Get ready to see some of the most famous landmarks, fascinating attractions, and architectural sites in Southern Europe with this 12-day tour of Italy! Your journey will begin in Rome, home to the world-famous Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. Take a trip to Vatican City, where you will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. From there, you will travel to Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance. Head over to the hilltop Piazzale Michelangelo, situated by the banks of the River Arno, to uncover the best views of Florence in the city. Make your way west to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and drive through Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site consisting of five Italian villages, known for its scenic trails stretching along the coast of the Italian Riviera. Take the train to Levanto to explore the Genoa Old Port and visit Santa Margherita Ligure. Lay back in the Riviera Region in Portofino before you travel to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy. From there, you will explore the Italian Lakes Region with breathtaking trips to Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, and the Borromean Islands. Your next destination will be Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet. Head on a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square in Venice, the City of Canals. Stop in Padova before you travel to the Adriatic coast to see San Marino, an independent country sitting atop a fortified mountain. Pass by Gubbio, home to the Palace of Consuls, and travel to Perugia, surrounded by the valleys and mountains of Umbria. Explore Assisi and see the Basilica of St. Francis before you make your way back to Rome, where your tour of Italy will come to an end. This well-rounded itinerary is perfect for those seeking immersive and unforgettable Italy vacations.
Amazing variety of experiences, excellent tour guide and local specialists. I also loved that Trafalgar supports local artists and family run farms. A highlight for me was the Make Travel Matter experience with the weavers.
We saw and learned a great deal and had what I felt was enough free time and choices. Our guide was great - knowledgeable, personable, and could anticipate our needs. We had a nice group - 29 persons which wasn't too large.
Savor a true taste of Irish splendor" Explore the historic city of Dublin by bus. Gaze upon the historic Rock of Cashel and visit the famous Blarney Castle. Explore the spectacular Dingle Peninsula. Meet a local family and enjoy tea and scones at their farm. Stand in awe on the Cliffs of Moher. Spend the night in a stately castle and enjoy the atmosphere of its magnificent reception rooms. Sip on the “water of life” at a whiskey distillery. From Dublin’s charming Grafton Street to the breathtaking sights of County Kerry, gaze across the countryside and beauty of Ireland.
Our trip was absolutely wonderful! I would like to thank our tour guide, for taking great care of everything. We had something planned every day and the group that travelled with us was so friendly. Everything worked out beautifully. We made memories that will last a lifetime!
On this tour to Greece and southern Italy, start your exploration in Athens, as you experience the charm of the historic city. Explore iconic sites such as the Presidential Palace and the Panathinaikos stadium, followed by a visit to the vibrant Plaka area. Your next stop will be the Peloponnese region, where you will have the opportunity to visit Tripoli, Olympia and Patras. Explore the ancient wonders of Olympia, such as the Temple of Zeus and the stadium before heading to Patras with its impressive medieval fortress. Crossing over the Rio-Antirrio bridge, you will reach Brindisi via Igoumenitsa and board a ferry to Italy. Later you will explore the charming towns of Alberobello and Matera, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, before arriving in Naples and soaking in its historic beauty. As you continue your Italian adventure, discover the allure of Capri's stunning landscapes and Sorrento's picturesque cliffside charm. Salerno beckons with coastal delights before Pompeii unveils its ancient ruins frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius. Naples enchants with its vibrant streets and rich history, while Cassino's immense abbey echoes tales of wartime resilience. Each stop offers a unique cultural experience, from exploring ancient ruins to strolling through picturesque coastal towns. As your journey culminates in Rome, you'll bid farewell, carrying cherished memories of your unforgettable tour.
Scotland's natural beauty and its historical legacy were the highlight of the trip. Many photos of the countryside were taken and will be used in creating original paintings. I appreciated as well the many occasions we had to hear history from the point of view of the Scots. An excellent balance between nature and human knowledge.
This trip was fantastic.
