Original
Explorer
Highlights of Italy in Winter
8 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
38 reviews
8 days
Start
Rome, Italy
Finish
Venice, Italy
Trip Code
ZLSW
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
5 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Train, Public bus, Metro
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
From £1,729(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
See all the highlights of Italy without the crowds – this winter adventure celebrates the mild off-season of a tourist favourite, getting you closer to all the spots you want to tick off the list.
Wander around Rome's famous landmarks including the Colosseum (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and much more.
Get lost in the floating city of Venice. The maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands lead to over 130 churches, all with their own distinct character.
Learn to make the king of all comfort foods – pasta, of course – by hand in Bologna. Then, tuck into your creations for dinner with your group and friendly host.
Is this trip right for you?
The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets but can sometimes be quite busy. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the trip notes.
Often there are no lifts or escalators in train stations or in the hotel, so you will have to carry your bags up and down the stairs yourself.
This trip is designed for off-season and takes place in the colder winter months of the year. It is essential that you are aware of the climate in Italy during this time. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially compared to American or Australian standards.
On this trip, you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15 kg (33 lb). Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter. You'll also need a day pack for daytrips.
Itinerary
An Italian winter full of delicious cuisine and classic sites
While most associate Italy with a piercing, orange-hued summer, the mild winters make the country the perfect place to visit during the off season! On this eight-day trip, you’ll see all the iconic spots with far fewer tourists crowding the squares and clogging up the lines. Take in the crumbling ruins of Rome, the renaissance beauty of Florence and the canals of 15th century Venice and grab your classic photo of the Leaning Tower in Pisa. With the cold mornings and afternoon espressos, you’ll have all the more reason to tuck into all the delicious local cuisine, glasses of vino and cheeky desserts, too – ah Italia!
Inclusions
Meals
5 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Train, Public bus, Metro
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
Included activities
Pisa - Half Day Trip to Pisa
Bologna - Pasta class
Venice - Cicchetti tour
Venice - Leader led orientation walk
Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower
Venice - Vaporetto daily pass
Optional activities
Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR25
Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR17
Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR10
Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR19
Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR19
Rome - Imperial Fora - EUR16
Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR17
Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
Rome - Pantheon - EUR5
Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR79
Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR17
Florence - Pitti Palace, Gallery of Modern Art & Palatine Gallery - EUR19
Florence - Accademia - EUR20
Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR29
Florence - Palazzo Vecchio - EUR12
Florence - Brunelleschi 3 Days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR16
Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco - EUR14
Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
Ca’ D’Oro - Galería Franchetti - EUR15
Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art - EUR11
Venice - Glass Museum Murano - EUR11
Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
Venice - Traghetto Ride - EUR2
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. This trip takes place during the colder winter months. While this allows you to experience the highlights of Italy without the crowds it is important to bear in mind that winters in Europe are usually quite cold and possibly rainy. Temperatures can drop to freezing or below, and snowfalls can happen at higher altitudes. If temperatures are above freezing there is a likelihood of rainy days during this time of year. You will need to be prepared to travel in varying temperatures and rain.
2. A single supplement is bookable for this trip. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. If you have prebooked departure transfer with us, please read Finishing 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 your hotel to the starting point of the transfer route.
Reviews (38)
5 stars
33
4 stars
4
3 stars
1
Melanie
Feb 06, 2025
Winter is a great time to visit Italy and this trip was brilliant. Well organised and easy for me with my older teens. Our Fantastic and enthusiastic guide Vincenzo was very knowledgeable and most importantly led us to some great places for Italian food!
Neale
Dec 22, 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip around Italy with Luca, he was just another friend in our group who always knew where to see the best attractions, eat the best food and never miss a train or bus!
Halle
Dec 16, 2024
Fantastic experience, very well organised. Our tour guide Luca made it really enjoyable, he was so helpful and engaging! Would definitely book with an intrepid again!
Maureen
Dec 07, 2024
The trip to Italy was great. Sebastian our travel guide really enjoy this job, he has a passion for his job.
Lynne
Nov 10, 2024
The trip exceeded my expectations. It was the perfect mix of structured activities and free time. Arianna was an excellent trip leader. She was calm, knowledgeable and made the trip fun. Let intrepid take care of the details and enjoy!
Meredith
Mar 27, 2024
I loved this trip! I appreciate that Intrepid offers small groups up to 12 compared to some of the larger tours. I went in March and had beautiful weather, with temps mostly in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, so it didn't even feel "wintry." There is generally a planned activity in the morning and free time in the afternoon (or vice versa), so be prepared to do some organizing of your own activities, but the guide is helpful in offering suggestions and answering questions, and it's nice to have a balance between organized activities and being able to do your own thing. I thought the accommodations were good, not the most luxurious but fine given the budget of this trip. It is a lot of walking, so be prepared for that. If you're looking to see the main highlights of Italy with some guidance and company, but still a lot of flexibility and independence, this is a great trip for you!
Bridget
Mar 23, 2024
Small group was perfect. Group leader extremely knowledgeable, safe, and made the experience fun. I will definitely book another trip with Intrepid!!
Denise
Feb 22, 2024
This was a fun, informational trip that provided a introduction to Italy. My favorite were the pasta making class and Venice. This is a winter trip and we had good weather for most of the trip but winter in Italy is far better then winter on the prairies in Canada where I am from. If you decide to book this adventure I hope you enjoyed as much as I did.
Natasha
Jan 12, 2024
This tour absolutely maximised the opportunity of less crowds for a very special experience in some of the finest Italian destinations. With a knowledgeable and innovative guide the experience was special indeed
carlos
Jan 12, 2024
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