ITALIAN INTERMEZZO

Your itinerary

8 Days ~ Italy

Tour Pace

This is an evenly paced tour with two-night stays in Rome, Montecatini and Venice, allowing plenty of time for sightseeing and people-watching from the comfort of sidewalk cafés. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops for rest and photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – SAT – UK - ROME

Welcome to Italy! After your scheduled flight to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. Then this beautiful and historic city is yours to discover at leisure: stroll down the Via Veneto or sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe in the Piazza Navona (the ‘Living Room of Rome’) and watch life go by. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton.

DAY 2 – SUN – ROME – TUSCANY

Drive northwards, following the valley of the Tiber, to Perugia, which in medieval times housed one of the great Italian schools of painting. Visit the Piazza 4 Novembre, one of the grandest squares in Italy, to see the Great Fountain, Gothic Cathedral and splendid Priors’ Palace before seeing the nearby Collegio del Cambio. Take a delightful drive through the Tuscan olive groves to Florence and explore the riches of the Renaissance. With a local guide, visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’. See the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery too, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Afterwards, make your way to your hotel in Montecatini. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (BB,D)

DAY 3 – MON – FLORENCE EXCURSION

Drive back to Florence to enjoy a demonstration of traditional Florentine leatherwork. The rest of the day is yours to shop, explore or continue sightseeing at your own pace. Consider taking an optional excursion to the leaning tower of Pisa before sampling some fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine. (BB)

DAY 4 – TUE – TUSCANY – VENICE

Cross the Apennine Mountains, passing Bologna and the flood plains of the River Po for a scenic drive along the famous Brenta Riviera. See the magnificent classical villas that were once the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. The route takes you along the canal through Strà, Dolo and Mira to magical Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. Stay on the Lido, one of the most fashionable resorts on the Adriatic. Hotel: Le Boulevard. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – WED – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Appreciate the splendour of Venice as you cruise by the Biennale Park and Palladio’s San Giorgio Maggiore to St Mark’s Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima’, once one of the greatest trading centres of the world which imported goods from the Orient – this wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St Mark’s Basilica. See the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge in the afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon. (BB)

DAY 6 – THU – VENICE – ROME

Take the spectacular highway over the wild Apennines, continuing southwards to reach the valley of the River Tiber, its course leading back to Rome. In the evening, why not dine to your favourite Italian songs from some of the best voices in Italy? Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters. (BB)

DAY 7 – FRI – ROME SIGHTSEEING

A local guide introduces the grandeur of the city: drive to the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the superb Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages. Continue into the Sistine Chapel, a glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo’s fresco skills. Tour St Peter’s Basilica to see another of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome completed after his death. Hear tales of the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is free to enjoy Rome at your own pace. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a stroll around the Spanish Steps followed by a farewell Highlight dinner of pasta, wine and music. (BB,HD)

DAY 8 – SAT – ROME - UK

Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Transfers arrive at Rome airport at 07.00 & 09.30 hours for your return flight home. (BB)

Interested in this tour?

If you're interested in this tour, fill in the information below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required.