What to do with 12 days in Italy


If you have ever wanted to truly discover Italy and all of its wonders, our Italian Delights Tour is without a doubt one of the most comprehensive tours of this beautiful European travel destination. Spanning across 12 days, and featuring top cities such as Rome, Venice, Verona, Florence and more, this tour also includes a number of experiences that add even more to see, do and try. Guided walking tours, free days, delicious cuisine treats and many other exciting highlights await!

To give you a taste of what you can expect from this tour of Italy, we have rounded up some of the most memorable highlights. Join us on a virtual tour, as we discover the many wonders that make this one of the most sought-after tour destinations in Europe…


Visit the Colosseum in Rome
Many centuries ago, this was the centre of Roman entertainment. Brave gladiators fought long, bloody battles with martyrs, wild animals and opponents, often performing for socialites, royalty and members of the public. Luckily, this form of social outing became a thing of the past, but a visit to the Colosseum is sure to give you a glimpse into the former days of guts, gore and glory.

Rome_Coliseum
The Colosseum took 10 years to build and was completed in 80 AD (using over 60,000 Jewish slaves!).

See the birthplace of Saint Francis
Home to Saint Francis, Assisi is a beautiful old town that has become a popular site for pilgrims. The legendary patron saint of animals was born here in 1181, and while some parts have changed, many of the old churches, basilicas and buildings have remained unspoiled over the centuries.

St.Francis of Assisi died in 1226 at the age of 45 years old. He was born and died in Assisi, which is located close to Rome.
St.Francis of Assisi died in 1226 at the age of 45 years old. He was born and died in Assisi, which is located close to Rome.

Explore Venice by gondola
No visit to Venice can be the same without a gondola ride on the famous Venice canals! A free day on our Italian tour is a great way to take to the canals on a quaint gondola, as you explore the city from the water. Be sure to take a camera – the views from here are quite magical.

 In the city of Venice there are about 350 gondolas and 400 gondoliers. On average gondolas are about 11 meters long.

In the city of Venice, there are about 350 gondolas and 400 gondoliers. On average gondolas are about 11 meters long.

See Juliet’s balcony in Verona
Legend has it that a house in Verona owned by the Capello family inspired the great Shakespearean romance, Romeo and Juliet. This house has a balcony that could easily have been where Juliet proclaimed her love for Romeo. At the very least, the town serves as a perfect reminder of this iconic tragedy, with many of the old buildings still intact. Look out for the museum that houses a statue of Juliet, which is said to bring luck when rubbed.

Juliet, Shakespeare's fictional character 'lived' here. People still write letters to Juliet. The letters get answered by A team of volunteer ‘Juliet’s secretaries’ - they work in an upstairs room in the house.
Juliet, Shakespeare’s fictional character ‘lived’ here. People still write letters to Juliet. The letters get answered by A team of volunteer ‘Juliet’s secretaries’ – they work in an upstairs room in the house.

Visit the Italian Lakes
Surely one of the most beautiful sights on any holiday to Italy, the Italian Lakes district is breath-taking in its beauty. Here, massive villas lie close to equally huge lakes, while rustic luxury abounds. The most important lakes in this region include Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda. Take a slow boat, visit a cantina or learn to sail! There  are so many sensational things to do in and around the Italian Lakes.

Lake Como is Italy's 3rd largest lake and also one of the deepest as it was formed during the last Ice Age.
Lake Como is Italy’s 3rd largest lake and also one of the deepest as it was formed during the last Ice Age.

Behold the artistic wonders of Florence
Home to some of the most iconic artworks in the world, including Michelangelo’s David, this city is an art lover’s dream. It is also where Pinocchio originated – be sure to look out for adorable wooden puppets to take home as a souvenir. Shopping, in general, is excellent here (window shopping and otherwise).

Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany. The famous nurse, Florence Nightingale, was born here in 1820.
Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany. The famous nurse, Florence Nightingale, was born here in 1820.

Take photos in Pisa
Be sure to get your camera ready when visiting Pisa… this is where you can take those classic photos of the Leaning Tower. This iconic landmark is an incredible 800 years old, and despite its wear and tear over the years, it is still in pretty good shape.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa! The tower and entire Cathedral Square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa! The tower and entire Cathedral Square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Savour the delightful tastes and aromas of Italian cuisine
We saved the best things for last… and when you visit an Italian restaurant, you will soon see why this food is considered the best. Hands down, the food is one of the biggest highlights of any Italian vacation. Authentic pizza, to-die-for pasta, olive oil, wine, gelato, antipasto, meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, seafood… whatever your taste buds crave, they are sure to find something to savour in Italy.

RELATED: Take a look at our Foodie Guide for Italy

Bruschetta
Bruschetta – a signature Italian dish. Italians eat on average half a pound of bread- daily!

What sets Expat Explore apart from other tour providers is that our tours are ALWAYS guaranteed to depart – unlike other tour operators, there are no minimum numbers required for our tours to run. With tours running throughout the year, you can enjoy an unforgettable European summer holiday, an equally magical Europe winter break or a much-needed getaway any time in between. Don’t take our word for it, though… have a look at our hugely popular Regional Tours of Italy, France and Spain.


18 responses to “What to do with 12 days in Italy”

  1. I will be with the Delights tour in August. Your tour mentions seeing Michaelangelo’s David in Florence. To see it a ticket with a time must be bought. Can I time a visit to see David when the tour is there?

  2. Hi my family is very much interested about Europe Christmas winter vacation packages we are from Manila Philippines
    Can you suggest a budgeted family vacation for us
    Four members of the family
    Plan – Christmas time and new year blast

  3. Hi good day i have joined a meditteranean cruise and we stayed in Venice for 2 days.i am just curious how many days this tour will stay in Venice coz i want to go back to Murano and Burano.it was raining that day that we were not able to wander around.thank you

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