DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Venice
Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend you to select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Boat Ride to Murano, Tour of Venice
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. Visit a local factory to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice Island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark's Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments, the pink marble Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and golden Basilica of San Marco. The Doge's Palace was the official residence of the Venetian ruler. The Bridge of Sighs offers one of the most notable scenes of this romantic city. Marvel at the golden Basilica of San Marco, that is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or to participate in this afternoon's optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water
Optional: Gondola Ride (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Tour Lucca en route to Montecatini
Magnificent panoramas are waiting for you today as you travel through the rolling Tuscan countryside dotted with olive and fig trees. With its massive 17th century walls that completely surround the city, Lucca is a jewel of medieval architecture. Walk along the winding streets of the original Roman grid revealing layers of history at every turn. Arrive at the Church of San Michele adorned by its beautiful piazza, occupying the site of the ancient Roman Forum. Continue to Montecatini
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Tuesday - Full Day in Montecatini
Spend a full day at leisure to explore Montecatini and its surroundings on your own, or take an optional tour to the spectacular Cinque Terre*, one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria region. Here the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises five small villages, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea and the surrounding hillsides. Marvel at the scenic coastline while exploring the villages and the beautiful vistas. This active walking tour covers a fair amount of ground facing uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Trains and/or boats will be the means of transportation between the towns
*Exact tour itinerary & operation of the tour is subject to weather conditions and group size and will be advised locally
Optional: Cinque Terre Tour
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Wednesday - Full Day in Montecatini
Explore Montecatini on your own today, or join the optional full day excursion to the enchanting medieval city of Siena that sits elegantly over three hills. The heart of the city is the stunning Piazza del Campo, the huge central plaza where the Roman Forum used to be. It is now the site of the famous Palio horse race, that takes place twice every summer to celebrate the holy apparition and assumption of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the city. Tour Campo Square before returning to Montecatini. This evening, indulge in the Tuscan atmosphere, and its food and wines with dinner
Optional: Full Day Siena Tour from Montecatini
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Excursion to Florence
Today, travel to Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence, to view the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto's Bell Tower. Proceed to the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, and admire the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, former residence of the Medici family before continuing to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, the "Old Bridge."* Spend time on your own in the afternoon to visit museums, shop for gold and quality leather before returning to Montecatini
*Entrance fees are not included to the museums of Florence. Should you wish to visit on your own, free time is allotted between 1pm-3pm
Overnight: Montecatini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - Travel to the Sunny South
Depart Montecatini, driving south. Along the way, stop for lunch in the hills of Lazio. Then, continue on to the Gulf of Naples, where you are welcomed by spectacular panoramic views and sapphire blue waters
Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9, Saturday - The Gorgeous Amalfi Drive
The rugged Amalfi Coast, with its dramatic landscapes and amazing panoramas, is one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Along the road, famous for its narrow curves and hairpin bends, you'll see enchanting villages, cliffs terraced with lemon groves, whitewashed villas and sparkling turquoise seas. Drive by Positano and stop in Amalfi, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to spend time at leisure in town. Return to Sorrento and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure
Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Sunday - Full Day in Sorrento
A day at leisure awaits, in picturesque Sorrento, strikingly beautiful with its seaside setting and soaring cliffs plunging into the sea. Don't miss the optional full day tour to the enchanting and picturesque Isle of Capri by boat. Here, you'll walk through the narrow lanes of Anacapri, with its chic boutiques and shops offering tastings of the island's famous limoncello. Then continue on to La Piazzetta, where everyone gathers to socialize, and to the Gardens of Augustus, a natural paradise, from where you can see splendid views of the sea and the famous Faraglioni rock formations, one of the island's natural wonders. After a lovely day in Capri, return to Sorrento in time for dinner
Optional: Full Day Capri
Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Monday - Visit Pompeii en route to Rome
Depart Sorrento and head towards Rome. On the way, visit Pompeii, the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Walk through the original sloping streets of Pompeii and view the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape beside their children and dogs. Marvel at the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter as well as the Forum. Continue north towards Rome, at a distance you can view the magnificent Abbey of Monte Cassino perched high on the mountaintop (weather permitting). This was the scene of a huge battle near the end of World War II during which the abbey was completely destroyed, but has now been restored. The rest of the day is at leisure after checking in to your hotel in Rome or join the optional dinner with musical entertainment and a scenic drive through Rome, taking in the breathtaking sights of the Eternal City
Optional: Dinner with Entertainment and Scenic Drive of Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Tuesday - Full day in Rome
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City's grand piazzas that includes the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, view of the Pantheon, and the Baroque Piazza Navona. Tonight, explore on your own and choose one of the numerous restaurants offering delicious local cuisine
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entrances are not included. Should you wish to visit on your own, free time is allotted after 1PM
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (AM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Wednesday - Tour Ancient Rome
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins with a walk along the uneven and irregular paths of the Roman Forum, the original central plaza of the city from which ancient Rome developed. Next, view the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City. On to view the outside of the mighty Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire that seated over 50,000, where gladiatorial contests and public events were attended by the rich, the poor and by the Emperor himself. Discover the delights of Rome this afternoon on your own. Tonight, join your Tour Manager for a cocktail at the hotel
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Thursday - Depart Italy
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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