Itinerary
Day 1 – DEPARTURE
Board your flight from your home destination to Leonardo da Vinci / Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy.
This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.
Air fare independently arranged.
Day 2 – WELCOME TO ROME
Arrival in Rome (Roma in Italian).
You are picked up individually after your flight and taken to your hotel in Rome.
Time to relax in the afternoon, or to go for a stroll or start sightseeing on your own.
Tonight you'll meet your travelling companions and tour director, and enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Rome’s fine restaurants. After dinner join your tour director for a leisurely stroll to the Trevi Fountain.
> Your tour includes: Transfer from Rome airport to hotel, welcome dinner with menu choices and wine (or, of course, something else), overnight in Rome hotel
Trevi Fountain
Day 3 – ROME, ST. PETER'S, COLOSSEUM
Sightseeing in ROME today starts with an inside visit to ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Work started on the new basilica 500 years ago and took 150 years to complete, involving the contributions among others of Brabante, Raphael and Michelangelo, whose dome soars 119 metres above the papal altar and the site of St. Peter’s tomb.
Afterwards admire the COLOSSEUM – the greatest amphitheatre of the classical antiquity – built about 1,930 years ago. It is considered an architectural and engineering wonder, and remains as a standing proof of both the grandeur and the cruelty of the Roman world.
In the afternoon join your tour director for a leisurely stroll to see the Spanish Steps and free time for shopping followed by dinner in a local trattoria.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance and guide fees for St .Peter’s and Colosseum, three-course dinner with wine, overnight in Rome hotel
St. Peter's
Day 4 – TIVOLI, FRASCATI, CASTEL GANDOLFO
Late morning departure on a country excursion to TIVOLI for a visit to the famous VILLA D'ESTE, built by Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. The park has over 500 fountains, including masterpieces by Bernini and Pirro Ligorio.
After your visit you have time for lunch and shopping, before we continue to FRASCATI, situated on the Alban Hills. Frascati, known for the splendid villas built from the 16th century by the Popes, Cardinals and Roman nobles as status symbols of Roman aristocracy, has been called the Roman Versailles. Not the least of its attractions is the famous wine, which you have time to enjoy.
From here it is a short ride to CASTEL GANDOLFO, famous for its Papal Palace, the summer residence of the Holy Father. The lovely town is situated on the edge of an extinct volcano, the Alban Lake.
Early Country Dinner on the way back to Rome.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees, three-course dinner with choices, one beverage and coffee, overnight in Rome hotel
Villa d'Este
Day 5 – PERUGIA, ASSISI, FLORENCE
Today say goodbye to the eternal city and go north. Our first stop is PERUGIA, the capital of Umbria, for a guided tour of the city. One of the best preserved Italian hill towns, it has a lively and bloody past. It was also home to fresco painters like Pietro Vannicci, know as Perugino, teacher of Raphael.
After free time for lunch we go to famous ASSISI, home of St. Francis of Assisi. Despite the millions of tourists and pilgrims it attracts every year, the town has managed to remain a beautiful and tranquil refuge. Visit the Basilica with a Franciscan monk.
Continue to Florence, for your three nights stay. Dinner at the hotel tonight.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and guided tours, three-course dinner with choices, one drink and coffee, hotel in Florence
Perugia
Day 6 – FLORENCE
Today we focus on FLORENCE (Firenze in Italian), the cradle of the Renaissance, home of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and the Medicis – overwhelming in its wealth of art, culture and history, yet one of the most atmospheric and pleasant cities to visit.
Enjoy a guided tour and visit Michelangelo’s David, stand in awe of Brunelleschi’s magnificent Duomo, and Giotto’s bell tower. Walk the Ponte Vecchio, and visit the Uffizi Gallery, the world's best collection of Renaissance paintings. End your walk in Piazza della Signoria, the hub of the city’s political life through the centuries, which has the appearance of an outdoor sculpted gallery.
The afternoon is at leisure to do more sightseeing on your own, or shop for leather, fashion or art. On the way back south we stop for a moment in Piazzale Michelangelo for a fantastic view over the city and then head for our perfect Tuscan garden dinner.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided tour of Florence, all entrance fees, three-course garden dinner with menu choices, wine and coffee, hotel in Florence
Florence
Day 7 – PISA, SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO
Our first stop today is PISA to take your pictures of the most famous bell tower in the world. The top of the tower is more than 12 feet from where it is supposed to be.
