11 Day Italy's Great Cities
11 days
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Small Group Tour
Imagine the Great Cities of Venice, Florence & Rome, combined with the Enchanting Hill Towns in the Italian Countryside: Your Italy Story Begins. Featuring Venice, Florence, Rome, San Gimignano, Cortona in Tuscany, Assisi in Perugia, Umbria - Perfectly Paced, Small Group, Slow Travel through Italy
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Visit Basilica San Marco.
- Visit of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica and Square as majestic Vatican City.
- Explore the Piazza della Signoria and view the Palazzo Vecchio.
- Enjoy a special walk through magical Cortona as we explore Via Nazionale up to Piazza Garibaldi and finally into Piazza della Repubblica.
What's this trip about?
Imagine the Great Cities of Venice, Florence & Rome, combined with the Enchanting Hill Towns in the Italian Countryside: Your Italy Story Begins. Featuring Venice, Florence, Rome, San Gimignano, Cortona in Tuscany, Assisi in Perugia, Umbria - Perfectly Paced, Small Group, Slow Travel through Italy
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Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityVenice
End CityRome
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Arriving In Venice — Consider our Special Venice Lagoon Water Taxi experience.
- Our Stunning AnyTime Private Boat Arrival Experience into Venice San Marco: We feature STORY Land & Sea's Venice Meet & Greet, Shuttle from Airport (VCE) to Airport Boat Dock with Portage included from the Boat to hotel. Enjoy the amazing ride across the Lagoon of Venice and then enter the magical canals of San Marco. You will arrive our hotel's canal entrance shortly. $158 per person
- (Sale on! Regular rate is $198 per person), 2 Guest Minimum. Includes all gratuitie. Leave The Worry To Us — We can arrange your transfer. Departure Transfers in Rome: $69 per person, Rome Hotel to Airport, minimum two (2) guests.
- STORY Cares: Emergency line support during your tour. In addition to your Tour Captain, we have our in-Italy staff ready to support.
- No Hidden Fees: Tourist fees & taxes, tourist city taxes all included
- Professional Story Tour Captain
- The consummate host with you from the time the tour begins and until it ends. Our Tour Captains work hand-in-hand with our local Italian team of professionals. Local Italian Expert Guide. Our expert, local Italian guides in Venice, Florence and Rome speak English well, and possess a passion for sharing Italy with our guests. Private, Expertly Guided Touring with an easy pace and perfect-balance.
- Go Inside with STORY Admission and Entrance Fees per itinerary - No Long Lines.
- Special Access, Skip-The-Line Admissions Included In Venice
- Special Access, Skip-The-Line Admissions Included In Florence
- Special Experiences Included In Tuscany Winery Estate Experience Included:Our delightful included lunch experience is at our wine estate in Tuscany featuring a tour of the facilities with an absolutely beautiful presentation of Italian wine paired perfectly with delectable Tuscan cuisine from the region.
- STORY Way Welcome Dinner in Cortona:SPECIAL ACCESS, SKIP-THE-LINE ADMISSIONS INCLUDED IN ROME
- Comfortable Vehicles:Sightseeing per itinerary with professionally driven, air-conditioned motor-coach (half-motor-coach - 22 passenger vehicle or less based on tour group size)
- Services of English-speaking, service-driven Tour Captain throughout tour.
- STORY Way Dining: Welcome Dinner and Farewell Celebration and Feast - a total of 5 dinners with wine and gratuities included for Deluxe package.
- Discovering Italy's Cuisine:Our winery experience includes a dramatic luncheon experience. Other lunches are not included. Our Tour Captains will offer great, affordable suggestions for delicious lunches everyday.
- Discover Story Land & Sea Immersion Sightseeing: World-class sightseeing 'Immersion:' STORY Land & Sea's approach to exploring the local scene while integrating lasting experiences that reflect culture and leave the traveler changed for good.
