Italy
Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at Their Finest
Program No. 22221RJ
With top instructors and ample free time, discover Italy’s amazing art, architecture, history, food and more in three of the world’s most spectacular cities: Rome, Florence and Venice.
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Participant Reviews
Based on 36 Reviews
SHOWING
Great bucket list trip for my husband and I celebrating our 50th anniversary. Thank you to Erika and Laura for being informative, kind and funny. It was a great trip. I highly recommend this trip. But be ready to walk, walk, walk!
— Review left May 27, 2025
The Italian Extravaganza trip was my retirement gift to myself. I could not have asked for a better adventure. Well balanced trip with above amazing guides. The whispers made everything so much better when in large crowds. I'm looking at other trips to book now with Road Scholar. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime!
— Review left May 9, 2025
Couldn't ask for a better guide, Grazie Alessio. Italy was enchanting; so many venues, experiences and food gave me goosebumps. I now want to go back to Italy, move at a slower pace and soak up even more.
May I suggest that one watches documentary Art Addict: Peggy Guggenheim before trip, it will make sense once you go.
— Review left May 9, 2025
The Italian Extravaganza lived up to its name. All of our programs, travel accommodations, leader and guides were exceptional.
— Review left April 30, 2025
The trip was very worthwhile and enjoyable. At one point I had to stay in and rest for a morning, due to the fast pace we had sustained, but that was fine.
Erika did a good job of keeping us on schedule and safe. A few times she kept one of the older participants from falling on the steps. She had conversations with everyone in the group and shared some some aspects of her life, which, I believe, made everyone feel welcome.
The group size was on the large side with seventeen participants; I would have preferred a maximum of twelve. It was difficult at times for all of us to stay together on the crowded streets.
Overall, I had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and believe the trip was well worth the cost.
Thank you for a well-planned and well-executed program!
— Review left April 18, 2025
Interesting trip. Added on Herculeum and Pompei before trip, definitely worthwhile. Lot of walking and stairs. Learned a lot. Vatican excursion, we did a side trip to the Vatican before the private group tour and were able to see more places but also had crowds. Basillicas were interesting. Guide walked very fast which made it somewhat difficult to stay with the group. After several people requested a slower pace she did slow down..Very knowledgeable guide and shared a lot of information.
— Review left February 18, 2025
A trip of a lifetime! Our group leader, Nancy, was amazing and went above and beyond. The access to several locations that Road Scholar was able to secure was phenomenal. The private tours where great and the one for the Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums is a once in a lifetime experience. Don't hestitate to take this well rounded trip!
— Review left November 23, 2024
This program, with its art focus, is gorgeous. You will see both the Sistine Chapel and St Mark's Basilica after hours-what an opportunity, unbelievable. If you love art, Italy and Road Scholar, then this trip is a triple threat.
Do yourself a favor and go!
— Review left November 14, 2024
Our group leader, Enzo, was absolutely outstanding! He alone makes me want to do future Road Scholar tours.
— Review left November 7, 2024
This was a fabulous trip. I enjoyed exploring on my own and wth some of the other participants in the amount of free time. Our group leader and participants were so knowledgeable and personable.
— Review left October 25, 2024
The program activities matched the description, the program leaders were excellent, the program local expert guides were excellent, good food, good free time, good fellow participants. The few unexpected problems that occurred were handled quickly and professionally by the leaders. Will definitely look to Road Scholar for similar programs in the future.
— Review left October 24, 2024
Excellent trip! Just the right amount of time in each city.
Enzo was the BEST group leader/instructor. Very knowledgeable and handled all questions and inquiries with patience. Attended to all of our group members' needs, ensuring that, for ex, those who ordered coffee at the final dinner, all got their coffees; Also made sure that I received a good substitute for meals where I had a diet restriction.
Enzo has great skills and leading and organizing the group members, even when walking through busy streets.
We saw all of the great sights in each of the cities and more.
Enzo was happy to add in some activities that were not on the schedule. For example, during our free time, if most of the group wanted to go see a particular place, Enzo would voluntarily lead a walk to the place.
