Eerie Expeditions
Crypts & Cathedrals: A Creepy Italian Adventure
Italy, a land of beauty and history, can also harbor an unsettling atmosphere. As you wander through the dim lit streets of ancient towns, shadows seem to dance along the cobblestones, whispering secrets of the past. Embrace the thrill of the unknown as you explore Italy's darker side, where every corner holds a story waiting to be uncovered.
Price:
Highlights
Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
Enjoy a haunting yet fascinating experience, where the walls are adorned with the meticulously arranged remains of monks. This unique site invites reflection on the passage of life and the artistry of mortality, leaving lasting impression on all who enter.
Palazzo Vecchio's Secret Passages
Discover the enchanting secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio, where history whispers through walls. As you wander through these hidden corridors, you'll be transported back in time, uncovering the mysteries that lie within this iconic Florentine landmark.
Poveglia Island
Poveglia Island is known for its eerie atmosphere and abandoned buildings. Once a quarantine station and asylum, it now serves as a haunting reminder of the past. Prepare for an experience that will thrill and unsettle, making you question truly lies within the shadows.
Day 1: Welcome to Rome!
Welcome to Rome, The Eternal City. After your airport pickup and a quick visit to the hotel to drop off luggage, we'll start your eerie Italian adventure with a visit to one of Rome’s most unsettling sites—the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars. This isn’t your average chapel; the walls and ceilings are literally decorated with the bones of thousands of monks, arranged in intricate (and deeply unsettling) designs. It’s a stark reminder of mortality—and the perfect way to set the tone for your ghostly journey.
From there, we’ll head to Piazza del Popolo, a grand square with a dark past. Once the stage for public executions, it’s said that the spirits of the condemned still linger here, whispering on the wind as tourists unknowingly walk over the very ground where they met their fate.
As night falls, it’s time to take things up a notch with a Dark Rome Ghost Tour. You’ll weave through shadowy alleys and forgotten corners of the city, hearing chilling tales of murder, betrayal, and restless spirits that still haunt Rome’s ancient streets. Keep an eye out—you never know who (or what) might be following along.
​
Day 2: Journey to the Underworld
Today, we’re leaving the sunlight behind and venturing deep into Rome’s hidden, haunted underworld. First up—the Catacombs of San Sebastiano & San Callisto. These ancient tunnels stretch for miles beneath the city, lined with eerie burial chambers and the tombs of early Christians. The air is heavy, the silence is deafening, and if you listen closely, you might just hear whispers from the past.
The afternoon is yours to do with as you please. Our suggestions include: Basilica di San Clemente, where an ancient pagan temple and Roman passageways lurk beneath the surface and or The Museum of Purgatory Souls, a small collection of artifacts said to be marked by spirits trapped between this world and the next.
​
As night falls, we end the day with something legendary—a Colosseum Underground Tour. We’ll go beneath the arena floor, walking through the dark corridors where gladiators waited for their fate, prisoners counted their final moments, and wild beasts prowled in their cages. The weight of history—and the blood spilled here—is almost tangible. You might even feel a phantom chill as you step into the shadows where thousands once met a brutal end.
Day 3: Haunted Castles & Cursed Places
We now step into the world of Rome’s most haunted fortresses and cursed palaces—places where history and legend blur, and the echoes of the past never quite fade.
First, we visit Castel Sant’Angelo, a brooding structure that has been everything from a papal refuge to a prison and execution site. Its dungeons once held tortured souls, and the ghosts of beheaded nobles are said to roam its corridors. As you walk through its shadowy halls, keep an eye out—many visitors claim to feel an unsettling presence watching them.
​
Next, we explore the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, one of Rome’s grandest yet most haunted palaces. The ghost of Olimpia Pamphilj, a powerful noblewoman accused of greed and corruption, is said to ride through its halls in a phantom black carriage. Some claim to hear the distant sound of hooves on stone or catch a glimpse of her ghostly figure disappearing around corners.
​
For those feeling especially brave, there’s an optional stop at The Devil’s Chair (Cagliostro’s Tomb). This eerie monument, tied to the infamous occultist Count Cagliostro, is surrounded by rumors of black magic, secret rituals, and an unsettling energy that makes visitors feel uneasy. Some say sitting in the "chair" grants supernatural visions—others warn it’s best not to linger too long.
​
Later, we board a train to Florence (a 1.5-hour ride) to continue our journey into Italy’s dark and mysterious past.
Day 4: Florence
This morning is yours to explore Florence at your own pace—stroll along the Arno River, visit a cozy café for an espresso, or wander through the city's charming yet mysterious streets. But don’t get too comfortable… this afternoon, we step into the shadows of Florence’s past.
​
Our first stop is the Palazzo Vecchio, where we’ll unlock hidden dungeons, ghostly chambers, and secret corridors once used by the Medici family. This Renaissance fortress holds centuries of dark secrets—concealed escape routes, hidden rooms behind paintings, and eerie spaces where power, betrayal, and mystery intertwined. If walls could talk, these would whisper tales of political intrigue, executions, and perhaps even lingering spirits.
​
As night falls, the city takes on an even darker tone with a ghostly city tour. We’ll weave through Florence’s oldest streets, listening to chilling stories of murdered nobles, cursed monks, and restless spirits. Some say the ghosts of the Medici still haunt their former palaces, while others claim to have seen shadowy figures slipping through the dimly lit alleys. One thing is certain—Florence’s beauty hides a past full of vengeance, tragedy, and ghostly whispers.