- Story Laundry Service: Keep your luggage more manageable by taking advantage of STORY's included laundry service upon arrival into Cortona. Your clothes will be laundred and/or ironed for you and returned to you on the evening of Day 7.
- Portage: One (1) piece of luggage up to 50 pounds is included. One (1) carry-on bag is included and must fit on your lap (no roller carry-ons). The carry-on may be stored inside the vehicle for the transfer from Florence through Tuscany to Rome but must fit on your lap. There is some space available in the shelf above your seat but extremely limited.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight
Today, you will depart the home airport on your Transatlantic flight bound for Venice, Italy.
Day 2: Arrival in Venice
Accommodation in Venice on San Marco, 2 Nights
Deluxe: Our Deluxe hotels include properties like Palace Bonvecchiati, Hotel Saturnia & International or Similar
Classic: Our Classic hotels include Hotel do Pozzi, Hotel Bel Sito, Classic rooms in Hotel Bonvecchiati, Saturnia & International or Similar
Italy's Great Cities Tour Begins Today On San Marco
One of STORY Land & Sea's most popular True Small-Group Italy tour vacations commences at 3:00PM at our hotel in Venice. Located seconds away from Piazza San Marco, known to us as San Marco Square, is our collection of hotels where your Tour Captain meets you for the included Venice Orientation Walkabout. Great Idea: Fight jet lag and fly in a full day early.
Orientation Walkabout
Late this afternoon, you will meet your Tour Captain for an Orientation Walkabout on your arrival day in Venice along the high-end shops and boutiques where our hotels are located into Piazza San Marco (known as St. Mark's Square).
You will learn about some of the hist...
Included STORY Way Dining:
The STORY Land & Sea approach to dining debuts as you join your Tour Captain for the Welcome Dinner in Venice. Experience what can only be described as a night of the best cuisine and vino from the regions of Italy and especially the Veneto. A note about dining in It...
Day 3: Exploring Venezia
Magic Included: Gondola through the canals of Venice with our own Italian Musicians.
Start your morning sightseeing in style as your Tour Captain and our local Guide escorts you throughout San Marco in Venice. We tour by walking with our professional local guide throug...
Romantic Venice
The romance of Venice is apparent every step of the way, from the fine Venetian glass in the traditional style to the classic gondola ride. Enjoy our boat ride on our authentic Venetian-style motorboat through the canals and the Grand Canal of Venice.
The Magic of Wand...
Venetian Gondola Ride With Private Musician Serenade
Before the optional dinner tonight, you will enjoy our included Gondola ride through the canals of Venice with professional musicians. On occasion inclement weather will prevent the gondola ride. In this scenario an alternate activity will be substituted later in the tour.
Included Excursions
Special Access: Skip-the-Line Entrance to the Doge's Palace (meaning Duke or Governor's Palace), the seat of the Republic of Venice's historic power.
Basilica San Marco ~ Enjoy the beautiful mosaics and how they reflects and dance in the light. Your Tour Captain "paint...
Day 4: On To Firenze
Accommodation: Florence, 2 Nights
Deluxe: Hotel L'Orologio, Santa Maria Novella, Hotel Brunelleschi or Similar
Classic: Classic room categories in Grand Hotel Cavour or Similar
We embark on the Eurostar Fast Train from Venice to Florence, city of the Renaissance.
...
Welcome To Florence
We deboard the train for our short walk to our hotels in the very heart of Florence.
Orientation Walkabout:
Join your Tour Captain for a Welcome Orientation Walk on your arrival day in Florence along cobblestone streets in the very heart of Florence as you become familiar with the location around our hotel. Enjoy entrance to Orsanmichele church and the church of Via Santa Margherita which was the parish of many Florentine families, such as Cerchi, Donati, Adimari and Portinari.
Highlights Include:
Enjoy entrance to Orsanmichele church and the church of Via Santa Margherita which was the parish of many Florentine families, such as Cerchi, Donati, Adimari and Portinari.
View the amazing Florence Cathedral, also known as the Duomo.
Stroll and view Giotto's Campan...
