An enchanting country with a varied landscape featuring picturesque mountains, countrysides with lush rolling hills and charming coastal towns suspended on rocky cliffs, Italy truly offers something for everyone. This 11 day escorted group tour covers several of Italy's most renowned destinations including Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast. Along the way you will visit Italy's most famed sights including Florence's Cathedral, the Canals of Venice, St. Peter's Basilica and the breathtaking island of Capri. You will also have time to explore independently, choosing to visit the monuments that fascinate you the most and engaging with the local culture. Whether your interests include history, art, culture or food and wine, a vacation to Italy is sure to exceed your expectations.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Tuscany Countryside, Montepulciano, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri
DAY 01: ROME
Upon arrival at Rome Airport, transfer on your own to your Rome Hotel accommodation. Dinner on your own and overnight in the Eternal City.
DAY 02: ROME, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE
You will be picked up at the assigned meeting point in the historical center of Rome to start your sightseeing tour of Italy. The first stop will be in charming Assisi, where you will have free time to explore the beautiful city center. We suggest stopping by the famous Basilica of St. Francis—the breathtaking frescoes in the Upper and Lower Churches are a must-see. After you enjoy lunch on your own, the tour will continue through the panoramic Tuscan hill country. Along the way you will stop in the enchanting city of Siena, known for its rich medieval history and the Palio horse race held twice a year in the famous Piazza del Campo (the main city square). Be ready to take plenty of beautiful photos during your stroll through the lovely historical center. Later in the afternoon, continue to Florence where you will have dinner and get a good night's rest.
DAY 03: FLORENCE
Enjoy a nice breakfast to prepare you for a pleasant day of sightseeing. This morning you will explore Florence's historic city center during a guided tour. Nicknamed the Cradle of the Renaissance, you will marvel at Florence's art, architecture and churches created by the Masters. You will admire the famous Duomo, with its Dome designed by Brunelleschi as well as Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, with doors so beautiful that Michelangelo called them the Gates of Paradise. Other highlights of the tour include Piazza Della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Santa Croce Basilica. Lunch on your own (not included). The afternoon will be at your leisure, where you can choose to shop or visit the Accademia Gallery with the famous David by Michelangelo or the Uffizi Gallery (optional, not included; skip the line reservations recommended and can be arranged separately upon request). You may decide you would rather go on an optional tour of Pisa, and see its famous Leaning Tower and adjoining Cathedral and Piazza dei Miracoli (optional, not included). In the evening you will enjoy dinner and a final night in Florence.
DAY 04: FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, PADUA, VENICE
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and board the motor coach to Bologna, Italy's food capital and the city of porticoes. As you explore Bologna's historic streets, you will have the opportunity to admire many examples of its breathtaking architecture including the Podesta' Palace, Piazza del Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio. After lunch (not included), you will continue on to Padua, home to many beautiful churches and the oldest botanical garden in the world. You will stop at the Basilica of St. Anthony, with its lovely frescoes. The motor coach will then continue on to Venice, known for its scenic canals, art and gondolas. You will have dinner and spend the night in Venice.
DAY 05: VENICE
After breakfast, you will start your day in St. Mark's Square for a visit of St. Mark's Basilica (interior visit) and the Doge's palace (external visit). Along the way you will also see the Bridge of Sighs, which connects to the prison where Casanova was held for 5 years. The afternoon is free, giving you time to shop, take a tour to Murano Island with a visit to one of its famous glass workshops, enjoy a Bellini in front of the Grand Canal or take in more of Venice's art at one of the many local museums (optional, not included). Dinner will be with the group and you will spend the night in Venice.
