Highlights of Italy Essentials Summer | Guided Group Tour | 11 Days

DAY 1:                    ROME 

Upon arrival at the airport, make your own way to the hotel to check in and settle into your room. The remainder of the day is at leisure to begin exploring the Eternal City. Overnight in Rome.

DAY 2:                    ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE 

Depart at 7:15 am by a deluxe coach to Assisi, ready to explore at your own leisure. Take your time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Enjoy free time for lunch (lunch not included). 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) 

DAY 3:                    FLORENCE 

Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Free time for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional visit to Pisa, with it’s Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Overnight in Florence. (B) 

DAY 4:                    FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – VENICE 

Travel to Bologna, a city rich in culture and culinary excellence. Walk from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza Maggiore, admiring San Petronio Basilica and the Palazzo del Podestà. Free time for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon, continue to Venice. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (B) 

DAY 5:                    VENICE 

Transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover Venice’s highlights with a guided tour. Visit Doge’s Palace (outside) and cross the Bridge of Sighs. After the visit, enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (B)

DAY 6:                     VENICE – MONTEPULCIANO – ROME 

After breakfast, depart Venice and travel through Tuscany to Montepulciano, a hilltop town known for “Vino Nobile” and stunning views. Upon arrival in Montepulciano, free time to stroll through the historic centre. Overnight in Rome. (B) 

DAY 7:                    ROME 

After breakfast, explore Rome at your own pace. Overnight in Rome. (B)  

DAY 8:                    ROME – POMPEII – SORRENTO 

After breakfast, meet your tour leader and depart by coach at 7:00 a.m. for Pompeii by coach, traveling through the regions of Lazio and Campania.Stop for lunch to enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza before exploring the world-famous archaeological site of Pompeii. With Skip-the-Line access and a guided tour, discover the homes, shops, frescoes, and mosaics of this ancient Roman city, preserved under the ash of Mount Vesuvius since 79 AD. Continue along the scenic Sorrentine Coast to reach Sorrento, where dinner will be served at the hotel (jacket required for men). Overnight in Sorrento. (B, L, D) 

DAY 9:                    SORRENTO  

Breakfast at the hotel and free day to enjoy the charm of Sorrento and its beautiful sea views. Dinner and overnight stay in Sorrento. (B, D) 

DAY 10:                   SORRENTO – ROME 

Breakfast at your hotel. Time at leisure to possibly taste some Limoncello. In the afternoon, at around 4:00 pm, departure back to Rome. Overnight Rome. (B) 

DAY 11:                   ROME 

After breakfast, end of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

ROME: Hotel San Martin, or Hotel Diana Roof Garden  

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello, or Hotel Una Vittoria  

VENICE: Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto area), or Hotel Hampton by Hilton Venice Isola Nuova (Tronchetto area)   

SORRENTO: Grand Hotel Vesuvio 

INCLUDES: 

• 10 nights’ accommodation in a combination of 3 or 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Sightseeing tours in Florence, Venice and Pompeii
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Skip the line ticket to Pompeii

EXCLUDES: 

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless stated otherwise)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Beverages
• Hotel taxes and or service charges
• Everything which is not mentioned in “includes”
• Gratuities

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.
• 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.
• Venice accommodation is in Mestre on the mainland.
• 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).