Our next stop today is SIENA. Go for a walk with a local guide in this beautiful, gentle city built on three hills and still surrounded by its ramparts. Its medieval centre has streets lined with majestic Gothic buildings in various shades known as burnt sienna.
On a hilltop in the heart of Tuscany, just a few miles down the road from Siena, stands SAN GIMIGNANO, a majestic medieval walled town, its profile bristling with tall towers that are famous all over the world. It has retained all its old streets, its walls, gates, palaces, strongholds and 14 of the original 72 towers.
San Gimignano is one of the most spectacular cities in Italy, and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. It has a quiet majesty about it, sitting on the top of a hill with 360-degree views into the surrounding valleys.
Dinner tonight is on your own in Florence.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and local guide in Siena, hotel in Florence
San Gimignano
Day 8 – VERONA, VENICE
Today we go north to VERONA, perfectly located on the Adige River at the southern slopes of the Alps, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See “Julia’s” balcony and the well preserved Arena, home of a world famous opera festival each summer. Enjoy free time to stroll in the market square, before we head to Venice for a late afternoon arrival.
When we arrive in VENICE check into your hotel on Lido Island – home of the Venice Film Festival, the Casino and the famous sandy beaches. Lido is an under-appreciated gem, with upscale homes, historic architecture and an easy, island feel. Access to Venice is quick and easy on the waterbuses.
Enjoy a first impression of St. Mark’s Square in the evening, and a nice dinner by the canal.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees, three-course dinner with choices, one beverage and coffee, hotel in Venice Lido
Verona
Day 9 – VENICE
Today see Venice with a local guide. Arrive by boat at St. Mark’s Square and join the tour of this most unusual city. See St. Mark’s Basilica, which blends the architectural and decorative styles of East and West to create one of the greatest buildings in Europe. Tour the elegant Doge's Palace, the official residence of Venice's rulers. The 14th century façade of the Palace inspired architects all over the world. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs, and maybe go up the Bell Tower for an incredible view.
We see the Grand Canal in style on a gondola ride.
Dinner on your own tonight with lots of suggestions.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees, hotel in Venice Lido
Venice
Day 10 – VENICE, VENETIAN LAGOON
This morning we cruise the Venetian Lagoon and stop in Murano, the glass blowing island. Murano has been the centre of the Venetian glassmaking industry since 1291, when the furnaces were moved here from the city. Watch the creative process, and perhaps shop for upscale souvenirs. Our next island stops are Burano, the fisherman island, and Torcello island, once the largest and most important settlement in the Venetian Lagoon, now a largely abandoned island with a very old basilica.
This afternoon go back into Venice or enjoy the sandy beaches of the Lido.
Tonight we are having a fantastic farewell dinner.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees, three-course dinner with choices, one beverage and coffee, hotel in Venice Lido
Muran
Day 11 – RETURN
After breakfast we have arranged for individual transfers to Venice Marco Polo Airport to reach your homebound flight, which arrives home the same day.
Buon Viaggio!
> Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport
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Tour Features
- All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed
- Door-to-door transportation (all modes). Leave the navigating to us.
- 9 breakfast buffets
- 7 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
- 9 nights' accommodation
- All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees paid
- No hidden extras, no optional excursions – already included
- Maximum group size of 30 people, fewer on most tours
- The tour language is English only.
- Packing and unpacking is minimized. Three nights each in Rome, Florence and Venice.
- The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are never rushed. Ideal combination of free time and planned activities.
- Skip the lines at must-see attractions.
- All visits are inside, not drive-by. Learn the stories that bring old buildings to life.
- You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go.
- Tour director – Let our experts make every day and destination fascinating!
- Satisfaction assured – backed up by our money-back guarantee.
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format > Italian Highlights Itinerary
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Images
St. Peter's Basilica
Colosseum
Assisi Basilica
Siena
Piazza di Santa Croce, Florence
Pisa
St. Mark's Square, Venice
Doge's Palace, Venice
Burano
There are more pictures of tour destinations in the In Depth section below, in larger formats. There is an automated Slideshow and also a Gallery for selecting and examining larger images.