Day 5: Immerse yourself in all things Florence
Today join your Tour Captain and our local guide on a specially guided tour of the city of Florence complete with our Special Access sightseeing immersion.
Florence boasts a variety of fine sights to see, including Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery's Bronze "Gate of Paradise," Giotto's Bell Tower, Signoria Square, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, where Michelangelo's David is housed.
Guided Sightseeing Immersion Through Florence
We take our time walking through the Piazza della Repubblica, the famous Piazza Signoria with her old palace, Palazzo Vecchio, and make our way through the portico of the Uffizi complex before arriving at the Arno River and a visit to the "old bridge," Ponte Vecchio. Thi...
Included Excursions
Sightseeing Immersion Tour with our local Expert Guide. Enjoy Admission & Sightseeing To:
Special Access: Skip-the-Line admission to experience Michelangelo's David in the Academy Gallery.
Galleria dell'Accademia: The first art school of Europe.
Our tour includ...
This afternoon explore Florence on your own.
Consider a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) or just explore at your leisure. This Basilica is the principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the burial place of some of the mos...
Day 6: Under the Tuscan Sun
Accommodation in Cortona, 2 Nights
Deluxe: Hotel San Michele, Villa Marsili, Hotel Monastero, Relais Falconiere or Similar - Includes STORY Laundry Service.
Classic: Hotel San Michele, Classic room categories in Hotel Villa Marsili or Hotel Monastero or Similar - Inc...
Under The Tuscan Sun: San Gimignano
This morning we leave the cities and delve deep into the heart of Tuscany. Our first stop is the hilltop village of San Gimignano. One of San Gimignano's most impressive sights is the medieval skyline made up of 13 remaining towers dating back from the 11th century. San ...
Here's a toast to you!
We'll toast our arrival into the countryside of Tuscany with a unique perspective and our first taste of Vernaccia, a white wine that hails from San Gimignano.
Chianti Classico Region
STORY Exclusive: Enjoy our in-depth experience at our winery estate in the heart of Tuscany. We will enjoy a tour of the production facilities and cellars, followed by a delightful wine-tasting paired with perfect morsels for lunch. Buon Appetito!
Super Tuscan
Our lunch features palate-pleasing appetizers, including pecorino cheese, bruschetta, and other local farm-to-table delights. You'll get your fill of classic Chianti and Super Tuscan varietals along with delicate cuisine hand-made by the family chef.
Included Excursion
Sightseeing and free time in the Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano
STORY Exclusive: Admission, Tour and Wine Tasting at our Estate located in the heart of Tuscany. Beautiful Property with stunning views, delicious varietals paired with sumptuous delicacies. You won't w...
On to Cortona & Our Villa Hotel
Mid to late-afternoon we enjoy a leisurely drive to the delightful hill town of Cortona for our third night in the heart of Tuscany. An absolutely beautiful town awaits us.
In the late Tuscan afternoon we will arrive our villa hotel in Cortona.
Orientation Walkabout
Your Tour Captain checks you in and there is ample time to freshen up before meeting in the lobby tonight for our Orientation Walkabout in Cortona.
Highlights Include:
Enjoy a special walk through magical Cortona as we explore Via Nazionale up to Piazza Garibaldi and finally into Piazza della Repubblica
Learn about the plains of Trasimeno and of the amazing battle of the same name - The Roman-Cathaginian Battle is an amazing event an...
Day 7: Good Morning Tuscany
Today, enjoy Tuscany at your leisure.
Perhaps it's a thorough exploration of delightful Cortona.
Soak in the morning: enjoy a walk through the vineyards, or a hike up to the castle or a leisurely stroll through the piazza and streets.
Day 8: Welcome to the Heart of Rome
Accommodation in Rome, 3 Nights
Deluxe: Grand Hotel de la Minerve, Albergo del Senato or Similar.
Classic: Albergo Abruzzi, Classic room categories of Albergo del Senato or Similar.
