Highlights of Italy (5/5)
Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice
May 5 - May 15, 2024(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 (5/5)
May 5 - May 15, 2024Highlights
- Explore the wonders 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, 05 May 2024: Arrive Rome; Welcome Meeting & Lunch; Orientation Walk (L)
Schedule your flight into Rome to arrive no later than 10:30am. Most flights from the US are overnight flights. Group transfers from the airport will be provided based on arrival times. The tour begins at 12:00PM in the lobby of our hotel. We will make introductions and enjoy a 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, 06 May 2024: 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 prefer to just return to the hotel to rest up from jet lag.
Tuesday, 07 May 2024: 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, 08 May 2024: 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, 09 May 2024: 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, 10 May 2024: 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 the city and its historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Florence - 3 nights
Saturday, 11 May 2024: Tuscany Day Trip; Vineyard Lunch (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, 12 May 2024: 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 to 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, 13 May 2024: 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, 14 May 2024: 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, 15 May 2024: 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 (5/5)
May 5 - May 15, 2024Pricing
Room Share
$5,211.00Single Room
$6,672.00Non-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 and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Tuesday, 7 Nov, 2023: Last day $500 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Friday, 26 Jan 2024: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Wednesday, 6 Mar 2024 results in a cancellation penalty of 75% of your Total Tour Cost.
Wednesday, 6 Mar 2024: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty 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 penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after
your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your
cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Highlights of Italy (5/5)
May 5 - May 15, 2024Flights, 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, May 5th. Arrive no later than 10:00am.
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, May 15th. 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 Corona D'Italia
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
$167.00 Roomshare $334.00 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
- Mandatory ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) registration for US and Canadian citizens has been postponed until 2025.
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
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 and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
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 (5/5)
May 5 - May 15, 2024Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB 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 it Italy should be very pleasant. You can expect the days to be in the mid-60s to low 70s while the nights can dip into the low 50s. Spring showers are always a possibility, so be prepared. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information.
For This Trip You Will Need—
- Modest clothing for visiting the Vatican. Your shoulders or knees should be covered. A scarf or long-sleeved shirt is recommended.
- Comfortable walking shoes. There will be a lot of walking for this tour. Be prepared for uneven surfaces.
- Lightweight jacket, fleece and/or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings or a brisk day
- Layers work best this time of year
- Rain coat or inexpensive poncho
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and swimsuit - the Sorrento hotel has a nice pool
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest
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, especially on this tour due to train travel.
- Bring only one suitcase that is a size you can manage on your own. This should be no larger than 24-25 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 and are in danger of missing their train.
- There may not be room for your large suitcase in the luggage rack of trains, depending on how full the trains are. If that is the case, you will need to keep it in the seating area with you.
- 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.
What are the health recommendations for this tour?
The standards for health and hygiene in Italy are good. You can safely drink tap water unless specifically advised not to do, such as in a public restroom or trains. Bottled water can be purchased at grocers for considerably less Euro than from local shops.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
- You should understand what your current cell phone plan includes in terms of data and minutes. Some, like certain T-Mobile plans, include an international package.
- 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.
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, and cash for tipping.
- Italy’s official currency is the Euro (EUR, €).
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; they are found in most towns and cities. Euros can be withdrawn from any ATM. 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.
- Many travelers feel more comfortable having local currency before they depart for the tour. You can order Euros fairly easily from your bank or AAA, though they might charge a fee.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although many cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Be sure to investigate your card of choice as there are many that do not impose these fees and are better suited 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.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- We suggest you read up on tipping culture in the various places you will be visiting so you can show your appreciation for any personal service provided with an appropriate gratuity.
- 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. Tipping cab drivers is unusual, but appreciated.
- 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
- Mandatory ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) registration for US and Canadian citizens has been postponed until 2025.
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
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 and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
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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