The Splendors of Italy
The Splendors of Italy
The Splendors of Italy
9 Days
Visiting: Rome, Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in Chianti, Montecatini Terme, Pisa, Venice, Assisi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6400-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$1828
$1703 (USD)
Operator discount: -$125
Tour Overview
You’ve dreamed about Italy—its magnificent architecture, majestic cathedrals, ancient ruins, world-class art, sumptuous cuisine and wine, and relaxing cafés—and now it is your time to experience it. On this affordable Italy tour, explore the most famous cities and discover the unique sights as you visit Rome, Siena, Montecatini, and Venice. This affordable Italy tour offers the opportunity to step back in time. Imagine what life was like in Rome 2,000 years ago, as the city was the political, social, and trading center of the Roman Empire. Imagine life during the Middle Ages as you explore San Gimignano’s medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers still standing. Visit Florence—the Renaissance gem—with a walking tour featuring beautiful Piazza Signoria, the hub of Florence’s social and political life since the 14th century. On this affordable tour of Italy, you’ll discover some of its magnificent cathedrals. In Vatican City, wonder at the masterful St. Peter’s Basilica and square. In Orvieto, the Cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture in Italy. In Assisi, where St. Francis was born, the world-famous Romanesque and Gothic Basilica is a permanent exhibition of Giotto’s frescoes. See Pisa’s Square of Miracles—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its three famous buildings (Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistery) that have historically been central to religious life. From a more secular viewpoint, experience a wine tasting in Greve, the capital of Chianti, and visit Venice, including a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square. Witness Venetian glassblowers create works of art just as they did centuries ago, and spend free time admiring the crisscrossing canals, the legendary gondolas passing under the arched bridges, the palaces, and the quaint piazzas. All of this and more—including views of the most scenic Italian landscapes—are included on this fabulous Italy vacation designed for the value-minded travel lover.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Rome,Italy
Location: Rome
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3: Rome,Orvieto,Siena
Location: Rome, Orvieto, Siena
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to charming Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit the black basalt and travertine cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. Reach Siena, with time to visit this Tuscan jewel. The focal point of the town is Piazza del Campo, a special square, famed all over the world for its medieval-style Palio horse race. Today’s Distance: 152 mi/ 245 km
Day 4: Siena,San Gimignano,Greve,Montecatini
Location: Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in Chianti, Montecatini Terme
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrive in San Gimignano and discover one of Tuscany’s greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers are truly unique. Continue into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards, where Chianti Classico wines are produced. Stop in Greve for wine tasting at a local wine estate. Arrive in Montecatini in time to join the optional Tuscan farm dinner. Today’s Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km
Day 5: Montecatini. Excursion To Florence
Location: Montecatini Terme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Florence, the Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled the entire day. Wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features special city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km
Day 6: Montecatini,Pisa,Venice Area
Location: Montecatini Terme, Pisa, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, drive to Pisa and enjoy a mini-train ride to see the impressive Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower—180 feet high and approximately 4 degrees out of the perpendicular. Head across the wooded Apennine hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley to the Venice area. Today’s Distance: 236 mi/ 380 km
Day 7: Venice Area
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers create their delicate works of art as they did centuries ago. Spend some time at leisure or join one of our optional excursions, such as the gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Day 8: Venice Area,Assisi,Rome
Location: Venice, Assisi, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel across the Po Delta, then into the green Apennines to Umbria. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the town and the upper and lower basilicas with a Local Guide, then head for Rome. Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km
Day 9: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
UNESCO Sites
Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City|Historic Centre of San Gimignano|Historic Centre of Siena|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Montecatini|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
Accommodation
Grand Fleming Hotel
Modern hotel offering popular amenities and comforts, restaurant and bar is located 40 km from FCO Airport; staff is multilingual.
Executive
Hotel Executive is located in a residential district of Siena and features a restaurant that offers traditional Tuscan cuisine with a great selection of Italian wines, a bar with a terrace where drinks can be enjoyed in the evening. All 70 air-conditioned guest rooms have a modern and elegant design, providing the utmost in comfort; amenities include minibar, LCD TV with international channels, and parquet flooring. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property. Next to a large green park, this hotel has a quiet location and offers good bus connections to Siena¿s historic city center, which is only one mile away.
Settentrionale Esplanade
In the heart of Montecatini Terme offering hospitality and courtesy. The centrally located hotel has always been managed by the owners and is one of the cornerstones of the traditional hotels of Montecatini Terme.Restaurant, outdoors pool.
Poppi
Situated on the Riviera del Brenta and founded in 1965,the hotel is still family run. hotel Poppi offers 100 rooms and a renowned restaurant.
American Palace Eur
Hotel American Palace Eur is situated in the southern area of Rome near the EUR business district and is extremely well connected thanks to its vicinity to the subway station Laurentina which make both city center and airports easy to access. All 196 guest rooms have bathrooms en-suite and are furnished in a modern style with carpet or wooden floor. Every room is equipped with minibar, safe, heating, a/c, digital tv, direct line telephone, hairdryer, desk and courtesy set. The hotel offers on-site bar, restaurant and a free 24-hour gym.
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Dec 30, 2025 - Jan 07, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 65 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 64 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.