Enchanting Italy

These seven vacations explore the country's
art, food, wine and more

By Emily Coleman

It is at once fascinating and somewhat comical to view the Colosseum in Rome for the first time. All day long, traffic whips around the avenues surrounding the ancient stadium, and most locals don't give it a second glance on their way to the metro station or corner trattoria. Looming large above the crowded streets, it's a symbol of a long-gone world that has seamlessly integrated into a frenetic modern one.

There is so much history and culture around every corner that it's no wonder visitors flock to the Eternal City. And it's not just Rome. Everywhere in Italy, there are destinations brimming with wonderful sights and memorable experiences. Italians are said to have a passion for beauty and life, and once you're there, it's easy to see what inspires them.

No matter what your agenda, there's a trip to bella Italia that will fulfill your vacation desires. We've profiled several escorted tours of Italy, each with its own special appeal.

Choosing one of these guided vacations will save time and money; typically, packaged trips are up to 40 percent cheaper than the cost of purchasing the individual components on your own. Accommodations, ground transportation, sightseeing and most activities are rolled into a single price that's paid up front. Some tours include a few meals, too.

You'll also benefit from traveling with a knowledgeable guide, and in a comfortable, air-conditioned motor coach that someone else is driving. You can sit back and enjoy the ride -- no need to hassle with road maps or worry about running out of gas halfway between Pisa and Florence.

Here are seven ways to see the best of this captivating country. For more information on these and other tours of Italy, visit Vacations To Go, a company that represents every major tour operator, or call (800) 680-2858.



If cost is your main concern, look for trips from tour operators that specialize in budget vacations, such as Cosmos. The company has been offering affordable getaways since 1961. Accommodations will be clean and comfortable, though not always in the city center. Fewer sightseeing excursions are built into the itinerary, but this gives participants more time to explore at their own pace.

"The Splendors of Italy" is a 10-day Cosmos itinerary that covers substantial ground, with hotel stays in Rome, Siena, Florence and Venice, and many stops in between. It's perfect for a first-time visitor or anyone who wants to sample the most popular cities in one trip.

After a full day in Rome, the group travels to Tuscany and overnights in Siena. In the evening you can relax at a cafe off the Piazza del Campo, an expansive public square that is the locale for the Palio, a twice-yearly horse race around the perimeter.

A few days are dedicated to Florence, with walking tours to the city's cathedral, known as Il Duomo, as well as picturesque Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi. The trip then moves on to Venice, famous for its watery setting and colorful, finely crafted glass. Your time here includes a boat ride and a glass-blowing demonstration. Then it's back to Rome for one more night, with a stop in Assisi on the way.

Details: Prices start at $1,269 per person, land only, and include daily breakfast buffets and two dinners.



It's no secret that many of the art world's finest treasures are found in Italy. Countless churches and museums are filled with the stunning works of Caravaggio, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and other masters. The centuries-old buildings that house them, monuments of marble and travertine, are equally impressive.

"A Week in Italy" with Tauck World Discovery focuses on these visual delights. The eight-day excursion meanders from Rome to Florence, with a few stops in Tuscany. Art-loving guests enjoy some special perks, such as a little extra elbow room in the Vatican Museums. Tauck has arranged for an after-hours visit to some of the halls, including the Gallery of Candelabra, the Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel. You can take the time to study these treasures without the crowds and distractions.

In Assisi, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, a local expert will be on hand to share knowledge of the 13th- and 14th-century frescoes of the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis. In Florence, tour the Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy's greatest art museums. There's also the opportunity to gain insight into the art you've seen, during a lecture by a local art historian.

Details: Prices start at $2,990 per person, land only, and include all breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners.



Sites of historic significance abound in Italy; you'll likely find something interesting right around the corner from your hotel. Serious history fans can delve into the country's long and illustrious past with the "South and Sicily" vacation from Perillo Tours. This lengthy 14-day journey travels throughout southern Italy and all over the island of Sicily, visiting locales such as Calabria, Naples, Pompeii and Amalfi.

Sicily is home to some of the most well-preserved Greek temples in the world. The towns of Selinus (Selinunte) and Siracusa (Syracuse) feature terrific archaeological parks containing the ruins of amphitheaters and Doric-style temples. Two days are spent in Taormina, a lovely paradise facing the Mediterranean Sea. From the Greek and Roman outdoor theater you can view Mount Etna, the still-active volcano that features prominently in ancient mythology.

