Country Roads of Italy, a Women-Only Tour - From £5,595

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
Journey across the Italian peninsula on this 16-day women-only tour that stretches from the sapphire waters of the Amalfi Coast to the calming canals of Venice. On this small group tour, visit a winery run by the matriarchs of the family who are leading the way in making incredible wine and olive oil. Sail to the rock isle of Capri, where you can climb nearly 2,000 feet for unrivalled views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Perugia, learn the art of loom-weaving from a women-owned and -run weaving association and join a cocktail-making class in Florence. Conclude in Venice, cruising the canals to Burano, an idyllic, colourful island in the Venetian Lagoon where you’ll toast to a fantastic trip over a delightful dinner of local specialities.
EXPERIENCES
Rome: Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
29/05/2026 13/06/2026 £6,150   Book
19/06/2026 04/07/2026 £5,695   Book
17/07/2026 01/08/2026 £5,750   Book
07/08/2026 22/08/2026 £5,595   Book
09/10/2026 24/10/2026 £6,275   Book
View Our Dates
ITINERARY

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Today is devoted to The Eternal City. Join a Local Expert to discover the modern-day city and how people lived in Ancient Rome. See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Then cross the Tiber river to see the Circus Maximus and learn about the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. Imagine the roar of the spectators as you enter the arena and stroll around picturing the gladiators and their adoring fans.

Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasure of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Ride an electric train along the pathways to marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After our visit to the former papal gardens our journey continues south, drinking in the views of the Bay of Naples, to the resort town of Sorrento.

Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento, where you are at leisure for the rest of the day. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail masterclass with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples.

Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to explore this extraordinary site with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Cap off the day dining at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience.

Embark on a journey through the undulating splendour of the Umbrian hills, where the glossy green vineyards gleam in the warm rays of the sun. Amidst this breathtaking landscape, discover a family-owned business led by the women of the family. Explore the story of how they have cultivated their craft and built an award-winning winery, before delighting in the fruits of their labour with a tasting of their exceptional wines.

In Assisi, see St. Clare’s Church and the Roman Temple of Minerva. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia, the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.

In Perugia, explore more of this gem of a town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit a women-run artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana.

Embark on your journey passing Lake Trasimeno to renaissance Florence. Join a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the Fountain of Neptune and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio.

This morning, explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Basilica of St. Domenico or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano strikingly visible from every angle, its towers dominate the skyline and give it the nickname the Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Enjoy tasting the award-winning frozen delights of master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany as you return to your hotel.

Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Pause a while and taste buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread, said to be a favourite of the ancient Roman army. Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa.

Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or five villages, which for years were only accessible by foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages, before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). There is plenty of time to explore the old medieval quarter and popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.

Journey to the elegant university town of Parma, celebrated for its culinary heritage—most notably its world-famous ham and cheese. Enjoy a tasting of this prized cheese, paired with a glass of local wine. Later, unwind in the soothing waters of a natural thermal spa, set within a 19th-century palace. These restorative springs have delighted visitors since the days of the European Grand Tour. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure in Parma.

Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces.

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre where you can see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses. Conclude your women-only tour over a delightful dinner of local specialities.

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Room 007 Select, Rome - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Room 007 Select, Rome - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Fonte Cesia, Todi - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Fonte Cesia, Todi - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Sangallo Palace, Perugia - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Sangallo Palace, Perugia - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Villa La Principessa, Lucca - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12: Villa La Principessa, Lucca - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: Starhotels Du Parc, Parma - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice., Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice. - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Search Tours