A Self-Launched Taste of Italy: 11 Days
11 days · Italy
Omega Tours charges £1,950
No-markup version: ~£895 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the very best of Italy — Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri — entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version of Omega Tours' classic 11-day Italy itinerary swaps group-bus travel for high-speed trains and regional coaches, replaces guided hotel packages with well-located hostels and budget hotels, and puts you in control of your own schedule. Same iconic landmarks, same incredible food, a fraction of the price. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Rome
Rome
Arrive in Rome and get your bearings with a Hop-on Hop-off bus — the cheapest and most flexible way to see the city's highlights on day one. The HOHO bus covers 8 stops including the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican. Pick up a 24-hour ticket online via GetYourGuide for around £20. Check into a central hostel near Termini station. This evening, wander Trastevere for free gelato spots and a cheap Aperol spritz.
🚌Take the Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini (~£13), or bus to Termini (~£6)
🛏Generator Rome or The Yellow Hostel — dorm from ~£18/night, private room from ~£55/night
- →Hop-on Hop-off panoramic bus tour of Rome — book via GetYourGuide (~£20)
- →Explore Trastevere neighbourhood on foot
- →Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona at dusk (free)
Rome → Assisi → Siena → Florence
Assisi / Siena / Florence
An epic travel day covering central Italy. Take an early FlixBus or regional train from Rome to Assisi (~2.5hrs, ~£15), explore the Basilica of St. Francis and the medieval streets on foot — free to enter the exterior, small donation for interior. Continue by bus or train to Siena (~1.5hrs, ~£10) to see the stunning Piazza del Campo, then hop a bus or train to Florence (~1.5hrs, ~£10) for the night. Grab lunch in Assisi at a local trattoria (~£10).
🚌Rome → Assisi by FlixBus or regional train (~£15); Assisi → Siena by bus/train (~£10); Siena → Florence by train (~£10)
🛏Plus Florence Hostel or Ostello Bello Florence — dorm from ~£20/night, private from ~£60/night
- →Visit the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi (free exterior, small donation inside)
- →Explore Piazza del Campo in Siena (free)
- →Arrive Florence — evening stroll across Ponte Vecchio
Florence — Duomo, Piazzas & Optional Pisa
Florence
Florence's most iconic landmarks are mostly free to admire from the outside. Visit the Duomo (book free entry to the cathedral online — queues are long without a reservation), Giotto's Bell Tower (~£18 to climb), and the Baptistery (~£5). Stroll through Piazza della Signoria and admire Palazzo Vecchio's exterior, then visit Santa Croce (~£8). For the optional Pisa excursion, a return train from Florence takes ~1hr and costs ~£12 each way — the Square of Miracles is free to wander and the Leaning Tower climb is ~£25.
🚌Walking and city bus within Florence; optional Pisa by Trenitalia (~£12 each way)
🛏Plus Florence Hostel or Ostello Bello Florence (night 2)
- →Visit the Duomo and Baptistery (~£5–£18)
- →Explore Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio exterior (free)
- →Visit Santa Croce basilica (~£8)
- →Optional: Day trip to Pisa — Leaning Tower climb ~£25, return train ~£24
Florence → Bologna → Venice
Bologna / Venice
Take an early Frecciarossa high-speed train from Florence to Bologna (35 mins, ~£10–£15). Explore Bologna's medieval streets on foot — start at Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore, admire the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo Podestà. Bologna is Italy's food capital — grab a mortadella sandwich or tigelle from a market stall for lunch (~£5–£8). Afternoon high-speed train to Venice (1.5hrs, ~£15–£25). Check into accommodation in Mestre or on the island.
🚌Florence → Bologna by Frecciarossa (~£12); Bologna → Venice by Frecciarossa (~£20)
🛏Generator Venice (Giudecca island) or a budget hotel in Mestre — from ~£22/night dorm, ~£65 private
- →Walking tour of Bologna city centre — Piazza Malpighi, Piazza Maggiore, Piazza del Nettuno (free)
- →Visit Basilica of San Petronio exterior (free)
- →Street-food lunch in Bologna — mortadella, tigelle (~£6)
- →Arrive Venice Mestre — evening vaporetto ride (~£7.50 for 75-min ticket)
Venice — Canals, St. Mark's & Cicchetti
Venice
Take the vaporetto (water bus) into the heart of Venice — a single 75-minute ticket costs ~£7.50, or get a day pass for ~£20. Walk to St. Mark's Square, view the Doge's Palace exterior and Bridge of Sighs (free). Join a self-bookable cicchetti (Venetian tapas) food tour via GetYourGuide for ~£35, which includes spritz or prosecco and a guide through the bacari (wine bars) of the sestieri. Optional: book a gondola ride directly with gondoliers (~£70 for 30 mins, shared is cheaper).
🚌Vaporetto (water bus) throughout Venice — day pass ~£20
🛏Generator Venice or Mestre budget hotel (night 2)
- →Vaporetto to St. Mark's Square (~£7.50–£20 day pass)
- →View Doge's Palace exterior and Bridge of Sighs (free)
- →Self-bookable Venetian Cicchetti food tour via GetYourGuide (~£35)
- →Optional: Gondola ride (~£70/boat for 30 mins, split between passengers)
- →Optional: Venice by Night walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20)
Venice → Montepulciano → Rome
Montepulciano / Rome
A long travel day with a scenic Tuscan detour. Take a FlixBus from Venice to Montepulciano (~5hrs, ~£20–£30) or train to Chiusi then local bus. Montepulciano is a stunning hilltop medieval town famous for its Vino Nobile wine. Grab a traditional Tuscan lunch at a local osteria (~£12–£15) and do a free wine tasting at one of the cantinas built into the town's medieval cellars. Continue by bus or train to Rome for the evening (~2.5hrs, ~£15–£25).
🚌Venice → Montepulciano by FlixBus or train+bus (~£25); Montepulciano → Rome by coach or train (~£20)
🛏The Yellow Hostel Rome or Generator Rome — dorm from ~£18, private from ~£55
- →Explore Montepulciano medieval hilltop town (free)
- →Free wine tasting at a local cantina
- →Traditional Tuscan lunch at a local osteria (~£14)
Rome — Vatican, Sistine Chapel & Ancient City
Rome
Book Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tickets in advance online to skip the queues — official tickets cost ~£25 and include Raphael's Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Book via the official Vatican website or GetYourGuide for a guided version (~£35–£45 with a skip-the-line guide). In the afternoon, explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (~£16 combined with the Colosseum). Book Colosseum entry online in advance (~£16–£20 with skip-the-line).
🚌Rome Metro Line A to Ottaviano for Vatican (~£1.50); walking and metro for Colosseum
🛏The Yellow Hostel Rome or Generator Rome (night 2)
- →Vatican Museums, Raphael's Rooms and Sistine Chapel — book skip-the-line tickets online (~£25–£45)
- →Optional: Colosseum skip-the-line entry via GetYourGuide (~£20)
- →Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (~£16, included with Colosseum ticket)
Rome → Pompeii → Sorrento
Pompeii / Sorrento
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Roma Termini to Naples (~1hr 10mins by Frecciarossa, ~£20), then the Circumvesuviana local train to Pompeii Scavi (~30 mins, ~£2.80). Book Pompeii skip-the-line entry online (~£18) via GetYourGuide, which includes an optional audio guide (~£5 extra). Self-guided with a map is excellent here — the site is vast and signposted. For the Neapolitan pizza lunch, stop at a pizzeria near the site — a proper Margherita in Naples costs £4–£8. Continue on the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (~30 mins, ~£2.80).
🚌Rome → Naples Frecciarossa (~£20); Naples → Pompeii Circumvesuviana (~£2.80); Pompeii → Sorrento Circumvesuviana (~£2.80)
🛏7 Hostel Sorrento or Inn Buonocore — dorm from ~£22, private from ~£65
- →Pompeii archaeological site — skip-the-line entry via GetYourGuide (~£18)
- →Authentic Neapolitan pizza lunch in Pompeii or Naples (~£6)
- →Scenic Circumvesuviana train ride along the Sorrentine Coast
Capri Island — Blue Grotto & Island Exploration
Capri
Take the ferry from Sorrento to Capri (25 mins, ~£20 return). On the island, you can walk, take the funicular (~£2.50 each way) or hire a scooter to explore. The Blue Grotto boat trip departs from the Marina Grande — tickets include the rowboat entry (~£15–£20, weather permitting, prices set on the day). Book a full Capri island boat tour via GetYourGuide (~£30–£40) for a spectacular alternative if the Grotto is closed. Explore Anacapri on foot and enjoy views from Villa San Michele (free gardens).
🚌Ferry: Sorrento → Capri → Sorrento (~£20 return); island funicular and walking
🛏7 Hostel Sorrento or Inn Buonocore, Sorrento (night 2)
- →Ferry from Sorrento to Capri and back (~£20 return)
- →Blue Grotto visit by rowboat — buy tickets at Marina Grande (~£15–£20, weather permitting)
- →Explore Anacapri and Villa San Michele gardens (free)
- →Capri funicular (~£2.50 each way)
Sorrento — Amalfi Coast Day
Sorrento / Amalfi Coast
Explore the Amalfi Coast independently — this is actually cheaper and more flexible than a guided excursion. SITA buses run along the coast road from Sorrento through Positano (~50 mins, ~£2.50), Amalfi (~1.5hrs, ~£3) and Ravello. Tickets are bought on the bus. Alternatively, book a shared boat tour along the coast via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£35–£50). Spend the afternoon in Positano browsing the colourful streets, or hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) — a stunning coastal trail from Agerola to Positano (free, ~4hrs).
🚌SITA public bus along the Amalfi Coast (~£3–£5 per leg)
🛏7 Hostel Sorrento or Inn Buonocore, Sorrento (night 3)
- →SITA bus along the Amalfi Coast road — Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi (~£3–£5 each leg)
- →Explore Positano and Amalfi town on foot (free)
- →Optional: Path of the Gods hike (Sentiero degli Dei) — free
- →Optional: Shared boat tour of the Amalfi Coast via GetYourGuide (~£40)
Sorrento → Rome — Farewell to Italy
Rome
Take the Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Naples (~1hr, ~£2.80), then a Frecciarossa high-speed train back to Rome (~1hr 10 mins, ~£20–£30). Spend your final hours in Rome revisiting your favourite piazza or picking up last-minute gifts. Depending on your flight time, head to the airport via Leonardo Express (~£13) or bus (~£6). Buon viaggio!
🚌Sorrento → Naples Circumvesuviana (~£2.80); Naples → Rome Frecciarossa (~£25); Rome → airport Leonardo Express (~£13)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final morning in Sorrento — walk the clifftop gardens and views over the Bay of Naples
- →Return to Rome by Circumvesuviana + Frecciarossa
- →Farewell espresso and cornetto at a Roman bar (~£2)
Self-launched vs. Omega Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Omega Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£895 | £1,950 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,055 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Omega Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£895
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 A Self-Launched Taste of Italy: 11 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £895 per person for 11 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 Omega Tours?+
Yes — Omega Tours charges around £1,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £895 — a saving of roughly £1,055 (54%) per person.
How long is the Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 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, city-breaks 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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