I felt we had great hotels, great meals, and top notch speakers.
— Review left September 19, 2024
Exciting, energetic, educational and fun-filled, while satisfying all my senses, especially my taste buds.
— Review left September 13, 2024
Visiting Rome, Florence and Venice for the first time in my life with Road Scholar exceeded my expectations. I'm married but traveled solo to fulfill a dream. The tour guides are magnificent and keenly knowledgable at each site we visited. Bruna our outstanding Tour Leader was the cherry on the cake. She was so knowledgable, organized, present and helpful at each turn. And a lot of fun! All travel & excursions were top-notch. We did not touch our luggage once which when traveling throughout Italy is a bonus. Walking into the Vatican Museum with our small group of 19 and no one else touring was a highlight as well as a trip through the Tuscan countryside at a family Olive Oil Farm for a enchanting sunset dinner. A Vivaldi concert in Venice where he was born and composed his Four Seasons was magical. The food, the art, the history, the streets, the shops, the museums, the people, the gelato. Just go! I'm booking my next Italian RS now! -Nonna Cyndi
— Review left July 12, 2024
My trip to Italy with Road Scholar was outstanding. I can't stop thinking about all that I learned and experienced on my trip. I would love to return to Italy. I have told everyone how I love Road Scholar! Thank you for a great experience with you!, My tour guide Bruna Baravelli was superb!
I have signed up for a trip with you May 13th, 2025, to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast!
— Review left July 5, 2024
We loved the program. It surpassed our expectations. The leader and tour guides were kind, knowledgeable, and organized. The events planned were fascinating and inspiring, giving us new knowledge and understanding. And we were so comfortable, being well cared for at every turn.
— Review left June 2, 2024
A wonderful chance to see culture and history from 3 different capital city perspectives. A great rip with lots of information but with plenty of time to explore on your own.
— Review left May 18, 2024
Italy was a bucket place to visit! The Road Scholar tour provided an enhanced opportunity to see and learn about this amazing country!
— Review left May 16, 2024
Going to Italy for the first time fulfilled a lifelong dream. This program was educational and comprehensive . There was plenty of time to explore and see things not included in the organized programming. I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left November 19, 2023
I felt so privileged to have two hours in the Vatican Museum after hours! One hour of which was in the Sistine Chapel. The only other option is to be herded through with so many people you can't even see the floor and are allowed 10-15 minutes. Our group also had the same experience with an after hours visit to Basilica di S. Marco. These were very intimate experiences!
— Review left November 10, 2023
This was our second Road Scholar program (1st was Ireland at a slower pace). We were happy with that experience and even happier with this program (Italy Extravaganza). Perfect balance of free time and scheduled activities. Description of activity level matched what the program required. No surprises, lots of walking and stairs. Yup. What we expected. Excellent value.
— Review left October 28, 2023
Wow - We just completed the Italian Extravaganza - Rome Florence, Venice. We were looking for a program complete immersion in the Renaissance and we found it with this adventure.
— Review left October 20, 2023
The Italian Exravaganza tour exceeded out expectations. We will definitely be using Road Scholar in the future.
— Review left October 15, 2023
This was a great program. Visiting the 3 cities and their highlights was awesome.
— Review left September 25, 2023
An excellent program, guide, and special experts. Several specially arranged viewings of popular sites, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica after dark. A marvelous experience!
— Review left August 14, 2023
The Italian Extravaganza is a great blend of organised outings and free time. Visiting three cities with easy and fast train travel in-between is perfect. The trip is so well-balanced and well organised. Even if you've been to Italy before, take this trip. The private visit to the Sistine Chapel is the experience of a lifetime.
— Review left May 12, 2023
This program is wonderful! Every place we went was thoroughly explained to us and in all the experience was worth the time and money.
— Review left May 9, 2023
The Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at their Finest is a great introduction to Italy. The expert-led private visit of the Sistine Chapel is a once in a lifetime experience.
