13 days Italian Escapade
Revel in the riches of Rome and Florence, observe the beauty of the Italian Lakes and mix with the fashionable crowd on sun-kissed Capri during this adventure
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome | Welcome to Rome, once the hub of a vast empire that spread from Britain to the Persian gulf and from Africa to Germany. On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, airport transfers leave for your hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Relax and settle in. Later, join your Tour Director at 17:30 for a Welcome Reception and the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine. Hotel: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome / Welcome Reception and Dinner |
| 2 | VIP Vatican and Rome with a Local. | A Local Expert leads you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP visit includes fast-tracked entry to the museums and a behind-the-scenes look at the Bramante Staircase. Later, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica. Embark on a leisurely walking exploration to see the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Then there is time to relax and absorb the atmosphere of Piazza Navona. Hotel: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Medieval Siena and on to Florence | Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the ‘Fountain of Joy' and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with black and white marble. Continue through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed. Hotel: Michelangelo Florence Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 4 | Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance | Join a local art historian as you venture inside the Accademia Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s statue, David. Gaze up and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s work. Continue to the cathedral to see Giotto’s bell tower and the Gates of Paradise adorning the baptistery. Visit Piazza della Signoria filled with works of art and finally pause in Piazza Santa Croce, overlooked by its basilica, the final resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo. By night, don’t miss the chance to try the delicious local cuisine and sample rich Chianti wine. Hotel: Michelangelo Florence. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 5 | Pisa and Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lakes | Stop at Pisa, to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity, as well as the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues, past the marble quarries at Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata as they say in Italy? Hotel: Hotel Simplon, Baveno, Italian Lakes. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 6 | At Leisure in the Italian Lake District | (Relaxed Start) The day is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area. Perhaps take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque Borromean Islands? As the evening draws in, choose from a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Hotel Simplon, Baveno, Italian Lakes. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 7 | Venice with Wine and Verona along the way | Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards, close to the shores of Lake Iseo. You will see that winemaking traditions run deep here when you visit a family-owned estate that goes back generations. In an arcaded building dating back to the 13th century, with 16th century frescoes in the cellars, taste the delicious vintages together with a master vintner. Continue to Verona, the setting for one of literature’s saddest love stories. Walk with your Travel Director to Juliet’s balcony in the reputed courtyard of the Capulet home and see the well-preserved Roman Arena, still used for open-air opera performances. Carry on to Venice. Arrive at your hotel by boat, in true Venetian style, a city of 118 islands and no motorcar traffic to mar its beauty. Hotel: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 8 | Venice and the Magic of ‘La Serenissima’ | (Relaxed Start) Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. What better way to see Venice than from a private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to St. Mark’s Square. See the gilded basilica, the Doge's Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy the atmospheric songs, as you drift along in romantic awe. While here, visit a traditional arts centre on Giudecca Island where you can see how their beautiful handcrafted glass is made. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes? Hotel: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 9 | Hilltop Assisi | Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hill-town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio, with a Local Expert visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Hotel: Giotto, Assisi Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine, |
| 10 | Along the Autostrada del Sole to Sorrento | Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking over to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialties during a local dining experience? Hotel: Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 11 | Capri, the Isle of Dreams | In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. In one of the island's iconic open-top taxis, head up the steep, winding roads while a symphony of cicadas chirp away in the pines. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an optional visit to Positano and the Amalfi Coast? Hotel: Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Sorrento. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 12 | The ancient cities of Pompeii and Rome. | Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Walk with a Local Expert through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. In the heart of the Eternal City, you are treated to the quintessential Italian experience – fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta. Hotel: Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 13 | Arrivederci Roma! | Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. Buffet Breakfast |