Premier Journey: Essence of Italy
About the Trip
October 15–27 | 13 Days
See Italy unfold with ease on this Premier journey linking Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome. First-class high-speed trains with door-to-door luggage handling make travel days seamless, while immersive experiences bring each region to life. Sample cicchetti on a guided Venice food crawl, stand before masterpieces in both the Uffizi and Accademia galleries and prepare fresh pasta during a hands-on cooking class in Rome. In Tuscany, share lunch and wine at a family-owned estate, then head south to explore Pompeii and spend a full day on the island of Capri. Thoughtfully paced and rich in flavour, culture and scenery, this is Italy experienced deeply and comfortably.
CAA Premier Collection Tours
One-of-a-kind departures that offer immersive and intimate group journeys.
- Our CAA Hosts lead you on incredible adventures to iconic destinations. They will take care of every detail on each journey.
- Travel in style: Stretch out on spacious motorcoaches while exploring during the day and rest easy at night in the best hotels each destination has to offer.
- Memorable dining: Delicious local dishes and the season’s most flavourful offerings will have you savouring every bite.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Bon voyage gift‡
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 100 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Venice and return from Rome to Toronto or Winnipeg
- First-class high-speed train from Venice to Florence, Florence to Naples and Naples to Rome
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Venice
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Florence
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Sorrento
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Rome
- 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach.
- Door to Door luggage handling
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Local English-speaking guides
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host (Requires a minimum number of participants)
Premier Journey: Essence of Italy
Activity Level: Active. Experience Renaissance art, Tuscan wine and Capri’s coastal glamour on an immersive 13-day Italian journey including first-class rail travel.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Venice.
Day 2
Venice – Arrive and meet your Tour Director, then transfer by boat to your hotel. Enjoy a flavourful welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3
Venice – Cruise to Murano for a live glassblowing demonstration, then continue to colourful Burano, known for its bright homes and lace-making heritage, with free time to explore. This evening, join a guided cicchetti crawl featuring Venetian small plates, local wines and neighbourhood nightlife. (B/D)
Day 4
Florence – Travel by first-class high-speed train to Florence. Discover the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Florence Cathedral on a guided walk, then savour the legendary Bistecca Fiorentina at dinner. (B/D)
Day 5
Florence – Journey through Chianti to San Gimignano, celebrated for its medieval towers, then visit a family-owned Tuscan wine estate for a traditional lunch and guided tasting. (B/L/T)
Day 6
Florence – Immerse yourself in Florence’s artistic treasures with guided visits to the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s iconic David. (B/D)
Day 7
Sorrento – Ride south by high-speed train to Naples, tour the Archaeological Park of Pompeii with a guide and continue by private transfer to Sorrento, where dinner awaits at the hotel. (B/D)
Day 8
Sorrento – Spend a full day on the island of Capri, travelling to Anacapri and visiting the lively Piazzetta for sweeping views over the island and sea. After lunch, enjoy free time to browse boutiques or relax in this elegant setting. (B/L)
Day 9
Sorrento – Enjoy leisure time or join the included optional Amalfi Coast cruise, sailing past dramatic cliffs, colourful villages and crystal-clear waters. (B)
Day 10
Rome – Transfer to Naples train station and travel by high-speed train to Rome. Settle in, then dine in Trastevere, where cobblestone streets, lively piazzas and traditional trattorias create a classic Roman evening. (B/D)
Day 11
Rome – Take part in a hands-on cooking class preparing fresh fettuccine and classic tiramisù, then enjoy your creations with wine. The afternoon is free to explore Rome at your own pace. (B/L)
Day 12
Rome – Continue discovering Rome independently before gathering for a special farewell dinner celebrating your journey. (B/D)
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
‡Bon Voyage Gift is based on one per person.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Venice.
Day 2
Venice
Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, meet your Tour Director and transfer by boat across the lagoon to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant — a warm, flavourful introduction to life in La Serenissima. (D)
Day 3
Venice
The day begins with a boat excursion to the islands of Murano and Burano. In Murano, witness the island’s centuries-old glassmaking tradition during a live glassblowing demonstration, then continue to colourful Burano, known for its bright houses and lace-making heritage, with free time to wander and take in its charming scenery. Return to Venice for an evening guided cicchetti crawl, sampling traditional Venetian tapas-style bites and local wines while enjoying authentic neighbourhood nightlife. (B/D)
Day 4
Florence
Travel in comfort to Florence aboard a first-class high-speed train, with door-to-door baggage handling for a smooth, effortless journey. Once there, set out on a guided walking tour featuring iconic landmarks including the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the magnificent Florence Cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi’s celebrated dome. Dinner this evening highlights one of Tuscany’s most beloved specialties, Bistecca Fiorentina, the legendary Florentine T-bone steak. (B/D)
Day 5
Florence
Take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Chianti to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, renowned for its striking skyline of historic towers. The experience continues at a family-owned Tuscan wine estate, where a traditional lunch and guided tasting offer an authentic introduction to local flavours and winemaking traditions. (B/L/T)
Day 6
Florence
Enjoy a full day dedicated to Florence’s artistic treasures, with guided visits to both the Uffizi Gallery, home to Renaissance masterpieces, and the Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo’s iconic David awaits. (B/D)
Day 7
Sorrento
Heading south by high-speed train, arrive in Naples before visiting the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where a guided tour brings the ancient Roman city to life beneath the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. From here, continue by private transfer to Sorrento with luggage handled seamlessly, then enjoy dinner this evening at the hotel. (B/D)
Day 8
Sorrento
Discover the island of Capri on a full-day excursion to one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous and iconic destinations. Travel by minibus to Anacapri, then explore further including a visit to the famous Piazzetta—the lively heart of Capri—where sweeping views stretch across the island and the sparkling sea. After lunch, free time allows you to browse elegant boutiques, relax or simply take in the island’s timeless charm. (B/L)
Day 9
Sorrento
Leisure time is yours today, or you may join the included optional Amalfi Coast cruise. This scenic sailing from Sorrento to Amalfi showcases dramatic cliffs, colourful seaside villages and crystal-clear waters along one of Italy’s most celebrated coastlines. (B)
Day 10
Rome
Following breakfast, transfer to Naples train station and travel by high-speed train to Rome. After checking in, enjoy free time to begin exploring the Eternal City at your own pace. This evening, dine in the vibrant Trastevere district, where narrow cobblestone streets, lively piazzas and inviting trattorias create an authentic Roman atmosphere, complemented by traditional dishes and local specialties. (B/D)
Day 11
Rome
This morning features a hands-on cooking class led by an expert chef. Learn to prepare fresh fettuccine from scratch and classic tiramisù before enjoying your creations with a glass of Italian wine. The afternoon is free to discover Rome’s landmarks, neighbourhoods and hidden corners as you wish. (B/L)
Day 12
Rome
Spend the day exploring Rome at your own pace, whether revisiting favourite sights or discovering new corners of the city. In the evening, your journey concludes with a special farewell dinner celebrating the memorable experiences shared throughout the tour. (B/D)
Day 13
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting