| Day 1 Arrive Rome (2 nights) |
| Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. After checking into your
hotel, you will have time to relax and unwind before meeting
with your Tour Director in the afternoon. This evening why
not take a stroll around this fascinating city and admire
the beautiful squares and fountains by night.
Hotel: Carlo Magno |
| Day 2
Rome sightseeing & at leisure |
| We have an included sightseeing tour with a local guide this
morning who introduces us to this ancient city. The
highlight of the tour is the visit to the awe-inspiring St.
Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Then we cross the
Tiber River to enjoy views of the Forum and the iconic
Colosseum, the scene of gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome.
Later we have time at leisure to explore the city further or
maybe to take an optional excursion to see the catacombs,
the underground burial places of the early Christians, or
maybe to drive out of Rome to visit the splendid Tivoli
Gardens with their unique and elaborate fountains. (Buffet
breakfast) |
| Day 3 Rome
- Venice (Oriago) (2 nights) |
| This morning we head north from Rome following the upper
Tiber valley until we reach the region of Umbria with its
gentle hills and fields of bright yellow sunflowers. We see
several of the medieval towns which cling to the top of
these former volcanic hills, including Orvieto, former
stronghold of the popes, and Orte, which lies just a short
distance from the highway. Then we enter Tuscany with its
unique landscape, so admired by generations of artists,
which features the silver grey olive groves and clusters of
dark green cypress trees. From here we climb through the
forested Apennine Mountains, known as the spine of Italy,
and descend on to the flat plain of the River Po, which we
cross to reach the magical city of Venice, set in the
lagoon. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Il Burchiello |
| Day 4
Venice sightseeing & at leisure |
| We start with a cruise by vaporetto to the heart of Venice,
St. Mark’s Square. On the way we have the chance to savour
the sights and sounds of this unique floating city where all
services must be provided either by water or on foot. On
arrival we can marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, immortalized
by Lord Byron, the magnificent and ornate Doge’s Palace and
the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark adorned with colourful
glass mosaics. We have the opportunity to watch a
demonstration of the ancient craft of glass-blowing, which
originated on the Island of Murano. Then time at leisure to
explore this fascinating city or maybe to take a trip across
the lagoon to the fishermen’s Island of Burano where we can
enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast /
Dinner) |
| Day 5
Venice (Oriago) - Verona - Florence (2 nights) |
| Our day starts with a drive to the home of Shakespeare’s
star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, in Verona. We see
Verona’s answer to the Colosseum, the vast Roman Arena,
where concerts are still held every summer as part of the
Verona Music Festival. Then we walk on to see Juliet’s
balcony with memories of the famous scene from Romeo and
Juliet in our minds. Time to explore further before we drive
through the gastronomic region of Emilia Romagna on our way
to the beautiful region of Tuscany and its magnificent
capital city Florence, which witnessed the birth of the
Renaissance. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Relais Certosa |
| Day 6
Florence sightseeing & at leisure |
| Our morning sightseeing tour on foot with a local guide
shows us the baptistery, which is renowned for its carved
bronze doors, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
which is constructed with many different shades of coloured
marble, the impressive bell tower designed by Giotto, the
Piazza Signoria, which is now an outdoor art gallery, and
the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial place of
Michelangelo and many other great figures of the
Renaissance, including Galileo. We enjoy a demonstration of
fine leatherwork before we have time to explore further,
sample the delicious local ice cream or shop for high
quality leather goods and 18-carat gold jewellery. (Buffet
breakfast) |
| Day 7
Florence - Assisi - Rome |
| This morning we embark on a drive that will take us back to
the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, which lies
perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio and overlooks the
peaceful Umbrian landscape. This city, under the protection
of St. Francis, is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Here
we have time to visit the great basilica and see the saint’s
tomb, and later we see the Basilica of St Mary of the
Angels, built on the site of where St. Francis died. Later
we travel southwards back to Rome, the Eternal City, and
this evening, we must remember to throw a coin or two in the
wonderful Trevi fountain to ensure that we return to this
unique city one day! (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Prime Hotel Cassia |
| Day 8
Depart Rome |
| Today we must bid farewell to our Tour Director and
new-found friends and say ‘arrivederci Roma’ as our Italian
holiday comes to an end and we return home with many
wonderful memories. (Buffet breakfast) |
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