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Now Journey signature tour

Italy's Great Cities

The Original 12-Day Small Group Italy Journey.

  • 8 to 12 guests
  • Max 16
  • Tour Captain hosted
  • Boutique hotels
  • 50+ five-star reviews
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12 DaysBalanced pace
Venice to AmalfiIconic route
8-12 GuestsMax 16
4-5 Star HotelsDeluxe collection
Tour CaptainHosted throughout
From $9,349Per person

Italy was never meant to be rushed

The Italy tour people hope exists.

Italy's Great Cities was created for travelers who want the famous places - Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome and the Amalfi Coast - without the big-bus feeling, rushed pacing, or generic group-tour machinery.

This is a hosted, thoughtfully paced journey with boutique hotels, memorable dining, local guides, and enough breathing room for Italy to feel personal.

"Every day, every place, every meal, every experience was amazing." Edward K., Now Journey guest

Why travelers choose Now Journey

Hosted, not herded.

A smaller group changes the entire texture of Italy: easier movement, better meals, better hotels, more personal attention, and far fewer moments spent waiting for a crowd.

Mainstream bus tours

  • 30 to 50 guests moving as one large group
  • Fixed restaurant rotations and rushed meals
  • Generic hotels or edge-of-city locations
  • Large coach buses and slower logistics
  • More optional add-ons and upsell moments

Now Journey

  • 8 to 12 guests, with a maximum of 16
  • Dedicated Tour Captain hosted throughout
  • Boutique, heart-of-the-city hotel collections
  • More included experiences and local dining
  • Thoughtful pacing, fewer hassles, no big buses

The journey by chapters

Five Italian Chapters. One seamless Story.

Instead of a day-by-day wall of logistics, think of this journey as a sequence of beautifully paced chapters - each with its own rhythm, mood and sense of place.

Venice canal

Chapter 1

Venice

Begin on San Marco Island with a private water-taxi arrival, an opening walk with your Tour Captain, hidden corners, glittering mosaics, Doge's Palace, and a gondola experience before sunset.

Days 1-22 nightsSan Marco
  • Private water taxi arrival
  • Discovery Walk through Venice
  • St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
  • Included gondola experience
  • Hotel Saturnia, Monaco & Grand Canal, Hotel do Pozzi or similar
See day-by-day details

Day 1 welcomes you to Venice with arrival support, your hotel on or near San Marco, and a warm opening evening. Day 2 explores the secrets and treasures of Venice with a local guide, followed by time to enjoy the city at your own pace.

See the complete chapter
Florence travelers

Chapter 2

Florence

Venice fades into the Renaissance as you arrive in Florence by high-speed train, walk into the heart of the city, and settle into evenings of Tuscan flavor and architectural drama.

Days 3-42 nightsRenaissance city
  • High-speed rail to Florence
  • Duomo, Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio and historic center
  • Florence Secrets & Treasures guided walk
  • Warm Tuscan welcome dinner
  • Grand Hotel Cavour, Bernini Palace, Hotel Renaissance or similar
See day-by-day details

Day 3 brings the transition to Florence and an introductory Discovery Walk. Day 4 goes deeper into the historic center with time afterward to wander, linger, shop, or simply savor the city.

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Cortona in Tuscany

Chapter 3

Tuscany

The pace softens in Tuscany: San Gimignano, vineyard roads, a family-run estate, wine tasting, a farm-to-table lunch, and two nights in Cortona.

Days 5-62 nightsCortona
  • San Gimignano and Vernaccia wine country
  • Curated wine tasting and Tuscan lunch
  • Cortona Discovery Walk
  • Apericena in Cortona
  • Villa Marsili, Hotel San Michele, Monastero di Cortona, Hotel San Luca or similar
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Day 5 moves through Tuscany's hill towns and wine country before arriving in Cortona. Day 6 is a slower Tuscan day with room for wandering, cooking, wine, countryside views, or simply doing less.

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Pantheon in Rome

Chapter 4

Rome

Rome arrives with grandeur: the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, Vatican City, Imperial Rome, and a farewell evening that feels worthy of the Eternal City.

Days 7-93 nightsOld Rome
  • Discovery Walk through the heart of Rome
  • Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's
  • Roman Forum and Imperial Rome
  • Farewell to Rome dinner
  • Palazzo Navona, Pantheon Iconic, L'Orologio, Hotel Navona or similar
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Day 7 enters Rome with a walk through the historic center. Day 8 explores Vatican City with privileged access. Day 9 reveals Imperial Rome and closes with a special evening together.

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Amalfi Coast

Chapter 5

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

The finale brings Pompeii, the Sorrento Peninsula, coastal light, sea air, and the kind of ending that lets the whole story settle in.

Days 10-122 nightsCoastal finale
  • Naples and Pompeii ancient site
  • Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
  • Time for coastal wandering and sea views
  • Grand Hotel Capodimonte, Hotel Continental, Bellevue Syrene or similar
  • Departure from Naples area
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Day 10 travels south with Pompeii and arrival in Sorrento. Day 11 gives the coast its moment. Day 12 closes the journey with transfers and an Italian story you will carry home.

See the complete chapter

Journey Guide

Every Detail of the Journey

We believe choosing a journey of this significance should never require guesswork.

