What to Expect in Modern Italian Vacation Packages: Key Stops and Practical Tips

Updated guide to typical Italian vacation packages: highlights by region, practical booking tips (timed tickets, advance reservations), and transport notes. Covers Milan (Last Supper), Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence/Siena/Pisa, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri, with brief advice on what to expect at each stop.

Planning an Italy package: what most tours cover

Most multi-city Italian vacation packages focus on the must-see highlights of the north, central and south: Milan, Venice, Tuscany (Florence, Siena, Pisa), Assisi, Rome and the Amalfi/Capri area. Packages vary in length - many run 7-14 days, while a three-week tour allows a more relaxed pace and side trips.

Northern Italy: Milan, Verona, Venice, Bologna

In Milan many visitors prioritize Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Access is tightly timed, so book tickets in advance.

Verona's Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's house) is a short stop for fans of Shakespeare; it's a tourist attraction rather than a historical proof of the tragedy.

Venice is a staple of most packages. Typical activities include a gondola ride, walking St. Mark's Square and crossing the Rialto Bridge. Note that feeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square is prohibited, and gondola fares are set by local regulations.

Bologna is a popular lunch stop. Climb the Torre Asinelli for city views and sample local specialties such as tortellini and mortadella.

Tuscany: Florence, Siena, Pisa

Florence's Duomo and Brunelleschi's dome dominate the skyline; timed-entry tickets are common for climbing the dome or visiting the cathedral complex. See Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, not in the open square.

Siena's Piazza del Campo hosts the Palio horse race in summer (the event is a major local tradition held twice annually). In Pisa, the Leaning Tower sits beside the cathedral in the Campo dei Miracoli; climbing the tower requires a ticket and is subject to limits.

Central Italy: Assisi and Rome

Assisi draws visitors to the Basilica of Saint Francis, celebrated for its Upper and Lower Church frescoes. Nearby artisan shops offer local ceramics and regional foods.

Rome takes time. The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica occupy a full day. By night, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps take on an atmospheric glow. The Colosseum and Roman Forum remain essential daytime visits.

South: Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri

Many tours add Pompeii as a day trip from Naples or Sorrento; guided visits help make sense of the ruins. Sorrento is a convenient base for shopping (inlaid woodwork and limoncello are local specialties) and for catching boats to Capri.

Capri is often presented as the finale of southern tours. The Blue Grotto is weather-dependent and visited by small boats. The Gardens of Augustus and the island's Faraglioni rock stacks are among the scenic highlights.

Practical travel notes

High-speed trains (e.g., Frecciarossa) link many cities, and local trains or coaches serve smaller towns. Because entrance times and visitor limits are common at major sites, check included reservations and allow free time for wandering, dining and unexpected discoveries.