The Magic of Cinque Terre & the artistic cities

Voyage en liberté L’Italie en train

The Magic of Cinque Terre & the artistic cities

(Venice 3 nights, Cinque Terre 2 nights, Florence 4 nights, Rome 4 nights)

At leisure tours
Italy by train

Italy is a fabulous country in every way. Between breathtaking landscapes, historical and cultural sites that bring the past to life and food to die for, our Italian programs will introduce you to one of the most popular and pleasant tourist destinations in the world. By choosing us to organize your trip to Italy by train and its most beautiful and interesting places like Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome, you can be sure to enjoy a great holiday. La Dolce Vita, finally yours!

This itinerary can be adjusted to your personnel needs and preferences.

Highlights

  • Independent tour
  • Centrally located hotels
  • Venice’s marvelous canals and gondolas
  • Cinque Terre picturesque villages and dramatic landscapes
  • Florence’s gorgeous architecture and its numerous museums
  • Rome, the Eternal City 
  • Wine and food lovers’ paradise

Included

Grèce

Flights

Grèce

Transfers from/to the airport

Grèce

Accommodation

Portugal

Train tickets

Grèce

All breakfasts

Travel Information

Coded: ITE2

Journey intensity

Grèce

Price

15 days

Departure from Montreal to Venice.

Arrival in Venice and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.

Welcome to the heart of the most romantic city in Italy! World famous for its canals, Venice has always been known as the “city of lovers”. The palaces built in the Middle Ages that line the canals and its famous Carnival give Venice a magical feeling.

Over the course of your stay, you will be able to discover Venice’s beautiful secrets such as the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s square and cathedral, must-see sites. If you have the chance, take a gondola and tour around the city, passing under the Bridge of Sighs before stopping for an “Aperitivo”.

Overnight in Venice 

Free day to discover the city.

Spend your second day doing things slightly off the beaten path such as visiting the old Jewish quarter and climbing to the top of the Campanile. Or get on a ferry to Murano, Burano or Torcello, three of the best- known islands next to Venice.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Venice 

Free day to discover the city.

Day three in Venice is devoted to culture. Begin at the palazzo Venier dei Leoni where you can marvel at hundreds of works of surrealist and expressionist art. Continue to the Ca’D’oro, a splendid palace dating from the 15th century which houses a magnificent art collection. End your day at the Punta della Dogana which was once the customs house where all goods that entered Venice were inspected. Today it is a museum.

Finally, don’t forget to try all the local flavors. Venice is known for its seafood and Restaurant Ribot is a good example. We also recommend the Trattoria Antiche Carampane where the chef uses fresh local products to create some of the best seafood dishes in the city and for pizza, try the Al Profeta restaurant the best in town.

Main attractions to discover: St. Mark’s Square, Venetian gondolas, the bridges of Venice, the Punta della Dogana customs house, the Palace of Venier dei Leoni, the Carnival of Venice.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Venice 

Train to Cinque Terre. Rest of the day free to discover the city.

A small area of Italy, Cinque Terre has become well known due to the many images on social media. Situated in the northwest of the country, overlooking the sea, Cinque Terre consists of five gorgeous villages: Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore, connected to each other by picturesque paths.

On your first day, start by visiting Monterosso al Mare where you will appreciate the 14th century Loggia del Podesta and the church of San Giovanni Battiste. This is a small town ideally visited on foot. Next, head to Vernazza, a very photogenic village with no cars that is nestled among rocks and that becomes extremely busy in the summer. Don’t hesitate to hike uphill so you can admire the view.

Take the train to Corniglia, a charming village. To reach the center you will have to climb no less than 300 steps. For many this is the most authentic village of Cinque Terre offering breathtaking views, especially from the church of San Pietro.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in La Spezia 

Free day to discover the city.

On your second day in Cinque Terre, head to Manarola, known for its rocky cliffs, its beach and its colourful houses. Then on to Riomaggiore, the largest, most photographed village in the region. The marina offers magnificent views and is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

If you are looking for typical cuisine, this is the place to be! In Riomaggiore, for example, the Fuori Rotta is one of the notable restaurants. Here you can feast on dishes based on fish, squid and seasonal vegetables while enjoying a view of the surrounding vineyards.

In Manarola, we recommend La Regina de Manarola for pizza lovers. Cinque Terre is a paradise for seafood lovers no matter where you are in the area.

Main attractions to discover: The lovely villages of Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore, the beach, hiking trails.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in La Spezia 

Train to Florence. Rest of the day free to discover the city.

The jewel of a city called Firenze in Italian is one of the artistic centers of the world. Your first day will revolve around the Piazza del Duomo; enjoy the cathedral and the view from the Giotti bell tower after you have climbed 414 steps!

You can’t go on without a real Italian snack like a famous panini at Panini Toscani, one of the best- known establishments in Florence. Then go on to discover the Accademia gallery which boasts Michelangelo’s David which has made this one of the most often visited museums in Florence. After this cultural experience, stop for an ice cream at the highly recommended Festival de Gelato, 75 Via del Corso.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence 

Free day to discover the city.

The Uffizi Gallery tops the menu on your second day. Probably the best- known museum in Florence, here you will find artifacts from the Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance periods. After your tour, why not head to the Mercato Central? Take time to stroll through the stalls of this indoor market, enjoy the local scents and have a bite to eat.

