13 days Splendours of Italy
Weave your way from Rome to the sun-kissed south and the Bay of Naples and Sorrento. Travel past the home of St. Francis of Assisi to romantic Venice, the beautiful Italian Lakes and golden hills of Tuscany before Florence.
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| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS) (flight not included) | Welcome to Rome. After check-in at your hotel, relax and unwind before meeting with your Travel Director in the afternoon. This evening why not take a stroll around this fascinating city and soak up the amazing atmosphere. Hotel Ergife Palace |
| 2 | ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME | Your Local Specialist takes you on a sightseeing tour of the city, starting with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest and most inspiring churches ever built. Your trip continues across the Tiber River with views of the iconic Colosseum and the ancient sites of Rome. Spend free time exploring the wonderful sights on your own. Perhaps take an Optional Experience offered by your Travel Director. Meal Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | ROME - BAY OF NAPLES (2 NIGHTS) | This morning perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Vatican Museums. Then journey south past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon why not take an Optional Experience to Positano and the Amalfi Coast? Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner / Hotel Stabia |
| 4 | SORRENTO EXCURSION | Your excursion to the nearby resort of Sorrento starts with a visit to an inlaid wood workshop, for which the area is renowned. Later consider an Optional Experience to see the excavations of Pompeii, which lay undiscovered for centuries beneath a layer of volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 5 | BAY OF NAPLES - ASSISI | Drive through the rolling hills of Umbria to the mystical town of Assisi on the slopes of Mount Subasio, birthplace of St. Francis. Enjoy an orientation tour which includes St. Francis Basilica, renowned for its fresco paintings. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner / Hotel Frate Sole |
| 6 | ASSISI - VENICE (ORIAGO) (2 NIGHTS) | Enjoy a scenic drive across the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the magical floating city of Venice. Dine at your hotel this evening. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner / Hotel Il Burchiello |
| 7 | VENICE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME | You are surrounded by magnificent sights and sounds as you cruise by private launch along the Giudecca canal to St. Mark's Square. Admire the Bridge of Sighs, the ornate Doge's Palace and the Basilica of St. Mark. Watch the Venetian craftsmen at work creating local specialities at a glassblowing workshop on Giudecca island. Explore the city during your free time or maybe take a trip to Burano Island in the lagoon for a delicious meal. Meal Buffet Breakfast |
| 8 | VENICE (ORIAGO) - VERONA - LUGANO - ITALIAN LAKES (2 NIGHTS) | Journey west to Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's most famous play, and stop to admire the Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony. Continue across the Swiss border and visit the pretty lakeside resort of Lugano. Arrive at your hotel where you dine tonight. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner / Hotel Capolago |
| 9 | ITALIAN LAKES FREE DAY | Today you have a full day to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Italian Lakes region. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 10 | ITALIAN LAKES - PISA - FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS) | Cross the Apennine Mountains, travel along the Italian Riviera arriving in Pisa. Here we see the famous leaning tower in the Square of Miracles. Later arrive at your hotel near the Renaissance city of Florence. Tonight you may wish to enjoy a wonderful dinner in the Tuscan hills. Meal Buffet Breakfast / Hotel Wall Art |
| 11 | FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME | Florence is one of the liveliest and most creative cities in Europe and home to some of the world's greatest works of art and architecture. Your Local Specialist gives you an excellent account of the city's history during your walking tour, which includes views of the Baptistery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the impressive Giotto's Bell Tower and a visit to Piazza della Signoria. Experience a demonstration of fine leatherwork and in your free time visit one of the many museums or simply relax and enjoy the ambience. Meal Buffet Breakfast |
| 12 | FLORENCE - SIENA - ROME | Admire the beautiful scenery as you drive through the Chianti region of Tuscany to Siena, a medieval city famous for its biannual Palio horse race. Marvel at its rich heritage during your orientation tour. This evening in Rome you might like to mark the end of an enjoyable holiday with a meal out. Meal Buffet Breakfast / Hotel Raganelli |
| 13 | DEPART ROME | This morning say 'arrivederci' to Italy, your Travel Director and fellow travellers as you prepare to return home with wonderful memories. Buffet Breakfast. |