Day 5: Art, Death & Mystery
Today we dive into Florence’s eerie blend of beauty, power, and the macabre. Our first stop is the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, the oldest apothecary in Europe. Once run by Dominican monks, this place isn’t just about perfume and herbal remedies—it has a past steeped in alchemy, strange cures, and ancient medicinal secrets.
Next, we visit the Convent of San Marco, once home to the firebrand preacher Girolamo Savonarola, who met a gruesome end at the stake. The convent’s frescoed halls hold an eerie silence, and some say his restless spirit still lingers, whispering of his apocalyptic visions.
Then, we step into the opulent yet unsettling Medici Chapels, where Florence’s most powerful family rests in their grand, marble-clad mausoleum. These tombs hold centuries of Medici secrets—along with rumors of curses, betrayal, and the occasional ghostly presence.
The evening is yours to explore—or to shake off the chills from the day’s dark discoveries. Will you seek out Florence’s hidden corners, or let the city’s shadows follow you into the night?
Day 6: Venice - City of Shadows
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Florence—grab a final cappuccino, take a last stroll through its historic streets, or simply soak in the city’s eerie beauty before we move on. Around noon, we board a train to Venice, a city of misty canals, crumbling palaces, and ghostly whispers.
After checking into our hotel, we’ll have some more free time to enjoy our new spooky city. As night falls, we’ll wander through shadowy alleys, cross haunted bridges, and hear chilling tales of restless spirits, mysterious disappearances, and ancient curses.
Day 7: Secrets, Sighs & Specters
Step beyond the grandeur of Venice and into its darker, hidden history. Our tour of The Doge's Palace takes us deep into the shadowy chambers where prisoners—including the infamous Casanova—were once locked away. Hidden passages, torture rooms, and whispered conspiracies fill these walls, revealing a side of Venice few ever see.
From there, we cross the Bridge of Sighs, named for the condemned souls who took their final breath of open air before vanishing into the prison below. Some say their sorrow still lingers, trapped in the stone itself.
​
A visit to the abandoned Ridotto Casino (Casino of the Dead) brings another layer of mystery. This once-glamorous gambling den, filled with masked nobility and whispered secrets, now stands eerily silent—except for those who claim to hear phantom laughter and unseen footsteps echoing through its empty halls.
​
As night falls, we step into the legendary Teatro La Fenice for an opera performance in one of the most famous theaters in the world. Fire, tragedy, and scandal have marked its history, and some say its ghosts never left. Whether the chills come from the music or something unseen in the rafters—you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Day 8: Italy's Most Haunted Island
Few places in the world carry a darker reputation than Poveglia Island, and today, we get as close as possible to its haunted shores. A private boat tour takes us across the lagoon, circling the infamous island that once served as a plague quarantine zone, mass burial site, and later, a mental asylum. Locals refuse to set foot here, whispering of spirits that never left—and the eerie silence speaks louder than words.
If conditions allow, there’s a chance to step onto the island itself, wandering through the crumbling remains of the asylum and the unmarked graves of those who perished here. The energy is heavy, unsettling, and impossible to ignore—many who visit report an overwhelming sense of being watched.
After returning to Venice, the night is yours to explore. The city's quieter, misty canals hold their own secrets, perfect for a late-night stroll through hidden alleyways, ancient bridges, and forgotten corners where shadows move just a little too strangely.
Day 9: Departure
An early morning visit to the Rialto Market offers more than just the bustle of vendors and fresh produce—it’s a place steeped in centuries of crime, executions, and restless spirits. Long before tourists filled these streets, this was a center of power, trade, and the occasional public beheading, and some say the echoes of the past still linger in the quiet corners before the city wakes.
​
For a final eerie stop, the Libreria Acqua Alta awaits—a bookshop unlike any other, where old Venetian tales, forgotten manuscripts, and stacks of books spill from gondolas, bathtubs, and crumbling shelves. The musty scent of history fills the air, and it’s easy to imagine a ghostly figure flipping through the pages of a long-lost story.
​
With Venice’s ghosts and legends still whispering in your mind, it’s time to depart—but be sure you don't pack any ancient apparitions in your carry-on.
Inclusions
Country Specific Notes
-
Shirokuro Travel believes in the right to barrier-free travel so please reach out to us with any concerns before booking. We are dedicated to making your dreams come true as comfortably as possible.
-
Many Italian cities, especially historic areas like Rome, Florence, and Venice, have uneven cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, and lots of stairs. Older buildings may not have elevators.
​
-
Venice has very limited accessibility in some areas due to bridges and water transportation.
-
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Cities can be loud, crowded, and chaotic, especially in markets, train stations, and tourist hotspots. Noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and calming apps can help.
Featured Hotels
​​​​Shirokuro Travel chooses only hotels that match our vibe. You can expect to stay in comfortable accommodations with familiar feeling amenities and a blend of local flavor. When at all possible, we will be staying at the hotels listed here but will give plenty of notice to travelers if a change must be made due to availability.
Palazzo de Cupis
Palazzo de Cupis, nestled in the heart of Rome, is not only a luxurious hotel but also a site steeped in mystery. Guests have reported eerie encounters and whispers the past, making it a fascinating destination for those intrigued by the supernatural.
Soprarno Suites
Hidden in the heart of Florence, where artistic charm meets modern luxury. Each suite is meticulously designed, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the city while providing a cozy retreat for travelers.
Hotel Rialto
Overlooking the Grand Canal, this hotel is another historic location that some consider haunted. Some guests claim to have seen figures in the corridors, while others report hearing voices that can't be explained.