Rome to Budapest on a Shoestring

Day 1 Rome

Arrive at any time.
Possibly the most recognized symbol of the city is the Colosseum, the scene of the bloody gladiator bouts for the entertainment of ancient Rome’s aristocracy. Take a tour around the old venue and then head over to the Palatine hill and the Roman Forum to see where it all began. Even with the bustle of modern day Rome whizzing past on Vespas you can still lose yourself in the fragmented columns and ancient ruins, conjuring images of the rich Romans sauntering by in togas.

From the Colosseum it’s not too much of a hike to Piazza Navona. Known for the Baroque buildings surrounding the square, and its beautiful central fountain, it’s truly a great place to walk, mingle with the Romans, and sip a cappuccino at one of the sidewalk cafés.

Next stop can be the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Sit among the young Italians cuddling on the steps or watch the rich and powerful shopping in the elegant boutiques nearby. Take a short walk over to the Fontana di Trevi to throw a coin over your shoulder backwards to ensure your return to this magical city.

When you’ve had enough of secular Rome, head to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City. Located within the city of Rome, the Vatican City is a separate country ruled by the pope and the perfect place to see art and religion intertwined. Within the Vatican, you will find the famous St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church and the headquarters of Roman Catholicism. It is difficult to decide whether to look up, down, or to the side as there are treasures everywhere in the church: Bernini’s canopy, the dome, the treasury, the statue of St. Peter, the Pieta, and the grotto should all be seen, and it can be possible to attend services in the church.

The Vatican Museums are near the basilica and contain priceless works of art from ancient to modern times. There are many different galleries but seeing all of them is definitely not possible in one day, so do a little research before visiting and decide what you really want to see. There are countless pieces of art, including statues, busts, Renaissance paintings, tapestries, early icons and Egyptian artifacts, just to name a few. Two of the most well-known exhibits in the Vatican Museums are the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms.

Although the Sistine Chapel is always very crowded, it is a must-see for any visitor to the Vatican. The magnificent frescoed ceiling of the chapel painted by Michelangelo depicts over 300 figures from the Book of Genesis, the most well-known being “The Creation of Adam,” showing God touching the finger of Adam. “The Last Judgment” on the west wall depicts a scene from the Book of Revelations.

If you are arriving early and wish to see the Vatican Museums, t’s a good idea to book a ticket to the Vatican online from home as waiting until you arrive may be too late!

Day 2-4 Viareggio (Tuscany)

We travel by train to Tuscany and stay in Viareggio. From our base on the coast, we explore Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Florence, including an evening stroll to Piazzale Michelangelo for a view over Florence.

Cinque Terre consists of five coastal villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is quintessential Italy- small colourful villages perched onto little outcroppings of land with sheer cliffs, blue waters and olive groves, lemon trees and colourful flowers blanketing the hills. Pick up a day pass that gets you into the National Park and unlimited train access between the towns for a full day of hiking, beaching, swimming, eating…you name it! Hiking between the villages is the best way to see all the area has to offer on the well-marked and well-maintained paths leading through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods, stopping in each village to grab a cappuccino, a slice of pizza, a mouthwatering plate of “spaghetti alle vongole” (spaghetti with fresh clams), or just sit and enjoy! This area really offers something for everyone- avid hikers, someone looking for an easy stroll or a sun-worshipper looking for a little downtime in the sun.

At the end of a long day outdoors, head into one of the local restaurants offering up Ligurian specialties like the local recipe of pesto, unlimited seafood dishes, a litre of vino della casa (house wine) and an after dinner taste of local grappa you won’t be able to resist!

On Day 3 travel to Florence (Firenze), the capital of the region. No city can boast of such artistic richness as the romantic Renaissance city of Florence. Food, art, culture, and beautiful views put this outstanding Italian city in a field of its own. The list of things to see and do in Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside is unlimited, be it art, nature, architecture, history or food and drink!

Number one on the must-see list is a visit to Michelangelo’s “David” in the Accademia. The size and quality of this imposing sculpture will leave you speechless. For more art, head next to the Uffizi Galleries to witness the Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci paintings in person. The Pitti Palace provides an array of art-viewing opportunities with the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Galleria del Costume all being housed in this magnificently grand palatial complex. This is also where you’ll find the Boboli Gardens, one of the lovliest examples of an Italian garden with its shady walkways and sculptures. For the engineers among us or people who just like to see how things work, visit one of the Leonardo da Vinci museums around the city, featuring models of his inventions and other details about his life. Another often overlooked but stunning museum of sculpture is the Bargello where you can see Donatello’s “David”, quite a different interpretation from Michelangelo’s.

