THE BEST OF ITALY in 15 Days 

DAY 1:  BUON GIORNO A ROMA! – Let’s plan to meet in our hotel lobby at 2:00 p.m. for introductions and a welcome drink. Then, we will set off to explore the sites of ancient Rome.  Enjoy a walk through the Colosseum and Forum, assisted by David’s audio-guided walking tour.  Later, we will enjoy a grand “welcome to Italy” dinner at a favorite restaurant.  Sleep for 2 nights in Rome.  Walking: moderate. Dinner.    

DAY 2: THE VATICAN AND HEART OF ROME– We’ll get an early start to join our local guide at the Vatican Museum.  Enjoy an in-depth tour of this vast treasure trove of the world’s finest works of art, capped off with an awe-inspiring look at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.  Then, enjoy a visit to the massive St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest Christian church.  After lunch, we’ll begin our walking tour of Rome's historic central core seeing the Pantheon and several other sights in the area. You’ll have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to do a little exploring on your own.  Walking: strenuous.

NOTE: As of July 2023, a Pantheon ticket is required for entry. Due to group restrictions, the Pantheon entrance is not included in your walking tour. If you want to enter, pre-purchase your tickets here, museiitaliani.it.  Tickets are €5 each. Book your entry AFTER 15:00, during your free time in Rome.

DAY 3:  BULLET TRAIN TO THE CINQUE TERRE - We’ll get an early start this morning on our way up to the Ligurian coast.  Train travel in Italy is fun and mostly worry-free, so enjoy the ride. The Cinque Terre is a delightful collection of five little villages spilling from the mountains into the sea.  After settling in, we’ll get you oriented to the region and set up with walking and transportation passes.  Then, head out on your own to explore! We’ll meet later tonight for dinner featuring fresh food from the region. Sleep for 2 nights in the Cinque Terre. Walking: light.  Train: 4 hours. Dinner.

DAY 4:  THE CINQUE TERRE –You’ll have the entire day on your own to explore the Cinque Terre.  Traveling to and from the "five villages" in the region is easy by train, boat, or foot.  The National Park is loaded with scenic trails providing endless opportunities to get out and explore the outdoors. You may wish to stake your claim on one of the many beaches to catch some sun.  Each village has its own character, decor, and ambiance, as well as plenty of shopping and dining options. Walking: your choice.

DAY 5:  VOLTERRA – It will take about an hour by train to get away from the coast and meet up with our driver. Then we'll travel the backroads of Tuscany en route to my favorite little hilltown. Volterra has become “famous” in recent years for The Lair of the Vampires in the Twilight book series.  It has long been known as a quaint and off-the-beaten-path destination for savvy travelers. After settling in, enjoy a walking tour of the historic town followed by a guided wine tasting at my favorite wine cave.  By now, you'll be well on your way to knowing the town, so enjoy dinner on your own and an event-free evening.  Sleep for 2 nights in Volterra. Train: 1 hour.  Driving: 1.5 hours.  Walking: moderate.

DAY 6: VOLTERRA – You will have the entire day to explore more of Volterra independently. Consider visiting the shops devoted to handmade items such as leather, alabaster, jewelry, and more. The town offers several fine museums dedicated to art and the Etruscans. Alternatively, join a multi-course cooking class at a countryside farmhouse (see below). Later, we will head out into the countryside for dinner at a local winery and farmhouse. Walking: your choice. Dinner

OPTIONAL COOKING CLASS ($125) Mid-afternoon, we will travel 15 minutes to nearby Podere Marcampo, a vineyard and farmhouse in the countryside. Our host will teach you to prepare traditional Tuscan foods such as ravioli, fresh tomato sauce, vegetable tart, stuffed guinea fowl, bread, dessert, and more. After your hands-on cooking lesson, we'll sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with a grand dinner feast. Please make a note on your tour application or contact us should you choose to participate in the optional cooking class.

