Rome | Rome, Cinque Terre & Florence Independent Tour

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Combine history, famous cities, marvellous art galleries & museums with the rugged coastline and spectacular scenery of the Cinque Terre on this 10-day tour created for the independent traveller. 

Day 1: Rome

Arriving in Rome, make your way to your hotel which is located in the very heart of historic Rome for check-in, and the remainder of the day free is to relax or explore as you please. For convenience, a private transfer can be added. 

Day 2: Rome | Colosseum

Enjoy a leisurely morning. This afternoon you will find that this tour will meet the needs of the most demanding clients including the full visit of the three world-famous symbols of Ancient Rome: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. The Romans built an empire of truly gigantic proportions. The testimony of its greatness is still visible in the places where the city was built, more than 2772 years ago, by the legendary twin brothers Romulus and Remus. To see it with your own eyes, join us and our professional guide on this 3-hour tour: we’ll provide you with a pocket radio receiver and earphones, and let you access the Colosseum by skipping the long line. You’ll walk inside the Flavian Amphitheater seeing the places where the Ancient Romans used to watch a variety of events, such as gladiatorial shows or staged animal hunts, and you’ll learn more about the way Romans used to enjoy their leisure time. You’ll stroll around Palatine Hill, the place where Rome was founded and where Roman emperors used to live: the view is spectacular from here, so get your camera ready for some perfect shots from above! You’ll also reach the Roman Forum, the pulsating heart of ancient Roman life, to see some very well-preserved ruins of that time: let the tour guide take you back in time and try to imagine what it was like to be a Roman citizen. The tour ends inside the Roman Forum and the remainder of the afternoon & evening is yours to spend as you wish. (B)

Day 3: Rome | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

This morning join us on a small-group tour and enjoy the Vatican Museums the VIP way. Wait for your driver to pick up from your centrally located hotel and take you to the Vatican area where you'll join a super-agile group of fewer than 10 people. The Vatican Museums are one of the richest and most beloved art collections in the world: they display around 20.000 pieces of art. With such a huge amount of artwork, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why a professional guide can make a difference. Meet yours: they will let you access the Museums through our exclusive official partners’ entrance, skipping the incredibly long lines at the door and saving you lots of precious time. You will be able to admire some of the most impressive Renaissance art pieces: the unique Gallery of Tapestries, the lavish Gallery of Maps, the stunning Raphael’s Rooms and the world-famous Sistine Chapel. The tour wouldn’t be complete without St. Peter’s Square, the open space located in front of the basilica. With its splendid collonade, it is in itself an architectural masterpiece of the Baroque age. You’ll admire St. Peter’s Basilica (outside) which isn’t only the largest church in the world but also contains several pieces of fine art: think the canopy designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini or the Pietà by Michelangelo. You won’t have to worry about losing your group, though. We always provide earphones and a radio receiver to our guests, to let them always enjoy the guide’s commentary while feeling free to snoop around. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square and you can then decide to stay in Vatican city for the rest of the day, join another tour in the afternoon, or continue exploring Rome on your own. (B)

Day 4: Rome | Monterosso (Cinque Terre)

Make your way to Rome’s Termini Railway station to board a train for your journey to the town of Monterosso, one of the five villages of Liguria’s Cinque Terre. You’ll find that your hotel is just a short walk from the centrally located railway station. Check-in at your hotel and spend the remainder of the day becoming acquainted with this small town. (B)

Day 5: Monterosso

One of the most economical & convenient ways to explore the Cinque Terre is with a Cinque Terre Card which grants access to the national park and its trekking trails, the shuttle buses  & train travel between Levanto & La Spezia. This pass is easily purchased locally at any railway station. (B)

Day 6: Monterosso

A day to pass as you choose enjoying the marvellous scenery of this coast-line perhaps travelling to another village using the many ferries that regularly sail back-&-forth between towns.  (B)