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In-Depth
Images of tour features in automated sequence: Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Pisa, Sin Gimignano, Siena, Verona, Venice, Lido, Murano, and Burano.
Individual images of the above tour features, organized by location, for selective viewing of enlargements.
The Slideshow and the Gallery present the same images in the same sequence, but using different techniques. The Slideshow is effortless. The gallery has more comprehensive captions.
Tour Destinations map from the top of this web page
Clickable links to detailed articles on major tour itinerary features
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References
I have been on 3 European Castles Tours: the River Castles tour; French Castles tour and the Italian Highlights tour. Each one was fantastic!
Astrid Baur arranges everything so that the traveler can relax and truly enjoy these amazing trips. Hotels, food, transportation, admission to castles, museums, etc. are all taken care of and she does a spectacular job of choosing the hotels, restaurants - everything!
You get to see so much and still have time on your own.
My suggestion is to bring comfortable walking shoes and pack light.
My hope is to go on another of these trips with European Castles Tours.
- Christina S., New Jersey
We have experienced two European excursions with the greatest tour guide in Europe, creating the most pristine package. Astrid's tours are not only fun-filled, but collectively will provide you the most educational tour possible. Her perfection in attention to detail is non-failing. She protects and truly cares for each individual's needs, unconditionally at every level. She provides, subsequently, only the best, equally caring narrators for portions of the world that require additional attention in touring. She manages to juggle a beautiful balance between tours, personal time, shopping, and group activity. Lastly, but not least of all, is her ability to create the most perfect well-rounded dynamic choices of highlights within each destination without any wasted traveling time.
- Diana and Gary Leis, Oregon
The Italian Highlights Tour is a wonderful way to experience Italy for the first time visitor and the repeating visitor.
The agenda provides marvellous adventures through western civilization from the ancient ruins of Rome, the Christian pilgrimages, the hilltop towns, the architecture, the art, and topped with the magical city of Venice. The itinerary is action packed with guided tours, excellent guides, time for personal exploration, and shopping. The hotel villas were very accommodating and the meals were fantastic.
Thanks again for the awesome adventures! We are looking forward to our 4th tour with you in 2012!
- Joan and Vic Pepper
North Carolina
Additional comments on this and other Castles Tours are provided on a separate References Page .
Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on past tours are featured in our References Video
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Dates, Prices and Reservations
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format >
This tour is offered on the following basis:
Tour prices are for the land segment only. Air fare is not included.
Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.
Single occupancy is available for a single supplement charge, triple occupancy rates are reduced, and there is a special rate for a child 8 to 16 years old sharing a room with two adults.
Guaranteed Departure: This tour is guaranteed to operate as scheduled and will not be cancelled due to a low level of participation.
A deposit of US $ 400 per person is required to secure a reservation on these tours.
Personal expenses, lunches and gratuities for the driver and local guides are not included.
Note re Inflation: Due to inflation in the general economy and additional inflation in the travel industry prices may need to be increased in mid-season. Prices in effect at the time deposits are paid are guaranteed not to change.
Italian Highlights Tour – 2025 Departure Dates
Your overnight flight leaves on ... |
Status |
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Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Italian Highlights Tour – 2025 Prices
Accommodation | Price Per Person |
---|---|
Double Occupancy | US $ 3,949 |
Single Occupancy | US $ 4,149 |
Triple Occupancy | US $ 3,449 |
Child 8-16 with 2 Adults | US $ 2,299 |
Reservation info and online form >
Dates for all scheduled major tours >
Private Tour Option
If our dates do not work for you we can arrange the tour for you or your party as a private tour. Same itinerary as above in a private limousine or van, with bilingual, professional private guide / chauffeur. Prices per individual are the same as for the regular group tour, plus a US $ 400 per day private tour premium for the group.
Contact us with your preferred dates and specific requirements at this private tour email link ... or phone one of the numbers below, or write to the address on our Contact page.
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Contact Information
Email is fast, flexible, and free. You can write to us at this email link (or castles.office@yahoo.com).
You can call us in Germany (Eastern Time + 6 Hours):
U.S. Phone: (202) 580 - 8732 / Direct number in Europe: +49 171 546 6839