Your itinerary
Highlights of
Italy
Day 1 – UK – Rome
After your scheduled flight to Rome,
there are transfers to the tour
hotel at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30. The
rest of the day is at leisure
to explore the city. Later join your
Tour Director for a
Welcome Meeting.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo.
Day 2 – Rome –
Venice
Pass Etruscan hill towns and
olive groves
on your way to Assisi where you will see
the great Basilica of St Francis.
Cross the
Appenine Mountains and descend onto
the vast Venetian plain.
Hotel: Villa Marcello Giustinian.
(B,D)
Day 3 – Venice
Sightseeing
A private launch takes you along the
Guidecca canal past monumental
architecture to St Mark’s
Square; see
palatial residences which seem to float
on the water, while gondolas bob
beneath the Bridge of Sighs. Cruise by
St George Island, then see a glass-
blowing master create a work of art.
Consider combining a lagoon cruise with a
delicious seafood lunch. (B,D)
Day 4 – Venice –
Lugano – Italian Lakes
Stroll the narrow streets of Verona
to see Juliet’s
balcony and the Roman arena. Continue
past the Italian
fashion capital , Milan , before
heading north to briefly enter
Switzerland to visit mountain ringed
Lugano. Then continue to your
hotel for the next two nights. Hotel:
Le Terrazze. (B,D)
Day 5 – Italian Lakes
Excursion
A drive around the shores of Lake
Maggiore brings beautiful mountains,
tranquil
islands and picturesque towns and
villages together. Stop in the lakeside
resort of
Stresa for a chance to take an
excursion to Isola Bella, one of the
Borromean
Islands. (B,D)
Day 6 – Italian Lakes
– Tuscany
Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa,
which has sat in the Field of Miracles since
1350. Next to the tower, see also the
white marble Cathedral, which dates from
the 11th century. Continue onto the
Tuscan spa town of Montecatini.
Hotel: Panoramic. (B,D)
Day 7 – Florence
Sightseeing
Drive to Florence, which began life
as an Etruscan village centuries before
Christ
and flourished during the Renaissance
as a centre of art and culture. View the
city
from Piazzale Michelangelo before
watching a demonstration of leatherwork.
Spend the afternoon at leisure: see the
cathedral, Giotto’s Belltower
and other highlights of the city.
(B,D)
Day 8 – Tuscany –
Naples
Head south, passing the hilltop Abbey
of Monte
Cassino en route to the colourful city
of Naples,
birthplace of the pizza and your base
for two
nights.
Hotel: Holiday Inn. (B)
Day 9 – Sorrento
Excursion
A dramatic clifftop drive brings you to
the peaceful resort of Sorrento, known
for its many beautiful gardens. There is
an opportunity to join an optional
excursion to the isle of Capri, which
has welcomed famous visitors for
over 2,000 years. After free time in
Sorrento, return to your hotel in
Naples for dinner. (B,D)
Day 10 – Naples –
Rome
This morning consider visiting the
excavations at Pompeii where, in AD79, the
city was covered after the volcanic
eruption
of Vesuvius. The incredible
preservation of the
site means visitors are able to
visualise life in
Roman times. Stop at the Commonwealth
cemetery
at Cassino, overlooked by the imposing
abbey, before
driving through vine-covered hills to
return to your hotel in
Rome.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)
Day 11 – Rome
Sightseeing
Rome is one of the world’s most
historic cities. Join your local guide
for a tour
which begins with a visit to the
Vatican City and the awe-inspiring St
Peter’s
Basilica. There’s time for
an optional visit to the Sistine
Chapel to see
Michelangelo’s amazing ceiling
which depicts the creation. Cross the
river Tiber to
see the Colosseum, built in 72AD and
the scene of many gladiatorial contests. The
model for all subsequent stadiums, it
still has the power to impress. See the
ancient
Forum before spending time relaxing
and exploring. Why not say
‘arrivederci’ to
your new friends over a farewell
dinner party? (B)
Day 12 – Rome – UK
Your tour ends with transfers
arriving at Rome Airport at 07.00 &
09.30hrs. (B)
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