SHORTLIST

Italy Experience

Venture through Italy, from the canals of Venice to the cobblestone streets of Rome. On this 10-day trip, you’ll visit historic sites and small villages, indulging in as much food and wine as you can handle. Wander the streets on a cicchetti crawl through canal-laden Venice, hike along the Cinque Terre, filling up your camera roll with incredible scenery, and take a pesto-making class in Cinque Terre. Soak in the coastal colours, then head to Pisa – home to the iconic tilted tower – and explore the rolling hills of picturesque Umbria. Discover Florence’s art, history and culture with plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, and sample local wines, traditional dishes (another gelato anyone?) and as many glasses ofaperol spritz as your heart desires.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 18 April 2025 and 27 July 2025 This fee is not payable by Intrepid customers, however you will need to apply for an exemption before arrival at https://cda.comune.venezia.it/en/richiestaEsenzione. For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

3. If you have prebooked arrival transfer with us, please read Joining Point Instructions in Essential Trip Information document for exact details. Your transfer may include a water taxi, or a car taxi, and you may be required to walk for a short distance from the end point of the transfer route to your hotel.

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$5,675
Number of Days
10
Start Location
Venice, Italy
End Location
Rome, Italy
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Venice
Ciao! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Venice. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its iconic sites. If you arrive early maybe stroll over the Rialto Bridge or browse the boutique shops selling Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. Tonight, indulge in some delicious Venetian bites on a cicchetti (small bites) crawl through the city's fabulous bacari (wine bars), where you’ll also be treated to a glass of aperol spritz.
Day 2: Venice
After breakfast, venture out and explore Venice. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. This morning, get a taste of both. Take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. This afternoon is free for you to explore Venice at your own pace. Maybe take a trip in a Venetian gondola, people watch in San Marco Square or discover the artwork at the Palazzo Ducale or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Tonight, maybe join your fellow travellers for a group dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for its specialties of fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti dishes, so make sure you give one a try.
Day 3: La Spezia
Spend the day travelling by train to the once important naval base of La Spezia – now the gateway to the Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Venranzza, Monterosso – whose position, wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs, makes it one of the highlights of the whole of Italy. When you arrive in La Spezia there won't be too much time to explore, but after checking into your hotel, you can get your bearings with a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour or head out for dinner with the group.
Day 4: La Spezia / Cinque Terre
This morning, venture out on the footpaths of the Cinque Terre for a leader-led hike. The footpaths between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region and take you through olive groves and vineyards. When you arrive, maybe set off on a walk or take the train between the villages or back to the group's base. After working up an appetite, take advantage of the Liguria region with a pesto-making demonstration and the chance to create your own pesto. Of course, you’ll try your creation with a glass of wine afterwards. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, there's no better way to recover from your day of walking than with more indulgence in delicious Mediterranean food.
Day 5: Florence
Depart Cinque Terre today and catch a train to Pisa. Divided in two by the River Arno, the heart of Pisa is the Santa Maria quarter on the north bank. Maybe visit the world-famous Leaning Tower or the Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli, once the largest in Europe) and Pisa Baptistry. After, maybe sit down for lunch and an aperitif in a backstreet restaurant. Return to the station in the afternoon and take the train to Florence. After checking into your hotel, the rest of your evening is free to explore the city of the Renaissance.
Day 6: Florence
Today is free for you to explore all that Florence has to offer. The principal sights are easily discovered on foot – the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Arno riverside, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Baptistry and the Belltower, and the Santa Croce Church. Maybe visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself, see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David or head to the Galleria dell’ Accademia. In the evening, climb the steep stairs uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo for a renowned sunset view across the rooftops of Florence before an included dinner of Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Perugia
