Highlights of Italy Summer | 11 Days

DAY 1:                                  ROME

Benvenuti a Roma! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel. Hop-on hop-off ticket at disposal. Visit Rome by riding one of the Open-top Hop-on Hop-off Gray Line buses (I Love Rome City Tour) and spot your favourite city landmarks from a different point of view! Our open-top panoramic buses allow you to enjoy a spectacular view of the most iconic monuments of the Eternal City. All you have to do is jump on board and relax, listen to the audio commentary and get on and off at any of the eight stops available along the route. The bus ticket included in the tour will be valid for a day. The bus will make eight stops and will provide you with an on-board audio commentary in 12 languages. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay in Rome.

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 – VENICE

After a delightful breakfast in Florence, we depart for the elegant city of Bologna. Upon arrival, the charming city centre, adorned with its iconic porticos, awaits your free-time exploration. Begin your walking tour at Piazza Malpighi, leading to the heart of the city at Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. Here, you can marvel at the historic Palazzo Podestà as well as the Basilica of San Petronio, the largest Gothic church in the world built with bricks. We will then show you why Bologna is often hailed as Italy’s gastronomic capital as you delve into its vibrant street food scene, which is as rich and diverse as its culinary heritage. Meandering through the city’s medieval streets, you will encounter a delightful array of food stalls and markets, each offering a mouth-watering selection of both traditional and contemporary treats. As you explore the charming alleys and bustling piazzas, you will immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that goes beyond just a meal. With a street food light lunch experience at a local eatery offered by us, this is your chance to savour the authentic flavours and unique dishes that define Bologna’s renowned gastronomic identity. Later in the afternoon, we continue our journey to Venice (Mestre). Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a restful overnight stay. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (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 heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also offers stunning panoramic views and a rich cultural heritage. Lunch in a typical restaurant included. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel. (B, L)

DAY 7:                                  ROME

After breakfast, departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica 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 Basilica 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 in Rome. (B)

DAY 8:                                  ROME – POMPEII – SORRENTO

After breakfast, pick up at your hotel at approximately 7:00am for departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into 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, traveling 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 to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel. Overnight in Sorrento. (B, L, D)

DAY 9:                                  SORRENTO – CAPRI – SORRENTO

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. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return to your hotel in Sorrento for dinner and overnight. (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 our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

ROME: San Martin Hotel, or Diana Roof Garden Hotel, or Bettoja Hotels 

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello

VENICE (MESTRE): Delfino Hotel, or B&B Tronchetto (Venice Tronchetto)

VENICE ISLAND: Hotel Principe, or Hotel Amadeus (on Venice island if supplement is purchased)

SORRENTO: Grand Hotel Vesuvio

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). 

–           Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas within the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. These circumstances are beyond our control.