City: Rome
Province: Rom
Region: Lazio
After breakfast, we make our way south...
Orientation Walkabout
After freshening up, you will meet the Tour Captain in the lobby for an Orientation Walkabout of the very heart of Old Rome.
Highlights Include:
We begin our exploration of Rome beginning with an elephant and continue to immerse ourselves in over 2000 years of history of the 'Empire.'
Enter the amazing Pantheon and learn of its interesting history.
We will walk through and soak up Piazza Navona, once a site w...
Day 9: Exploring the Vatican
Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace. Volume: Ample. Unique Character: Stairs and uneven terrain. Robust crowds in most venues.
City: Città del Vaticano
Region: Sovereign City State
Today we have in-depth touring of St. Peter's and the Square, with Bernini and Vatican City.
Starting with a great breakfast we begin another day exploring the majesty of Rome.
To the City State of The Vatican
Meet your Tour Captain and our local professional Private Guide in the lobby of our hotel, and board our quick transfer vehicle to Vatican City.
Our tour of the Vatican today features Priority Early Morning Entry (ahead of regular Vatican visitors) as we Skip-the-Line ...
Included Excursions:
Sightseeing Immersion of Vatican City with admission with our Local Expert Guide ~ Today Enjoy Special Access to:
Admission and Guided Tour to St. Peter's Basilica: By design, we enjoy early admission around 8:15 am to avoid the large cruise and large tour groups that ...
Day 10: Imperial Rome
Walking in the Steps of the Emperor
After breakfast, we begin our walking tour of Rome with stops along the way to admire the unique intertwining of history and modernity in Rome.
See ancient elements intertwined perfectly with present-day apartment buildings, and ...
Included Excursions:
Sightseeing Immersion of Imperial Rome with Local Expert Guide: Enjoy Admission & Sightseeing to:
Admission and Guided Tour of the Colosseum: Heart of The Empire. Enjoy Skip-the-Line entrance with STORY Land & Sea with no waiting in lines.
Admission and Guide...
Day 11: Arrivederci Roma
Check Out or Extend Your Adventure through Italy
Catch flights for the USA from Rome.
Recommended: Extend to the Enchanted Amalfi Coast
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Dates & Availability
Price From $3,779
Price per day$344
Last Updated: 12/20/2021
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.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations).
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.
STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations) Reviews & Ratings
We decided to trust Story to deliver one of our bucket list trips. THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
We decided to trust Story to deliver one of our bucket list trips. THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! The tour through Venice, Florence, Cortona, and Rome exceeded our expect...
Other STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations) Reviews
STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations) Company Reviewsby STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations)
BAD
This company knew we weren't going to be able to take our trip to Italy in May of 2021, yet they led us on, took our money and refunded NOTHING !!! BAD CUSTOMER SE...
Unscrupulous
This company went bankrupt and we lost $20,000 we didn’t get one penny back. They didn’t even have the decency to contact you by phone. They just sent out an email. ...
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Jul 2020
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STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations) Company Reviewsby STORY Land & Sea (Ceased Operations)
This was the trip of a lifetime
was taken care of. This was the trip of a lifetime and can't say enough about how wonderful this trip was. Tour directors, Jodie, Ryane and trainees Ann & Lisa ...
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Airfare is not included but it can be quoted
- Travel Protection is not included. STORY Land and Sea recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
Accommodation
Guides
Local Italian expert guide.
Our expert, local Italian guides in Venice, Florence and Rome speak English well, and possess a passion for sharing Italy with our guests. Private, Expertly Guided Touring with an easy pace and perfect-balance.
Go Inside with STORY Admission and Entrance Fees per itinerary - No Long Lines.
Special access, skip-the-line admissions included in Venice
Special access, skip-the-line admissions included in Florence
Special experiences included in Tuscany
Cancellation policy
All land services are 100% refundable up to 90 Days before the tour departure date unless otherwise stated.
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
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Meals Included
9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 3 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
storyl-ItaGreCit
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