After a free morning in Florence, travel by train to Perugia. The once-Roman settlement sits on a rocky hill with views over the green slopes of Umbria, and is now a university town with one of Italy's largest schools. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk through the medieval streets,, stopping along the way for an on-the-go pizza Romana (a rectangular, thick-crust pizza distinctive to Italy). This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the National Gallery of Umbria – a collection of regional art housed in the Palazzo dei Priori (a grand stone building from the 13th century) or head out when the sun gs down and explore the bustling nightlife. Tonight, Why not do as the Italians do and indulge in passeggiata (the tradition of strolling along the main street in the company of friends), maybe pausing for a glass of local prosecco.
Day 8: Perugia / Spello
Take a train to the nearby medieval town of Spello – a Roman town that straddles a thin ridge at the base of Mount Subasio, which is the mountain where St Francis was said to have talked to the animals. It’s a place known for its wine and rural charm. Two of the local churches feature frescs by famed Renaissance painter Pinturicchio, who later lent his hand to works in the Vatican and Siena’s Cathedral. Sample the local wine and regional delicacies with lunch at a local enoteca. Tartufo and porcini make up the base of many pasta and risotto dishes, while whole stuffed pig with rosemary is a signature dish of the region. Back in Perugia, the rest of your evening is free.
Day 9: Rome
This morning, take a bus to Rome and remember that while here, the best attitude is ‘when in Rome’! Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you will pass by some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) and Arch of Constantine, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. If you have time, take a visit to the Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Then, head out to the Trastevere region tonight with your group for a final farewell dinner – this artsy part of the city is always a great spot for dinner, drinks and wandering around the winding lanes in the evening. Your local restaurant for tonight is Trattoria De Gli Amici – run by a social cooperative promoted by the community of Sant ‘Egidio, this business trains and employs local people living with disabilities.
Day 10: Rome
As there are no activities planned today, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Rome, and it’s recommended that you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners.
  • Transport: Train, Public bus, Ferry, Metro, Taxi.
  • Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights).
  • Venice - Cicchetti tour & Spritz.
  • Venice - Glass Blowing demonstration.
  • Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration.
  • Cinque Terre - Cinque Terre Pass and leader-led hike.
  • Florence - Walking tour with local guide.
  • Florence - Piazzale Michelangelo.
  • Perugia - Leader-led orientation walk.
  • Perugia - Perugia Underground guided tour.
  • Spello - Enoteca Wine Tasting & Lunch.
  • Rome - Leader-led orientation walk.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
22 Sep 2025 01 Oct 2025 1 $8,215
06 Oct 2025 15 Oct 2025 7 $6,486
13 Oct 2025 22 Oct 2025 6 $6,252
27 Oct 2025 05 Nov 2025 7 $6,146
05 Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026 8 $6,630
09 Mar 2026 18 Mar 2026 8 $6,355
20 Apr 2026 29 Apr 2026 12 $5,675
27 Apr 2026 06 May 2026 10 $6,675
04 May 2026 13 May 2026 8 $6,935
11 May 2026 20 May 2026 9 $6,675
18 May 2026 27 May 2026 12 $5,675
25 May 2026 03 Jun 2026 6 $6,975
08 Jun 2026 17 Jun 2026 11 $5,675
29 Jun 2026 08 Jul 2026 12 $5,675
27 Jul 2026 05 Aug 2026 10 $5,675
17 Aug 2026 26 Aug 2026 12 $5,675
14 Sep 2026 23 Sep 2026 12 $5,675
21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 12 $5,675
28 Sep 2026 07 Oct 2026 12 $5,675
05 Oct 2026 14 Oct 2026 12 $5,675
12 Oct 2026 21 Oct 2026 12 $5,675
26 Oct 2026 04 Nov 2026 12 $5,675
02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 12 $5,675
04 Jan 2027 13 Jan 2027 12 $6,010
08 Mar 2027 17 Mar 2027 12 $6,010
22 Mar 2027 31 Mar 2027 12 $6,010
05 Apr 2027 14 Apr 2027 12 $6,010
19 Apr 2027 28 Apr 2027 12 $6,010
26 Apr 2027 05 May 2027 12 $6,010
03 May 2027 12 May 2027 12 $6,010
10 May 2027 19 May 2027 12 $6,010
12 May 2027 21 May 2027 12 $6,010
17 May 2027 26 May 2027 12 $6,010
24 May 2027 02 Jun 2027 12 $6,010
31 May 2027 09 Jun 2027 12 $6,010
07 Jun 2027 16 Jun 2027 12 $6,010
21 Jun 2027 30 Jun 2027 12 $6,010
28 Jun 2027 07 Jul 2027 12 $6,010
05 Jul 2027 14 Jul 2027 12 $6,010
19 Jul 2027 28 Jul 2027 12 $6,010
26 Jul 2027 04 Aug 2027 12 $6,010
02 Aug 2027 11 Aug 2027 12 $6,010
09 Aug 2027 18 Aug 2027 12 $6,010
16 Aug 2027 25 Aug 2027 12 $6,010
10 Sep 2027 19 Sep 2027 12 $7,010
13 Sep 2027 22 Sep 2027 12 $7,010
15 Sep 2027 24 Sep 2027 12 $7,010
20 Sep 2027 29 Sep 2027 12 $7,010
22 Sep 2027 01 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
27 Sep 2027 06 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
29 Sep 2027 08 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
04 Oct 2027 13 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
06 Oct 2027 15 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
11 Oct 2027 20 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
18 Oct 2027 27 Oct 2027 12 $7,010
25 Oct 2027 03 Nov 2027 12 $7,010
01 Nov 2027 10 Nov 2027 12 $7,010