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.
9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Chicago)
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
Short Description
2 Venice, 2 Florence, 2 Rome
Destinations
N/AActivities & Interests
N/AItinerary
|
DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Venice
DAY 3, Friday - Full day in Venice
DAY 4, Saturday - Travel to Florence by Rail
DAY 5, Sunday - Full Day in Florence
DAY 6, Monday - Travel to Rome by Rail
DAY 7, Tuesday - Full Day in Rome
DAY 8, Wednesday - Full Day in Rome
DAY 9, Thursday - Depart Italy |
Availability
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727 Gate 1 Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Chicago)
Company Reviews
Uncaring and Greedy Company
I was more than willing to postpone my trip or apply my total payment to another future trip. Instead, I lost over $4000 for the trip, airfare, excursions and transfers and was not given any other option but to forfeit more than 90% of my payment. I was also misled (by two separate agents) to believe that I would be refunded my airfare minus a $250 penalty. Instead, I now have a credit for a sum uncertain with no way to access it with an airline that only goes to one destination.
The tragic events in recent days should warrant the ability to make changes in travel plans without excessive penalties. Gate 1's policies are unreasonable given the unprecedented times we are living in.
Very disappointed with Gate 1
We’re scheduled to tour Egypt in November. However, due to the the conflict that’s happening now with Israel in Palastine/Gaza and the West Bank, we are justifiably concerned about our safety.
Our trip is fully paid, but we had humbly requested to reschedule for a later date to travel (Not asking for a refund) just to reschedule. Unfortunately for us Gate1 outright denied our request disregarding our concerns. The Arch insurance that’s offered through Gate1 essentially only covers Gate1.
Trip Insurance Scam
I have been on 12 gate 1 trips, many guest I meet are repeat gate 1'ers
Gate 1 Travel has no Covid policy and horrible tour guide
Day 1: According to Gate 1 itinerary, when we arrived in the hotel and we suppose to meet together for breakfast. There was no signage at all as where should we all go and the tour guide was nowhere to be found. Many of us ended up paying extra for the hotel breakfast which is US$30+ because we thought we need to meet the tour guide inside the restaurant. Until much later then we discovered that the breakfast was arranged in the basement of the hotel. Again, there was NOT any signage to tell us where to go. It was a mess right from the beginning. Afternoon the itinerary includes a stop at the viewing of the Perlan and the Sun Voyager sculpture, but the tour guide never did. The weather wasn’t an issue. He even insulted us on the bus saying that you guys didn’t even notice sightseeing places were missing, haha. We noticed alright, just didn’t say anything. In the welcome drink, the tour guide passed around a few papers and told us to take a photo which is our daily itinerary. A lady in our tour asked him about itinerary next day and the guide responded in a condescending manner “What did I tell you yesterday? You are not a child.” and never answered her question. He was constantly talking to us in a condescending tone of voice. By the way there is no daily itinerary posting in the hotel lobby like all other Gate 1 tours that I have joined before.
Day 2, we all noticed a few people looked and sounded very sick with heavy coughing and a few of us spoke to tour guide privately with our concerns, told the guide to tell them to put on a mask in the bus or covid testing but he did nothing. He announced on the bus in our very last day, if anyone not feeling well, please put on a mask. It was kind of late after we stayed together in a very tight space for the last 9 days especially on the bus. We are fully vaccinated and stay healthy all these times since covid hits but sadly we got home and tested, we got covid and all because Gate 1 Travel has no covid guideline in place and the guide was extremely irresponsible. We are really suffering now because of contracting Covid in this tour!
Day 5, the tour guide drove the bus with us in it and did that more than once even in the dark. He is our tour guide and by doing so, I think he had put 40+ lives in danger which is totally unacceptable. His excuse was that “boy needs to play with big bus sometimes”. Maybe that is how he felt but that is not how we feel. He has put our lives in danger! Also the female driver should never allow him to do so. Both are being irresponsible and this is a critical incident of concern.
Day 7, the tour guide skipped our scheduled sightseeing and meals without consulting us. We sat in the hotel lobby all day with very little information. It was a horrible and exhausting day for us. Way past the boarding time for the bus departure in the morning and the bus doors were still locked. No information provided as what is going on. The tour guide decided at 3:30 pm it is time to go so we board the bus and were on our way. When we checked in to the hotel, the guide said delay was due to the weather, but the people in the hotel also gave a questionable look. We didn’t arrive our next hotel till midnight.
Hotel in Hofn was dirty. In our room there was disgusting mucous snots on the wall, hairs on fresh towel, mold on bathroom wall and the dinner wasn’t good. Mentioned the problem to the front desk next day and they did clean up the snots.
Both the tour guide and the driver refused to answer basic questions. For example: I asked the driver that where are we going next and how long the drive will be? The driver replied: I know where are we going but I am not going to tell you so you will be excited when we get there. I asked again: I really want to know where are we going next and I will pretend that I am excited when we get there. The driver replied: I know where we are going but I won’t tell you so you will be very excited when we get there. I got nowhere with her which was very frustrating. I think I am entitled to know where am I going in the trip!