DAY 06: VENICE, TUSCANY, MONTEPULCIANO, ROME
Breakfast will be enjoyed at the hotel, and, afterwards, you will board the motor coach to Tuscany. Be ready to take countless photos of the postcard-perfect countryside with its rolling landscapes, charming farm houses, historic churches and magnificent castles. The group will stop in Montepulciano, a town rich in art and history, where you will have free time to explore at your leisure. Wine lovers will certainly want to visit one of the local wineries to sample the famous Montepulciano wine, a medium-bodied red. The motor coach will continue back to Rome. Arrival in Rome and check in at your Hotel accommodation. This evening you will have dinner on your own then spend the night at your Rome Hotel.
DAY 07: ROME
After breakfast, you will head to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. You will visit the Vatican Museums, skipping the long entrance line. Once inside you will have the chance to admire a number of famous works of art in addition to the magnificent Sistine Chapel. Next, continue on to St. Peter's Basilica to explore the largest church in the world and admire its many chapels and stunning works of art such as Michelangelo's Pieta'. Free time for lunch and remainder of the afternoon to enjoy at leisure. You have the chance to shop, enjoy a gelato or visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to immerse yourself in ancient Rome (optional, not included). Dinner on your own and overnight at your Rome Hotel.
Important note: During low season from November to March, instead of visiting the Vatican Museums the morning tour will be a sightseeing tour of Rome's historical beauties. You will stop by St. Peter's Square to visit St. Peter's Basilica (interior visit), then you will move to Navona Square from which you will visit some of the highlights of the Eternal City such as the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Free time for lunch and afternoon at leisure to perhaps visit the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums (optional, not included).
DAY 08: ROME, NAPLES, POMPEII, SORRENTO
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel then the motor coach will depart to Naples, traveling along the Sun Motorway, through the regions of Lazio and Campania. There will be a panoramic city tour of Naples, showing Castel dell'Ovo, Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, Maschio Angioino and the port. You will enjoy lunch then stop in Pompeii, an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. You will visit the famous archeological excavations of Pompeii which feature houses, streets, and other structures that were remarkably preserved by the volcanic ash, offering a captivating portrait of Roman daily life. Afterwards, we will drive along the Sorrentine coast and arrive in Sorrento for dinner and the night.
DAY 09: SORRENTO, CAPRI, SORRENTO
After breakfast, we will board the ferry to the Island of Capri (sea conditions permitting), and take the small rowboats to enter the famous Blue Grotto (sea and weather conditions permitting). You will have free time to enjoy this charming island which is divided into two sections, an upper part and a lower part, that are connected by a panoramic chair lift. Lunch with the group in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will return to Sorrento for dinner and an overnight at your hotel accommodation.
DAY 10: SORRENTO, ROME
You'll enjoy breakfast and free time in Sorrento this morning to go shopping, enjoy lunch or to write your postcards. In the afternoon, we'll depart to Rome where we will arrive in the evening. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel in Rome.
DAY 11: ROME
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour, and our services, will end.
Boungiorno Tommaso,
We had a wonderful time! If you can give us a few days we can let you know what we liked the most and least. Brett took
"Tommaso, Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena were wonderful! Just arrived in Rome. Ciao!"
PACKAGE START AT $1,674.00 INCLUDES:
- Transportation by Deluxe motor coach as per itinerary;
- Accommodation in Tourist Category Hotels with overnight stay in Venice Mestre or in First Category Hotels with overnight on Venice Island in double/twin rooms with private facilities;
- Daily Breakfast;
- 6 Dinners and 2 Lunches as per itinerary;
- Multilingual Tour-Escort;
- Panoramic Visits as per itinerary;
- Vat Taxes and service Charges.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
- Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable it must be paid locally to the hotel.
- Beverages.
- Porterage service.
- Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums, Tips, Extras.
- All which is not listed under “PACKAGE INCLUDES”.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Multi language escorted group tour.
All departures are Guaranteed.
(*) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).
CHILDREN POLICY :
- Children (0-3 Yrs Old) share double room with parents. Cot available upon request (Extra fees may apply).
- Children (0-3 Yrs Old) travel on parents laps. (Seat space available upon request, extra fees may apply).
- Beverages and Meals for Children are not included (To be paid locally upon consumption).
