Highlights of Italy Essentials Winter | 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 its 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, depart your hotel at approximately 7:00 am and travel south through the picturesque Italian countryside, with a short stop along the way, to the ancient city of Pompeii, nestled at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring remarkably preserved streets, homes, temples, frescoes and mosaics that offer a fascinating insight into daily life in ancient Rome before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. After your visit, continue to the charming coastal town of Sorrento. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento. (B, D)

DAY 9:                    SORRENTO 

After breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure to explore the charming town of Sorrento, or choose to join an optional excursion to the beautiful island of Capri (not included). Dinner and overnight in Sorrento. (B, D)

DAY 10:                   SORRENTO – ROME 

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Sorrento before your afternoon transfer to Pompeii, where you will join the coach for the return journey to Rome. Arrive in Rome in the late afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in 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)

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

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.
• Due to seasonal hotel closures in Sorrento, accommodation may be provided in a nearby town or in a 3-star hotel. Every effort will be made to ensure a comfortable stay and the best available accommodation.