Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Ultimate Italy
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Float through the Venetian canals aboard a traditional gondola
- Step into the Renaissance in Florence
- Indulge in Italian food and wine while taking in the Tuscan countryside
- See the best of ancient Rome, the Vatican and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
- Take in the turquoise waters and coastal views of luxurious Capri
- Go on a breath-taking tour of Pompeii, the city buried in ash in 79 AD
- Soak up the sun on the beach in Catania
Short Description
From the sapphire water of Capri, luxe Milanese fashion and unrivaled culinary creations, Italy is the place to be. Take in the scenic vistas in Cinque Terre, travel back in time to ancient Rome and relax on the beach amidst volcanic Mt. Etna in Sicily. Wash it all down with a glass of Tuscan wine. Who said you can’t have it all? On Ultimate Italy, you can.
Destinations
ItalyAttractions & Cities Visited
Cinque Terre Colosseum Florence Lake Como Milan Mount Etna Naples Rome Sicily Sistine Chapel Tuscany Umbria Vatican City VeniceAge Requirement
18-28Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight, bound for Europe.
Day 2: Arrive in Venice + Welcome Mixer
Welcome to Venice! Situated on 118 islands, intersected by 175 canals and spanned by more than 400 bridges, this city has had more praise showered upon it from travelers, writers and artists than any other city in the world. Threatened by rising tides, you’ve arrived at the perfect moment.
Today's Highlights:
Arrive at the airport. Your Tour Director will be waiting to show you how to get around the city
Explore on your own. Venture into Venice proper or see the area surrounding your accommodation
Once everyone is situated, you’ll meet your new friends over drinks and light appetizers at the Welcome Mixer.
Day 3: Tour Venice
Head to St. Mark’s Square to begin your sightseeing with a local guide.
Today's Highlights:
Enter St. Mark’s Basilica and bask in the mosaics inlaid in the golden ceiling
See several historic churches and amble through picture-perfect piazzas
Follow the winding Grand Canal through the heart of Venice
See the historic Rialto bridge, the oldest in the city
After your sightseeing, you have the afternoon free!
Day 4: Travel to Milan
Say goodbye to Venice; you’re on to Milan, the design, fashion and commerce center of Italy.
Today's Highlights:
Drive to Milan via Verona
Pay a visit to Juliet’s famous balcony and get in touch with your inner romantic
Arrive in Milan and take an introductory walk of the area with your Tour Director
Day 5: Excursion to Lake Como + Free Day in Milan
Cruise Lake Como on a full-day excursion or enjoy a full free day in Milan to explore on your own.
Excursion: A Day in Lake Como Extra Cost
Cruise the serene Lake Como, where views of the Alps, villas and small medieval towns line the shore. Then, explore the towns of Como and Bellagio, celebrity hotspots brimming with charm. This is your day to sit back, relax and enjoy two of the swankiest, most beautiful cities Italy has to offer.
If you choose a free day, try these suggestions:
Trek up the stairs of the Milan Duomo for sweeping views of the city skyline
Wander Zona Tortona for unique boutiques, art galleries and cafes
GOL!!! Soccer fans, tour the San Siro Stadium and museum, home to AC Milan
Taste traditional aperitivos as the Milanese do
Day 6: Travel to Florence via Cinque Terre
Board your private coach for Florence via Cinque Terre, the five colorful fishing villages that will make for the best photo op of the entire trip.
Today's Highlights:
Explore Cinque Terre and travel by train through the villages
Stop in Riomaggiore, the tranquil and unspoiled village that is too beautiful for its own good
Visit Vernazza for vibrant views and picturesque perspectives
Hit the beach in Monterosso and relax after a long day of exploration
After your day in Cinque Terre, arrive in Florence in the evening. Get settled, then take an introductory walk with your Tour Director to get acquainted with the area. The rest of the evening is yours.
Day 7: Tour Florence
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Florence, the compact capital of Tuscany known for its famous Renaissance artwork.
Today's Highlights:
Cross the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, home to many of Florence’s jewelers and art merchants.
Stroll the Piazza della Signoria, home to the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo’s David
Visit the Duomo Cathedral. Return during your free time and challenge yourself to climb the 463 steps to the top for stunning views of the city
Day 8: Travel to Tuscany
Leave Florence behind as you board your private coach en route to the Tuscan countryside.
Today's Highlights:
Take in views of the Italian rolling hills, olive groves, cypress trees and incredible vineyards
Spend an evening in the quaint countryside before diving back into the city life
DAY 9: Travel to Rome via Orvieto
Board your private coach, bound for Rome via Orvieto.
Today's Highlights:
On the way to Rome, stop in Orvieto, a quaint Italian hill town perched atop a rock cliff
Marvel at the artistry of the facade of Orvieto’s stunning cathedral
Look out at the cypress-dotted plains of Umbria
Benvenuti a Roma!
