10 days Real Italy
Wander through the ruins and beautifully maintained monuments of yesteryear, exploring the captivating art, history and culture that has shaped Italy's centuries-old story - across vineyards and olive groves, quaint clifftop seaside villages and grand cities, like Sorrento, Venice and Rome.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Rome (2 Nights) | Our launch pad to an epic journey through Italy begins in the Eternal City of Rome. Tread in the footsteps of gods and goddesses, emperors and gladiators as you explore its ancient streets before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights. Hotel Grand Tiberio Meals Welcome Reception |
| 2 | Rome Sightseeing | We join a Local Specialist this morning for a fascinating tour of the Vatican Museums and a Cultural Insight. Ascend the smooth and step-less spiral staircase designed by Donato Bramanto and admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel before visiting St. Peter's Basilica to see his sorrowful Pietà. We continue to the Palatine Hill, once the capital of the world, imagining the thunderous applause of spectators as they cheered brave warriors in the Colosseum and Circus Maximus centuries ago. There's time afterwards to explore the city on your own, or relax in one of the city's piazze watching the world go by. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Rome - Venice ( 2 Nights ) | Journey past the hilltop towns of Orte and Orvieto and cross the steep Appenine Mountains before arriving in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, where tonight we enjoy a Regional Meal. Hotel Le Boulevard Meals Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal |
| 4 | Venice Orientation | Journey past the hilltop towns of Orte and Orvieto and cross the steep Appenine Mountains before arriving in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, where tonight we enjoy a Regional Meal. Hotel Le Boulevard Meals Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal |
| 5 | Venice - Verona - Florence ( 2 Nights ) | Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers take centre stage today as we take a leisurely drive to Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet. We'll see the impressive Roman Arena, the third-largest in Italy, and Juliet's balcony. Departing Verona, we travel south, through the rolling vineyard-clad landscapes of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence where we'll spend the evening indulging in a memorable Be My Guest dinner with the Landi family set within a beautiful garden of oak trees. Hotel Grand Mediterraneo Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 6 | Florence Sightseeing | Join your Local Specialist for a guided walking tour through the charming cobblestone streets of Florence, past the multi-coloured Duomo with its impressive dome engineered by Brunelleschi and the Baptistery with its inspiring gilded bronze doors. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore a city that inspired artists, poets and painters to create masterpieces. Consider a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo's statue of David, enjoy spectacular views from Piazza Michelangelo or take an Optional Experience to medieval San Gimignano, famous for its hilltop towers. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast |
| 7 | Florence – Sorrento (2 Nights) | ravel through the fertile Campanian plains to the Bay of Naples that lies in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Our home for the next two nights is Sorrento and our introduction to the Amalfi Coast, a delicious dinner at our hotel. Hotel Johanna Park Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner with wine |
| 8 | Isle Of Capri Excursion | Cross the Bay of Naples by ferry to the chic island playground of Capri where you'll join a Local Specialist to see its sophisticated sights and rub shoulders with the beautiful people. Consider an Optional Experience to Anacapri for beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and insight into a slower, more peaceful way of life. This evening, the flavours of fresh seafood are celebrated during a Regional Meal at a local restaurant. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal |
| 9 | Sorrento – Pompeii – Rome | The tragic immortalisation of an ancient civilisation is ours to explore at Pompeii today, preserved by volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. We join a Local Specialist for a walking tour to gain insights into the day-to-day life of the city's former residents. Visit the Commonwealth Cemetery in Cassino, which lies below the famous Montecassino Abbey, the site of a fierce battle during World War II. Our Italian odyssey ends in Rome where we join our Travel Director and travel companions for a Farewell Dinner, celebrating excess in true Italian style. Hotel Sheraton Parco De Medici Meals Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner |
| 10 | Depart Rome | It's time to bid Rome a sad arrivederci as we prepare to depart Italy. Transfers are available to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Conditions apply. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast |