9 nights / 10 days – Fully Escorted Tour

Guaranteed Friday Departures Apr 5 – Oct 18, 2019:
Apr 5, 19, May 10, 17, 24, 31, Jun 9, 14, 21, 28, Jul 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug 9, 16, 23, Sep 6, 13, 20, Oct 4, 11, 18

20% off Departures: June 21, 28, July 19, Aug 9, Sept 13, Oct 4, 11.

Visit: Rome, Siena, Florence, Verona, Venice, Murano, Sirmione, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Milan, La Spezia, Portovenere, Vernazza, Manarola, Lucca, Pisa, Montepulciano, Rome

Day 01 – Friday ROME
Transfer from the airport or train station in Rome to the Hotel. Day at leisure and overnight in Rome. Dinner not included. Meals:

Day 02 – Saturday ROME
American buffet breakfast at the hotel. In the morning you will enjoy a 3 hour “Discovering Rome” walking tour. You will be picked up at your hotel at approximately 9.00am. The tour will start from Largo Argentina and continue to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The tour will end at the Spanish steps (no drop off at the Hotel). Rest of the day at leisure and overnight. Dinner not included. Meals: B

Day 03 – Sunday ROME – SIENA – FLORENCE
American buffet breakfast and pickup at the hotel from 7.30am to 7.45am then depart by coach to SIENA, the beautiful medieval city renowned for the Palio horse race. Discover the street, Palazzo Salimbeni, which is now used as the headquarters for the Banca Monte dei Paschi Di Siena. Visit the main square of the town, Piazza del Campo, a beautiful seashell shaped square, where the famous Palio horse race is held every year on July 2nd and August 16th. Don’t miss the chance to discover the impressive facade of the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, covered with colorful local marble, where several artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini have worked. Before you go, don’t forget to taste the traditional local dishes such as “Pici”, homemade pasta, and the almond biscuits “ricciarelli”, both symbols of the town. Arrival in Florence around 2:00pm, and after check-in at the hotel, possibility to have an optional tour of the Uffizi Gallery or Accademia Gallery. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant to taste a typical Tuscan menu. Overnight in Florence. Meals: B D

Day 04 – Monday FLORENCE
After breakfast meet our local guide and visit the fascinating backstreets of mysterious Florence: from Piazza del Duomo, with its Baptistery and Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, to Ponte Vecchio; from Piazza della Signoria with its Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dell’Orcagna, up to the central avenues paved with stone, where you’ll find authentic masterpieces whenever you direct your gaze. An intense and concentrated tour in the very heart of Florence that will introduce you to the many wonderful “must see” places of interest. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, your tour leader will take you to see traditional local artisans. Visit one of the most famous jewelers where you can admire the collections of a Florentine master goldsmith. Walk around San Lorenzo’s leather market that offers quality products made with high-grade leather. Manufactured according to the most traditional methods, you will see classic Florentine leather bags, wallets, shoes and jackets that represent the essence of local artisan creativity. Finally, let your nose twitch in delight whilst visiting an old perfume shop, which still produces fragrances using medieval methods and recipes. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: B

Day 05 – Tuesday FLORENCE-VERONA-VENICE
American buffet breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to VENICE by coach. Along the way you will stop in VERONA.  Explore the streets of this historical center, that was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage-site. Be enchanted by the gem of this city: the ancient Roman Arena (outside). Built in 30 A.D. it is very well preserved and in the last century has hosted over 30,000 people for international music concerts.  This includes the Verona Arena Festival, a summertime opera celebration that draws classical music lovers from all over the world. After taking some photos of the arena, head to the former home of famed opera singer, Maria Callas. Then move on to Juliet’s House (outside), the structure that inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Wander back to Piazza Bra with time for lunch. Proceed to Venice. Travel by boat to reach Saint Mark’s square where you will meet a local guide who will introduce you to the most important buildings such as the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, the Clock tower and the Library. Here you’ll be told about the birth of the city and its glorious history. Walk in hidden Venice, admiring its alleyways, lovely canals, picturesque campos (squares) where everyday life takes place and explore the structure of the city. Arrive at the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal, the heart of the city, with its bustling market area. At the end of the visit there is a lovely walk to your hotel for check in. After, you will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Venice. Meals: B D

Day 06 – Wednesday VENICE – MURANO
American buffet breakfast at the hotel and then with your tour leader you will ride across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Here you will get an inside peek into the world-famous glass-blowing factories of the island.  Watch a glass making demonstration from a master craftsman and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom, featuring finished works of art. Return to St. Mark’s Square for an afternoon at leisure and time for shopping and private visits. Overnight in Venice. Meals: B

