Budget tours in Italy
| country: | Italy |
| departures: | Departs most Mondays and selected Saturdays & Wednesdays |
| price: | From £910 (15 days) excluding flights. Local payment €300. Price include hotels (11 nts), apartments (3 nts). We can arrange flights from the UK. |
the amazing things you'll be doing
La Dolce Vita (the good life), is exactly what this trip is all about. Starting in the Eternal City and ending by the canals of Venice, we will show you the best of northern Italy. Experience food, wine, style and character - all the things this wonderful country is famous for.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Rome. The busy streets, iconic sights and spacious piazzas of central Rome are best explored on foot. While sightseeing, be sure to take time out as the Romans do, by sipping an espresso at one of the cafes in Piazza Navona. If Rome steals your heart, be sure to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return to this amazing city. |
| Day 2-3: | Florence. Marvel at the timeless wonders in this outdoor museum, including the 13th century Duomo and its fiery depiction of 'The Last Judgment'. There is ample free time to stroll through the famed Uffizi gallery, admire Michelangelo's David in the Galleria dell'Accademia or hunt for a bargain at the market. |
| Day 4-6: | Lucca and Pisa. With its narrow streets, centuries-old churches and ancient ramparts, the medieval town of Lucca radiates charm. Explore the surrounding countryside by bicycle, perhaps stopping along the way to enjoy a Tuscan picnic. Then take a day trip to Pisa to see the world-famous Duomo, Baptistry and of course, the quirky Leaning Tower. |
| Day 7-8: | Cinque Terre. The lovely seaside town of Levanto is the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Walk the coastal path that links the villages for stunning views - or take the train if you'd rather relax. Afterwards, kick back in one of the many streetside cafes, stroll the promenade with a gelato in hand or take a dip in the ocean. |
| Day 9-10: | Piedmont. Visit the glamorous resort of Portofino. Then mouth-watering culinary delights await in Piedmont, where food always comes first. Be sure to try a dish flavoured with the renowned white truffle. Learn why this region is said to produce some of the finest wines in Europe on a visit to a local winery. |
| Day 11-12: | Milan and Italian Lakes. Start the day in stylish Milan before heading to the tranquility of Lake Como. Set against a backdrop of snowy mountain peaks, this is one of the prettiest areas of Italy and there are many walking tracks that offer great hiking. The village of Bellagio, considered one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, is only a short ferry ride away. |
| Day 13-15: | Venice. Possibly the most photogenic city in Italy, Venice is the ideal place to end this stunning journey. Stroll past the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica di San Marco and the evocative Bridge of Sighs - there is plenty of time here to discover the magic of la dolce vita. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) how this holiday makes a difference
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Wherever we go in the world, we take a responsible attitude with us. That means travelling in a way which both respects and benefits local people, their culture and the environment. We travel with an average group size of just 10 people and mostly take public transport, stay and eat in small-scale locally-owned establishments. With two whole weeks to explore the magic and culture of Italy, you will have countless opportunities to interact with the friendly local people, to absorb the mellow yet passionate culture, discover the rich history, and to gain great insight into the Italian way of life.
Your leader and local guides will be able to direct you to many local eateries throughout the trip, helping you discover real local fare, at real local prices (and probably helping you learn some local language at the same time). While in Lucca we will set off for a cycle ride winding along a scenic river through the Tuscan countryside and perhaps stop for a picnic, a great way to cover a lot of ground, see the scenery close up, and get some fresh air at the same time. On our bike ride with our friendly qualified guide we make sure we stick to the correct trails. Taking these small steps, we're able to make a big difference. And that goes for the whole trip experience too. Our travellers get the chance to meet local people and really get to know their culture first hand. You'll contribute directly to local economies and help develop cross-cultural understanding. In others words, enjoy a real life experience. Travellers that wish to help further can make a donation to the our charitable foundation. In 2007 the foundation donated over £100,000 to make a difference in local communities in terms of health care, education, human rights, child welfare and in environmental and wildlife protection in all our destinations worldwide. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |