Villa Hopping in Italy Upgrade
Road trip through Italy
Make your way through Italy's most iconic cities and regions on this multi-night vacation! Explore the winding roads in Tuscany and make your way to the most famous city in Italy, Rome. Make use of your rental car and lush accommodations to plan your own day trips around the area and see authentic Italy! Choose the 8-night option to include a stay in a villa hotel near Venice. Add wine tasting tours with this upgrade!
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Rome (FCO)
- Manual car rental for 6 nights (upgrade to automatic available)*
- 4 nights in Tuscany at the Villa il Palagio
- 2 nights near Rome (Frascati) at the Hotel Villa Mercede or similar
Plus!
- Castello di Meleto Wine Tasting
- Wine Tasting at Minardi Winery
Great Ways to Explore
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Imagine the Colosseum as it was in its prime; the crowd, the excitement, the danger.
- Treat yourself to a wine tasting in Tuscany, and learn about the process from grape to glass.
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Take easy day-trips while in Tuscany. You can reach Florence, Pisa, Siena, and many other medieval towns and villages easily with your rental car!
-
Discover the staple dishes in each region; try white pizza in Rome, pasta Fagioli in Tuscany, and risi e bisi (rice and peas) in Venice.
-
Experience firsthand Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, now on display at the Vatican Museums in Vatican City.
Ancient ruins, winding roads, floating cities, and culinary wonders beyond your wildest dreams...experience all of this and more on your road trip through Italy!
Spend your first nights in Tuscany. Explore the idyllic countryside as you take day trips to the surrounding cities and villages, from Florence to Pisa to historic Lucca. Your vacation continues with a stay in Rome. Visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, and more! Along the way indulge in the flavors of the regions, from pizzas to wines to amazing desserts.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Rome (FCO)
- Manual car rental for 6 nights (upgrade to automatic available)*
- 4 nights in Tuscany at the Villa il Palagio
- 2 nights near Rome (Frascati) at the Hotel Villa Mercede or similar
Plus!
- Castello di Meleto Wine Tasting
- Wine Tasting at Minardi Winery
-
Imagine the Colosseum as it was in its prime; the crowd, the excitement, the danger.
- Treat yourself to a wine tasting in Tuscany, and learn about the process from grape to glass.
-
Take easy day-trips while in Tuscany. You can reach Florence, Pisa, Siena, and many other medieval towns and villages easily with your rental car!
-
Discover the staple dishes in each region; try white pizza in Rome, pasta Fagioli in Tuscany, and risi e bisi (rice and peas) in Venice.
-
Experience firsthand Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, now on display at the Vatican Museums in Vatican City.
Ancient ruins, winding roads, floating cities, and culinary wonders beyond your wildest dreams...experience all of this and more on your road trip through Italy!
Spend your first nights in Tuscany. Explore the idyllic countryside as you take day trips to the surrounding cities and villages, from Florence to Pisa to historic Lucca. Your vacation continues with a stay in Rome. Visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, and more! Along the way indulge in the flavors of the regions, from pizzas to wines to amazing desserts.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to Rome!
Arrive in Rome and collect your rental car. Take off to your first destination, Tuscany!
Make your way through the Tuscan countryside until you arrive at your accommodation for the first leg of the journey. Your first night calls for a glass of local wine. Relax with a meal and treat yourself to a glass of one of its famous reds.
Check-in - Villa Il Palagio
Immerse yourself in the warm beauty of Tuscany at this historic, yet modern hotel. Surrounded by a large, private garden, feel your eyes widen as you gaze out at the lush greenery that extends around Villa Il Palagio. Its deluxe apartments combine all the comforts and amenities of a luxury home with the professional services and luxurious facilities of a world-class hotel.
After settling into your cozy accommodation, unpack your swimsuit and head outside. Take a refreshing swim in the large, sparkling pool or lounge in the heat of the Italian sun. Tap your feet and sip on a cocktail at the jazz club, then indulge in authentic local cuisine at the elegant on-site restaurant. Swirl a glass of regional wine and feast your eyes on an unforgettable sunset over the rolling Tuscan countryside.
Day 2. Tuscany
Visit Castello di Meleto, where your first included wine tour will take place! After, you could make your way to Florence. Discover the exciting culture, the dynamic atmosphere and the history that exists in this vibrant city. Don't forget to leave time to visit Castello di Meleto, where your first included wine tour will take place!
