Venice, Florence & Rome for Solo Travelers
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From the art-filled streets of Florence to the ancient allure of Rome, experience the essence of Italy solo—but not alone.
Three iconic Italian destinations. Countless ways to experience them. On this trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome exclusively designed for solo travelers, you’ll discover each city’s rich history while sampling their distinctive (and delicious) dishes and drinks. A hearty bowl of ribollita soup in Florence to warm you up? A scoop or two of gelato in Rome to cool you down? Travel solo (but never alone!) as you and your fellow adventurers uncover the antique art and architecture at St. Mark’s Square, Florence Cathedral, and the Roman Forum. Add the extension to the Sorrento Peninsula and apply a postcard-perfect finish to this trip of a lifetime.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in a private room at handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 cooking class
- 4 sightseeing tours
Included highlights
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- Florence culinary walk
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Venice today.
Welcome to Italy! Settle into your hotel. Then, gather with your Tour Director and fellow group members at a mixer before enjoying a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Surrender to the beauty of Venice’s labyrinthine canals, elegant bridges, and ornate Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Close your eyes and let the sound of lapping water and the passing gondolas soothe you, but not for too long—there’s so much to see! You’ll meet up with your local guide and explore the heart of Venice on foot and (if you’d like) by vaporetto, or water taxi.
- Feel the energy of St. Mark’s Square, with its thriving cafes and sumptuous buildings, and marvel at the domes, colorful mosaics, gothic adornments, and arches of St. Mark’s Basilica— one of the symbols of Venice.
- See the windowed Bridge of Sighs, named after the legend that prisoners would sigh at their final view of their beloved Venice before being taken down to their cells in the New Prison.
- Watch a Murano glassblowing demonstration, where artisans keep the Venetian glasswork tradition alive. Observe as they skillfully use the distinctive millefiori technique to create intricate patterns by fusing tiny glass rods.
Spend a free afternoon exploring Venice’s waterways or board a vaporetto and cruise down the city’s famous Grand Canal on today’s optional excursion.
Please note: Depending on ticket availability and timing, travelers on some departures may enter St. Mark’s Basilica after the sightseeing tour.
Venice Grand Canal Cruise
From $99 per person
Cross through the Apennine Mountains as you make your way to Florence, whose Renaissance treasures and hidden piazzas bathe in the golden glow of Tuscan sunlight. Set off on a culinary-themed walking tour of the city with a local guide once you arrive.
- Learn about the city’s art and history at Piazza di San Lorenzo, one of the oldest squares in Florence and home to the parish church of the famed Medici family.
- Feast your eyes on Italian delicacies: Tuscan breads, Chianina beef, tripe, lampredotto (a traditional Florentine dish made from a cow’s fourth stomach), vegetables fresh off the vine, and ripe herbs for sale at local shops.
- Admire the architectural masterpiece of Florence Cathedral, locally known as the Duomo. Its iconic dome is complemented by the Gothic beauty of Giotto’s Campanile—a freestanding bell tower adorned with colorful marble panels and detailed relief work.
- Pass the Dante House, dedicated to the memory of Dante Alighieri (of Divine Comedy fame), then stop in the courtyard of the Pazzi Palace to try Tuscan croutons topped with chicken liver or olive pâté, paired with a glass of Chianti. As you savor your snack, take a moment to admire the graceful arches and columns that surround this Renaissance gem.
- End with a stop at a local bistro for Italian necessities—coffee and gelato, that is.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.
The day is yours! Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion to the Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano, where you can admire its UNESCO-noted historic center and dramatic skyline punctuated by 14 soaring medieval towers.
Need inspiration for your day in town? Escape the crowds and wander through the Boboli Gardens, located behind the grand Pitti Palace. Explore the extensive greenery, hidden pathways, and stunning sculptures of this peaceful oasis, then dive into the vibrant Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which has served locals for more than 100 years. Smaller than its more famous counterpart, the Mercato Centrale, the market will give you an intimate and authentic appreciation for how Florentines live. Browse through stalls bursting with fresh produce, regional delicacies, and traditional wares. After, join the locals for a coffee or a bite to eat at the market’s lively cafes.
San Gimignano: Medieval Sights & Tuscan Flavors
From $115 per person
Depart Florence for Rome, where you’ll take a guided walk to discover the beautiful squares and fountains of the city center.
- Stroll past the Spanish Steps, where Pietro Bernini’s Baroque-style Fontana della Barcaccia has stood since the 1600s, and head to the intricately carved Trevi Fountain. The latter, a romantic, Baroque beauty carved of Travertine marble, has served as the dreamy backdrop to La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday. Legend says that if you throw one coin into the fountain, you’re bound to return to Rome.
- Enjoy a gelato tasting before entering the Pantheon, home to the world’s largest unenforced concrete dome. There, you’ll learn about the engineering skills of the ancient Romans and how they created this well-preserved temple.
- End at Piazza Navona and see Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in the 17th century. It symbolizes the four major rivers of the four continents where papal authority had spread at the time.
Lose yourself in a chaotic symphony of honking Vespas, busy markets, and secret alleyways. Join your Tour Director for a walking tour of Rome, a living tapestry of contradictions where age-old ruins coexist with a vibrant, modern spirit.
- Soak up over 2,000 years of imperial history, viewing the Arch of Constantine and entering the awe-inspiring Colosseum—the monumental amphitheater that reverberated with the roar of ancient spectacles.
