Italy: North

Pasta. Wine. Renaissance art and Tuscan hills. If you’re looking to tick off Italy’s most iconic cities – with plenty of indulgent aperitivi along the way – this one’s for you

What's included

All activities shown in itinerary & 3-day Venice transport pass
Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
Shared twin room - Watch our 60s clip about room sharing (Single rooms available)
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners including a Tuscan lunch at a local winery
Private minibus
Arrival airport transfer
Experienced, local Pack Leader throughout

Why Flash Pack

Max. 16 people per trip
Everyone at a similar life stage
98% travel solo, 80% stay in touch

About your trip

From Venice to Florence, Parma to Rome; here’s an eight-day celebration of all things quintessentially Italian. Better still, 2025 marks a once-in-25-year occasion: the Rome Jubilee. Expect the opening of the Holy Door and unique access to sacred basilicas. If you needed a sign that 2025 is your year…

Day 1

A Venetian welcome

Arrival in Venice (VCE)

Take a private Flash pack transfer from the airport to your hotel in Mestre, just 15 minutes from Venice – one of the world’s most beautiful cities
Meet your fellow travellers and Pack Leader before heading out for a welcome dinner at an atmospheric osteria in Mestre for your first taste of Venetian cuisine

Day 2

The islands of Venice

Take a ferry across the lagoon to the island of Murano, home to Venetian glass-makers for over 700 years, and watch the artisan craftsmen at work
Hop across to nearby Burano, a photogenic island dotted with brightly painted cottages and boutiques selling handmade lace
Kayak your way through Venice, paddling through serene canals, under arched bridges and past crumbling buildings for a more intimate view of the city

Day 3

Piazzas & palazzos

Take an off-the-beaten-track walking tour of Venice’s most authentic sestieri (districts), soaking up the stunning Renaissance, Gothic and Byzantine architecture all around
Visit some traditional ‘bacari’ (taverns) to sample local wine and cicchetti – Venice’s answer to tapas – tucked away down the maze of backstreets
Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice; climb the campanile for views of St Mark’s Square or take a quintessential gondola ride

Day 4

A taste of Modena & Parma

Travel to the town of Modena – one of Italy’s great gastronomic centres – to visit a workshop and cellars where the finest balsamic vinegar is aged
Visit an artisan cheese factory in Parma to discover the intricate process of crafting vintage Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (with plenty of samples, of course)
Continue to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, and spend the evening sipping aperitivi in a lively local piazza

Day 5

Truffles & art in Florence

Hunt for truffles in a forest near Florence, accompanied by a local expert and his specially trained dog; sample the gourmet fungi complemented by local wine
Be led on an immersive walking tour of Florence, with skip-the-queue access to the iconic Duomo and other sites within its Unesco-listed historic centre
Spend a free afternoon exploring the city at your own pace, getting lost down its atmospheric golden streets

Day 6

Tuscan hill towns

Arrive at the stunning hilltop town of San Gimignano, with its skyline of medieval towers visible from miles around
Explore the triangular Piazza della Cisterna and climb the Torre Grossa, before enjoying a traditional Tuscan lunch and wine-tasting
Continue to the medieval town of Siena, with its beautiful Campo square and black-and-white Gothic cathedral, before returning to Florence this evening

Day 7

Vespa sidecar adventure

Discover Rome on a unique Vespa sidecar adventure, taking in famous sights including the Roman Forum, Colosseum and even Vatican City
Spend your afternoon exploring on foot, before heading out for a farewell dinner with your group, raising a toast to an incredible week of adventure

Day 8

Until next time, Rome

Departure from Rome (FCO)

After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow Flashpackers and make your own way to the airport; your Pack Leader will be on hand to help you arrange a local taxi
Arrive home feeling deeply satisfied (thank you Italian food and wine) and undoubtedly enriched from the breathtaking history and art this inspiring country has confronted you with

Where you'll be staying

We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.

Staycity Aparthotels Venice Mestre

Enjoy easy access to the sights of Venice from these chic studio apartments in Mestre, just 10 minutes from the lagoon. Expect sleek, streamlined rooms with well-equipped kitchenettes and contemporary decor throughout.

Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio, Florence

From the panoramic roof terraces to the classically styled rooms, everything about this hotel whispers Italian elegance. The location, right at the end of the Ponte Vecchio, puts you within easy striking distance of some of Italy’s most prized icons.

Grand Hotel Palace, Rome

Designed by architect Marcello Piacentini, this boutique bolthole promises refined rooms steeped in Old World Italian style. Indulge in exquisite dining at Ristorante Cadorin, unwind at the Kami Spa, and relish the fact you’re just a few minutes walk from major sights including the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

Adventure FAQs

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and out of Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

What time do I need to arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

We suggest arriving before 12 pm on Day 1, to allow yourself enough time to freshen up and meet your group before dinner.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

There are no scheduled activities for the final day, so you can depart at your own leisure. Your Pack Leader can help you book transfers the night before if needed.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Departure transfers are typically not included due to travellers leaving at varying times. That said, your Pack Leader will happily help arrange departure transfers for you if required.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

Pack Leader: 7-10 USD per day
Drivers: 3 USD per day
Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

How far in advance should I book entrance tickets for Rome sights?

To fully immerse yourself in the history of Rome, we suggest booking some additional nights at the end of your trip. This will allow you time to explore and appreciate the rich cultural attractions the city has to offer.

Note that tickets for popular attractions – such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Vatican Museums – sell out quickly, particularly in the summer months of May to September.

We highly recommend that you book tickets for these attractions well in advance to avoid any disappointment or last-minute complications.

Tickets are typically released on official websites three to four weeks in advance.

If you miss out on purchasing tickets through the official websites, you may still be able to buy tickets through third-party vendors. Bear in mind that they may add their own margins to the ticket costs.

The official website for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tickets is: https://colosseo.it/en

The official website for the Vatican Museum tickets is: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html

Note that St Peter’s Basilica (which is separate from the Vatican Museums) is free of charge. However, during summer, queues can stretch up to two hours and there is limited shade. The Basilica may be closed or have restricted access during special events, so check in advance on the official Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html

If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help!

Do you recommend booking extra nights at the end to experience the 2025 Rome Jubilee?

Absolutely – this is a once-in-25-year event that sees some sacred spaces opened to the public, as well as various festivities throughout the city – think performances, exhibitions and concerts. While we can’t organise any extra nights for you, we’ll happily provide you with the details of our preferred hotels.

Will this itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

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