The itinerary was described accurately. All hotels were very well appointed, clean and most were in beautiful locations.
The guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. We had picknick lunches daily en route.
The group was great, a very diverse group from different countries with lots of humour and stories to share.
We certainly recommend this trip and remember it fondly!
Our family of 5 adults recently went to Italy on a 9 day trip to Venice, Rome and Sorrento(Amalfi Coast) with private tours, fast train travel, door to door drivers, and great accommodations; which was all set up by Michael.
Michael was very responsive to my communications, very helpful with trip suggestions to make the trip better, and just overall a great travel planner! I was nervous at first, because I have never completely booked a vacation online without ever meeting the travel planner, but it all worked out great!
We were completely happy with everything about our trip, and will definitely reach out to Michael again when we travel to Italy! There were a couple of small issues that arose over the duration of the trip, but they were handled quickly and without further problem to us. So all was good.
Our private tour guides in Rome, Ornella; and Roberta in Pompeii were incredible. Our Venice tour guide, Cynthia, was awesome too, she did a great job! We did a full day 8 hr tour in Rome of the Colosseum and Vatican, and I would recommend splitting that to two half days if you have the time. It was awesome, but a bit much for one day!! Also, we had a full day Amalfi Coast tour by van, with great driver Antonio, which was supposed to go to Positano, Amalfi, & Ravello, but because the traffic is so bad on the roads, there wasn't time to make it to Ravello. So, I recommend either going by boat, which we hear is faster, or allow more time if you want to see all three villages.
Again, a great trip for the memory books! Thank you MIchael and all of the local operators who worked to make our trip such a success!!
Glories of Türkiye 15 day tour
This small group (in our case just 8 people) tour was excellent and provided a perfect introduction to this country. The first thing that stands out is how clean everywhere is. Not so much as a candy wrapper anywhere, city streets or country by-ways. The Turks are hospitable, polite and friendly people, eager to please everywhere you go. English is spoken in many places and commnication is never a problem. Our escort and guide, Fatih, was both knowledgeable and informative about the many sights; but also thoughtful and concerned for the well-being of his group members. Highly organized and experienced, he had everything under control. Our fellow travelers were all delightful company.
Istanbul is a vibrant city with a history dating back thousands of years. Divided by the Bosphorous, it is both in Europe and in Asia. The Kadikoy district, on the Asian side, is not part of the tour but should be. If possible try to spend a couple of additional days there.
The ancient sites are all interesting and cover thousands of years of history, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and many associated with biblical writings. This is also a good opportunity for non Muslims to learn about the Islamic faith.
Dining was always a pleasure. Although the Turkish population is almost entirely of the Muslim faith, it is politically secular. As a result, alcoholic beverages are widely but not universally available. Tap water is generally avoided, but bottled water is available everywhere.
Prices in stores and dining establishments were significantly cheaper than Europe or North America.
There was no sense anywhere of a threat to personal safety. Indeed we saw no signs of homelessness or drug or alcohol abuse or criminality. Toilets were clean and fresh everywhere.
In summary, Turkey was a wonderful vacation experience, and the Glories of Türkiye 15 day tour met and exceeded our expectations.
Explore a land where world history and fairy-tale charm come to life in the culturally rich cities of Central & Eastern Europe. Enjoy multi-night stays, immersive local deep-dives, and authentic, traditional flavors in Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Krakow. Learn about life during the fall of the Berlin Wall from a Berliner who lived through it. Get a sweet taste of the relaxed Viennese coffee house culture. Travel aboard a train, like the locals, on the beautiful journey from Prague to Vienna. Make your journey unique when you choose to visit the House of Terror Museum to learn about Hungarian history or indulge in the famous Thermal Baths of Budapest, one of the largest spa baths in Europe. Discover Krakow on a walking tour through the Old Town. Step into history at Auschwitz during a poignant visit. This is a land where past and present coincide – embrace history, culture, and endless beauty in Central and Eastern Europe.