Highlights of Italy (10/15)
Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice
October 15 - October 25, 2023(More Dates Available)Italy continues to be one of our most beloved tours and with great reason. We begin in the Eternal City of Rome to visit the Vatican and its amazing Sistine Chapel and walk through the Colosseum. Then we're off to visit the excavated ancient city of Pompeii and spend time in Sorrento along the famed Amalfi Coast abutting the Mediterranean Sea. We'll travel north to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and the gateway to Tuscany. We finish in Venice, the city of canals. Everywhere you turn in Italy you are immersed in stunning art, fantastic ruins and ancient architecture. This trip is ideal for the first-time visitor as it takes you to four must-see cities and includes the highlights of the country. Viva l'Italia!
Highlights of Italy (10/15)
October 15 - October 25, 2023Highlights
- Enjoy walking tours of Rome, Florence & Venice
- Marvel at the Sistine Chapel
- Walk through the ruins of Pompeii
- Travel the Tuscan countryside
- Explore and Shop in Venice
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Sunday, 15 October 2023: Arrive Rome; Welcome Meeting & Lunch; Orientation Walk (L)
Schedule your flight into Rome to arrive no later than 11:30am. Most flights from the US are overnight flights. Group transfers from the airport will be provided based on arrival times. The tour begins at 1:30PM in the lobby of our hotel. We will make introductions and enjoy a late light lunch to get to know one another a bit better. Then we're off to stretch our legs and get acquainted with some of Rome's most well-known sights, including stops at the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Overnight Rome - 3 nights
Monday, 16 October 2023: Colosseum Tour; Group Lunch; Free Afternoon (B,L)
This morning we're off to visit several classical highlights—the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. The Eternal City is the center of one of the history's greatest civilizations and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch together, you'll have the afternoon to spend as you wish. Accompany your WTT Tour Leader on her itinerary for the afternoon or strike out on your own. You may just prefer to return to the hotel to rest up from your jet lag.
Tuesday, 17 October 2023: Vatican Tour; Free Afternoon; Group Dinner (B,D)
Vatican City is full of history and artistic masterpieces and this morning we enjoy a guided tour of the vast Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel, one of the most visited sites in the world. Our tour takes us into St. Peter’s Basilica, whose dome was designed by Michelangelo and is one of the largest in the world. It houses an ornate cathedral, the tombs of popes since early Christian times, and galleries of ancient masterpieces, including Michelangelo's La Pietà, the only sculpture personally signed by the artist. After our visit, the remainder of the day is free. You can opt to spend additional time in the Vatican, perhaps exploring the gardens on your own, or your Tour Leader can provide additional suggestions and help pair travelers with similar interests. We will regroup for dinner together this evening. Note: Entrance into the Vatican Museums and churches requires a strict dress code. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Wednesday, 18 October 2023: Train to Naples; Pompeii; Travel to Sorrento (B,L)
Sit back and enjoy the scenery as we travel by train to Naples. Upon arrival we meet our local guide and drive to Pompeii, stopping for lunch along the way. In 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius erupted, burying the nearby town of Pompeii in ash and soot and preserving the city in its exact state. Today Pompeii is an excavation site and outdoor museum of the ancient Roman settlement and is one of the few examples where an ancient city has been preserved in exquisite detail. We then travel on to lovely Sorrento. Overnight Sorrento - 2 nights
Thursday, 19 October 2023: Free Day to Explore Sorrento & Amalfi Coast (B)
We have set aside today so you can opt to do whatever interests you most. The stunning scenery of the Amalfi Coast, the charming town of Sorrento, and the close proximity of Capri will all compete for your attention. Your WTT Tour Leader will help everyone make the most of today, even if all you want to do is relax by the pool.
Friday, 20 October 2023: Train to Florence; Afternoon City Tour (B,L)
We make our way this morning to the train station in Naples where we'll depart by train to the beautiful city of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. After arriving and having a quick lunch, we enjoy a guided city tour to learn more about the art and architecture of Florence and its historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Florence - 3 nights
Saturday, 21 October 2023: Day Trip to Tuscany; Lunch at a Vineyard (B,L)
We explore Tuscany today beginning in Siena, a perfectly preserved medieval town set among rolling hills with Renaissance villas, old farmhouses and scenic vineyards. Built on seven hills, this town’s center is lined with narrow cobblestone passages and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy. Lunch today is at a winery where we will sample local wines with our meal made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We then stop in the village of San Gimignano, one of the most charming and picturesque of the Tuscan hill towns, known mainly for its medieval towers and its white wine. The Collegiate Church has frescoes of the New and Old Testament dating to the 14th century. We return to Florence this evening.
