Art Cities & the South | 12 Days

DAY 1:                                  ROME

Make your own way to your tour hotel. At 07:45pm pickup from the hotel and reach Via del Teatro Marcello. Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day – abso­lutely romantic at sunset. You will cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, filled with history and with a real Roman atmosphere. See the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in Piazza Mattei. The Jewish Ghetto of Rome is the second most ancient after the one in Venice, and it can be considered the heart and soul of Roman cuisine. Walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the lit view of the Pan­theon, the former temple of Marcus Agrippa later convert­ed into a church: this is the only ancient Roman temple that remained untouched through the centuries and it’s stunning at night when the crowds are away. Next stop, close your eyes and throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the Trevi Fountain: it’s said that those who do so, are granted to come back to Rome someday. Your walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, one of the city’s most popular squares, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top. After this intense and gratifying walk, there is only one thing missing to end this experi­ence: a creamy and tasty Gelato, it’s on us! The tour ends in the Spanish Steps area. Make your own way back to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 2:                                   ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE

Depart at 7:15 am by a deluxe coach. You will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, continue to Florence for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 3:                                   FLORENCE

After breakfast, spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinna­cle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches, and buildings such as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its mag­nificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Mi­chelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basil­ica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own. Overnight Florence. (B, L)

DAY 4:                                   FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – PADUA – VENICE

After breakfast in Florence, departure to Bologna. Discover the elegant city centre with its “porticos”, it’s shopping streets and so on. From Piazza Mal­pighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Mag­giore (Neptune square and Major square) in the heart of the city, then King Renzo’s Palace; Palazzo Podestà and the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. Bologna is a real gourmet heaven…don’t miss a tasty meal at your own leisure! In the afternoon, contin­ue toward Padova, with Sant’Antonio Basilica: one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the catholic world. Later in the afternoon, arrival in Venice (Mestre) for overnight. (B)

DAY 5:                                   VENICE

After breakfast, transfer to Piazza San Marco and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, and the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After the walking tour, allow us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco as a delightful conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savour your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous “cicchetti,” a Venetian variation of tapas (light lunch). Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel for overnight. (B, L)

Day 6:                                   VENICE – MONTEPULCIANO – ROME

After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma to Tuscany, famous for its landscapes, churches and castles, and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, Montepulciano also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome for overnight. (B, L)

DAY 7:                                  ROME

After breakfast, between 7:45-8:00 am, depart from the hotel for a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Square with our exclu­sive “Skip the Line” access. No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapes­tries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, the tour ends in St. Peter’s Square where you can admire the incredible masterpiece St. Pe­ter’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your own leisure. Overnight Rome. (B)

DAY 8:                                  ROME – NAPLES – POMPEII – SORRENTO

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel at approximately 7:00 am. Depart by coach, heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Arrive in Naples and enjoy a short panoramic tour climbing up to Vomero hill to enjoy beauti­ful views over the Gulf of Naples with the Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Procida and the city below; time to take some nice pictures. Descending towards the port of Mergellina you will leave the city and travel south towards Mount Ve­suvius. Once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch, enjoying a real Neapolitan pizza. After lunch, enter one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, travelling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You’ll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics, imagining how rich and prosperous the city was before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men). Overnight in Sorrento. (B, L, D)

DAY 9:                                  SORRENTO

After breakfast, spend the day exploring Sorrento on your own. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)

DAY 10:                                SORRENTO – CAPRI

After breakfast, depart on an excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer desti­nations of the Mediterranean. Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Lunch not included. In the afternoon, check in to your hotel in Capri for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 11:                                CAPRI – ROME

After breakfast, spend a leisurely morning exploring Capri. In the afternoon, return to the mainland and depart for Rome. Check in to your hotel for overnight. (B)

DAY 12:                                ROME

After breakfast, end of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

ROME: San Martin Hotel or Diana Roof Garden Hotel

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello

VENICE (MESTRE): Delfino Hotel or Tritone Hotel or Anthony Hotel; or Indigo Sant’ Elena (on venice island if supplement is purchased)

SORRENTO: Michelangelo Hotel or Grand Hotel Vesuvio

CAPRI: Hotel La Bougainville

Includes:

–          Transportation by deluxe motorcoach

–          English speaking tour escort

–          Accommodation in 4 stars hotels

–          Meals as per itinerary

–          Entrance tickets to the archaeological site in Pompeii with “Skip the Line”

–          Entrance tickets to Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica with “Skip the Line”

–          Visit of Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, and Capri with local expert guide 

–          Visit of the Blue Grotto in Capri 

Not Included:

–          Tips

–          Porterage service

–          Drinks

–          Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned

–          City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)

–          Everything that is not mentioned in “Includes”

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.

–          Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          For operational reasons, order of itinerary and/or excursions is subject to change at any time. Optional excursions not specified in our itinerary will be suggested by the tour leader.

–          A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.

–          Venice accommodation is in Mestre on the mainland. A supplement applies for accommodation on Venice island which is to be requested at the time of booking.

–          During peak season, visiting the Blue Grotto in Capri may involve long lines and limited capacity. If access is not possible, or the weather conditions do not allow it, our guides will suggest alternative attractions to ensure a satisfy­ing and memorable tour (e.g. Faraglioni rocks).