(12 nights)
Day 1 – Arrive Rome (3 Nights) Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. Enjoy an orientation drive to see St. Peter’s Basilica and other sites, a great introduction to this beautiful city. After checking in to your hotel, relax and then join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
DAY 2 – – Rome Sightseeing Enjoy your morning at leisure, exploring the magnificent historic sites of Rome, indulging in its café culture and perhaps even a shopping experience to Via Condotti. This afternoon, gain priority access to the Vatican Museums, where a Local Specialist will take you on a guided tour. Admire Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel when it is less crowded. Meet an official representative of the Vatican Museums during your private guided tour of the Missionary Ethnological Museum, founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, with its remarkable collection of artworks, and historical relics from missions all over the world. You’ll also enjoy an exclusive after hours dinner at the museum amidst three centuries of Vatican art, history and antiquities.
DAY 3 – – Rome Sightseeing This morning, after a leisurely start, visit ancient Rome with a Local Specialist. Visit inside the impressive Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus, where chariot races were once held. Later, travel to Tivoli for a guided visit with a Local Specialist of the UNESCO World Heritage Italian gardens of Villa d’Este. The architectural elements and water features here had an enormous influence on European landscape.
DAY 4 – Rome – Chianti – Florence (2 Nights) Drive through Lazio and the provinces of Umbria and Tuscany. Visit a wine tasting and olive oil outlet, and taste excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils just outside the small town of Greve. Travel through picturesque scenery and stop in San Gimignano for a walk in the UNESCO World Heritage walledmedieval town. Perhaps try a delicious gelato from the famous GelateriaDondoli. A short drive brings you to your hotel near San Gimignano.
DAY 5 – – Florence Sightseeing Learn about Florence’s rich cultural history during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Piazza Della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and imposing palazzi. View the multi-coloured marble Duomo and Baptistery, famous for its gilded bronze doors. Enjoy scenic views of the Ponte Vecchio, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Tonight enjoy a special Be My Guest dinner with wine in a family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills.
DAY 6 – – Florence – Pisa – Cinque Terre (2 Nights) This morning, travel to the town of Pisa and visit the Square of Miracles, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the incredible Leaning Tower and see the medieval Cathedral and Romanesque Baptistery. Later, arrive at Cinque Terre.
DAY 7 – – Cinque Terre Enjoy an included full-day excursion to see the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five coastal villages with extraordinary old-world charm clad the rugged cliffs in this beautiful area. This magnificent coastline can only be reached by boat or train from La Spezia. Visit two of the five picturesque fishing villages with your Local Specialist.
DAY 8 – – Cinque Terre – Como (3 Nights) Drive north-east to the Italian Lake District. Found on the southern side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is one of the most famous sights in Northern Italy, and is known for its beautiful waters and picturesque views. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the flora of the local area when you visit the beautiful botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Later, stop to view the sites of Stresa, gateway to the three Borromean islands, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, before checking in to your hotel.
DAY 9 -– Borromean Island This Morning, take the Funicular train to enjoy the sites of the Brunate region. Later, take an included tour to one of the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, which includes a visit inside the Borromeo Palace. Later, return to you hotel.
DAY 10 – St Moritz Excursion Transfer from Como to Tirano, where you will board the fabulous scenic Bernina express train. You will leave the palm trees of Tirano Italy and cross the Bernina pass climbing to 7400 feet past the mighty glaciers. You will then arrive in elegant St. Moritz in Switzerland. Upon arrival in St. Moritz you will have free time to enjoy the town on your own. In the afternoon meet your bus and transfer back to your hotel.
DAY 11 – Venice (2 Nights) Today, you head to fashionable Milan. Your Local Specialist shows you the impressive sites. View the Gothic cathedral, La Scala and the glass-domed Galleria. Enjoy free time this afternoon to experience the stylish lifestyle of Italy’s fashion capital. Afterwards, travel to Verona, where Shakespeare based his most famous play, to view Juliet’s Balcony, and then the 2,000 year old Roman arena still in use today. Continue across the Veneto plains to the magical city of Venice.
DAY 12 – Venice Sightseeing Admire Venice in all its glory as you approach St. Mark’s Square by private launch. View the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace and the Byzantine Basilica. Enjoy a cultural insight into the Venetian tradition of glass making on Giudecca Island. Spend free time afterwards as you wish: relax in a café or shop for souvenirs.
DAY 13 – Depart Venice Say ‘arrivederci’ to Italy at the end of your memorable Italian holiday. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home-
TOUR INCLUSIONS • 12 nights accommodation • 12 Hot buffet breakfasts • 11 Dinners • Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing. • Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) • All porterage and restaurant gratuities • An expert Travel Director and separate Driver • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes • VIP entry to many sites • Local specialists for included sightseeing in Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Como and Venice TOUR EXCLUSIONS • Meals, other than those specified in the itinerary • Gratuities for driver, tour director and local specialists • Cancellation/medical insurance (strongly recommended) • Items of a personal nature
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