This tour is sold out. There are still spaces on the Christmas Markets river cruise this December, or join my private Blogger at Large Tours Facebook group to hear about 2024 and 2025 plans as they are confirmed.
16 – 26 September 2023
Rome • Naples • Amalfi Coast • Positano • Florence • Sienna • Venice
It’ll have been five years since I lasted hosted a gorgeous tour of Italy, so we’re doing it again!
Italy is charming and photogenic, the food is exceptional and the history breathtaking. This small group tour has been carefully put together by Weka Travel and myself, using local guides and drivers throughout. Everything is being taken care of, you just need to bring your sensible walking shoes, your camera, some spending money and a sense of adventure.
This tour ends to coincide with the Adriatic/Greek Islands cruise that I’m also hosting out of Venice (Trieste) on 26 September. There is still some availability on that cruise if you’d like to join us.
11-day Italy Itinerary
16 September – Rome
Our arrival day includes a short walking tour exploring the Eternal City with a guide. We will see the main sights of Rome and get our bearings: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and more, ending with an aperitivo before dinner, which will just be a casual meal before we all head to sleep!
17 September – Rome
This morning we will tour the Colosseum with a private guide and skip the line tickets. We will also visit the lesser known and astonishing St Clements underground church, dating back to 1st and 4th centuries. You’ll love this story.
Lunch will be at our own expense, and this afternoon you are free to explore on your own. I will also be pottering around seeing the sights, shopping, maybe a coffee or a gelato stop, so you’ll not be on your own unless you want to be.
This evening we have a guided walking tour of the famous eating neighbourhood of Trastevere, including wine tastings, markets and ending at a restaurant for those who want to stay (dinner not included).
18 September – Rome
Today we visit the Vatican Museums, St Peters and the Sistine Chapel with a private guide and skip the line tickets.
Today’s lunch and afternoon are free to explore.
Late afternoon we depart Rome for dinner at the hilltop town of Frascati. This was a highlight of my last tour, dining outside at a family-run restaurant watching the lights of Rome twinkling below. On the way to Frascati we will visit some other charming villages, the lakes of Nemi and castles.
Chef will explain each course served with local wines. Dinner, wine and driver included.
19 September – Naples
Today we leave Rome and take the fast train to Naples arriving mid morning. Our local driver will take us to either Pompeii or Herculaneum (the latter is lesser known but some would say better ruins and less crowded, from the Mt Vesuvius eruption) where we will have a private tour.
We will check into our hotel then go on a street food walking tour and end at a restaurant for a famous Napoli pizza dinner!
20 September – Amalfi Coast
Today we take a day trip with a private guide down the famous Amalfi coast. We will visit Positano and have lunch at a local restaurant which serves home grown produce and stunning views. We will visit Amalfi town and Ravello town before returning back to our hotel.
Free evening in Naples.
21 September – Florence
Today we take the train to Florence, check in to our centrally located hotel, then enjoy a welcome orientation walk with a local guide. We have skip the line tickets at Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David.
This afternoon is free to explore. I’ll be visiting the Florence Leather Market, shopping with the street vendors and boutiques, and maybe climb the duomo if I have the stamina!
Those who wish can meet me for an aperitivo and tapas for dinner. (Own expense).
22 September – Lucca
The morning is free in Florence. Those who want to go to Pisa can take a train. It takes about an hour. We can arrange tickets.
The afternoon we will visit the medieval walled town of Lucca. You can even rent a bike and cycle on the walls (or just walk on them!) We’ll explore the town with a local guide, shop, sight-see, grab a snack.
Tonight’s dinner is at own expense, back in Florence where the choices are endless!
23 September – Sienna
This morning you are free to explore, sleep in, take photos, go shopping…
This afternoon we have a treat planned! We have a wonderful afternoon trip to Sienna to explore this photogenic town, shop for some Italian tastes, and see where the Palio race took place.
Tonight’s dinner is a special experience in the Chianti wine region at a local restaurant where the chef, Dario Cecchini, is a butcher by day and chef by night. He’s quite a character and a legend these parts!
24 September – Venice
Today we take a fast train to Venice where we will be met and transferred by water taxi down the Grand Canal to our hotel.
We’ll meet a local guide and have a walking orientation tour of the main sights like the Rialto, and skip the line tickets for a tour of San Marco.
Today includes wine tasting and local tapas.
25 September – Venice
This morning we have free time for you to find your way back to those shops or canals you saw yesterday and take some photos.
This afternoon we will explore the nearby islands of Murano and Burano where the famous glass is blown and lace is made.
Tonight we have a wonderful farewell dinner, Venetian style.
26 September – Depart
We check out of our hotel and have the morning free to explore. Those leaving us in Italy will make their own plans, or we can help with any onward travel you’d like to do.
This afternoon, those who are joining the Adriatic and Greek Island cruise can book a transfer for the two-hour drive (via water taxi in Venice first) to the ship in Trieste.
Costs
My tours are costed up on one person per room. Bring a friend/partner and they come for almost half price.
This tour requires a minimum of 12 to go ahead. Max 16.
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Bus and drivers
- Private guides
- Gratuities
- Train transfers
- Tickets into attractions as listed
- Meals, tastings as listed
- Plus your host Megan Singleton
Single person per room : NZ$10,950
Add a friend/partner : NZ$5,900
Split between 2 people : NZ$8,425 per person
What’s not included
- Airfares
- Travel insurance (a requirement)
- Some meals
Secure your place with a $1,000 deposit. Balance due by 1 March. We can also arrange flights and stopovers on an individual basis.
Please email megan@bloggeratlarge.com if you’d like the registration form.
Ts & Cs
Travel insurance is a requirement for this tour and we advise you take it out when you pay your deposit to cover unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from travelling, or should you need to leave the tour early for any reason. If you’d like, you can get a free insurance quote from CoverMore using my affiliate link.
Cancellation is free and deposits will be refunded until March 1, 2023, when the full balance needs to be paid. At that point if you need to cancel, you’ll use your travel insurance and we will assist as much as possible.
This tour begins in Rome on 16 September and ends in Venice on 26 September, you’ll need to make your own way there. We can assist with flights and transfers if required (extra).
We can also provide great deals on hotels if you choose to stay on or arrive earlier, or want to extend your holiday somewhere else.
For more info about my upcoming tours, join my private Blogger at Large Tours Facebook page.