Day 7: Monterosso | Florence

Today you’ll return to the train station to board your train to Florence and once there you’ll find that your hotel is located within an easy walking distance of the railway station & of Florence’s most important sites. Check-in and then you are free to start exploring this fascinating city, considered the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', on your own. (B)

Day 8: Florence | Accademia Gallery & City Walk

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and some time to stroll the fascinating streets of Florence before your Guided Visit to the Accademia Gallery. Skip the line to enjoy at your own pace the beautiful Accademia Gallery, one of the most famous art galleries in the world. Among other wonderful masterpieces, you will be able to admire works of art by Michelangelo including his most famous work, David, as well as other important works of art such as“I Prigioni” and “San Matteo”. The young Michelangelo carved the David from a huge block of rough marble in three years, creating an imposing sculpture of absolute beauty, an icon of the renaissance model. He depicted a magnificent nude young man at the height of his physical vigour, whose intense expression of strength and courage, which originated from absolute faith in God, roses as a symbol of power and invincibility of the Florentine Republic at the time of its maximum splendour. Then discover the best of Florence with a friendly professional guide. Starting from the very heart of Florence, just a few steps from Piazza Signoria, the guided walking tour lasts 1 hour & half and you can choose between two departure times - morning or afternoon. Your guide will take you on an exciting journey through time, revealing the history, anecdotes & secrets kept in this wonderful city from the still visible traces of the Roman foundation of the city (in 59 BC), to the Middle Ages and up to the glorious Renaissance, a period in which Florence was ruled by the powerful Medici family. You will admire the most iconic squares and monuments of Florence among noble palaces and artisan shops. Discover the spectacular Piazza della Signoria dominated by the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, the Renaissance Palazzo Strozzi, the iconic and picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the district of the Medici family with the ancient Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels, and Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, their first residence. You will be left breathless by the beauty of the monumental complex of the Duomo, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the famous Brunelleschi's Dome, the elegant Giotto's Bell Tower, and the beautiful Romanesque Baptistery of San Giovanni.  Along with the guided walk, you can also enjoy the audio guide provided by an APP included in your tour. From your own mobile device, you will have unlimited access to the mobile city guide allowing you to explore other aspects of the city and suggested itineraries in total freedom and at your own pace!  (B)

Day 9: Florence | Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni & Chianti Wines with lunch

A memorable journey awaits you today, starting with the charming San Gimignano, world famous walled town located on a hilltop, which remained intact through the centuries, renowned for its tall towers, wonderful frescoes, and many other valuable works of art. Here the tour leader will lead you to the historical center, where you will have around 2 hours of free time for a fascinating discovery.  A short distance from San Gimignano we will stop at the charming historical hamlet of Monteriggioni (*), an amazing small medieval village enclosed by its famous walls, which remained standing to this day. Free time to explore. From Monteriggioni, crossing the gently Chianti rolling hills, a short ride will take you to a cozy Winery, where you can relax and enjoy the fantastic world of Chianti with its wine and typical products. You'll taste three fine wines, and balsamic vinegar and enjoy a Chianti-style lunch: 3 courses with “zero food miles” products which ends with "cantucci e vin santo". Later on, getting to Siena, you will meet your professional local guide who will lead you on a comprehensive walking tour of the historic center. Starting from Basilica of San Domenico, a jewel of Renaissance art built in the 13th century and dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena, you'll stroll along the narrow medieval streets of the city, flanked by splendid palaces and historic shops, to reach the famous Piazza del Campo, of which the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall) is the focal point. The walk continues to the spectacular Cathedral of the 12th century (inside visit if option selected), of which you can admire the magnificent architecture and the splendor of the polychrome marbles. You will also have some free time to end your perfect day enjoying the unique atmosphere of this amazing city, before the return to Florence in the evening. (B.L)

Day 10: Florence

Today marks the end of your Rome, Cinque Terre & Florence Tour and at a time to suit your departing flight make your way to the airport to begin your journey home. Arrivederci! (B)

Daily departures

Some excursions included in this tour do not operate daily and itinerary will be modified to suit.