Visit Northern Italy’s romantic cities and the enchanting northern lakes of Lake Garda and Lake Como with free time to absorb the beauty.
5 nights / 6 days.
Visit: Rome, Siena, Florence, Verona, Venice, Murano, Sirmione, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Milan
Guaranteed departures on Sundays:
Apr 7, 21 May 12, 19, 26 Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Jul 7, 14, 21, 28 Aug 11, 18, 25 Sep 8, 15, 22 Oct 6, 13, 20
20% off Departures: Jun 23, 30, July 21, Aug 11, Sept 15, Oct 6, 13
This tour starts in Rome and travels North stopping at the beautiful Tuscan towns of Siena and Florence. Continuing North stopping in Verona to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site along with a chance to see the balcony of Juliet’s House. The structure that inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Explore the timeless beauty of Venice and discover the secrets of the master craftsman glassmakers in Murano. Finally enjoy the history behind the jewels of Italy, Lake Como and Lake Garda before proceeding onto Milan.
Day 1 – Sunday: ROME-SIENA-FLORENCE
Pickup from your hotel from 7.30am to 7.45 am. Depart by motor coach to SIENA the beautiful medieval city renowned for the Palio horse race. Discover along the streets, Palazzo Salimbeni, which is now used as the headquarters for the Banca Monte dei Paschi Di Siena, it was built in the 14th century. 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. Do not miss the chance to discover the impressive facade of the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, covered with colorful local marbles. Here several artists including Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini have worked. Before you go, do not forget to taste local dishes including “Pici” home-made pasta and almond biscuits “ricciarelli”, symbols of the town. Then we proceed to Florence where you arrive around 2.00pm and check in at the hotel. With the help of your tour leader you will have the chance to visit one of the gorgeous Florence museums such as Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant to taste traditional Tuscan food. Overnight in Florence. Meals: D
Day 2 – Monday: FLORENCE
After breakfast meet our local guide to visit the fascinating backstreets of mysterious Florence. From Piazza del Duomo, with its Baptistery, to 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. You’ll find authentic masterpieces wherever you direct your gaze. An intense and concentrated tour in the very heart of Florence that will uncover many wonderful “must see” places of interest. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon your tour leader will accompany you to discover the excellence of traditional locally made products. Visit one of the most famous Florentine jewelers where you can admire the collections of this master goldsmith. Walk around San Lorenzo leather market where you will find high-grade leather goods. See the classical elegance of Florentine leather bags, wallets, shoes and jackets made by local creative artisans. Finally, let’s your nose twitch in delight, visiting an old perfume workshop which still produce fragrances using medieval methods and recipes. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: B
Day 3 – Tuesday: FLORENCE-VERONA -VENICE
American buffet breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to VENICE by motor coach. Along the way you will stop in VERONA. Explore the streets of his historical center, that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be fascinated by this gem of a city and its ancient Roman arena. Built in 30 A.D. it is very well preserved and hosts over 30,000 people for international music concerts each year. 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, the structure that inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Wander back to Piazza Bra and have time for lunch. Proceed to Venice, travel by boat to reach the beautiful Saint Mark’s square. Here we meet our local guide who will introduce you to the most important buildings such us 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 the hidden Venice, to admire its back alleys, lovely canals, picturesque campos (squares). Finally, we will reach the Rialto bridge over the Grand Canal: the heart of the city with its market area. At the end of the visit have a lovely walk to your hotel for check in and enjoy a typical dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Venice. Meals: B, D
Day 4 – Wednesday: VENICE- MURANO
American buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today you will ride with your tour leader ride across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano to get an inside peek into the world-famous glass-blowing factories. Get 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 square afternoon at leisure for shopping and private visits. Overnight in Venice. Meals: B
Day 5– Thursday: VENICE – SIRMIONE (Lake Garda) – LAKE COMO – MILAN
American buffet breakfast at the hotel, check out and departure for SIRMIONE well known as the Pearl of Lake Garda, “the gem of all the peninsulas”, as the poet Catullus wrote. The visit of the village commences with the suggestive Scala Castle of medieval times, built at the end of the 13th century by the Lords of Verona. Along narrow and close medieval streets, one reaches the Parish Church of S. Maria which contains many images and paintings to be admired together with different altars and precious 18th century works of marble. Slightly uphill, one reaches the Salvatore Church, which dates to the 8th century. At last, after admiring the park of the prestigious and luxurious 5 star Hotel Villa Cortine and the nearby Villa of Maria Callas, you arrive to the entrance to the Grotte di Catullo. This area is the most important archaeological area of the entire Lombardy region with imposing remains of what has once been a luxurious Roman Villa on Lake Garda. In the afternoon, proceed to COMO LAKE where your tour leader walk you through all the historic highlights. As we stroll through the ancient streets in the heart of the town, surrounded by Roman walls, we can admire beautiful Romanesque and Baroque churches, Piazza Volta and Piazza Duomo, with its charming old Town Hall building, called Broletto, and its characteristic bell tower and the superb 600-year old Cathedral. Departure to MILAN where you can enjoy a panoramic tour to see the city highlights: Sforzesco Castle, medieval Piazza Mercanti, and Piazza della Scala, and admire the marble facade of Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Conclude your tour in the historic Piazza del Duomo. In the evening check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight in Milan. Meals: B, D
Day 6- Friday -MILAN
American buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out. End of our services, Meals: B
Price In Euro Per Person:
20% off Departures: Jun 23, 30, July 21, Aug 11, Sept 15, Oct 6, 13
- Double: € 1,490
- Single: € 1,860
- Triple: € 1,390
- Children: Are accepted from 12 years of age / adult rate applies
- US$ price will vary with the exchange rate
Includes:
- 2 nights accommodations in 4* hotel in Florence
- 2 nights accommodations in 4* Hotel in Venice
- 1 night accommodation in 4* hotel in Milan
- 5 American buffet breakfast
- 3 dinners (drinks NOT included)
- Ground transportation by deluxe motor coach with air conditioning
- Multilingual escorted tour (English/ French)
- Sightseeing tours as per itinerary
- 1 bag per person allowed plus one piece of hand luggage
Excludes:
- Flights
- City taxes collected by the hotel. Approximately 2-3 Euro per night per guest
- Other meals and drinks
Hotels:
- Florence: Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli 4* or similar
- Venice: Hotel Continental 4* or similar
- Milan: Hotel Starhotel Business Palace 4* / Antares Concorde 4* or similar
Optional Services:
- Extra nights at the beginning and/or at the end of the tour
- Departure transfer to the airport or train station