Day 07 – Thursday VENICE – SIRMIONE (Lake Garda) – LAKE COMO – MILAN
American buffet breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for SIRMIONE known as the Pearl of Garda Lake, “the gem of all the peninsulas”, as the poet Catullus wrote. The visit to the village starts with the spectacular Scala Castle dating back to medieval times. It was built at the end of the 13th century by the Lords of Verona. Wandering along narrow medieval streets one reaches the Parish Church of S. Maria which houses many images and paintings to be admired, together with different altars and precious 18th century works of marble. Slightly uphill, one reaches the S. Salvatore Church, which dates to the 8th century. Optional boat tour to admire the park of the prestigious and luxurious 5- star Hotel Villa Cortine and the nearby Villa of Maria Callas, from here you will reach the entrance to the Grotte di Catullo. It is the most important archaeological area in the entire region of Lombardy, with imposing remains of what was once a luxurious Roman Villa on the edge of Lake Garda. In the afternoon, proceed to COMO LAKE where your tour leader will walk you around all the historic highlights. As we stroll through the ancient streets in the heart of the town, surrounded by Roman walls, we will admire beautiful Romanesque and Baroque churches, Piazza Volta and Piazza Duomo, with its charming old Town Hall building, called Broletto, with its characteristic bell tower and the superb 600-year old Cathedral. Depart to MILAN where you can enjoy a panoramic tour to see: Sforzesco Castle, the medieval Piazza Mercanti and Piazza della Scala, admire the marble façade of Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Your tour ends in the historic Piazza del Duomo. In the evening check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight at the hotel in Milan. Meals: B D

Day 08 – Friday MILAN – LA SPEZIA – PORTOVENERE – VERNAZZA – MANAROLA – LUCCA
Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Depart to LA SPEZIA to embark on an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscapes in the World: “CINQUE TERRE”. We will reach the first village of PORTOVENERE, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, while narrow medieval streets, lined with shops, lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle. By boat you reach VERNAZZA, a small fishing village, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The village is surrounded by steeply-terraced olive groves which are said to produce amongst the finest olive oil in the country. The last stop will be in MONTEROSSO, the largest of the five coastal villages. Its amazing beaches, beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal-clear waters, make this small village one of the most convivial of the Ligurian Riviera. In the late afternoon we return to La Spezia by train and take the coach to LUCCA. With your tour leader, stroll through the cobblestone streets and bustling piazzas, to the old Renaissance walls. Trace the city’s Roman past along Via San Paolino and Piazza San Michele and see the birthplace of local composer Giacomo Puccini. Admire the medieval buildings along Via Fillungo, peek inside San Frediano church and visit landmarks such as the Cathedral of San Martino, Piazza Anfiteatro and Torre delle Ore. At the end of the walk transfer to your hotel for check in. Dinner and overnight in Lucca. Meals: B D

Day 09 – Saturday LUCCA – PISA – MONTEPULCIANO – ROME
Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Depart to PISA for a walk with your tour leader to the heart of the city. Admire the Cathedral Square with the Duomo di Pisa, Campo Santo, Pisa Baptistry, and, of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time for lunch and shopping and in the afternoon depart to cross VAL D’ORCIA, the area famous for its superb wine production and for its amazing landscape, symbolic of the Tuscan region. Enjoy a stop in the most iconic town in the area, MONTEPULCIANO. Surrounded by the ancient city wall, Montepulciano is a symbol of the power and wealth of the noble families from the 14th to 16th centuries. Be enchanted by the beauty of Piazza Grande, with the magnificent Duomo and Palazzo Tarugi; continue to the Fortezza and the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi, one of the finest examples of Renaissance art. Montepulciano is well known for producing fabulous red wine. The “Nobile di Montepulciano” is one of the most lauded Italian wines. Montepulciano has a distinct peculiarity, in that you can find several historic cantinas right within the city walls, which have been dug out underneath the prestigious palazzos. Take time to taste local wines and buy some souvenirs. Proceed to Rome where you will arrive around 7.30pm. Meals: B D

Day 10 – Sunday ROME
American buffet breakfast at the hotel. End of our services. Meals: B

Includes:

  • 2+1 night’s accommodation in 4* hotel in Rome
  • 2 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Florence
  • 2 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Venice
  • 1 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Milan
  • 1 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Lucca
  • Arrival transfer from the FCO/CIA airports or TERMINI station to the hotel in Rome
  • Ground transportation by deluxe coach with air conditioning
  • 3 hour guided walking tour in Rome
  • Boat and train ticket in Parco delle Cinque Terre
  • 9 American buffet breakfasts
  • 4 dinners (drinks NOT included)
  • Multilingual escorted tour (English/French or English/Spanish)
  • English/French or English/Spanish speaking local guides
  • One bag per person included (any size) plus one piece of hand luggage

 Excludes:

  • Flights
  • City taxes collected by the hotel. Euro2-3 per night per guest.
  • Other meals and drinks not indicated

Hotels:

  • Rome: Hotel Gambrinus 4* / Rivoli 4* or similar
  • Florence: Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli 4* or similar
  • Venice: Hotel Continental 4* or similar
  • Milan: Hotel Starhotel Business Palace / Antares Concorde 4* or similar
  • Lucca: Grand Hotel Guinigi 4* or similar

2019 price per person in Euro:

20% off Departures: June 21, 28, July 19, Aug 9, Sept 13, Oct 4, 11

  • Children 12 years and over accepted at adult rate
  • US$ rate varies depending on exchange rate

Additional services:

  • Departure transfers are available please ask us for pricing
  • Additional tours in Florence & Rome pre and post tour can be added, please ask for options and pricing
  • Additional night’s accommodation in Rome can be booked pre or post tour please ask for rates