DAY 7: SIENA – It is a short drive through the hills of Tuscany to Siena.  Upon arrival, join an informative walking tour lacing together its famous sites such as the Basilica of San Domenico, the Cathedral, and Il Campo. Then, you’ll have the remainder of the day and evening to savor Siena.  Consider assembling a picnic and camping out on Il Campo for dinner, walking with the locals on their passigiata, or visiting the Duomo and its museum.  Sleep 1 night in Siena. Driving: 1.5 hours.  Walking: moderate. 

DAY 8:  FLORENCE –Join a walking tour linking together Florence's famous historical sights, followed by a visit to the Galleria Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of David. Then, enjoy more of Florence on your own.  Sleep 2 nights in Florence. Walking: moderate. Driving: 1.5 hours.

DAY 9:  FLORENCE – You’ll have the entire day to explore more of Florence on your own. Visit another of the city’s museums, check out the Pitti Palace, get in some shopping, visit the market, or simply soak up the local ambiance. Tonight, join your group for a farewell to Tuscany dinner at a favorite ristorante. Walking: moderate. Dinner.

DAY 10: VENICE - We will hop on the train for a quick and easy ride up to Venice.  After settling into our hotel and taking a break for lunch, let’s visit St. Mark’s Square and its famed church. Then, we will spend some time on a walking tour, lacing together several piazzi e ponti.  After some free time to poke around on your own, we will meet for a canal-side pizza dinner.  Sleep 2 nights in Venice. Train: 2 hours. Boat: 1 hour. Walking: Moderate. Dinner.

DAY 11: VENICE – Enjoy a free day on your own in Venice. Your guide will assist with customizing activities to fit your needs. Consider visiting a museum, boating to a nearby island, exploring the many interesting churches, taking a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, or simply wandering and experiencing all Venice has to offer. Walking is your choice. 

DAY 12: LAKE COMO – Most of the morning will be spent getting first to Milan and then to Lake Como.  Once set up at our hotel, enjoy an orientation and walking tour of your “home” village, followed by independent time on your own. Sleep 2 nights at Lake Como. Train: 2.5 hours.  Driving: 2 hours. Walking: moderate. Dinner.

DAY 13: LAKE COMO – The day is free for you to enjoy elegant Bellagio, Varenna, and its charming villa, or take a hike in the foothills of the Alps for beautiful vistas. Walking is your choice.

DAY 14: MILAN – We will return to central Milan after breakfast and get set up at our hotel.  Then, let’s head downtown for a look at the famous cathedral, shopping district, and opera house.  After some free time, we will meet for a grand farewell dinner to recall tour memories and toast new friends. Train or bus: 1.5 hours.  Walking: moderate. Dinner. 

NOTE: The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece fresco, is not included in our tour program.  Tickets are hard to come by for groups.  However, individual tickets may be available on the web by visiting the official ticket site, https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/, or at outlets such as Viator.  If you decide to book on your own, please schedule your entrance at 14:00 or later.             

DAY 15: THE TOUR CONCLUDES AFTER BREAKFAST – It is easy to reach Milan’s airports by taxi or bus. Your guide will be happy to assist with your post-tour travel needs. Ciao e buon viaggio!

Itinerary specifics are subject to change.

Transportation is provided by coach, minibus, and train from your Rome hotel to your Milan hotel.

14 nights accommodations in centrally located hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs.  All rooms have private en-suite baths.

All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurants, and hotel staff.

Guaranteed Small Group of 6-18 travelers

All breakfasts and seven of your dinners or lunches.

Traditional dining experiences at some of David’s favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority, and you’ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best each locale has to offer.

Water is included with all group meals. Sodas, wine, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.

All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Guided walking tours in Rome, Volterra, Siena, and Florence; Entrance and tours of the Colosseum, Forum, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome; Cinque Terre orientation and a train and trail pass; Guided wine tasting in Tuscany; Guided tour of the Galleria Accademia in Florence (Michelangelo’s David); Artistic and historical overview of the Piazza San Marco and entrance into the Basilica San Marco in Venice; A two-day Vaperetto water bus pass in Venice; David’s signature piazzi e ponti walking tour in Venice; Lake Como area orientation; Milan orientation and sightseeing suggestions and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).

A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts who are dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.

David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.

Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.

Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.

$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.

Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.

See our complete Terms and Conditions here.

See our complete Terms and Conditions here.