Style : Group tour

Taste of Italy

By CIE Tours

4.6 . Excellent

90%

Travel Style: Full on

Physical Level: Easy

Lodging Level: Value (3*)

7 days

From: $ 2,230 $ 319 / day

Checking price

Customize Trip Customize Reserve Reserve

Overview Itinerary Availability Reviews Details

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

Bologna: Explore one of the most food-centric cities in Italy, where Bolognese sauce was invented.

Sistine Chapel: Marvel at Michelangelo's incredible fresco work on the ceiling that has been newly restored to showcase the vibrant colors.

Orvieto: Step into the mysteries and culinary traditions of this ancient walled city that rises above the surrounding landscape.

Florence: Fall in love with the capital of beautiful Tuscany, the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Short Description

Get your first taste of the delights of Venice, Florence, Rome, and more on this enchanting Italian tour. You'll  get to enjoy the ancient ruins, architectural and artistic masterpieces, and of course, indulge in Italy's legendary food and wine.  ITALY IS AN ACTIVE DESTINATION: Visiting Italy requires the ability to walk on cobblestones and uneven terrain, climb stairs and vehicle steps, and walk or stand for several hours at a time. Traffic restrictions often require coaches to drop off passengers a substantial distance away, with a 20-minute walk to the attraction. Some tours include activities in late evening. Typical tour days may require five miles of medium-paced walking.

Style Group tour

Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights

Lodging Level Value (3*)

Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport

Start City Venice

End City Rome

N/A

Itinerary

Day 1

Venice Arrival | Welcome Dinner

Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception and take a one-hour orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic'. Spend a couple of hours exploring on your own before gathering again for an ample dinner with your fellow travelers.(D)

Day 2

The Sights of Venice | Gondola Ride

Take a walking tour of Venice, the most serene of cities, with a local guide. See it's glorious architecture, charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge's Palace and the acclaimed Piazza and Basilica of San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola. Delight in an evening of independent dining and exploration.(B)

Day 3

Bologna | Florence Dinner

Take a private group water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey stop for free time and lunch on your own at the lively historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence's city centre. Take a break, then depart for an orientation tour with your tour director. Enjoy some free time in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. This evening enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant. (B, D)

Day 4

Florence Walking Tour | Accademia Gallery

Take a walking tour of Florence with a local guide and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence. The remainder of afternoon and evening are free to explore this magnificent city at your leisure. (B, L)

Day 5

Orvieto | Roman Colosseum

They say that all roads lead to Rome so you're off to the Eternal City with a special and delicious stop in Orvieto for a local wine tasting. Visit the historic Colosseum, the iconic structure of imperial Rome constructed between 72 and 80 AD. This engineering marvel could hold between 50,000 - 80,000 spectators of public spectacles, gladiator battles, and classical dramas. Imagine the ghosts of the Caesars in the ruins of the Forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. *Please note on some departures the Colosseum may be moved to day 6. Your hotel tonight is in Rome's historic centre. (B)

Day 6

Independent Exploration | Vatican Tour | Farewell Dinner

Discover Rome independently this morning as you enjoy some free time to explore. In the afternoon, visit the Vatican for a guided tour of the Museums with entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.*Please note on some departures this visit may be moved to day 5. Also, the Vatican may decide to close the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica at very short notice. Unfortunately this is out of our control therefore visits are subject to availability. This evening enjoy a farewell meal at a local restaurant.(B, D)

Day 7

Tour Ends in Rome

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Availability

Checking price

Price From $ 2,230

Price Per Day: $ 319 _{per day}

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with CIE Tours.

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.

192 CIE Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

90%

4.6 out of 5 (100+ reviews)

Excellent 164

Great 8

Average 1

Disappointing 0

Terrible 19

Value

4.5

Guide

4.6

Activities

4.6

Lodging

4.6

Transportation

4.6

Meals

4.6

Taste of Italy

No reviews yet for this trip. Be the first one to write a review

Company Reviews

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!

