Treasures of Italy: Self-Launched Venice to Rome
14 days · Italy
G Adventures charges £2,450
No-markup version: ~£1,250 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 14-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Treasures of Italy" (trip code EITI), covering Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Rome using Italy's excellent (if occasionally late) train network plus local buses and ferries. The original is priced with Comfort-class hotels and a CEO (group leader); this version swaps those for hostels, guesthouses and budget B&Bs in the same neighbourhoods, and books the same headline experiences — a Cinque Terre boat ride, a Pompeii guided tour, a limoncello tasting and the Path of the Gods hike — directly or via GetYourGuide. Costs are rough estimates for a solo traveller sharing a dorm or twin and eating at trattorie, markets and the odd splurge; add ~20–30% for a private room in high season (June–August).
Day-by-day
Arrive in Venice
Venice
Land at Marco Polo (VCE) or Treviso (TSF) and take the ATVO/ACTV shuttle bus to Piazzale Roma (~€10, 20–30 min from Marco Polo; ~€12, 1 hr from Treviso). Avoid the expensive water taxi unless you're splitting it. Check into a hostel or guesthouse in Santa Croce, Cannaregio or near the station — quieter, cheaper and still 10–15 min walk from the Grand Canal. Evening: wander over to Campo Santa Margherita for a spritz and cicchetti (€8–12) and get your bearings.
🚌Airport shuttle bus to Piazzale Roma ~€10, then walk
🛏Hostel dorm or family-run guesthouse in Santa Croce/Cannaregio (~€35–50/night)
- →Evening wander across the Grand Canal
- →Spritz and cicchetti in Campo Santa Margherita
Venice — canals, Doge's Palace and gondolas
Venice
Self-guided walking day. Start early to beat the crowds at St Mark's Square, then pre-book a timed ticket to Doge's Palace (€17–30 depending on the combined ticket) and St Mark's Basilica (€3 entry + €5 for the Pala d'Oro, free for the basilica itself if you queue). Cross the Rialto Bridge, explore the Rialto Market in the morning, and duck into the free churches in Dorsoduro. A gondola is ~€80 per 30 min for a whole boat — share it with hostel mates rather than going alone. Cheap option: the vaporetto Line 1 down the Grand Canal (~€9.50 single, or a 24-hr pass ~€25) is a poor man's canal cruise.
🚌Walking; optional vaporetto 24-hr pass ~€25
🛏Hostel dorm or guesthouse, Venice
- →Doge's Palace (pre-booked timed ticket)
- →St Mark's Basilica
- →Rialto Market and Rialto Bridge
- →Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal
Venice to Cinque Terre with a Ligurian boat ride
Cinque Terre (Monterosso / Vernazza)
Train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Levanto or Monterosso (change at Genoa or La Spezia; ~4.5–5.5 hrs, €25–40 if booked in advance on Trenitalia or Italo). Buy the Cinque Terre Card (~€18–27/day depending on season) which covers the coastal train between villages plus the hiking trails. In the afternoon take a boat along the coast between villages (Consorzio Marittimo delle Cinque Terre, ~€12–25 for a single hop or day pass) — the operator's included 'Cinque Terre boat trip,' but booked yourself at the dock. Sleep in Monterosso or Vernazza; Levanto has cheaper beds and is one train stop away.
🚌Train Venice–Levanto/Monterosso ~€25–40 (book ahead); local coastal train on Cinque Terre Card
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Monterosso/Vernazza/Levanto (~€40–60/night)
- →Cinque Terre coastal boat trip (self-booked at the dock)
- →Cinque Terre Card for village-hopping trains and trails
Cinque Terre to Florence, aperitivo hour
Florence
Morning swim or short village walk, then train to Florence via La Spezia or Pisa (~2–2.5 hrs, €15–20). Check into a hostel around Santa Maria Novella or San Lorenzo — central and much cheaper than the Oltrarno. Do your own orientation walk: Duomo exterior (free), Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio at golden hour. Finish with an aperitivo in the Oltrarno — most bars do a drink + buffet spread for €8–12, which is the local version of the tour's included aperitivo.
