THE ESSENCE OF ITALY in 10 days
My Essence of Italy tour visits my all-time favorite destinations in Italy in ten days. Beginning in Rome, you’ll visit the essential tourist sights and classic destinations. Then, travel to the delightful villages of the Cinque Terre to experience a seaside vacation where the mountains fall into the sea. Volterra, my favorite Tuscan hilltown is sure to win you over to the “la dolce vita” lifestyle. Finally, you’ll have two days in Florence, walking in Michelangelo’s footsteps and exploring the Renaissance’s roots. Your Adventure Starts Here!
Rome – 2 nights
Cinque Terre – 2 nights
Volterra – 2 nights
Siena – 1 night
Florence – 2 nights
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Single Room Additional Cost ~$860
ITINERARY
DAY 1: BUON GIORNO A ROMA! – Let’s plan to meet in our hotel lobby at 2:00 p.m. for introductions and information. Then, we will set off to explore the sites of ancient Rome. Enjoy a walk through the Colosseum and Forum, assisted by David’s audio-guided walking tour. Later, we will enjoy a grand “welcome to Italy” dinner at a favorite restaurant. Sleep for 2 nights in Rome. Walking: moderate. Dinner.
DAY 2: THE VATICAN AND HEART OF ROME– Today, you’ll visit the Vatican Museum. Enjoy an in-depth tour of this vast treasure trove of the world’s finest works of art, capped off with an awe-inspiring look at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Then, enjoy a visit to the massive St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest Christian church. Later, we’ll begin our walking tour of Rome’s historic central core seeing the Pantheon and several other sights in the area. You’ll have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to do a little exploring on your own. Walking: strenuous.
The Holy Jubilee Year will bring millions of visitors to Rome and The Vatican in 2025. We expect overcrowded attractions, long wait times in queues, and restricted availability for group reservations. Visiting the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica are essential elements of our tours in Rome, and we will make every effort to book these attractions for our groups. However, it may not be possible. If this is the case, we will notify you at least three weeks before your tour begins and suggest booking these destinations as individual entrances. See here for our independent booking suggestions. Thank you for understanding as we manuver the unprecedented crowds in Rome.
DAY 3: BULLET TRAIN TO THE CINQUE TERRE – We’ll get an early start this morning on our way up to the Ligurian coast. Train travel in Italy is fun and mostly worry-free, so enjoy the ride. The Cinque Terre is a delightful collection of five little villages spilling from the mountains into the sea. After settling in, we’ll get you oriented to the region and set up with walking and transportation passes. Then, head out on your own to explore! We’ll meet later tonight for dinner featuring fresh food from the region. Sleep for 2 nights in the Cinque Terre. Walking: light. Train: 4 hours. Dinner.
DAY 4: THE CINQUE TERRE –You’ll have the entire day on your own to explore the Cinque Terre. Traveling to and from the “five villages” in the region is easy by train, boat, or foot. The National Park is loaded with scenic trails providing endless opportunities to get out and explore the outdoors. You may wish to stake your claim on one of the many beaches to catch some sun. Each village has its own character, decor, and ambiance, as well as plenty of shopping and dining options. Walking: your choice.
DAY 5: VOLTERRA – It will take about an hour by train to get away from the coast and meet up with our driver. Then we’ll travel the backroads of Tuscany en route to my favorite little hilltown. Volterra has become “famous” in recent years for The Lair of the Vampires in the Twilight book series. It has long been known as a quaint and off-the-beaten-path destination for savvy travelers. After settling in, enjoy a walking tour of the historic town followed by a guided wine tasting at my favorite wine cave. By now, you’ll be well on your way to knowing the town, so enjoy dinner on your own and an event-free evening. Sleep for 2 nights in Volterra. Train: 1 hour. Driving: 1.5 hours. Walking: moderate.
DAY 6: VOLTERRA – You will have the entire day to explore more of Volterra independently. Consider visiting the shops devoted to handmade items such as leather, alabaster, jewelry, and more. The town offers several fine museums dedicated to art and the Etruscans. Alternatively, join a multi-course cooking class at a countryside farmhouse (see below). Later, we will head out into the countryside for dinner at a local winery and farmhouse. Walking: your choice. Dinner
OPTIONAL COOKING CLASS ($155) Enjoy the morning in Volterra on your own. Mid-afternoon, we will travel 15 minutes to nearby Podere Marcampo, a vineyard and farmhouse in the countryside. Our host will teach you to prepare traditional Tuscan foods such as ravioli, fresh tomato sauce, vegetable tart, stuffed guinea fowl, bread, dessert, and more. After your hands-on cooking lesson, we’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with a grand dinner feast. Please sign up for this class online when booking your tour or contact us should you choose to participate in the optional cooking class.