1.0

Pam H

April 2022

I gave this return 1 star only because that’s the lowest possible option, otherwise they would receive 0 stars!!! I had a trip planned for September of 2021 to Iceland. 12 days before the trip, my husband got Covid. Even though it was 12 days before the travel date, they still would not allow me to reschedule the trip. My husband has Alzheimer’s and this would likely have been his last trip out of the country, had I been able to reschedule. I was told I could put in a claim to get a partial refund. Since September 5, I have been battling with CIE to get said refund. Countless emails and phone calls claiming my check would be in the mail by “next week.” I eventually contacted Trip Mate to see if I could get any answers and they informed me that the check couldn’t be sent out because CIE hadn’t released the money. I tried countless times to reach the customer service manager, Mary Larkin, but every time I called she was “on another call” or “at a meeting.” Eventually I was told I could only email her to get in contact with her. I did exactly that about my refund I have been waiting months to receive and she finally called me back. She said it was inexcusable that the refund had taken this long and assured me she would have the money released and have Trip Mate expedite sending the check to me “by next week.” This conversation took place on April 7 and no money has been received at this time. Better Business Bureau has been contacted to handle the matter from here. These people are thieves, do NOT under any circumstances book with them!!!

TourNorthern Lights Quest of Iceland

Loved our experience

5.0

Kelli

May 2021

Loved our experience with our tour guide Mert our CIE tour in July/August of 2015 we have many pictures that we wanted to share with our group — I believe maybe however, the person in charge of creating a group page for our group — couldn’t read my handwriting when we had past the clipboard around to put our email addresses on as myself, husband and daughter never received any notification of the group page — kelli_landaverde@icloud.com or Kelli_landaverde@yahoo.com ; a.ponce219@gmail.com ; aponcelandaverde@gmail.com —- would still love to keep in touch with the group — that’s what’s so sad being together side by side for two weeks getting to know someone and then to never hear from one another ever again

OperatorCIE Tours Company Reviews

Our Guide was awesome. John did an amazing job

5.0

Dads trip

November 2020

I took my 80 year old Dad and he bragged about it every day till he passed 5/2020. It was the best thing I have ever done. Wish I could do it again with him.

Tour10 Day Taste Of Scotland & Ireland

Both unfair and unacceptable

1.0

Lucille

August 2020

Like many others here, we have clients booked with CIE Tours, and their tours have been canceled, in one case twice. CIE only offers a future travel credit, without option for a refund. They say that their policy is like other tour operators, however, Globus Family of Brands and others that we work with are offering the option for a full refund in the case that they cancel the tour. Clients are upset and CIE's policy is both unfair and unacceptable.

OperatorCIE Tours Company Reviews

Here is their policy on their own website

1.0

Joel

August 2020

Here is their policy on their own website.
CIE TOURS CANCELLATIONS: If it becomes necessary to cancel a coach tour prior to departure, at the discretion of the company, CIE Tours will offer the next available date at no additional land cost or will make a full refund of all monies paid to CIE Tours. CIE Tours cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to such a tour booking or for any cancellation penalties due to non-refundable airfares, unless ticket is purchased from CIE Tours. Airline penalties may apply.
And yet they will not honor it. Stay away from this company. They do not care about you after they get your money.

OperatorCIE Tours Company Reviews

I can't say how disappointed I am with CIE Tours

1.0

Michael

July 2020

I can't say how disappointed I am with CIE Tours. I have had to cancel a planned tour of Ireland this year for two due to Covid 19 and the risk involved due to age and compromised immune systems of the parties involved.
CIE tours are unwilling to offer refunds of our deposits. I certainly could not recommend them to our friends and families as a reliable tour operator.
I have spoken to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in Ireland who quoted me the Package Holidays & Travel Trade Act and who said we are entitled to a refund of deposits paid.
I am very unhappy with this situation and am considering my next move if this matter is not resolved to my satisfaction.

OperatorCIE Tours Company Reviews

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Intimate Group - 12 max

Trip ID#:

TasItaCie

Meals Included

Breakfast-6
Lunch-1
Dinner-3

Taste of Italy

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

Short Description

Theme

Destinations

Attractions & Cities Visited

Activities & Interests

Itinerary

Availability

192 CIE Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

Taste of Italy

Company Reviews

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!

Loved our experience

Our Guide was awesome. John did an amazing job

Both unfair and unacceptable

Here is their policy on their own website

I can't say how disappointed I am with CIE Tours

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

Group Size

Trip ID#:

Meals Included

With a membership you:

With your free membership you:

Taste of Italy

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

Short Description

Theme

Destinations

Attractions & Cities Visited

Activities & Interests

Itinerary

Availability

192 CIE Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

Taste of Italy

Company Reviews

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!

Loved our experience

Our Guide was awesome. John did an amazing job

Both unfair and unacceptable

Here is their policy on their own website

I can't say how disappointed I am with CIE Tours

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

Group Size

Trip ID#:

Meals Included

How can we help?

With your FREE membership you get to:

You could save $ 300 per person on this trip!

Welcome back!

With a membership you:

With your free membership you:

Searching thousands of trips by hundreds of tour companies...