For a glimpse at the human side of history, the tour stops at the extensive grounds of Pompeii. What was once a bustling resort town is now a giant mausoleum. The streets, frescoes, mosaics and buildings are wonderfully preserved, and you can easily imagine the day-to-day life of those who lived here nearly two millennia ago.

No historic Italian tour would be complete without a stop in Rome. Learn about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire at the Forum and Colosseum, or the growth of the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican Museums.

Details: Prices start at $3,999 per person, land only, and include daily breakfast buffets and all dinners.



Those looking to learn more about the origins and evolution of the Roman Catholic Church can join an 10-day trip called " A Journey Through Christian Italy." Offered by Trafalgar Tours, it hits many of the spiritual highlights in Rome, Assisi, Florence, Siena and Venice.

The pilgrimage starts in the epicenter of the Catholic world, Vatican City in Rome. Enter the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica to view Michelangelo's wrenching sculpture known as the Pieta, which depicts Mary with a slain Jesus. The next day is dedicated to excursions to three other important Roman churches: the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and Santa Maria Maggiore.

In Siena, birthplace of St. Catherine, you'll visit a stunning marble cathedral and visit the church that holds her relics. Padua is home to the Basilica of St. Anthony, which holds the tomb and reliquaries of this patron saint of lost things.

Details: Prices start at $1,945 per person, land only, and include daily breakfast buffets and four dinners.



It's easy to indulge your palate when you're in a country famous for delectable dishes and phenomenal wine. Satisfy your appetite for fine food and vintages with "Flavors of Italy" an 11-day trip from Rome to Venice offered by Globus.

After two days of taking in the traditional sights and sounds of Rome, you will spend a morning with a hands-on cooking lesson. What makes a better souvenir than a few culinary secrets from traditional Italian recipes? Your efforts in the kitchen are rewarded when you sit down to the lunch that you helped prepare.

The itinerary ventures through the verdant Apennine Mountains and into Tuscany, stopping in Montalcino, home to the Altesino estate and winery. Guests tour the facilities and sample a selection of its renowned Brunello di Montalcino. Lunch includes a tasting of a local delight, pecorino cheese.

One of the oldest makers of balsamic vinegar is located in Modena, and you'll learn about the production process and taste the goods. Later, savor bites of one of Italy's best-loved cheeses at a parmesan factory.

Details: Prices start at $3,649 per person, land only, and include daily breakfast buffets, two lunches, three dinners and several tastings.



Join a ladies-only retreat to Italy with Gutsy Women Travel, which organizes small-group trips all over the world. On its nine-day "Amalfi Coast Discovery" you'll explore the western coast of Italy, where rugged mountains edge the water. Beginning and ending in Naples, the itinerary travels to such places as Pompeii, Ravello, Sorrento and Capri.

Each day offers a unique outing. After touring Pompeii, the group visits a working farm, where you'll have an opportunity to taste the wines made from grapes that grow along the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. On another day, travel to the Vannulo dairy farm and see how the workers make mozzarella di bufala campana from buffalo milk; a lunch showcases the farm's freshly made products. Finally, in Sorrento you can learn all about the local flavors in a cooking class.

You'll also zip across the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean in a speedboat to vibrant Capri. Another day is spent traveling along the coast. As your motor coach navigates hairpin turns on unforgiving cliffs, you can admire the homes nestled into the rocks high above the water.

Details: Prices start at $2,499 per person, land only, and include daily breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners.



Those who want the perks of an escorted vacation -- like convenience and affordability -- but aren't interested in traveling with a group can opt for an independent tour. Travelers benefit from reduced package pricing but are free to explore at their own pace. Monograms, which specializes in this type of getaway, has an 11-day independent tour called "Rome, Florence and Venice" that divides time among three iconic Italian cities.

You'll travel between cities in first-class seats aboard Eurostar trains, included in the price of the tour. There's a guided sightseeing tour in each destination, which helps you get oriented. Beyond these morning excursions, though, you can investigate whatever piques your interest.

In Rome you could wander through the Colosseum or sip cappuccino after an afternoon of shopping. Days in Florence can be devoted to Renaissance art at the Uffizi, the architectural achievement of Il Duomo or the gold and silver jewelry stores along the Ponte Vecchio. In Venice, tour the canals by gondola, venture into the opulent St. Mark's Basilica or visit the colorfully painted homes of Burano. And if a nap at the hotel is what you have in mind, go ahead: Your time is your own.

Details: Prices start at $2,169 per person, land only, and include daily breakfast buffets.

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