Marvellous Italy | Guided Group Tour | 17 Days

DAY 1:                                   ROME   

Upon arrival at Rome Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Make the most of your one-day Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket, offering a unique way to discover Rome’s most iconic landmarks. With eight convenient stops along the route and audio commentary available in 12 languages, you can explore at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy some free time before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Rome.  

DAY 2:                                   ROME    

After breakfast, depart your hotel for a guided tour of Rome’s Archaeological Area. Accompanied by a professional guide and equipped with personal audio receivers, explore the legendary Colosseum, the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre where gladiatorial contests once took place. Continue to Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, before concluding your tour at the Roman Forum, the political, religious and commercial heart of Ancient Rome. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B)

DAY 3:                                   ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE   

After breakfast, depart Rome by deluxe coach and travel to the medieval hill town of Assisi. Visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its remarkable frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, before enjoying lunch. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Siena, famous for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and its historic Palio horse race. Later, journey through the rolling landscapes of Tuscany before arriving in Florence for your overnight stay. (B, L)

DAY 4:                                   FLORENCE     

After breakfast, discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit the magnificent Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of St. John. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, admire Palazzo Vecchio, and visit the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Tuscan restaurant before spending the afternoon at leisure or joining an optional excursion to Pisa. Overnight in Florence. (B, L)

DAY 5:                                   FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – VENICE   

After breakfast, depart Florence for Bologna, a city renowned for its elegant porticoes and exceptional culinary traditions. Explore the historic centre, including Piazza del Nettuno and the magnificent Basilica of San Petronio. Enjoy a light local lunch featuring traditional Bolognese specialities before continuing to Venice for an overnight stay. (B, L)

DAY 6:                                   VENICE    

After breakfast, transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover the highlights of Venice on a guided walking tour. Admire the exterior of Doge’s Palace and cross the iconic Bridge of Sighs before enjoying a traditional Venetian aperitif with a glass of spritz or prosecco accompanied by local cicchetti. Spend the afternoon exploring Venice’s canals, artisan boutiques and hidden laneways at your own pace. Overnight in Venice. (B, L)

DAY 7:                                   VENICE – VERONA – FRANCIACORTA – BERGAMO  

After breakfast, travel to Verona, a city rich in history and romance. Enjoy a guided tour through its Roman ruins, medieval streets and Renaissance architecture, including Juliet’s House and Balcony, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Continue to Franciacorta, celebrated for its prestigious sparkling wines, where you’ll enjoy a light lunch paired with local wines. Afterwards, continue to Bergamo for your overnight stay. (B, L)

DAY 8:                                   BERGAMO – SIRMIONE – DESENZANO DEL GARDA – BERGAMO  

After breakfast, travel to Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. Enjoy a scenic drive along the western shoreline with views of the Brenta Dolomites and Moraine Hills. In Sirmione, take a boat cruise to admire Scaliger Castle and the ancient Grottoes of Catullus before enjoying free time for lunch. Continue to Desenzano del Garda, known for its elegant lakeside promenade and historic centre. Return to Bergamo for dinner and your overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 9:                                   BERGAMO – COMO – BELLAGIO – MILAN  

 After breakfast, visit Como, famous for its spectacular lakeside setting and Alpine backdrop. Board a boat across Lake Como to the elegant village of Bellagio, renowned for its charming streets, grand villas and beautiful gardens. Enjoy free time to explore before taking the ferry to Cadenabbia, where your driver will meet you for the journey to Milan. Overnight in Milan. (B)

DAY 10:                                 MILAN – ST. MORITZ (BERNINA EXPRESS) – MILAN  

After breakfast, travel to St. Moritz, where you’ll have free time to explore this elegant Swiss Alpine resort. Later, board the spectacular Bernina Express for one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Travel across the Bernina Pass, passing dramatic mountain landscapes, alpine villages and breathtaking scenery before arriving in Tirano. Your driver will then return you to Milan for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 11:                                 MILAN  