- End your tour in the Jewish quarter, where you’ll stop at a local bakery to sample kosher delicacies. Pope Paul IV banished Rome’s Jewish residents to the area, which came to be known as the Roman Ghetto, by decree in 1555—a rule that remained in place until the 19th century. Today, the area is a vibrant neighborhood boasting must-try bites like carciofi alla Giudia (deep-fried artichokes) and ricotta and sour cherry pies.
You won’t want to skip the guided tour of St. Paul’s Basilica—one of Rome’s four major papal churches. Add it to your itinerary to view the final resting place of St. Paul, and to take a subterranean journey to Rome’s ancient catacombs.
Prefer to spend the afternoon on your own? Whether you want to take it easy over an Aperol spritz or take in the beauty of the Galleria Borghese’s art collection, the day belongs to you.
Please note: The Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may be offered on day 8, depending on the day of the week.
Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs
From $89 per person
On your free day in Rome, you can discover the hidden gem of Trastevere, a bohemian and mostly car-free neighborhood filled with narrow streets and delectable trattorias. Need a moment of respite? Visit the picturesque Aventine Hill, home to the peaceful Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) and the famous keyhole view of St. Peter’s Basilica—which you can visit by adding the guided tour of Vatican City to your day. Here, you’ll also experience the grandeur and serene beauty of the Vatican Museum, as well as the Sistine Chapel’s venerated ceiling fresco. The day is yours to seize.
This evening, enjoy a hands-on cooking class led by an experienced Italian chef. You’ll learn how to make traditional dishes such as fettuccine and enjoy eating the foods you cooked during a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may be offered on day 7, depending on the day of the week.
Iconic Sights: Vatican City
From $125 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit the magical, terraced cliffsides of the Sorrento Peninsula.
En route to the Sorrento Peninsula, stop at Pompeii for a guided walking tour of the city’s ruins, frozen in time since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The former port town lay buried under ash for 1,500 years before being rediscovered, and ongoing excavation continues to uncover remnants of everyday life before disaster struck.
Discover how Roman citizens lived 2,000 years ago as you stroll through remarkably preserved temples, well-excavated amphitheaters, and the ruins of private villas and public baths. Then, continue to the Sorrento Peninsula, winding your way along the Costiera Amalfitana—the famed Amalfi Coast. You won’t want to close your eyes for even a moment as you drive past colorful villages that cascade down the limestone Lattari Mountains all the way to the Mediterranean.
If you choose to add a day on Capri to your itinerary today, you’ll sail across the Bay of Naples to the famed island. Known around the world as a playground for chic jetsetters, Capri’s dramatic coastline is dotted with colorful cliffside hotels and lavish villas. You’ll traverse crystalline waters by boat and spend time on the island before returning to the Sorrento Peninsula.
Choosing to spend the day exploring on your own? Many towns on the Sorrento Peninsula are connected via public bus. Ask your Tour Director for a recommendation on what to see—and, more importantly, what to eat!
This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Capri: A Day on the Iconic Island
From $125 per person
Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars
Going from city to city was out of this world spectacular. I would recommend this tour.
Hi Danielle, thank you for sharing your review wit...
2 out of 5 stars
The tour was fast paced but, very enjoyable. Then the last night in Italy the hotel had bed bugs. Very unsettling. I left all of my clothes, shoes, gifts in the hotel as I didn’t want to bring bugs home with me. Ef tours very unwilling to compensate for the new wardrobe I purchased to go on this tri...
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. W...
4 out of 5 stars
Had a great trip overall, however, see room for improvement. Hotel beds....the only location where the bed was acceptable was at the hotel in Florence. That hotel was exceptional all around. Exactly as I would expect for my monetary investment. All others were the lowest grade mattress quality. Unac...
Hello, Thank you for sharing your feedback and yo...
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This contemporary hotel is located ten minutes away from Venice’s city center. Guests enjoy the fitness center, bar, and on-site coffee house. Nearby ...
This plush hotel is located in the center of Florence. Guests enjoy a gourmet restaurant, fitness room, and billiard room. Nearby, you’ll find the Duo...
This modern hotel is located in Rome’s Piazza Bologna. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a bar and lounge, and a fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the 19th-c...
This cozy hotel is located in Sorrento’s city center. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Piazza Tasso, Marameo Bea...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VS6.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Venice and depart from Rome (or Naples on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
- Please note that your arrival transfer may be via water taxi.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Occasional transportation by boat
- About 2-3 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day. This includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Stone pathways and cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- The city of Venice is fully pedestrian with 3-5 steps leading up and down the many bridges throughout the city.
- The terrain around the Roman Forum and the Colosseum includes inclines and uneven stairs.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90 F.
- Venice experiences the Acqua Alta, or high water, during the fall and winter months. During this time, travelers can expect the lower parts of the city to flood for a few hours during the day.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation including water taxi and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- In Venice, water taxis are the main form of transportation and typically require travelers to step down into a rocking boat.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and boats.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout the tour, as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports, and boarding water taxis.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your insurance card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry-on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three- and four-star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather, or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our Customer Experience Team. Please note that at this time, not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VS6.
- This tour includes three dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet, or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
- Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from Sangiovese grapes. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
- Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily’s arancini).
- For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10 USD to $12 USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3 USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our On-Tour Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies, ranging from personal health concerns and injures to major world events, if they arise.
- On-Tour Support can facilitate additional support as needed for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- If you are interested in visiting any of Florence’s many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. See uffizi.org for the Uffizi Gallery or accademia.org for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.