How long does it take to fall in love? In a country where history spills from world-class museums and tiny osterias serve up life-changing pasta recipes, eight days might just be enough (but if you have more time, why not extend your adventure?). On this trip, you’ll begin winding your way through the canals of Venice, hiking through the scenic Cinque Terre, soaking up beauty and history of Florence and finishing up in the piazzas of Rome. With plenty of free time for independent exploration and the freedom to discover Italy's history and culture at your own pace, there's no better way to see this popular pocket of Europe.
The enduring phrase ‘la dolce vita’ (the good life) truly captures the essence of Italy. On this trip, you’ll spend 14 days discovering the heart of all things Italian on a culturally rich adventure from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Discover the Tuscan countryside on a leisurely cycle along Lucca’s Serchio River, peer into Pisa, take to the trails of the Cinque Terre for some stunning coastal views and walk the Portofino Peninsula with its glamourous residents. With time spent wine tasting in rural villages, cruising along Lake Como and relaxing along canals in Venice, you’ll soon understand why Italy remains in the hearts of all who visit.
The enduring phrase ‘la dolce vita’ (the good life) truly captures the essence of Italy. On this trip, you’ll spend eight days discovering the heart of all things Italian on a culturally rich adventure from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Take in the crumbling ruins of Rome, board a scenic train ride to Bologna and discover the maze-like canals of Venice with your local leader. Visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa, learn how to make pasta by hand in Bologna and indulge in delicious local cuisine and a couple (or two) glasses of vino – ah Italia!
The Dolomites are a beautiful part of the world and this trip didn't disappoint!!!
From airport pick up to drop off, I felt in safe hands.
Our hotel was perfectly placed near the centre of town and only a short distance from the bus station. Food at the hotel was delicious and we had 5 courses every night, just what you need to fuel a good hike!
Our walks gave us the opportunity to take in the stunning views of the mountains and lakes. Around every corner was another WOW!!!! We tackled a range of terrain from woodland and meadow to the rocky paths around the Tre Cime.
Nigel, our guide, was fab. He made sure we all got on and off buses, offered alternatives so people could tailor the walks to their ability and was very knowledgeable about the region & it's history. Best of all, he kept us entertained with myths & legends about dwarves, princesses and of course marmots!!!
Thanks Nigel & Explore! for a fantastic holiday!
This tour was so much fun. Learnt a lot, met a lot of new friends, and had a ton of fun. Would highly recommend this tour, and to travel through Europe in general.
It was a fast paced trip. It is a bit difficult staying only one night in a few places, just the logistics of packing up several nights and having everything ready for the next day is challenging.
But, that being said I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many things through out Italy.
That inconvenience was minor in comparison to the amount of ground we covered.
This was a busy itinerary which gave us the opportunity to visit several places that we have been dreaming of seeing. Our tour director was fabulous. He communicated the schedule for the day and we didn’t feel stressed, instead we enjoyed the many beautiful cities
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.
Coast to coast, city to city, the European Quest is el perfecto! Balancing everything we love about being in Europe. Stunning days spent on the coast of San Sebastian, cultured nights bar hopping in Prague, and enough time in Italy to leave you up to your eyebrows in pizza.
Great Itinerary which covered every touristy thing we wanted to do and *Personal details removed by Feefo* tried his best to accomodate any "must sees" the group had in mind.
Perfect coach which was kept clean (inside and out). We felt safe throughout the drive by *Personal details removed by Feefo* .
Hotels were far from anything, and getting around just became an extra expense. The Hotel Il Burchiello Oriago really needs to be re-considered as an option. It was awfully small, outdated and just not a great experience, especially as the first stop into Italy.
Wish the group dynamics could be better - maybe a "break the ice" drinks meet on the first night could have helped and made conversations more enjoyable.
From Prague to Vienna and on to Paris, this immersive tour of Europe takes in the mansions of Amsterdam, the Roman Empire relics of Rome and the breathtaking scenery of the Alps. Arrive at your Venice hotel by private boat, ahead of an exclusive dining experience at La Fenice restaurant, and sunset cocktails at Cafe Florian. In the Golden City of Prague, take your pick of Insight Choice experiences, touring the courtyard of a 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, or joining a Local Expert on an exploration of the city’s historic Jewish Quarter, with a stop at a local bakery to sample Trdelník—a traditional Czech pastry. Journey onwards through the countryside forests of Bohemia to Hungary for a scenic Budapest dinner cruise, gliding past the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites in style.