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Milan before meeting your local guide for an afternoon walking tour. Begin at Porta Venezia, continue along Corso Venezia, and stroll through the Giardini Indro Montanelli past the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Admire the exterior of the world-famous Teatro alla Scala and the magnificent Milan Cathedral (Duomo) before concluding at Castello Sforzesco. Finish the tour with a traditional Italian aperitivo before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Milan. (B)

DAY 12:                                 MILAN – PESCHIERA DEL GARDA – TRENTO – KALTERN – BOLZANO  

After breakfast, depart Milan and travel to Peschiera del Garda, a picturesque town on the southern shores of Lake Garda. Continue to Trento, where you’ll admire the impressive Castello del Buonconsiglio and the historic Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Following free time for lunch, journey along Italy’s oldest wine route through the vineyards of South Tyrol to Kaltern (Caldaro), renowned for its scenic lake and exceptional wines. Continue to Bolzano for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 13:                                 BOLZANO – MERANO – VIPITENO – BOLZANO   

After breakfast, travel to the elegant spa town of Merano, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and Alpine setting. Explore the charming historic centre before enjoying free time for lunch. Continue to the medieval town of Vipiteno, where colourful buildings, historic streets and mountain scenery create a quintessential South Tyrolean atmosphere. Return to Bolzano to discover the city’s highlights, including the Gothic Bolzano Cathedral (Duomo) and the bustling Via dei Portici, lined with arcaded shops and cafés. Enjoy the evening at leisure before your overnight stay. (B) 

DAY 14:                                 BOLZANO – BRESSANONE – BRUNICO – CORTINA   

After breakfast, depart Bolzano for Bressanone, one of South Tyrol’s oldest towns, renowned for its beautifully preserved historic centre and impressive Bressanone Cathedral. Continue to Brunico, where colourful medieval streets and views towards Kronplatz showcase the region’s Alpine charm. Later, visit the breathtaking Lake Braies, one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites, or Lake Anterselva if conditions prevent access to Lake Braies. Continue to Cortina d’Ampezzo, for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 15:                                 CORTINA – LAKE MISURINA – LAKE DOBBIACO – SAN VITO DI CADORE – CORTINA  

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic exploration of the magnificent Dolomites surrounding Cortina d’Ampezzo. Take in panoramic mountain views, including the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, before visiting Lake Misurina, the region’s largest natural lake. Continue to the emerald waters of Lake Dobbiaco, then travel to the charming Alpine village of San Vito di Cadore, nestled beneath the dramatic peaks of Mount Antelao and Mount Pelmo. Return to Cortina for free time before dinner and your overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 16:                                 CORTINA – BASSANO DEL GRAPPA – MILAN  

After breakfast, travel to Bassano del Grappa, a charming town at the foot of the Venetian Prealps, renowned for its rich history and traditional craftsmanship. Stroll through its cobbled streets, admiring medieval towers and elegant Venetian palaces before visiting the iconic Ponte degli Alpini, designed by Andrea Palladio and spanning the Brenta River. Continue to the Grappa Museum, where you’ll discover the history and production of Italy’s famous spirit, followed by a guided tasting. Later, continue to Milan for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 17:                                 MILAN   

After breakfast, departure transfer to Milan Airport. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

ROME: Hotel St. Martin, or Hotel Diana Roof Garden  

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello, or Hotel Una Vittoria  

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

BERGAMO: Hotel Cappello D’Oro  

MILAN: Hotel Concorde, or Hotel Ramada Plaza  

CORTINA: B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina  

BOLZANO: Stadt Hotel  

INCLUDES: 

• 16 nights’ accommodation in a combination of 3 and 4* hotels
• Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day of tour
• Meals as per itinerary
• Guided sightseeing tours in Florence, Venice, Milan and Verona
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Rome hop-on hop-off panoramic bus ticket
• Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with “Skip the line” tickets
• Boat transfer on Lake Como and Lake Garda
• Bernina Express ride
• Local food experiences
• Wine tasting

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
• Tips
• Everything which 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.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore, coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• If the minimum participant requirement is not met, the bus will operate with two tour leaders, with at least one guaranteed to speak English only.