Art Cities & Tuscany Summer | 5 Days

DAY 1:                                   ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE

Make your own way to the hotel St. Martin. 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. (D)

DAY 2:                                   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 3:                                   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 4:                                   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 5:                                   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, where the tour ends. End of services. (B, L)

Accommodation (or similar):

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello

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

Includes:

–          Transportation by deluxe motorcoach

–          English speaking tour escort

–          Accommodation in 4 stars hotels

–          Meals as per itinerary

–          Visit of Florence and Venice with local expert guide 

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.