DAY 7: SIENA – It is a short drive through the hills of Tuscany to Siena. Upon arrival, join an informative walking tour, lacing together its famous sites such as the Basilica of San Domenico, the Cathedral, and Il Campo. Then, you’ll have the remainder of the day and evening to savor Siena. Consider assembling a picnic and camping out on Il Campo for dinner, walking with the locals on their passigiata, or visiting the Duomo and its museum. Sleep 1 night in Siena. Driving: 1.5 hours. Walking: moderate.
DAY 8: FLORENCE –Join a walking tour linking together Florence’s famous historical sights, followed by a visit to the Galleria Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of David. Then, enjoy more of Florence on your own. Sleep for 2 nights in Florence. Walking: moderate. Driving: 1.5 hours.
DAY 9: FLORENCE – You’ll have the entire day to explore more of Florence on your own. Visit another of the city’s museums, check out the Pitti Palace, get in some shopping, visit the market, or soak up the local ambiance. Tonight, join your group for a farewell to Tuscany dinner at a favorite ristorante. Walking: moderate. Dinner.
DAY 10: THE TOUR CONCLUDES AFTER BREAKFAST – It is easy to reach Florence’s airports by taxi, bus, or on foot. Your guide will be happy to assist with your post-tour travel needs. Ciao e buon viaggio!
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
INCLUSIONS
Transportation is provided by coach, minibus, and train from your Rome hotel to your Florence hotel.
9 nights accommodations in centrally located hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs. All rooms have private en-suite baths.
All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurants, and hotel staff.
Guaranteed Small Group of 6-18 travelers.
All breakfasts and four of your dinners or lunches.
Traditional dining experiences at some of David’s personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority, and you’ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best each locale has to offer.
Water is included with all group meals. Sodas, wine, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.
All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Walking tours in Rome, Volterra, Siena, and Florence. Entrance to the Rome Colosseum and Forum. Guided tour in the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Cinque Terre orientation and a train and trail pass. Guided wine tasting in Tuscany. Guided tour of the Galleria Accademia in Florence (Michelangelo’s David) and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
PLEASE NOTE: The Holy Jubilee Year will bring millions of visitors to Rome and The Vatican in 2025. We expect overcrowded attractions, long wait times in queues, and restricted availability for group reservations. Visiting the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica are essential elements of our tours in Rome, and we will make every effort to book these attractions for our groups. However, it may not be possible. If this is the case, we will notify you at least three weeks before your tour begins and suggest booking these destinations as individual entrances. See here for our independent booking suggestions. Thank you for understanding as we manuver the unprecedented crowds in Rome.
A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts who are dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.
David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.
Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.
Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.
$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.
EXCLUSIONS
Anything not listed above in the “inclusions” area is not included in the cost of your tour.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
CANCELLATION POLICY
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:
Deposits- Deposits for tours are fully refundable for 30 days from your initial application and deposit date, unless otherwise noted. If you book a tour less than 90 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, deposits are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation.
Payments- Tour payments are due in full 90 days before your tour departure date. If you find you must cancel between 90-0 days before your tour departure, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to transfer your payments to another tour departing within 18 months. We strongly recommend that everyone purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers tour cancellations, emergency medical, and other unexpected events.
Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.
SIGN UP BY EMAIL OR POST
If you do not want to sign up online:
You may download a tour application and send it to us with payment.
-OR-
You may return it by:
- FAX 1-800-570-1351
- Email – info@davidmcguffin.com
- email – take a photo of the form with your smartphone and attach it to an email
- TXT – take a photo with your smartphone and TXT to 904-612-8149
KEY TO WALKING & ACTIVITY
Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to provide maximum tour experiences. The basic nature of Europe does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the big cities. To help you plan, we’ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is the key for our walking activity ratings:
Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.
Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.
Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks. There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.
Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.
PRE-TOUR RESOURCES
Now that you’ve decided to join this tour, we are sure you’ll have some questions. Don’t worry; we are here to help you through each aspect of your tour from start to finish.
DAVID’S AUDIO & E-PRINT PDF DESTINATION GUIDES
David has a complete PDF and Printable Guidebook for all destinations on his Essence and Best of Italy tours. You’ll also find downloadable AUDIO WALKING TOURS for Rome’s Colosseum and the Roman Forum. https://davidmcguffin.com/dg-italy/
DAVID’S VIDEO SERIES: THE BEST OF ITALY
David and his team have produced an episodic video series detailing many of the destinations on this tour itinerary. They are all neatly organized on his YouTube channel. Watch the complete series or view one episode at a time on his Best of Italy Playlist.
