5 nights / 6 days – Semi Escorted Tour

Thursday Departures Apr 11 – Oct 24, 2019:

Apr 11, 25, May 16, 23, 30, Jun 6, 13, 20 ,27, Jul 4, 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 15, 22, 29, Sep 12, 19, 26, Oct 10, 17, 24

20% off Departures: June 27, July 4, 25, Aug 15, Sept 19, Oct 10, 17

Visit: Venice, Sirmione, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Milan, La Spezia, Portovenere, Vernazza, Monterosso, Lucca, Pisa, Montepulciano, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Rome

This tour departs from Venice and takes you to the beautiful Northern Lakes of Garda & Como. You will overnight in Milan before spending the day by boat and train visiting the picturesque fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. The tour continues South to medieval Lucca and Pisa where you will have a chance to see the famous Leaning Tower. Taste world renowned wines in Montepulciano made from grapes ripened under the Tuscan sun. The tour will spend a night in Rome before venturing South to Naples with a visit to fascinating Pompeii. You will then finish the tour with 2 nights relaxing in Sorrento, a boat trip to the Isle of Capri and a visit to the magical Blue Grotto.

Day 01 – Thursday VENICE – SIRMIONE (Lake Garda) – LAKE COMO – MILAN
Meet tour leader at Tronchetto in Venice at 8:00am. You can contact the tour leader the day before departure for extra information. 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 can admire beautiful Romanesque and Baroque churches. Piazza Volta and Piazza Duomo, with its charming old Town Hall building, called Broletto, with the 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 02 – Friday MILAN – LA SPEZIA – PORTOVENERE – VERNAZZA – MONTEROSSO – 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. Its 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 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 03 – 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 see the Fortezza and the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi, one of the finest examples of Renaissance art. Montepulciano is well known for its production of its 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. Check in at the hotel and overnight. Meals: B

Day 04 – Sunday ROME – NAPLES – POMPEII – SORRENTO
Depart from your hotel (pick up from hotels will be between 6.30 to 7.00 am, please remember to order your breakfast box at your hotel the day before departure) Upon arrival in Naples we will take a walk in the historical center to admire Piazza del Plebiscito, the Royal Palace, Piazza del Municipio, the Gallery of Umberto I and the San Carlo Opera House. Today we will lunch in a traditional restaurant with Neapolitan specialities. Water and 1 soft drink included. Then with our local guide we will visit the Pompeii excavations, UNESCO listed ruins. This ancient Roman city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. which buried and preserved it under a sea of volcanic ash for almost 1700 years. The archaeological journey through the ancient city will give us the opportunity to better understand how Romans used to live at that time. At the end of the tour, we may be given the opportunity to visit a coral and cameo factory, to admire items manufactured with a technique dating back to Ancient Greek times. Proceed to SORRENTO, the gateway to the Amalfi coast, with its colorful historical center and pretty waterfront, lined with fishing boats and the new Marina Grande cruise pier. Check in at your hotel in Sorrento, dinner and overnight. Meals: B L D

Day 05 – Monday SORRENTO – CAPRI – SORRENTO
American buffet breakfast at the hotel, and departure between 07.30-7.45am to the island of CAPRI. You will board the ferry and arrive in MARINA GRANDE. Once on the island you will visit the BLUE GROTTO (weather permitting) and stop at the famous Piazzetta. A minibus will take you up to ANACAPRI. After lunch in Anacapri, you will return to Marina Grande where you will board the ferry for your transfer back to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight Sorrento. Meals: B L D

Day 06 – Tuesday SORRENTO – ROME
American buffet breakfast at the hotel and day of leisure to explore Sorrento or have an optional tour to discover the Amalfi coast visiting Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. Meeting point between 2.30-3.00pm in your hotel lobby and transfer to Pompeii where you will join your bus to return to Rome. Arrival in Rome around 9:00 p.m drop off guaranteed in Termini Station / Barberini Square. End of tour services. Transfer to airport or a hotel is available for an additional charge. Meals: B

Includes:

  • 1 night’s accommodation in 4* hotel in Milan
  • 1 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Lucca
  • 1 night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Rome
  • 2 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotel in Sorrento
  • Ground transportation by deluxe coach with air conditioning
  • Boat and train ticket in Parco delle Cinque Terre
  • Guided tour of Pompeii, including entrance fee
  • Full day excursion to Capri
  • Visit to the BLUE GROTTO – (weather permitting / entrance fee included)
  • 5 American buffet breakfasts
  • 4 dinners (drinks NOT included)
  • 1 lunch in Naples or POMPEII (water and 1 soft drink included)
  • 1 lunch in Capri (drinks NOT included).
  • Multilingual escorted tour (English – French – Spanish)
  • English – French – Spanish speaking local guides
  • Includes one bag per person plus one piece of hand luggage

Excludes:

  • Flights
  • City Taxes collected by the hotel. Euro 2-3 per night per guest
  • Other meals and drinks not mentioned

Hotels:

  • Milan: Hotel Starhotel Business Palace 4* / Antares Concorde 4* or similar
  • Lucca: Grand Hotel Guinigi 4* or similar
  • Rome: Hotel Gambrinus 4*/ Hotel Rivoli 4* or similar
  • Sorrento: Hotel Vesuvio 4*/ Michelangelo / La Residenza / Crawford 4* or similar

2019 Price Per Person in Euro:

 

20% off Departures: June 27, July 4, 25, Aug 15, Sept 19, Oct 10, 17

  • US$ price will vary with the exchange rate
  • Children accepted from 12 years of age at adult rate

Additional Services:

  • Arrival & departure transfers are available please ask us for pricing
  • Additional tours in Rome can be added post tour, please ask for options and pricing
  • Additional night’s accommodation in Venice or Rome can be booked pre or post tour please ask for rates
  • It’s also possible to add additional nights in Venice, Rome or on the Amalfi Coast to this tour