DAY 10
Colosseum + Roman Forum
Skip the line and go back in time with tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Then, do as the Romans do and learn how to make authentic pasta by hand.
Today's Highlights:
Experience the heart of ancient Rome with visits to the Colosseum and Forum
Walk the Via Sacra, the ceremonial and public main street of Ancient Roman life
Stand where gladiators battled to the death in mortal combat
See the ruins of several Roman temples, including the Temple of the Vestal Virgins
Excursion: Taste of Italy: Pasta-Making Class Extra Cost
When in Rome, do as the Romans do best: cook awesome food. It starts with crafting the dough for homemade pasta, and finishes with a delicious meal prepared by your own hands. Along the way, you’ll get to taste some of the finest olive oil and vinegar with a local food guide while learning about Italian food traditions throughout the ages. This is truly an authentic cuisine experience you can’t find anywhere but Italy itself.
Day 11: Vatican City + Free Evening
Peace be with you as you stroll the home of the Pope and capital of Catholicism: Vatican City.
Today's Highlights:
Get an in-depth look into Papal history and politics with an expert guide
Cross another country of your list (Vatican City is an independent nation)
View the frescos of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s greatest work
Visit the Vatican Museum, one of the largest, most renowned art collections in the world
Day 12: Travel to Naples via Capri
Board your private coach en route to Naples via Capri, the upscale, coastal city known for limoncello, crystal-clear water and posh resorts.
Today's Highlights:
Spend a full day on the Isle of Capri for an afternoon cruise and tour with a local guide
Cruise the turquoise waters around the island and see the limestone arch of Arco Naturale
Go up to the center of Capri via funicular train from Marina Grande
Take in panoramic views of the water from the Gardens of Augustus
Day 13: Explore Pompeii
Join a local guide for a walking tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, which stands frozen in time post-eruption from Mt. Vesuvius.
Today's Highlights:
Travel back to imperial Roman times and learn about Pompeii, the city preserved in volcanic ash
See Mt. Vesuvius, the deadly volcano that annihilated this city, up close and personal
Experience the buildings, artifacts and even people that are still preserved in volcanic ash
After Pompeii, you'll head back to the ferry port in Naples to board your overnight ferry to Palermo, Sicily. Enjoy dinner aboard the ferry, then retire to your cabins for the night as you sail the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Day 14: Travel to Catania
After arriving in Palermo, it's on to the lively city of Catania. Upon arrival, your Tour Director will take you on an introductory walk of the area.
Today's Highlights:
Visit the energetic fish market of La Pescheria (behind the Piazza del Duomo) where fishermen serve up every sea creature imaginable
Relax at an outdoor cafe, espresso in hand, in the Piazza del Duomo
Enjoy a day at La Playa, the most popular beach in Catania, known for its fine golden sand and nightlife
Day 15: Explore Taormina + Beach Day
Explore the posh, mountainside town of Taormina before hitting the Isola Bella beach in Mazzaró.
Today's Highlights:
Bask in the spectacular views of Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe
Explore the 7th-century Taormina Greek Theater, which is still in use today
Ride the cable car from the top of Taormina down to Mazzaró to enjoy a day on the beach
Enjoy a free afternoon to tan at the beach or amble through town, taking in the baroque architecture and quaint, pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets. Then, have lunch at a traditional Sicilian trattoria before returning to Catania in the evening.
Day 16: Free Day + Mt. Etna Excursion
The day is yours to explore. Enjoy your free time or take an excursion to the apex of Mt. Etna, a massive active volcano on the eastern coast of Sicily.
Excursion:
Mt. Etna: Volcanos and Vineyards Extra Cost
Mount Etna, standing at almost 11,000 feet high, is the tallest active volcano in Europe. Catch breathtaking views of the landscape and Sicilian coast from 5,000 feet up Etna itself. Then head another 1,500 feet up to explore the craters and learn Etna’s historic and scientific significance with a local guide. After your tour, sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of authentic Sicilian wine, whose vines are nourished from the rich, volcanic soil.
Farewell Dinner
In the evening, freshen up at the hotel and head to your farewell dinner with the group.
Day 17: Fly Home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.
Availability
- Deposit Price: $ 150
93 EF College Break (EF Ultimate Break) Travel Reviews & Ratings
Ultimate Italy
Do not use this travel agency
HELP!!! Do not use EF Ultimate Break. Everyone is incompetent and don't have a clue what the hell is going on.
Company Reviews
Terrible Service and Outright Theft
I'm posting on here because EF doesn't…
But be warned, EF will give you terrible and cheap meals, accommodations, and flights. Starting with the meals, EF plans trips in some amazing cities, and the food is probably the most exciting part of these cities and a huge part of what makes it fantastic. Eating good quality food with good people is what makes any trip or event memorable. But the places EF led us to to eat, was so awful. It was so upsetting, and a waste of money. For flights, from where I live there are plenty of nonstop flights going to where I was going to for this trip. EF gave me long, grueling, inconvenient layovers in some random cities - and this was obviously to cut corners on the flights to keep more of my money. All of the hotels were dirty, outdated, and cheap.