🚌Regional train La Spezia–Florence ~€15–20
🛏Hostel (dorm ~€30–45) near Santa Maria Novella
- →Self-guided walk: Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio
- →Oltrarno aperitivo
Florence — Uffizi and Medici Chapels
Florence
Pre-book the Uffizi Gallery online (€25–30 with booking fee) for an early slot, then the Medici Chapels (€9–32 depending on the combined ticket) in the afternoon. Climb Brunelleschi's Dome if you're feeling energetic (€30, book ahead) or just take in the Duomo complex from outside for free. Lunch from the Mercato Centrale food hall (€8–12) — the best-value sit-down meal in the city. Dinner in Santo Spirito.
🚌Walking
🛏Hostel, Florence
- →Uffizi Gallery (pre-booked)
- →Medici Chapels
- →Mercato Centrale food hall
Day trip to Lucca or Pisa
Lucca / Pisa (from Florence)
Pick one: Lucca is the better day out — a walled Renaissance town you can cycle around on rented bikes (~€5/hr) with almost no crowds. Regional train from Florence ~1.5 hrs, €8–10 each way. Alternatively, Pisa is a 1-hour train (€9–10) and the Leaning Tower area is free to see — climbing the tower is €20+ and requires booking. Either way, be back in Florence for the evening and grab a bistecca or ribollita at a trattoria in Santa Croce (€15–20).
🚌Regional train to Lucca ~€8–10 each way, or Pisa ~€9–10 each way
🛏Hostel, Florence
- →Bike hire on the Lucca walls (~€5/hr)
- →Or Pisa: Leaning Tower square and cathedral
Florence to Naples — pizza in its birthplace
Naples
High-speed train Florence–Napoli Centrale on Frecciarossa/Italo (~3 hrs, €30–55 if booked in advance — this is the one leg worth paying for speed). Drop bags at a hostel in the historic centre near Via dei Tribunali. The National Archaeological Museum (€18) is the best primer for Pompeii; the Cappella Sansevero and the Duomo are nearby. Dinner: a proper margherita at one of the classic pizzerias on Via dei Tribunali (€6–9). Keep your bag in front of you around the station at night.
🚌High-speed train Florence–Naples ~€30–55
🛏Hostel in Naples' centro storico (~€30–45)
- →National Archaeological Museum Naples (optional, €18)
- →Pizza on Via dei Tribunali
Pompeii guided tour, then Sorrento and limoncello
Pompeii / Sorrento
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli to Pompeii Scavi (~35 min, ~€3.60 — cheap but pickpocket-prone, keep bags zipped). Pre-book a 2-hour guided Pompeii tour on GetYourGuide (~€25–35 including skip-the-line entry; entrance is €18, often bundled). Optional: Herculaneum on the same line (€13 entry) if you have energy. Then continue by Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (~30 min, €3) and visit a limoncello producer for a tasting — most Sorrento shops on Via San Cesareo offer free tastings, or book a small factory tour (~€10–15).
🚌Circumvesuviana train Naples–Pompeii–Sorrento ~€7 total
🛏Hostel or B&B in Sorrento (~€35–55)
- →Guided Pompeii tour (GetYourGuide, ~€25–35)
- →Limoncello tasting in Sorrento
- →Optional Herculaneum (€13)
Sorrento — Capri or a lazy day
Sorrento
Ferry to Capri from Sorrento marina (~€23–25 each way, 20 min) and explore on foot — the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni and Monte Solaro chairlift are the highlights, but Capri is pricey so bring water and snacks. Cheaper alternative: the Circumvesuviana + ferry to Ischia, or simply swim off Marina Grande in Sorrento and spend the afternoon in the Villa Comunale gardens with a view over the bay. Grab a panino and lemon granita for lunch (€6–10).
