• Explore rocky coastal pathways and pastel-coloured villages with a Cinque Terre day pass, which allows you to hike at your leisure and use the coast's public transport.
• Get lost in the floating city of Venice and wander the city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands, and choose whether to enjoy an optional gondola ride.
• Spend two days in Florence, a city known for its beauty and rustic Tuscan cuisine, and choose to discover the cities culinary traditions on optional food excursions.
• Squid ink spaghetti, rich Tuscan soups, a slice of pizza eaten while you gaze on centuries-old architecture – the food culture in Italy is intoxicating.
• Discover the landmarks of Rome with your leader and wander around the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Via Dei Condotti.

Day 1: Venice

Welcome to Venice! This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its iconic sights. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early and with time to spare the Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After tonight's group meeting perhaps enjoy an optional dinner with your fellow travel companions at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities:

• Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
• Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
• Venice - Guggenheim Museum - EUR16
• Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
• Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
• Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
• Venice - Venezia Ca' d'Oro - EUR14
• Venice - Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art - EUR11
• Venice - Glass Museum Murano - EUR11
• Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
• Venice - Scuola Grande di San Rocco - EUR14

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information: It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2: Venice

Today you are free to explore Venice at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Some of the more popular sights include Doge's Palace, the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Maybe take the vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for views over the city. Or perhaps fulfil a bucket list favourite and take journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola. It really is the perfect way for visitors to see the major canal routes from an immersive perspective. Regroup for a snack at a local restaurant that provides employment, support and advocacy to Venice’s migrant and refugee community – the menu is inspired by the journeys they took to get to Europe. The rest of the day is yours – Venice is famous for its specialities of fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti dishes, so perhaps give one of them a try this evening.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities:

• Venice - Orient Experience Snack Stop
• Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Venice – San Marco Square

Optional Activities:

• Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure - EUR99
• Venice - Museum of St Mark's Basilica - EUR5
• Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury - EUR5
• Venice - Gondola Ride - EUR80
• Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
• Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Day 3: La Spezia

Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia (approximately 6–7 hours). La Spezia is known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – positioned on a series of coves between sheer cliffs. On arrival in La Spezia there won't be too much time to explore (that’s what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel perhaps get your bearings with a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione or head out for dinner with the group.

Accommodation: Guesthouse (1 night)

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Day 4: La Spezia / Cinque Terre

Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel coloured villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages, and the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader on which walking section is right for you, as some have challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Alternatively, take the train between any of the villages, or back to the group's base in La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite, maybe take advantage of an optional pesto class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch, if you’d prefer.

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Included Activities:

• Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass

Optional Activities:

• Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration - EUR15
• Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise - EUR30

Meals Included: Breakfast

Special Information: Please remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. Due to recent landslides in the area it is currently not possible to walk the Via dell'Amore and the coastal section between Manarola and Corniglia. There are alternative inland routes, however these are of a higher physical rating and involve steep ups and downs. It's possible to take the train for these sections. Due to safety reasons some sections of any path can be closed at short notice.

Day 5: Florence

Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence (approximately 3.5 hours). On arrival, check into the hostel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity and the optional activities on offer reflect this. Maybe explore the city’s culinary history (and taste some local treats) on a Florence Foodies Walk with Urban Adventures. Carnivores might be drawn to try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the Florentine Beef Steak, essentially a huge T-bone steak that comes with classic sides.

Accommodation: Hostel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

• Florence - Foodies Walk Urban Adventure - EUR67
• Florence - Aperitivo Time! Urban Adventure - EUR77

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Florence

Enjoy another day in beautiful Florence. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so the best idea is to relax and pick a few things you really want to do. Maybe start with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David, or perhaps stop by the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries. Active types might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city – a lovely way to while away the day. There are plenty of optional activities on offer during your time here, so be sure to grill your leader for the details on each so you can get a sense of what interests you.

Accommodation: Hostel (1 night)

Optional Activities:

• Siena - Day Trip to Siena by Public Bus - EUR24
• Florence - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome - EUR30
• Florence - Palazzo Vecchio - EUR12
• Florence - Accademia - EUR16
• Florence - Uffizi Gallery - EUR24
• Florence - Pitti Palace (Boboli Gardens, Museo Argenti, Costume Gallery, Porcellain Museum) - EUR12
• Florence - Bargello Museum - EUR13
• Florence - Medici Chapels - EUR15

Meals Included: Breakfast

Special Information: The individual Florentine State Museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them, but the website firenzemusei.it has everything you need to know about all of them, including the option to purchase tickets. We suggest that you pre-book your visit to the Uffizi, as this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year round. Make your reservations for these museums for any time today. To book an Urban Adventure in Florence go to urbanadventures.com/destination/florence-tours or speak to your booking agent.

Day 7: Rome

Take the morning train to Rome (approximately 2 hours). Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city to see icons such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum (centre of ancient Rome), the Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Via Dei Condotti and Piazza Venezia. Phew. After all that history it’s probably time for lunch. Maybe grab a slice of the good stuff and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona. You can spend your afternoon how you wish and there are plenty of heavy hitters to choose from. Maybe enter the Vatican and check out St Peter's Basilica. Art lovers could visit the Sistine Chapel to admire the timeless work of Michelangelo, while history buffs may enjoy a jaunt through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Rome is packed full of trattorias that cater to every taste and budget, so this evening maybe link up with the group for dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Rome – Trevi Fountain

Optional Activities:

• Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - EUR14
• Rome - Christian Catacombs - EUR8
• Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - EUR16
• Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House - EUR6
• Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR21
• Rome - Pantheon - EUR2
• Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator - EUR10
• Rome - Venezia Palace - EUR12
• Rome - Galleria Borghese - EUR15

Meals Included: Breakfast

Special Information: There are strictly enforced dress codes that apply to those wishing to enter the churches of the Vatican City. Men must wear long trousers (no shorts) and cover their shoulders and women must cover from shoulder to below the knee. Check the Vatican website for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can and should be booked online at: tickets.museivaticani.va/home. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and free (but expect large crowds). Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica and the dome.

Day 8: Rome

Your adventures come to an end today. There are no activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. As there is so much to see in Rome, we recommend you stay a little longer to soak it up. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to an agent at the time of booking.

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day

Special Information: If you have some more time in Rome, why not check out the day trips offered by Urban Adventures? Speak to your booking agent.

This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.

As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip. Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In most cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.

Summer temperatures reach over 40°C in Italy during summer. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning and consider the time of the year you wish to travel.

Less time spent travelling, more time to explore each destination! The primary means of transportation on this trip is 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, however, can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that 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 specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential trip information’ section.

Price is per adult, based on 2 sharing, and includes:

• 8 day Morocco: Women's Expedition Tour
• Meals: 4 breakfasts
• Transport: Train
• Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (2 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
• Included activities:
  • Venice - Orient Experience Snack Stop
  • Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Venice – San Marco Square
  • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
  • Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rome – Trevi Fountain

Please ask us about adding great value:

• Flights - we'll find the best priced flights for your travel dates
• Travel insurance

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Please note: a single supplement is not available for this trip.

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.