There were 40 passengers in the bus and I don’t know why we weren’t allowed to use the front door to get on to the bus especially when the weather was bad. Even when we knock on the door, the guide and the driver will point us to the back door while they were sitting and chatting comfortably in their own seats.
Joined many tours before from different tour companies. This time is the first time ever that we have had encountered such horrible and unprofessional tour guide and bus driver. We are extremely disappointed with Gate 1 Travel.
Gate 1 company is terrible.
Sitting in the airport 4 hours.
The person at Gateway told me they booked my flight illegally.
No compensation!!!
Do not use this company if you value your time
Details
Optional Activities
Accademia Gallery 11:15 AM
During your vacation in Florence don't miss out on meeting one of the most famous and eclectic artists in the world: Michelangelo. Your personal guide will reveal the secrets of the Accademia Gallery and the creation of Michelangelo's world renowned masterpieces, such as the original version of David, I Prigioni and San Matteo. This is a must and will be a discovery for anyone interested in Michelangelo. It really is a once-in-the-life experience to stand in front of David. At the end of the guided tour you will have the possibility to stay in the museum for as long as you like.
Departs at 11:15 am from meeting point: Ciao Florence Office, Via Cavour 12, Black. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to departure time. Approximate tour duration is 1 hour.
OnDay : 5
Price : $52
#2B Ancient Rome 2:30 PM
Take a tour of Ancient Rome's major sights and skip the long lines for the Archaeological Area with a professional guide. Gain special access to the Colosseum, the giant amphitheater used for gladiator fights and public spectacles, and the largest building ever built in the Roman Empire. Walk along the pavement of the original Roman grid, which crosses the ruins of the Roman Forum. Enjoy views of the Temple of Vesta, Basilica Julia, and Arch of Constantine.
Departs 2.30 pm from Arch of Constantine, look for the “I Love Rome” pink flags. Please arrive 15 minutes prior. Tour ends in the Archaeological area. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours.
Important: Due to security restrictions no backpacks, large bags, electronic devices, or knives are allowed inside of the sights.
OnDay : 7
Price : $71
#3C Vatican Museums 8:30 AM
This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, skipping the long lines. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums, where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the famous Sistine Chapel, with its great frescos by Michelangelo, then continue to the unforgettable Basilica, one of the four major Basilicas of Rome, built on the burial site of Saint Peter
Please note that on Wednesdays during the Holy Father's Audience, the visit inside St. Peter's Basilica will not take place.
Departs at 8:30 am in front of the Bar L'Ottagono in Piazza Del Risorgimento. Please arrive 15 minutes prior. Tour ends in the Vatican Area. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours.
*Please note that conservative clothing should be worn when visiting the Vatican, meaning legs and shoulders should be covered.
OnDay : 7
Price : $79
Pompeii & its Ruins with lunch from Rome 7:30 AM
Visit the world-famous city of Pompeii and explore the ruins of this city trapped in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Depart Rome in the early morning for a drive along the Highway of the Sun, past the Roman countryside and the scenic regions of Lazio and Campania. Enjoy views of the Mediterranean and the still active volcano Vesuvius, as you learn how people lived in ancient times, before reaching the UNESCO Archaeological Site of Pompeii. Explore this once thriving city, frozen in time by layers of volcanic ash. The city's sudden burial served to protect it for the next 17 centuries, when it was finally dug by experts and brought back to its ancient splendor. After lunch, enjoy the scenery on the drive back to Rome, returning in time to enjoy an evening in Rome.
OnDay : 8
Price : $159
Walking Tour of Venice (#1)
This morning's walking tour through the most charismatic and important historical places in the unique city of Venice begins with an orientation of St. Mark's Square, considered the historical heart of the city, where you will learn about the Square's main monuments including the Golden Basilica of San Marco, Ducal Palace, the Bell and Clock Towers, and the Procuratie buildings. Proceed to Santa Maria Formosa Square and Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the second largest square in Venice. Continue on to the corner of Marco Polo's House and Malibran Theater. Then, return to St. Mark's Square through the Mercerie, a series of interconnecting streets that connect Ponte di Rialto and St. Mark's Square, and are the main streets in the city for shopping. Please note: This is a walking and orientation tour of Venice that does not include entry into any landmarks.
For Apr - Oct departures tour departs at 8:50 AM, Nov - Mar departures tour departs at 9:00 AM from in front of the Bucintoro agency in Campo San Luca. Drop-off to be advised locally. Approximate tour duration is 1.5 hours.
OnDay : 3
Price : $35
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Small Group - 24 max
Additional Information
Additional Information:
Your Standard Class rail tickets will be based on a set schedule and may not be altered. Exact times will be provided closer to your departure date.
Trip ID#:
gate1-IDD-IT-9DVCEFLRROMR-CHI-PKG-S-23
What's excluded
Not Included: Italian City Taxes (payable locally), transfers, optional tours and gratuities.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.
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