🚌Ferry Sorrento–Capri ~€23–25 each way
🛏Hostel or B&B, Sorrento
- →Capri day trip (ferry + walking, optional chairlift)
- →Or Marina Grande swim and Villa Comunale
Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast via an agriturismo lunch
Amalfi / Agerola
Take the local SITA bus along the coast road (Sorrento–Positano–Amalfi, ~€2–4 per hop; buy tickets at tabacchi). Stop in Positano for a look, then lunch at a family-run agriturismo in the hills above Amalfi — book ahead via email or Ask a local; expect €20–30 for a set farm lunch with wine, the equivalent of the included agriturismo lunch. Stay in Amalfi itself or up in Agerola/Bomerano, which is far cheaper and right at the start of the Path of the Gods.
🚌SITA coastal bus ~€2–4 per leg
🛏Guesthouse in Amalfi or Bomerano/Agerola (~€40–60)
- →Positano stop
- →Agriturismo lunch (~€20–30, book ahead)
Path of the Gods hike
Bomerano to Nocelle / Positano
Do the Sentiero degli Dei self-guided: start at Bomerano (Agerola) and walk to Nocelle, then descend ~1,700 steps to Positano — about 3–4 hrs, free, and better done early before the midday heat. Bring water, sunscreen and proper shoes; the trail is well marked but exposed. From Positano, bus or ferry back to Amalfi. If you're based in Bomerano you can start straight from your guesthouse. Evening: seafood pasta in Amalfi (€15–20).
🚌Free trail; return bus/ferry Positano–Amalfi ~€2–8
🛏Guesthouse, Amalfi or Bomerano
- →Path of the Gods self-guided hike
- →Positano swim stop
Amalfi to Rome
Rome
Bus or ferry to Salerno (~€2–4 bus, ~€9 ferry), then high-speed train Salerno–Roma Termini (~2 hrs, €20–35 with advance booking). Check into a hostel in Monti or Trastevere — central, characterful, and cheaper than the historic core. Evening orientation walk: Pantheon (free), Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain after dark, plus a plate of cacio e pepe for dinner (€10–14).
🚌Bus/ferry Amalfi–Salerno ~€2–9; high-speed train Salerno–Rome ~€20–35
🛏Hostel in Monti or Trastevere (~€35–50)
- →Evening walk: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain
Rome — Colosseum, Forum and Vatican
Rome
Split the day: morning at the Colosseum + Roman Forum with a pre-booked combined ticket (€18 + €2 booking fee, or a GetYourGuide skip-the-line guided tour ~€35–50 — worth it for the context). Afternoon cross town to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel — book online in advance (€20 + €5 booking fee) to skip the multi-hour queue; St Peter's Basilica itself is free. Finish with a gelato and a wander through Trastevere for dinner (€12–18).
🚌Walking plus metro/bus day ticket ~€7
🛏Hostel, Rome
- →Colosseum and Roman Forum (pre-booked)
- →Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (pre-booked)
- →St Peter's Basilica (free)
Rome — last morning and departure
Rome
Free morning: the Pantheon interior (€5), Campo de' Fiori market, or simply a slow breakfast. Trains from Termini to Fiumicino Airport run every 15 min on the Leonardo Express (~€14, 32 min) or use the slower FL1 regional to Trastevere/Ostiense (~€8). Fly home, or add a couple of nights if you're continuing south.
🚌Leonardo Express to Fiumicino ~€14 or FL1 regional ~€8
🛏—
- →Pantheon interior (€5)
- →Campo de' Fiori market
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,250 | £2,450 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,200 per person (49%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,250
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Treasures of Italy: Self-Launched Venice to Rome cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,250 per person for 14 days in Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,250 — a saving of roughly £1,200 (49%) per person.
How long is the Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, hiking trip through Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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