Wine Tasting at Castello di Meleto
Experience an authentic tasting of Chianti wines at the enchanting Castello di Meleto, which dates back to the 13th century. Within the original, vast old cellar of the castle at the end of a stone path hollowed through stone and past an original “secret passageway” is the large tasting room, where you'll enjoy a flight of 3 wines produced onsite.
Taste such acclaimed wines as the Meleto Chianti Classico Docg, Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Docg Riserva and Borgaio IGT Toscana Rosso - accompanied by crackers, bread and the organic extra virgin olive oil produced at the Castle.
Day 3. Tuscany
Consider taking the drive to Pisa today, where you can see its famous leaning tower up close. Spend some time at the famous Knights' Square where you can discover remnants of its Renaissance past, and explore the Gothic buildings that are sprinkled through the city.
Day 4. Tuscany
Today consider taking a drive to Siena, one of the most beautiful medieval towns of Italy. Take a stroll to the magnificent Piazza del Campo, then pay a visit to one of the most breathtaking examples of Romanesque-Gothic churches: the Duomo in Siena. This stunning building will have you in awe from the intricate exterior to the colorful interior.
Day 5. Tuscany - Rome
Depart Tuscany today and drive to Rome, where you will spend the final two nights of your vacation.
Why not start your Rome exploration with a visit to the iconic Colosseum? You'll also want to see the ruins at the Roman Forum and make a stop at the Pantheon. Stop by the iconic Trevi Fountain to throw a coin in and make a wish, then treat yourself to some authentic Italian food.
Check-in - Hotel Villa Mercede
Rest and recharge at the Hotel Villa Mercede, a beautiful 3-star hotel in Frascati, located approximately 18 miles from the center of Rome. Thanks to its strategic position, guests may enjoy an oasis of relaxation and entertainment while taking advantage of its proximity to Rome. The Hotel Villa Mercede offers its guests a modern environment of contemporary design. The elegance and the functionality of spaces and furnishings have been conceived for the complete satisfaction of its guests.
Only a quarter mile from the historic center of Frascati, the Hotel Villa Mercede offers enviable panoramic position overlooking the Roman countryside. There are various food shops, craft and jewelry boutiques of the Natural Mall of Frascati just walking distance away, where you can easily find some original souvenirs. In just a short drive you can reach Grottaferrata, Castel Gandolfo, or Ariccia. Point to Rome through the famous consular road, Via Tuscolana. In 30 minutes you will be in front of the Colosseum. Or take the local train to reach the central station of Termini in Rome, the train takes about 35 minutes.
Day 6. Rome
Seize your last day in Rome to enjoy your final wine tasting at the Minardi Winery!
Don't leave Rome without trying Rome's culinary specialties, such as Roman artichokes. You'll also discover that Rome has its own specialty pizza, much different than the pizza found in Naples. Grab a slice (or two) and dig in!
Wine Tasting at Minardi Winery
Upon arrival at the winery, you will be taken on a tour across the old vineyards, to show you the same old farming techniques that the Minardi family has been practiced for centuries. Travel into the past of the winemaking, and listen to the stories and experiences of this historic land.
You will visit the old wine cellar of the wine farmhouse, where you will be introduced to the secrets and the historic wine-making processes of the famous Frascati wine. The Minardi Historic Farmhouse is now a sort of “Frascati Wine Museum” surrounded by ancient vineyards and olive groves.
Next, it's time to taste the famous Frascati Wines! You will participate in a tasting of three of the wines the family produces: the famous Frascati Superiore DOCG white wine, the Vagnolo IGP red wine, and the Frascati DOC White Wine. You will also have an Oil tasting of the family’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil. bread, pecorino cheese + wine gel, cold mix and at the end Frascati wine cookies.
Day 7. Depart Italy
Today you'll head to the airport, return your rental car, and board your flight home!
Fly home!
Where available, the Flexible Change Plan allows you to change your travel date for ANY reason (between 30 days and 14 days before planned departure). You will receive a Future Travel Credit for the entire amount you paid. Please note that prepaid instant purchase airfares and group airfare are not eligible for the Flexible Change Plan and are subject to airline-imposed change or cancellation fees based on airline rules at the time that the change is requested. You must rebook using the original air carrier at least 14 days prior to your originally scheduled departure and complete travel at least 1 year from original booking date. Additional fees may apply. Future travel credit is non-transferable, non-refundable, and may not be redeemed for cash.