient Rome. Visit the Pantheon, or tour one of Rome’s many important churches.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: the Colosseum

Day 10 - Rome

Spend a free day in Rome however you choose. Take in all the art and architecture that greet the eye at every turn—from relics of Caesar’s reign to treasures of Renaissance and Baroque art. Stroll across the Spanish Steps. See Bernini’s captivating Fountain of the Four Rivers and stop at the legendary Trevi Fountain, into which centuries of visitors have tossed coins to ensure their eventual return to Rome. You might also wish to join an optional excursion to Vatican City, featuring visits to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Opt to end the day at a Dinner with Tenors, an evening of food and live music.
Included meals: breakfast

$79 CAD

Dinner with Tenors End your day with a delicious four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine on a savory meal, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of opera’s most beloved masterpieces.

$85 CAD

Vatican City This tour takes you into the world’s smallest state, Vatican City. Treasures loom at every turn, from Bernini’s magnificent staircase (ceremonial entrance to the Vatican Palace) to Michelangelo’s Pietà. Next, visit the Sistine Chapel, painted with Michelangelo’s captivating frescoes depicting the history of humankind from Creation to The Last Judgment. Please note: This excursion requires advance reservations and must be booked prior to your final payment deadline.

Day 11 - Rome

Enjoy another free day in Rome or join a full-day optional excursion to excavated Pompeii, an ancient Roman city buried in volcanic ash in A.D. 79.
Included meals: breakfast

$165 CAD

Pompeii Discover how Roman citizens lived two thousand years ago, before Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, preserving the town of Pompeii in a flood of volcanic ash. View the excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples and baths. Please note: Travel time to Pompeii is approximately 2.5 hours each way.

Day 12 - Rome

If you are not staying for our tour extension in Rome, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be included.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 CAD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 CAD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 CAD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 CAD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Venice and depart from Rome. When you first arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

Included transportation on “Venice, Florence & Rome” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the three cities on foot or by public transportation.

In Venice, each section of the city is connected by water bus (least expensive), water taxi or gondola. You can purchase discounted bulk passes from vendors or purchase single tickets at each dock.

Florence is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines.

Rome offers both underground transportation and bus service to the city’s major attractions. Subway and bus tickets may be purchased separately or in bulk.

Venice, Florence & Rome does involve a moderate amount of walking.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to access cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.

Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.