— Review left May 5, 2023
This program checked all the boxes of things you MUST see and do in Rome, Florence, and Venice! We learned so much, and had so much fun while doing it. The activity level was high-- much walking, many steps, and lots of standing and gaping at awesome buildings and works of art. In my opinion, this is the only way to see everything you want to see in these cities. But you will work for it!
— Review left October 14, 2019
Our trip to Italy was wonderful. Roadscholar provided everything that was offered in the materials and more. The leader of the group helped create a comfortable atmosphere. It was an experience of a lifetime, where the past is brought to the present by the beautiful structures and the educational lectures.
— Review left October 13, 2019
This was a good trip for those going to Italy for the first time. It covered three major cities--Rome, Florence and Venice. The main guide and all lecturers were all very knowledgeable and were able to communicate a great deal of information in a clear way. The highlight was the private after-hours visit to the Sistine Chapel.
The only criticisms I would make are--1) I was the only solo traveler with 8 married couples which made for an uncomfortable environment. Some people may not mind this but I had asked RS several times if other solo travelers were enrolled and was told it was policy not to say. I would not have enrolled if I knew I was the only solo traveler. 2) There was a Renaissance dinner in Florence which was delicious and in a beautiful venue but the entertainment included audience participation. There was a great deal of pressure to participate even if you did not want to (simply saying a firm no to the entertainer choosing you was not enough). That should be changed. People are on vacation to relax, not be pressured. 3) The Hotel Giorgione in Venice was not good. I had some problems with cleanliness of the room and linens and a broken toilet. The cleanliness was corrected when reported but the toilet was not and one staff member became somewhat rude about it. (The Florence hotel, Palazzo Castri, was wonderful and should be used again. The one in Rome, Monti Palace, was adequate and in a great location.)
This trip is for those who like a great deal of walking. It is appropriately rated by RS.
— Review left June 4, 2019
This program exceeding my expectations! Everything was top notch and seamlessly executed. My husband and I had the trip of a lifetime! I wouldn't want to see Rome, Florence, and Venice any other way. I highly recommend this Program!
— Review left June 3, 2019
I’ve dreamed about going to Italy. The fact that I got to go with Road Scholar to see a few cities in Italy made it so enjoyable. I highly recommend the program and look forward to attending Road Scholar on future trips.
— Review left May 28, 2019
This was a wonderful program! Our group leader and tour guides were knowledgeable, insightful and helpful. We took advantage of the free time offered to do our own exploring on foot - vital, we think, in getting to know a city better. One needs good walking shoes, patience, a map and a sense of adventure. We clocked far more than the walking distance indicated, but that was by choice. If you know what venues you wish to visit in addition to the tour sites, be sure to get online tickets early to avoid long wait lines. Go for it!
— Review left May 17, 2019
This program was everything advertised. The private after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel was amazing--we were able to take the time to absorb the atmosphere of the spaces while our instructor Rachel was one of the most engaging instructors we've had in 12 RS trips. There is a lot of walking, stairs, and standing, but it's all doable and worth the effort for what you'll see. Flex time was great for visiting what was important to us or just relaxing and soaking up the local color.
— Review left May 17, 2019
An "extravaganza" indeed!
The word, "extravaganza" comes from a Latin word, "ex-travagare" - to travel beyond the bounds. And this experience certainly delivers on that. Our group hit all the top 5 sites per city - and then some. With an excellent guide and professional art historians, archaeologists, cultural and culinary historians to add depth, everyone came away with a better understanding of some aspect of Rome's Classical past, with its monuments, sculpture, architecture; the Florentine Renaissance, with its innovation in architecture, the visual arts, and literature, or the Venetian Mercantile Duchy dedicated to St. Mark. The FLEX program allows enough time to absorb, explore, and re-charge. And, as a solo traveler, there was time enough for private excursions.
Indeed, the riches offered through the Extravaganza itinerary pushes the bounds, which can overwhelm the senses, the memory, the knees and the ankles from time to time. But our diverse group kept the pace.
4.5/5 stars
— Review left May 16, 2019