Sunday, 22 October 2023: Free Day with Galleria dell'Accademia Entrance (B)
This morning is at leisure to spend as you wish in Florence. We will have entry tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s David, a Renaissance masterpiece that has become a symbol of the city. You'll be able to walk freely in the museum and go at your own pace. Then, the rest of the day is yours to spend as your wish. Perhaps you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery or shop for authentic Italian leather goods. Pisa, home for it's iconic Leaning Tower, is a short distance away and is easily accessible by train (at your own expense). Your Tour Leader will be able to provide suggestions for things to do.
Monday, 23 October 2023: Train to Venice; Walking Tour; Doge's Palace (B,L)
This morning we take the train to Venice, considered one of the world's most beautiful cities. Upon arrival, we'll meet our local guide who will walk us around Venice introducing us to such sights as St. Mark's Square and the Doges' Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece containing a precious art collection. Venice is a walking-intensive city. To see the iconic sights, you will be walking about 4-5 miles and negotiating many stairs in the Doges' Palace and throughout the streets and across the bridges of Venice. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Venice further. Overnight Venice - 2 nights
Tuesday, 24 October 2023: Free Day in Venice; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Spend the entire day exploring the museums and sites that interest you most. You might want to float along the canals in a gondola, tour the Galleria dell' Accademia or take the Murano-Burano island boat tour. Your WTT Tour Leader will be available to assist in making the most of your day and will have planned activities for those who want to join her. Later we'll get together for our Farewell Dinner and reminisce about our time spent in Italy.
Wednesday, 25 October 2023: Return Home from Venice (B)
Sadly our tour of Italy has come to an end. Schedule your return flight at your convenience, remembering you will need to depart the hotel at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure. Your Tour Leader will assist with organizing ride-sharing to the airport.
Highlights of Italy (10/15)
October 15 - October 25, 2023Pricing
Room Share
$5,032.00 (Sold Out)Single Room
$6,244.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Airport Arrival Transfers
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Transportation from your home and return to your home
- Departure airport transfer
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Visa and/or passport fees
- Any gratuities for WTT Tour Leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel without penalty after we confirm by email you are on the tour. Afterward, the amount required at time of reservation becomes non-refundable and the following cancellation dates and penalty amounts will be enforced.
Tuesday, 18 Apr, 2023: Last day $500 deposit can be converted to a credit for future use; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Friday, 7 Jul 2023: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Wednesday, 16 Aug 2023 results in a cancellation fee of 75% of your Total Tour Cost.
Wednesday, 16 Aug 2023: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation fee of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation fees will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
Highlights of Italy (10/15)
October 15 - October 25, 2023Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" or "Multiple Destinations." For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: FCO - Rome, Italy (Leonardo da Vinci Intl Airport)
Arrival Date: Sunday, October 15th. Arrive no later than 11:00am.
Arrival Transfer: Group transfers based on arrival times provided. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: VCE - Venice, Italy (Venice Marco Polo Airport)
Departure Date: Wednesday, October 25th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Not Included. The WTT Tour Leader will organize ride-sharing to the airport based on departure times.
Lodging / Hotels
Rome: The Building
Sorrento: Hotel Miramare
Florence: Hotel Adler Cavalieri
Venice: Hotel Abbazia
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Transfer from the airport
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$159.00 Roomshare $318.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
Travel Documents:
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport
- Passport cannot expire less than 3 months after your tour concludes
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel.
2) Any traveler exhibiting cold, respiratory, allergy, or flu-like symptoms while on tour, should wear a mask in all group settings, including in the room if sharing with anther traveler. This is simply common courtesy when traveling in a group setting.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour will take a minimum of 15 travelers and a maximum of 20. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and joined by local guides. Transportation is primarily by train.
Travel Insurance is not included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard
Highlights of Italy (10/15)
October 15 - October 25, 2023Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details for more details.