Please note that it is very advisable to book tickets in advance for both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries. The line-ups at these museums are always long and the time to visit them is limited due to the fact that Day 3 is a day trip to Florence. You can book online from home before you leave at www.weekendafirenze.com or by phone (+39) 055 294883 from Monday to Friday 8.30am-6.30pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm. If you are interested in purchasing tickets we recommend that you do so once your G Adventure trip is confirmed (up to 2 months before if possible), especially for the ever-popular Uffizi, and for any time after 11am on Day 3 of your trip. For additional museum resources you might want to refer to this website, www.firenzemusei.it, for more information to plan your day in Florence.

If you’re ready to move on from the museums, head straight to the jewel of the city – the Piazza del Duomo. This Cathedral is a breathtaking example of Italian religious architecture with the stunning green and white marble. Climb to the top for a dazzling view of the red rooftops that Tuscan cities are famous for. After the Duomo, you can start your shopping! Start in the south at the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. This bridge, covered in gold shops, is the perfect place to get a look at the Arno river before heading north to the leather markets of San Lorenzo and Mercato Centrale. Pick up a purse (or several!), leatherbound journals, Florentine paper, and any off-colour David statue souvenirs you may require.

Don’t forget to make time for some gelato – the perfect way to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. Try a new flavour everyday while wandering the streets and squares, soaking up the history and beauty of a typical “citta Toscana”.

Day 5-6 Venice

A scenic train ride takes us to the dream-like city of Venice, one of the few places in the world that can truly be described as unique. This “floating” city is best explored on foot, wandering through labyrinthine alleys and streets, over bridges and into squares, discovering opulence and beauty at every turn.

Venice is teeming with world-class museums, like the Accademia or the Scuola di San Rocco, playing host to the greats of the renaissance like Jacopo Tintoretto, Vittore Carpacio and Tiziano. For a more contemporary take, visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery, located inside her former home, right on the Grand Canal itself. The fantastic smattering of works of every major contemporary artist competes with the lapping waters and floating gondalas just outside.

To capture all Venice has to offer go out the door of the hotel and keep walking. Wind around, check in with the map occasionally, and see if you can find your way to the major sites! Wander over the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers) and stroll on down to Piazza San Marco. From here you get spectacular views of the Grand Canal, you can visit the famous Basilica San Marco, climb the Campanile or take a tour of the Palazzo Ducale and Bridge of Sighs. Once you’ve tired yourself out jump on one of the vaporetto (water bus) and make your way home, or stop off to take a gondola ride through the backalleys of Venice.

Venezia, as they say in Italian, is an indescribable place you have to see to believe. It has a magical, mystical quality that can’t be captured or replicated. After just a few moments, this city will capture your heart and leave you thinking dreamily of your time in Venice for the rest of your life.

In the evening of Day 6, board an overnight train to Austria.

Day 7-8 Vienna

Wake up in the Austrian capital Vienna, former home of the Hapsburg Court, still furnished with the trappings of the imperial capital it once was. Take a wander with your CEO to check out the highlights, including the grand St Stephen’s Church towering at the heart of the historical centre, encircled by the Ringstrasse and filled with magnificent buildings, gardens and museums. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure, marvelling at the Hofburg (the winter palace), the Lipizzaner “dancing” horses of the famous Vienna Riding School, or perhaps experience a mass with the Vienna Boys Choir. Later, why not head out to Schoenbrunn, for a guided audio tour of the summer palace designed by Empress Maria Theresa herself. The palace gardens are free to all visitors.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is one of Vienna’s main landmarks complete with a 343-step climb up a spiral staircase to look out over the city. For a little child-like fun, visit the Wurstelprater, an amusement park and home to one of the best-known attractions of Vienna, the ‘Riesenrad’, a giant Ferris wheel which provides great views across the city from 200ft in the air.

After tiring yourself out with sightseeing, pop into a café, a Viennese institution. For a slice of local life, the cafés are good places to relax and get your bearings while deciding what to do next. A delicious café experience involves Gugelhupf, one of Vienna’s specialty cakes, and a cup of Melange (half coffee, half milk).

For a small trip outside the bustling city, head into the heart of one of Austria’s wine-producing regions, the Wachau, just under an hour from Vienna. Feel free to indulge in the local wine in taverns called Heuriger.

Hotel rooms in Vienna may have shared bathroom and on occasion we use triple share.

Day 9 Budapest

We head to Budapest, arriving in the early afternoon so you have some time to experience what the capital of Hungary has to offer.

Orientation walk upon arrival, then enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Opt to check out the beautiful Parliament building, stroll the streets or check out the thermal baths. Enjoy a final evening with the group.

Situated on a beautiful stretch of the Danube, Budapest consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda is the older and more historical part of the city, with old narrow winding streets and medieval buildings. Here you can find Buda’s most ancient sights: the Royal Palace, St. Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill with its old town. You might like to have dinner in a local restaurant on Váci Utca, which is the bustling main street of Budapest. We also recommend a visit to the Szechenyi thermal baths for a real treat – Budapest style!

Approximate travel time: 3 hours

Day 10 Budapest

Depart at any time.