DAVID’S 60 SECONDS DESTINATION VIDEOS
Join David as he shares impromptu moments from his travels in Italy. Watching these short 60-second segments are a great way to experience David’s travel style and adventures. Watch David’s Explore Italy.
DAVID’S TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY ALMOST-WEEKLY BROADCAST AND VIDEO SERIES BLOG.
Every week, when David is not traveling in Europe, he presents a LIVE broadcast on Zoom and Facebook. Check it out on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
Each Travel Talk Tuesday session is recorded. Watch them here.
DAVID’S BLOG ARTICLES
David and his team have answered many travel-related questions, and they are all tucked away on his blog. But, no need to go there. Just type in a keyword in the search box at the top or bottom of this page (it’s the gray rectangle with a small magnifying glass icon), and you will get results for your query.
PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL OR GIVE US A CALL.
We are happy to answer your travel questions and give advice and suggestions. tours@davidmcguffin.com or 800-570-1351.
Testimonials & Reviews of our ITALY Tours
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Thank you so much for such a lovely trip! I certainly enjoyed your guidance and care. The manner of care that you and Charlotte gave us was outstanding in every way. I, especially, appreciated your patience in my being so slow and tiring easily. After having fallen the week before the trip, I was so nervous that I would fall again.
The tours on our day trips to Florence and the other small towns gave such a wonderful insight into the history and culture of Italy.
My favorite place was Marcampo and meeting Claudia and her mom. The cooking class and the evening wine sharing were a highlight. Volterra had so much history I've never heard before. The views were so dramatic. Your selection of good restaurants took the worry out of finding a decent place to eat which all of my meals were excellent.
Your sharing somewhere special to you made the whole experience a lifetime event for me. I felt like family. You both are so very special in just being you!! Thanking you again for such a unique experience!
This was my first tour with David, likely not my last. We traversed incredible sites in Sicily. David made it easy, with informative dialogue and guides, and an outstanding driver, Paolo.
The Sicily tour was incredible! After touring with David, I felt that I had truly seen all that this special island has to offer: terrific historical sights, vibrant cities, incredible museums, majestic land and seascapes, as well as a delectable cuisine. Throughout the tour David was informative, hospitable and open to suggestions and adjustments. He has a very pleasant and accommodating persona and we were fortunate to have him as our escort. The guides he hires are excellent and really enhanced our experience. The only recommendation I have is to have a guide for EVERY excursion! Our driver, Paolo, was exceptional.
My wife and I traveled to Italy last month for David’s “Essence of Italy” tour and we had a great time. Traveling with David and Charlotte was so much easier not having to worry about our hotel, food, and transportation arrangements.
Due to the Jubilee and the Pope’s death, Rome was extremely crowded. We missed the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica because of the Conclave. We plan on returning to Rome with David to see these sites.
The train ride to Cinque Terre was fun with a lot to see. Once there, we were able to visit a few of the five villages using local trains. The views of the mountain villages next to the ocean were fantastic.
Our next stop was to the hilltown of Volterra in Tuscany. Now I know why David calls Volterra one of his favorite places. It’s really beautiful and has a lot of history. We would never have thought of visiting some of the locations David took us.
We finished our trip visiting Siena and Florence. The museums, Cathedrals, and famous historical sites were great to see.
Traveling with David, Charlotte and our group was very enjoyable. We have already booked our next trip with David in 2026.
Essence of Italy 10 days our first David McGuffin Tour and we were thankful to have David and Charlotte with us on this tour. Rome was quite the experience 2 full days of site seeing with the Vatican, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain to name a few all so beautiful, but a little over whelming with the crowds.
Our hotels in every location were quaint and lovely! Not having A/C is some of them was an adjustment , I definitely recommend you bring the portable fan that David mentions to bring we used it.
We really enjoyed our small group 10 people including our guides it was perfect. We had so much fun at our group dinners having a guide for the restaurants was definitely a plus, as well as what food to order.
Cinque Terre- Monterosso was my favorite village and Volterra the Tuscany area was also a favorite of ours! The tour guides in Rome (Guilai was amazing) and Volterra were informative and enjoyable as well as David and Charlottes information on each area.
We packed just like David suggested and we didn’t have any issues or problems handling our own luggage but we did do laundry once while there. David’s tour prep instructions were spot on.
We had the most enjoyable time making new friends and seeing beautiful Italy our next adventure is hopefully Greece!
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