Italy's Best

14 days
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Group Tour
With its magnificent architecture, beautiful landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, ancient ruins, and brilliant art, Italy is a country like no other. On this affordable Italy’s Best tour, you’ll experience all of this and more. One of the tour’s highlights is the excursion to the Cinque Terre—five medieval seaside villages. The area is noted for its natural beauty ...
From$2,839
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    With its magnificent architecture, beautiful landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, ancient ruins, and brilliant art, Italy is a country like no other. On this affordable Italy’s Best tour, you’ll experience all of this and more. One of the tour’s highlights is the excursion to the Cinque Terre—five medieval seaside villages. The area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea. Delight in the unique charm of the area and take in the breathtaking views. On your journey through Tuscany, watch the undulating hills, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages. More stunning scenery awaits at Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes. Located on the edge of the Swiss Alps, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak in the beauty. Briefly cross the border into Switzerland to Lugano, a lakeside town with a Mediterranean flair. In southern Italy, witness magnificent views of the crystal-clear, blue sea in the vibrant town of Sorrento, and enjoy a day trip to Capri where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. On this comprehensive Italy tour, history comes alive. Visit Pompeii, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This amazingly preserved archaeological site gives you a detailed insight into ordinary life at the peak of the Roman Empire. In Rome, during the city sightseeing tour with a local guide, see the main sights, as well as Vatican City with St Peter’s Basilica. In Genoa, boasting Europe’s largest medieval historical district, view the remains of the city’s 17th-century fortifications. Visit St Francis’ Basilica in Assisi, a medieval town set in the Umbrian hills. Guided city sightseeing tours are planned in Rome, Florence, Assisi, and Genoa. Your visit to Venice includes a boat trip to St Mark’s square to see the maze of canals forming this unique romantic city. These are just some of the many highlights of this affordable tour of Italy!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start City ROME, ITALY
End CityROME

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

Attractions

  • Assisi
  • Cinque Terre
  • Florence
  • Genoa
  • La Spezia
  • Milan
  • Perugia
  • Pisa
  • Pompeii
  • Rome
  • Sorrento
  • Tuscany
  • Venice
  • Verona

Activities

  • Culture

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2: ROME

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the C...

Day 3: ROME–PISA–MONTECATINI

Vistas of rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and take a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Montecatini. Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 (Breakfast)

Day 4: MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE

Today, enjoy an included excursion to Florence. Your Local Guide will show you the city highlights on the walking tour. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, marvel at the Pi...

Day 5: MONTECATINI–LA SPEZIA–CINQUE TERRE–GENOA

Travel towards La Spezia, where you’ll hop aboard the train to discover some of the five spectacular Cinque Terre villages. The beauty of the rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired poet Lord Byron. From Levanto, re-join the coach and head towards Genoa, birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus. Today’s Distance by coach: 149 mi/ 240 km (Breakfast)

Day 6: GENOA–MILAN–LAKE MAGGIORE

Today’s included guided tour is an excellent introduction to Genoa. A maze of squares and alleys, the city grew around the port, a natural inlet, and boasts the largest medieval historical district in Europe. Next, head north into the plains of Lombardy, and stop in ...

Day 7: LAKE MAGGIORE. EXCURSION TO LUGANO, SWITZERLAND

Time to relax and get to know Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes, located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. On clear days, you can see the peaks of the Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano in Italian-speaking Swiss Canton Ticino. Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 200 km (Breakfast)

Day 8: LAKE MAGGIORE–VERONA–VENICE AREA

Travel across the fertile Po River plain. Stop in the romantic city of Verona for some time at leisure being awed by the Roman Arena, perfectly preserved and still hosting concerts and festivals during the summer, shopping, or tasting some of the excellent local wines. Continue to the Venice area. Today’s Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km (Breakfast)

Day 9: VENICE

Venice is more like a romantic film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, and is followed by time at leisure and ...

Day 10: VENICE AREA–ASSISI–FOLIGNO

Enjoy an interesting drive southward right across the Po Delta, through the Emilia-Romagna region to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis. See the Basilica of St. Francis...

Day 11: ASSISI AREA–POMPEII–SORRENTO COAST

Travel to Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included guided visit of the archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Carry on to Sorrento, set ...

Day 12: SORRENTO COAST. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI

Enjoy a day trip to the legendary island, surrounded by a rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and inviting restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Explore on your own or take an optional island tour. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 13: SORRENTO COAST–ROME

Today, enjoy time at leisure or visit Positano on our exciting optional excursion, before returning to Rome. Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (Breakfast)

Day 14: ROME

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,839
Price per day$203
Last Updated: 7/3/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
24 Dec 2024
06 Jan 2025
$3,029
30 Mar 2025
12 Apr 2025
$3,249
13 Apr 2025
26 Apr 2025
$3,249
27 Apr 2025
10 May 2025
$3,269
04 May 2025
17 May 2025
$3,269
11 May 2025
24 May 2025
$3,269
18 May 2025
31 May 2025
$3,269
25 May 2025
07 Jun 2025
$3,269
01 Jun 2025
14 Jun 2025
$3,269
08 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$3,269

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Cosmos.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Coral

Jun 2023

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Cosmos? No

We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-...

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Happy Traveler from US

Jun 2020

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Excellent Experience and Excellent Guide

I would highly recommend this company and some trips to Scandinavia and Baltic. The countries are amazing, the service and our guide Ausra Paukste was really the bes...

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Tangobeauty

Sep 2018

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Great Cosmos Value

I am a budget solo female traveler. I have traveled with COSMOS for about 20 years in the past, all over Europe, Switzerland, Turkey, etc. The best thing is that I n...

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Cosmos

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Since inventing the budget vacation over 50 years ago, Cosmos has offered savvy, value-minded travelers the most affordable travel packages to the world's most captivating places - from the City of Brotherly Love to the City of Light…from the Great White North to northern Africa…from tropical Hawaii to sub-tropical Lugano, Switzerland…from the rainforests of Brazil to the Lost "City of the Incas." Our incredible value helps travel buffs travel more often.

We understand that you want to get out and experience the world. And that you'd rather spend another day in London than have a chocolate on your pillow. That's why Cosmos vacation packages include comfortable, clean, and attractive pre-selected hotels; guided city sightseeing; a dynamic assortment of transportation…to make getting there half the fun; and many meals. Our clout with suppliers is concentrated…and we pass the savings on to you.

With Cosmos, you'll enjoy the benefits, security, and convenience of escorted travel, an expert Tour Director, a greater choice of activities and excursions, and longer stays in key cities so that you can truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

You can also personalize your getaway, thanks to well-designed itineraries that feature the must-see sites as well as significant free time to explore your destination the way you want.

What they’re known for
Value vacations for savvy travelers willing to cut back on the extras in exchange for more activities and time spent at bucket list destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

BV Oly Hotel

Ambasciatori Palace

Starhotels President

Simplon

Poppi

City Hotel & Suites

Central Park

Grand Fleming Hotel

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
COSMOS-6390

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