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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Journey through Italy: Milan to the Amalfi Coast

with Taormina Region extension

Duration: 18 or 21 days
Group size: 15-38

Cross every corner of Italy off your bucket list.

Relishing simple moments—say, enjoying a seemingly never-ending meal of pasta and wine in Rome—is a way of life in Italy. This feeling of la dolce vita is palpable from the winding canals of Venice and the cliffs of Cinque Terre, to the streets of Florence and the shores of the Amalfi Coast. On this immersive tour, each slice of ancient history, dreamy landscape, and fresh local flavor this showstopping country is known for is yours to experience.

Your tour package includes

16 nights in handpicked hotels
16 breakfasts
1 lunch
5 dinners with beer or wine
Guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Milan Cathedral
St. Mark’s Basilica
balsamic vinegar tasting
Cinque Terre
Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight flight1 night

Day 1: Travel Day

Board your overnight flight to Milan today.

Milan3 nights

Day 2: Welcome to Italy! Settle in to your hotel. Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.

Included meal: Dinner

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Milan

Included meal: Breakfast

Meet up with a local guide and embark on a sightseeing tour of Italy’s fashion capital.

Pay a visit to the 15th-century Sforza Castle, which currently houses an impressive collection of art
Walk through the Brera District and see the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and Piazza della Scala
Step inside the Gothic-style Milan Cathedral, Italy’s largest cathedral

Enjoy free time in Milan or add an excursion.

Santa Maria delle Grazie & the Last Supper

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Milan

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Milan or add an excursion.

Lake Como Boat Ride & Bellagio Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Venice2 nights

Day 5: Venice via Verona

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

En route to Venice, stop in Verona and walk through the city with your Tour Director.

Stroll through the city’s UNESCO-recognized historic center
Admire the Roman arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and the balcony of Shakespeare’s Juliet

Enjoy free time before continuing on to Venice, where you’ll enjoy an included dinner.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as “the Queen of the Adriatic.”

Step into the iconic St. Mark’s Square and enter St. Mark’s Basilica
View the stately Doge’s Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340
Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge’s Palace and the New Prison
See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city’s most celebrated art

Spend a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

Excursion (additional cost)

Italian Riviera2 nights

Day 7: Italian Riviera via balsamic vinegar villa

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

As you travel to the Italian Riviera, stop at a balsamic vinegar villa. You’ll sample the Modena province’s famous vinegar, known as Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, and enjoy an included lunch of local specialties.

After, continue on to the Italian Riviera.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Cinque Terre

Included meal: Breakfast

Discover Cinque Terre, an idyllic cluster of five villages set on seaside cliffs.

Travel by boat along the coast for dramatic cliffside views
Stop for free time to explore the seaside villages of Vernazza and Monterosso
Admire the Liguria region’s varied landscape as you transfer back to your hotel

Please note: The boat ride is weather-dependent. In the case of inclement weather, you’ll visit the villages by train. In addition, the specific villages you visit may vary.

Florence3 nights

Day 9: Florence via Pisa

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make a stop in Pisa as you travel to Florence today.

Walk through the Piazza dei Miracoli and see the famed Leaning Tower
Enjoy a tour of the adjacent cathedral and the Baptistery of St. John

Then, continue on to Florence and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off on a guided tour of Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance.

View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
See the medieval Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life
Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo

Enjoy free time in Florence or add an excursion.

Galleria dell'Accademia Museum

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 11: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Florence or add an excursion.

Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns

Excursion (additional cost)

Rome3 nights

Day 12: Rome via Assisi

Included meal: Breakfast

Drive through spectacular Umbria to hillside Assisi, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the town’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Visit Assisi’s lower and upper basilicas
See Giotto’s magnificent frescoes and other late-medieval art

Then, continue on to Rome.

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus
Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire
Stop at the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials
Pass Palatine Hill, see where ancient Romans raced chariots at Circus Maximus, and view the Baths of Caracalla

Enjoy free time in Rome or add an excursion.

Day 14: Free day in Rome

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Rome or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner. While you dine, you’ll be treated to some of opera’s best-loved arias sung by professional tenors.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Excursion (additional cost)

Sorrento Peninsula3 nights

Day 15: Sorrento Peninsula via Pompeii

Included meal: Breakfast

En route to the Sorrento peninsula, stop at Pompeii for a guided walking tour of the city’s ruins.

Discover how Roman citizens lived 2,000 years ago, before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.
View the excavated Roman ruins of theaters, villas, temples, and baths

Then, continue on to the Sorrento peninsula.

Day 16: Sightseeing tour of the Amalfi Coast

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full-day trip to the scenic Amalfi Coast.

Drive along the coast to stop at Amalfi Cathedral and the Madonnina viewpoint, which overlooks the town of Positano and offers magnificent views of the sea
Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in Amalfi
Continue along the coast as you return to the Sorrento peninsula

Spend a free evening on the Sorrento peninsula or add an excursion.

Rustic Italy: Farmhouse Dinner & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 17: Free day on the Sorrento Peninsula

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy free time on the Sorrento peninsula or add an excursion.

Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner this evening.

Capri: A Day on the Iconic Island

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 18: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home or continue on to explore Sicily’s Taormina region.

Extension to Taormina Region

Extend your stay in Taormina and see for yourself why expatriate artists, writers and intellectuals were so inspired during the early 20th century when they came to call it home. Spend your time exploring its tiny villages, old churches, lively bars, fine restaurants and antique shops.

Taormina Region3 nights

Day 18: Flight to Catania

Included meal: Breakfast

Fly to Catania, Sicily. Then, transfer to the Taormina region.

Day 19: Sightseeing tour of Taormina

Included meal: Breakfast

Meet up with a local guide who will introduce you to Taormina, a scenic town perched high above the sea.

Enjoy views of Mount Etna, Taormina Cathedral, and the Palazzo Corvaia, seat of the first Sicilian parliament
Visit the town’s 2nd-century Greek theater

Spend a free evening in the Taormina region or add an excursion.

Traditional Sicilian Dinner & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 20: Free day in the Taormina Region

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in the Taormina region or add an excursion.

This evening, raise a glass and toast to your tip with a farewell drink.

Mount Etna: Sicily's Volcanic Landscapes

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 21: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Catania airport for your flight home.

Extension is available on select departure dates. Space is limited. Minimum of 10 travelers is required.

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Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour Pace

You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as stepping between boats and uneven docks.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Milan and depart from Naples (or Catania on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. 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.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a flight from Naples to Catania.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
On the Italian Riviera, a taste of the region’s famous basil pesto is a must. Delicious seafood dishes are popular along the shore, but true Ligurians favor simple, traditional recipes like minestrone soup and farinata, an unleavened chickpea pancake.
Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily’s arancini).
The cuisine of Southern Italy is often what diners think of when imagining Italian flavors—pasta with tomato sauces, olives and olive oil, zucchini, veal, and fish are all featured prominently on menus throughout the region.
On the tour extension, Sicilian cuisine in particular is heavily influenced by Spanish, Greek, and Arab traditions. The Spanish brought New World influences to the region in the form of tomatoes, chocolate, and maize, while the Arab influence can be tasted in recipes that include rice, spinach, saffron, and citrus fruits. Regional specialties include arancini, cannoli, and granita.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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 withdraw 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.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.