In the afternoon visit the lively Santa Croce district including its central square, Piazza Santa Croce. In the early evening, relax at the View on Art, a rooftop bar with a breathtaking view.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence 

Free day to discover the city.

Today visit the Ponte Vecchio, another work of Florentine art. Crossing the bridge towards Oltrarno you will be able to see the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Your tour will end at the Piazza Michelangelo. When evening comes, admire the sunset with a splendid view of the city.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence 

Free day to discover the area.

Your last day in Florence is your chance to escape from the city and head in the direction of Pisa, about an hour away. Here you can visit one of the best-known monuments in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

If that doesn’t tempt you, discover Sienna with its magnificent Duomo, or explore the charming medieval town of San Gimignano. For lovers of wines and vineyards, you will find some estates directly related to Chianti Classico a few kilometers away; an ideal way to learn a little more about Italian wine culture.

For foodies, Florence has many good addresses. Lovers of Italian cuisine will appreciate the Osteria de Peccatori or La Trattoria la Casalinga, two local restaurants that will fulfill your craziest desires. For those who are tempted by a great pizza, two places: Il Pizzaiuolo and Gustapizza compete for the best in Florence…maybe in all of Italy!

Main sites to visit: Piazza del Duomo, Academia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Florence Cathedral, Santa Croce, Piazzale Michelangelo.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Florence 

Train to Rome. Rest of the day free to discover the city.

Known for being the cradle of our civilization, Rome is an exquisite city. Blessed with a crazy charm, the capital perfectly juggles its glorious past with its desire for renewal. Land of emperors, city of fantasies, Rome invites you to discover the Colosseum, the ancient Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Vatican (as well as its incredible works of art).

For your first day, we recommend the “classic” tour visiting the remains of the ancient Roman Empire before heading to other equally impressive monuments. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and admire the Pantheon of Agrippa. Take a minute to sit down for a coffee in one of the many cafes in the city, and in the evening stroll through the Plaza d’Espagna and the Piazza Navona.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Rome 

Free day to discover the city.

On day two, discover the Vatican. Go as early as possible and visit the Pope’s city in the heart of St. Peter’s Square. Marvel at the sumptuous works of art, including Michelangelo’s iconic fresco in the heart of the Sistine Chapel. On your way back, stop at the San Angelo castle, open daily from 9 am to 7:30 pm.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Rome 

Free day to discover the city.

On your third day in Rome, soak up the city and visit some of the lesser-known sites such as the Villa Borghese or the Victor Emmanuel II monument. Stroll through the narrow Italian streets and stop for a few minutes at Antico Café Greco or Roscioli Café for the best coffee in the city.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Rome 

Free day to discover the city.

Take advantage of this day in Rome to discover some sites you may have missed until now, such as the Trastevere, a scenic and pleasant neighborhood on the left bank of the Tiber not far from the historic center. This corner of Rome looks like an old postcard with narrow streets, beautiful churches and plenty of terraces where you can sip a cappuccino, cool off, and enjoy typical, inexpensive dishes in the many restaurants. Get lost in Trastevere’s winding alleys or stroll through the small Italian streets.

Rome is not only history and architecture, but also a culture of cuisine and sharing. When in Rome, don’t forget to eat local, especially at Osteria Trattoria da Fortunata at 17 Corso del Rinascimento, which offers great rolled pasta, taglionis (fine pasta ribbons), and succulent raviolis. Meat lovers will appreciate the oxtail (coda alla vaccinara). For Lasagna, we recommend the Ai Tre Scalini, a restaurant/wine bar where you can get your fill.

Main sites to discover: Coliseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, the Catacombs.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight in Rome 

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.

Meal: Breakfast 

Geo Escapade Italy
Italy
Amalfi Coast Sorrento, Italy

DATES

Daily departures

INCLUSIONS

This trip includes:

  • Round trip flights Montreal/Venice and Rome/Montreal
  • Regional trains Venice/Cinque Terre/Florence in economy class
  • High-speed train Florence/Rome in economy class
  • Transfers from/to the airport
  • 13 nights in double occupancy in a standard room, hotels according to the chosen category
  • 13 breakfasts
  • Cinque Terre 48 hours access pass
  • Airport taxes

This trip does not include:

  • Any activities, tours or entrance fees to monuments
  • Items of personal nature such as mini-bar, safety box, wi-fi etc.
  • Tips and baggage handling at airports/ports & hotels
  • Italy’s Tourist tax
  • All types of travel or personal insurance
  • PCR tests
  • Anything not stated explicitly in the inclusions
  • Contribution to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents: 3.50$ per 1000$

FEATURED HOTELS

Package in standard hotels (or similar)

Venice San Zaccaria 3*
La Spezia CDH La Spezia 4*
Florence Corona D’Italia 3*
Rome North Nuova Roma 3*

Package in superior hotels (or similar)

VeniceSavoia Jolanda 4*
La SpeziaCDH La Spezia 4*
FlorenceCalzaiuoli 4*
RomeImperiale 4*

Package in premium hotels (or similar)

Venice Luna Baglioni 5*
La Spezia NH La Spezia 4*
Florence Helvetia Bristol 5*
Rome Grand Hotel Palace 5*

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