My Way® Italy in 13 Days Tour

13 days
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews  
78%
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Your Italy vacation starts by following a route that connects Italy's must-see sights — from Venice to Lake Como, the Cinque Terre, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Rick Steves' money-saving My Way vacation package gives you the freedom to decide your own daily sightseeing priorities and pace. We cut the stress by providing comfortable rooms in centrally located h...
From$2,795
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit St. Mark's Basilica andDoge's Palace
    • Hike up in Alpine foothills
    • Explore Cinque Terre
    • Visit Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
    • Discover Roman Forum, Colosseum and Pantheon

What's this trip about?

    Your Italy vacation starts by following a route that connects Italy's must-see sights — from Venice to Lake Como, the Cinque Terre, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Rick Steves' money-saving My Way vacation package gives you the freedom to decide your own daily sightseeing priorities and pace. We cut the stress by providing comfortable rooms in centrally located hotels, private bus transportation from city to city, and an Italy-savvy tour manager to advise you along the way.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 28 people
Age range36 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityVenice
End CityRome

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Trains & Rail

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 28

Trip includes

    • This is an "un-guided" tour — giving you the freedom (and responsibility) to manage your daily sightseeing schedule and meals
    • A small, friendly group of 24–28 people will share our big, comfy bus during the trip, but not do organized sightseeing together
    • A Rick Steves tour manager will coordinate the group's transportation and hotels and provide advice for sightseeing, meals, etc.
    • All group transportation from Venice to Rome
    • 12 nights accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
    • All breakfasts are included
    • All tips for tour manager and driver
    • Free Audio Europe™ app for Apple and Android (free podcast/mp3 files) featuring Rick's audio walking tours of sights, museums and neighborhoods in Florence, Venice, and Rome. Also includes Rick's radio interviews with experts on destinations covered in this itinerary
    • Rick Steves Travel Store credit to use toward guidebooks for your trip
    • Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
    • Optional single supplements — this tour has a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee
    • Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken prior to 2017
    • 50% discount on a consulting appointment with our in-house experts to assist with your pre- or post-tour travel plans
    • Flexibility should you need to transfer, or cancel/interrupt your tour
    • Costs not covered: As this is not a guided tour, you will be responsible for the cost of all your lunches, dinners, drinks, admissions, sightseeing, and non-group transportation. Be sure to plan and budget accordingly. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Italy

Welcome to Italy! Today is a great day to simply get lost in Venice (remember, it's an island), exploring the alleys and cruising the canals. We'll meet at our hotel at 5 p.m. for a group get-together. Your tour manager will give an overview of the days ahead, answer ...

Day 2: Exploring Venice

The entire day and evening are yours to experience the Byzantine majesty of St. Mark's Basilica*, the formidable Doge's Palace*, the masterpiece-packed Frari Church*, maybe take in a church concert, waltz on St. Mark's Square, or pub-crawl your way through this unique city. No bus today.

Day 3: Lake Como

This morning we'll say "ciao Venezia" as we meet up with our bus and drive to Lake Como. Along the way, we'll stop to grab lunch before arriving at our final destination — the sleepy Lake Como village of Varenna, where you'll have plenty of time to explore its romantic promenade, tiny harbor, and narrow lanes. Sleep in Varenna (2 nights). Boat: ½ hr. Bus: 5 hrs.

Day 4: Cruising Lake Como

All you'll need is a Lake Como ferry boat pass and you'll have the entire day and evening free to explore the villages and waterways of romantic Lake Como, including such elegant stops as Bellagio. Hike up into the Alpine foothills for unforgettable vistas, or take an hour-long train trip to Milan for a day of city sightseeing. No bus today.

Day 5: Cinque Terre

Today's destination is Italy's Cinque Terre: five perfectly preserved fishing villages, laced together with hiking paths that meander between vineyards and the deep blue sea. We'll arrive late this afternoon, with plenty of time to enjoy the pleasant eateries and ambience of our seaside town. Sleep in or near the Cinque Terre (2 nights). Train: ¼ hr. Bus: 5 hrs.

Day 6: Exploring the Cinque Terre

Ahh, it's time to take a "vacation from your vacation" today in our Mediterranean getaway. Pick a Cinque Terre village and spend your day exploring the stairways and alleyways, sunning yourself on the rocks, or sipping a cappuccino and catching up on your journal at a...

Day 7: Florence and David

We'll drive straight to Florence this morning, so you can hit the ground walking. This afternoon is yours to explore the Renaissance city, including Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome*, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors*, and other creations that helped define this w...

Day 8: Renaissance Florence

Today is yours to devote time to the breathtaking Renaissance art of the Uffizi*(r) — home to the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. Or you could stroll across the delightfully medieval Po...

Day 9: Assisi

Today we'll venture into the heart of magical Tuscany, stopping for several hours to poke around the quiet lanes of a friendly hill town. This afternoon we'll make a modern-day pilgrimage to the beautifully preserved hill town of Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis. Sleep in Assisi (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs.

Day 10: St. Francis' Assisi

In a time of unprecedented church wealth, St. Francis inspired a refocused spirituality through poverty, humility, and the beauty of nature in Umbria. You'll have all day and evening to experience the beautifully frescoed Basilica of St. Francis*, and wander through (and wonder at) this charming town and its surrounding hills. No bus today.

Day 11: La Dolce Vita Rome

This morning we'll get an early start as we make our way from Assisi to Rome, with a quick stop for lunch along the way. Arriving at our Rome hotel this afternoon, you can enjoy dinner at the outdoor café of your dreams, then celebrate la dolce vita Roman-style, with ...

Day 12: A Day of Roman Roamin'

Rome is the grand finale of our trip, packed with historical riches, cultural delights, and an infinite supply of wows. Today, aided by Rick's audio tours, you could follow the footsteps of emperors through the Roman Forum*, Colosseum*, and Pantheon*. If the Renaissan...

Day 13: Tour Over After Breakfast

It's a breeze to reach Rome's airports by taxi or train. Your tour manager will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Grazie e ciao!

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,795
Price per day$215
Single supplement (single occupancy)$725
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

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 Rick Steves.

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.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses

Accommodation

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 .
Age Requirements
36 years and up
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
rickst-MyWayRic

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