That's why we've opened our complete Journey Guide for you to explore before you book. Discover every destination, Discovery Walk, included sightseeing experience, carefully selected hotel collection, optional experiences, dining recommendations, practical travel notes, and the thoughtful details that make this Now Journey uniquely our own.

Explore the Complete Journey

Take your time. Every detail is here whenever you're ready.

What's included

The details are handled. The discoveries still feel yours.

Boutique hotels, expert guides, Tour Captain hosting, breakfasts, select dining, skip-the-line sightseeing, memorable experiences, and thoughtful transitions are woven into the journey.

Tour Captain hosting

A warm, capable presence throughout the journey.

Local experts

Guides who bring Venice, Florence, Rome and Pompeii to life.

Curated dining

Select dinners and food moments that feel genuinely Italian.

Seamless movement

Thoughtful transfers, rail, vans, water taxis and logistics.

Hotel collections

Hotels chosen for place, character and comfort.

Deluxe hotels feature thoughtfully selected 4- and 5-star properties. Classic hotels are well-located 3-star-plus properties with private bathrooms, air conditioning, breakfast and heart-of-the-city locations.

Hotel Saturnia Venice

Venice

Historic palace-style stays near San Marco, including Saturnia & International, Monaco & Grand Canal, Hotel do Pozzi or similar.

Florence hotel

Florence

Elegant city hotels such as Grand Hotel Cavour, Bernini Palace, L'Orologio, Hotel Renaissance or similar.

Hotel San Michele Tuscany

Cortona

Rustic Tuscan manor houses, villas and hill-town properties including Villa Marsili, Hotel San Michele or similar.

Rome hotel

Rome

Perfectly placed hotels near the Pantheon, including Palazzo Navona, Pantheon Iconic, La Minerva, Hotel Navona or similar.

Sorrento coast

Sorrento

Coastal stays such as Grand Hotel Capodimonte, Hotel Continental, Bellevue Syrene, Hilton Sorrento Palace or similar.

Dates & prices

Choose your season.

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Deluxe hotels feature 4+ to 5-star properties. Classic hotels feature 3-star-plus properties. Solo supplement: $3,790.

Best dates to consider first

If you are comparing options, start here. These departures represent the most compelling seasonal choices - spring ease, early summer energy, harvest season, and October value.

All 2026 departures 12-day Venice to Amalfi Coast

June

Near-perfect early summer weather and a lively Italian atmosphere.

July & August

Summer in Italy - warm days, long evenings, and a festive city energy.

Harvest Season

September brings Tuscany's harvest mood, softer light, and high-season demand.

October

Warm days often linger, while crowds begin to soften and the cities feel a bit more relaxed.

All 2027 departures Spring through October

Spring

One of the best times to be in Italy: moderate temperatures, fewer crowds, and spring atmosphere.

May

Near-perfect weather, flowers, sunshine, and la dolce vita.

June

A classic Italy window with warm days and high-demand departures.

Summer

Fresh, hot Italian summer days and long golden evenings.

Harvest Season

September brings Tuscany's harvest, late-summer warmth, and some of the year's most requested weeks.

October

Autumn atmosphere, softer crowds, and warm days that often linger into the month.

Not sure which departure is best?

Explore the complete Journey before requesting your proposal, or tell us your preferred season, travel style, and hotel collection. We will help you compare dates without pressure.

Ask for guidanceRead the Complete Journey

Guest reviews

The proof is in the way guests talk about it.

Now Journey guests consistently mention the same things: thoughtful planning, seamless logistics, special surprises, beautiful hotels, and the feeling of being genuinely cared for.

"I can't say enough about our recent trip to Italy. It was perfection from beginning to end."
Tammy A., Now Journey guest

"We all were made to feel special, almost like royalty, with skip-the-line access, personal service by fabulous chefs, and seamless check-ins at our gorgeous hotels."

Now Journey guest

"Every day, every place, every meal, every experience was amazing."

Edward K.

"Our hotel accommodations were all perfect. Now Journey did an exceptional job planning and we even got surprises along the way."

Tammy A.

Frequently asked questions

A few things travelers ask first.

The essence of this Journey: Premium small-group travel with carefully chosen hotels, authentic experiences, personal support every step of the way, and the freedom to enjoy each destination — not just see it.

How many people are on the tour?

Small groups typically range from 8 to 12 guests, with a maximum of 16.

Is the tour fast-paced?

No. The tour is intentionally balanced, with time to explore, reflect and enjoy each destination.

Are meals included?

Daily breakfasts and select dinners with Premium beverages are included, with time built in to explore independently.

Is this a bus tour?

No. Groups typically travel in premium vans or luxury micro-coaches depending on group size.

Is this good for first-time Italy travelers?

Yes. It is one of Now Journey's strongest choices for first-time visitors who want the classics with polish and ease.

How much walking is typical?

Expect moderate walking in historic centers with cobblestones and stairs. Guests should be comfortable walking at a relaxed pace.

Begin your Italian story

This is the Italy tour you were hoping to find.

Tell us what you are imagining. A real Now Journey travel specialist will help you choose the right date, hotel collection and trip style - no obligation and no pressure.

Request Trip Proposal See Every Detail of the Journey Call/Text +1 (720) 464-3248