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group. This is ESPECIALLY true for this tour. If you are unable to walk for up to an hour at a time and stand for another hour or unable to easily negotiate multiple stair steps or hurry to catch trains, this tour is not for you.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 25% Easy
- 60% Moderate (train travel, long distances, long days)
- 15% Strenuous (Extensive Walking - Up to 7 miles in a day on ancient urban streets. A lot of stair climbing.)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 6 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
On international tours WTT has limited to no control over food selections or variety from meal-to-meal, especially at hotels. While we do our best to accommodate dietary requests and ensure variety of options, we cannot guarantee either.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general the temperature in October should be very comfortable. You can expect warm dry days with temperatures in the low 70s and nights in the low 60's. A passing rain shower is always possible.
For This Trip You Will Need—
- Modest clothing for visiting the Vatican. Upper arms and knees should be covered.
- Comfortable walking shoes. There is a lot of walking.
- Masks (KN-95 or equivalent)—to be worn based on preference and assessment of personal risk.
- Lightweight jacket or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings.
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Sunscreen and swimsuit - the Sorrento hotel has a lovely roof top pool.
- Rapid COVID-19 Self-Test—Be prepared for any situation in which you might need or want to test.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind – or even notice - seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping aids, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- Bring only one suitcase no larger than 24 - 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle, plus one carry-on (purse or backpack).
- There is significant train travel on this tour. You must be able to get on and off of trains quickly and expediently and navigate train stations with your belongings without assistance. Trains do not wait long at stations. There is no time to search for a porter. Those carrying multiple bags or a very large/heavy bag will have extreme difficulty.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. Due to the congested and narrow streets of Italy, your coach will sometimes unload or load passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel/train entrance.
- We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. Steps exists at most hotel entrances.
- Purses should be worn across body, hands-free. Be aware of your surroundings in large crowds.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
- Contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding an international calling plan. Most carriers have flat daily rates which will allow your US-based phone to be functional upon arrival in a foreign country.
- Managing data while traveling internationally is important. Using WiFi when available and communicating through apps like What's App help you manage data usage while traveling.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the website www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
You may need to purchase a universal adapter which supports a wide variety of sockets/plugs. You should also check your electronic devices for voltage compatibility. Many countries operate on 220V or 230V, which differs from most of North America. Most of today's electronics (laptops, phone chargers etc.) are multi-voltage and will work worldwide automatically, without a transformer. Consult your owner's manual for further details.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits. Be sure to keep cash on hand for sharing restaurant tabs, cabs, tips, and smaller purchases. More and more, restaurants are no longer allowing groups to split the bill. Therefore, you might want to have cash-on-hand for meals on your own when dining with others in the group.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- The official currency used in Italy is the Euro (EUR €).
- Credit cards are widely accepted in most destinations. Many cards charge a foreign-transaction fee which adds 3% or more on each purchase and up to 10% if using a credit card to withdraw local currency. Be sure to investigate your card of choice as there are many credit cards that impose no foreign transaction fees and are better for international travel.
- If a merchant gives you the choice between making your transaction in USD or the local currency, always choose the local currency, to avoid dynamic currency conversion which includes a conversion fee.
- Debit cards can be useful for cash advances. ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash as they are found in most airports and big cities and tourist areas. Be judicious about where you use your debit card to minimize fees on cash withdrawals. ATMS of major banks will often give much better exchange rates than currency-exchange kiosks.
- If using a debit card, it is good practice to limit the amount of cash available in the account and simply transfer money from another account if you need more at any point on tour. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- Tipping transfer drivers, waitstaff, porters or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel or other public locations.
- If you hail a cab, tipping cab drivers is unusual, but appreciated.
- In Italian restaurants, tips are automatically added to the bill and must be visible on the menu. Normally, just round up the bill a few Euro if you were provided outstanding service.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
Travel Documents:
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport
- Passport cannot expire less than 3 months after your tour concludes
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel.
2) Any traveler exhibiting cold, respiratory, allergy, or flu-like symptoms while on tour, should wear a mask in all group settings, including in the room if sharing with anther traveler. This is simply common courtesy when traveling in a group setting.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour will take a minimum of 15 travelers and a maximum of 20. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and joined by local guides. Transportation is primarily by train.
Travel Insurance is not included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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