Country Roads of Tuscany & Central Italy Tour with 24 Reviews by Insight Vacations

9 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

48 peopleMaximum group size

5 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Rome, Italy

Ends

Rome, Italy

Highlights

Rome: Visit the Colosseum, still echoing with the thronging crowds and ghostly cries of gladiatorial combat.

Assisi: See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval laneways of this quaint town.

Assisi: With a Local Expert, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.

San Gimignano: Visit the Tuscan town of San Gimignano, often called the 'Medieval Manhattan' of Italy.

Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.

Itinerary

Live 'la dolce vita' during this 9-day guided tour of Italy. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets of Siena to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and see the Torre del Mangia, the second-tallest tower in Italy. Discover the art of truffle-hunting and learn how to make pasta from a professional before delighting in a local lunch. In San Gimignano, eat the best gelato in the world - literally. Indulge in your favourite flavours or try something unexpected. Alongside a Local Expert, marvel at the cathedral at the centre of Florence: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, nicknamed 'the Duomo' for its awe-inspiring crown made by a master goldsmith.

day 1 - Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. End the day getting to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialties during dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals:Dinner

Location Visited:Rome

Accommodation:NH Roma Centro, Rome

day 1 - Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a centre of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. End the day getting to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialties during dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals:Dinner

Location Visited:Rome

Accommodation:NH Roma Centro, Rome

day 2 - Umbria and on to Perugia

See the imposing Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican City before crossing the Tiber into Ancient Rome and imagining the gladiatorial combats and sounds of roaring spectators as you visit the mighty Colosseum with your Local Expert. Journey north to the Umbrian village of Baschi. Immerse yourself in the flavours and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join Giovanni and his dog Chris for a truffle hunting session. Afterwards, be entertained by Chef Lorenzo with a fun pasta demonstration and enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Join a Local Expert in Perugia to navigate the underground labyrinth of little streets, alleys, and arches. Walk along Corso Vannucci, resplendent in pale-pink stone, passing the princely Priors' Palace, the cathedral, and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the main square.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Location Visited:Rome, Vatican, Umbria, Perugia