Italy: Pasta & Piazzas 2027

First steps in the city: after dropping your bags, you’re heading straight into the heart of la dolce vita. Your local guide will lead you past the Colosseum – where ancient stones meet instant photo opportunities – and fountains that are perfect for a quick selfie. Later, dig into your welcome dinner at a local trattoria, where you can twirl fresh pasta, nibble on crispy bruschetta and wash it down with a glass of something Italian – what better way to begin your first taste of Roman life? 
 

Venetian daydreams: glide from Rome to Venice, ready for adventure. this morning, join a local guide for a tour of Venice’s must-see spots. Wander past the bustling Rialto Market, watch gondoliers skillfully navigate the Grand Canal and peek inside tiny churches brimming with Renaissance art.

Venice in motion: slip into a gondola with your trip mates for a once-in-a-lifetime ride through Venice’s twisting canals. Drift under low bridges, past palaces with peeling paint and hidden gardens, and watch the city reveal itself from the water in a way no walking tour ever could. Don’t forget to snap a selfie under one of the bridges – you’ll want proof you conquered Venice in style. 

A day to play: wake early to beat the crowds at St Mark’s Basilica. Climb the Campanile for jaw-dropping views over the lagoon. If art’s your thing, lose yourself in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Fancy a change of scenery? Jump on a vaporetto heading to the islands of Murano and Burano for glassblowing, colourful houses and a slower pace of life.  

Later, your way: as evening falls, let the lantern-lit streets lead you on a wandering spree – or grab a spritz in a tucked-away bacaro (a Venetian wine bar) and snack your way through cicchetti like a local.

Lake Garda stop: partway through your minicoach journey from Venice to Bologna, roll up beside the largest lake in Italy. Colour associated with Lake Garda: deep teal. Feeling associated with Lake Garda: tranquillity. Activity associated with Lake Garda: cruising teal waters with air of tranquillity.

Bologna beginnings: arrive in Bologna, eat lunch together and enjoy a chunk of free time in the largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region. Wander through shaded narrow streets. Tip your head back to take in the medieval Two Towers. Or settle in one of the many piazzas with a cold glass of Aperol.  

Official welcome: after breakfast, meet your Trip Leader in the lobby and begin your wander around Bologna where they’ll point out fun facts, fascinating history and local stories. Feeling peckish? Your walk wraps up at a local shop for a food tasting. Guess what it could be!

Your afternoon, your way: our small group trips are made for moments like this: free time to do more of what you came for. Find the vintage shop you saved on Instagram. Buy a bottle of Pignoletto wine to share. Or get lost in a part of the city you haven’t ventured to yet. 

Streets of the Renaissance: this morning, a local guide will lead you through Florence’s greatest hits. Stand beneath the red-tiled dome of the Duomo, cross the Ponte Vecchio where jewellers still trade and stroll Piazza della Signoria – home to sculptures that look like they've jumped out of an art history book.  

Your Florence, your way: the afternoon’s yours. Queue up for a peek at Michaelangelo’s David, hunt down the city’s best schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread – insiders swear by salami) or visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore – remember to book tickets in advance!  

Your day, your way: hike up to Piazzale Michaelangelo to take in terracotta rooftops from a different angle. Head back down for a lazy lunch (gelato counts). Haggle for a new leather jacket you absolutely don’t need. Museum-hop until you can’t tell your Botticelli from your Michelangelo. And round off the day by digging into a plate of pasta in a sunny piazza and people-watching like it’s a competitive sport. There’s a tipsy tour you can book onto tonight for more fun in Florence!

Leaning into it: all aboard for Pisa this morning! Your Trip Leader will give you the lowdown and share a few fun tips, and then it’s over to you to snap the obligatory holding up the tower photo at the Leaning Tower.

Lucca’s next: named the city of 100 churches, this is the place to pray for more travel blessings to be sent your way. Manifest during your wander through the narrow alleyways.

La Spezia for dinner: after a packed day of must-see sites, it’s time for more must-eat bites! Place (or launch) your backpack into your room for the next couple of nights, put on an outfit that makes you feel like you and meet the group for dinner. Whatever’s on the menu has delicious stamped all over it. 

Hike the coast: lace up your trainers – today’s adventure takes you and your Trip Leader along the famous coastal paths that link the pastel-hued villages of Cinque Terre. Think: steep terraces stacked with vineyards, turquoise waves crashing below and photo stops that make every step worth it.  

Village vibes: when your feet tire, cool off with a dip in the sea, grab a cone of fried seafood wrapped in paper or reward yourself with a cold drink on a sunny terrace. Each village has its own personality – so whether you’re wandering Riomaggiore’s winding steps or watching the fishing boats bob in Vernazza’s harbour, it’s a day made for your camera roll (and your appetite). 

Olive oil sampling: grab your spot on the minicoach for optimal chill time before arriving at a local olive oil mill for a tasting of the drizzling gold. Enjoy a light lunch with classic Italian bites before it’s time to get back onto the coach.

Small groups in small towns: have you heard of Cascia? It’s small, it’s mighty and it’s tonight’s home. Venture to one of the local restaurants for a taste of the Umbria region. Truffles, saffron, pizza... it’s your choice! 

Vineyards with a view: today, you’re making tracks for Sorrento, and you’ll be stopping en route on the slopes of Mt Vesuvius at a family-run winery for lunch paired with local wines. Sip a crisp Falanghina or a bold Aglianico while soaking up views of the volcano and the Bay of Naples. Life doesn't get better than this.

Coast-bound: after touching down in Sorrento, the afternoon is yours to wander through lemon-scented streets, nibble on a fresh sfogliatella straight from a pastry shop or see in your first night on the Amalfi Coast with on a terrace overlooking the sparkling sea.

Coastal adventures: start your day in Sorrento the Italian way – with a strong espresso – then spend it as you please. Wander the narrow streets lined with lemon-scented shops and cafés, and don’t leave without a zesty lemon granita in hand (trust us on this one).

Island hopping: for a bucket-list twist, catch a ferry to Capri to explore the Blue Grotto, wander through colourful gardens, and soak in the views at the Piazzetta. Or head down the Amalfi Coast to Positano’s cliffside houses, sun-soaked beaches and winding streets full of artisan shops. Your day, your adventure.

History up close: today, you’re heading to Pompeii, where your local guide will lead you through the streets frozen in time. Wander past ancient villas, frescoed walls and the remnants of Roman life, imagining the bustling city before Mount Vesuvius changed everything.

Rome, round two: after exploring Pompeii, kick back on the ride back to Rome and get ready for your final night. Gather at a local restaurant for an included dinner and finally settle the age-old debate: which city served the best pasta? Then dive into Roman classics—creamy carbonara, punchy cacio e pepe, and tiramisu so good you’ll be scheming how to sneak the recipe home. 
 

One last bite: enjoy a final breakfast together in Rome, soaking in the morning buzz of the city and perhaps sneaking in a last cappuccino or cornetto. After breakfast, the tour wraps up. Say arrivederci to your new friends, pack up your memories (and souvenirs) and carry a little bit of Italy with you wherever you go next.