If I'm paying so much money for a trip, EF must be pocketing a lot of it. Because it definitely did not go towards a good trip.
You can do as you will, but if I could go back in time and tell myself to not do the trip with EF...I would do it in a heartbeat. Don't say I didn't warn you.Just don't let them rob you.
Taking legal action
May 9,2023 i ask to cancel my trip, I ask to be refunded to the original card that I used(credit card) they told me no that they would send me a check.Mia Kelly send me a confirmation email stating that the check at most would that 2 weeks to get to me.June 1,2023 I emailed them saying I have not received the check, Ashley Palmer responded saying that checks that 4 weeks.June 10,2023 send another email, Ashley Palmer responded saying that the check was issue on May 17,2023.June 22,2023 send an email stating that I haven’t received my check,Ashley Palmer responded asking me what is my address.June 28,2023 I send another email saying that I haven’t received the check.On june 29,2023 Siena Cashan email me asking to confirm my address again.I send an email on July 1,2023.Ashley Palmer responded July 5,2023 saying that they send a new check.July 5,2025 Lara Bone( manager) send me an email saying that a new check was issue.July 11,2023 I send an email saying that I haven’t received my check,Ashley Palmer responded that the check was issued on June 29,2023.July 11,2023 Lara Bone(manager) tells that they are going to void that check and send a new one.They told me they Can issued an refund to my card on file(credit card), that they previously told they could not do.July 14,2023 I emailed them saying that I haven’t received any refunds.July 17,2023 I got a check I send an email to Lara Bone(manager) saying that I got the check.She responded saying that the claim was close.On July 20,2023 I got a notification from my bank saying that my account was overdrawn I call my bank and they told me that the check that I deposit did not have funds.I email back to Lara Bone(manager) telling her that my bank account was overdrawn because of them and she told that they send the check so I shouldn’t have any issue.She call me staying that it was a miscommunication issue on MY part and they would send a new check I decline and told them that they need to fix it today.She told me that was impossible after I threatened to take legal action she ask me for my checking account information when I ask when I would see the money in the account she told me that they send it immediately but it takes my bank account a couple of days to approve it.Couple of hours later she send me an email saying that they send the money.I call my bank because I don’t trust them(Ef trip) and my bank tells that they haven’t received anything.I send an email to Lara Bone and she responded that it takes Ef 2- 5 days to put the money in the account so she lied again.I have screenshot if anyone wants them please DONT USE THIS COMPANY.
It be nice if they didn't discriminate…
They hide the bad reviews on their website
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Cancellation policy
You have 48 hours to cancel and receive a full refund. You can also switch trips up to 99 days before you leave.
The full amount paid upon enrolment is refundable if you cancel in writing within 48 hours of booking the tour. After 48 hours, the deposit is non-refundable and the following standard cancellation fees apply.
If you are booking 30 days or less prior to the scheduled departure date for your trip, you are required to pay in full at the time of booking and standard cancellation fees then apply; you are not eligible for the 48 hour risk-free period.
Based on the date EF receives written notification of your cancellation, you will be refunded for monies paid minus the cancellation fee and any non-refundable fees. (See refund and non-refundable Fee description above for more details.) In addition to notifying us of your cancellation in writing, we also recommend you call so that we can best review your options.
Days Prior to Departure and Cancellation Fee
30 days or less is all monies paid
30-60 days will be $2000
61-99 will be $1000
100-364 days is $450
365+ days will be $150
Age Notes :
Min. Age: 18
Max Age: 28
Additional Information
Perfected stress-free travel
- Full-time Tour Director
- Round-trip flights
- Handpicked Lodging
- Guided Sightseeing
- Breakfast Daily
- Transportation Between Cities
Trip ID#:
UltItaEfc
What's excluded
- Rooming upgrades
- Optional excursions
- Travel Protection
- Beverages, lunch, and dinner (except where specified in the itinerary)
- Transportation to free-time activities
- Customary gratuities (for your Tour Director, bus drivers and local guides)
- Porterage
- Any applicable baggage-handling fees imposed by the airlines
- Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF’s control (see Flight Information section for details)
- Passport, visa and reciprocity fees
- Fees associated with Special Travel Arrangements (See Special Travel Arrangements section)
- III. PRICE VALIDITY
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By clicking «Send my questions» you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. An account will be created for you to track your submission and a temporary password will be emailed to you.
×
You can access members-only savings of up to $700 on over 6,000 Travelstride Select trips.
Sign in to see trip eligibility
With your FREE membership you get to:
- Save up to $700 per person!*
- Access private deals and offers
- See personalized trip recommendations
- Save favorite trips
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
You could save $ 600 per person on this trip!
