italy Tours Italian Elegance

Itinerary:

Day 1 Rome  
Arrive into Rome and transfer to your hotel, in the evening join your travel director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.    

Day 2 Rome  
Enjoy a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica with a local expert, before some free time to explore at your leisure. This afternoon, enjoy VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums to view the Papal art collection and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Dinner this evening will be with a curator from the Ethnological Museum among the treasures of the Vatican.    

Day 3 Rome to Monteriggioni  
Drive through the rolling Tuscan hills to Renaissance Florence. Join a local expert for a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery, including Michelangelo’s original statue of David. Visit the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and Baptistery and wander amidst statue masterpieces in Signoria Square, the political heart of the city. Later, relax in a villa retreat for a two night stay in peaceful surroundings.    

Day 4 Monteriggioni  
This morning, explore the medieval cobbled streets of Siena and the famous Piazza del Campo, scene of the Palio Horse Race. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers. Sample some of the world renowned artisan ice cream, before visiting a local winery to sample some Tuscan wine as you travel back to the hotel.    
Day 5 Monteriggioni to Santa Margherita Ligure
Journey through the Chianti hills en route to Pisa and the famous Leaning Tower, where Galileo is said to have conducted his experiments on velocity and gravity and take in the views of the surrounding area. Head to Lucca and try some of the local sweet raisin anise bread at a traditional steam bakery. Continue to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.    

Day 6 Santa Margherita Ligure  
Head to the stunning Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a local expert for a boat ride and historical insight into the five towns, visiting one of the picturesque towns perched on the cliff tops. The afternoon is free to perhaps relax on the beach.  

Day 7 Santa Margherita Ligure to Lake Maggiore  
Enjoy a cruise along the rugged coast this morning to Portofino. After some free time to explore the coloured houses and browse the boutique shops, journey through the stunning Italian Lake District and marvel at the picturesque alpine scenery en route to Lake Maggiore.      

Day 8 Lake Maggiore to Cortina d’Ampezzo  
Head to the beautiful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites taking in the incredible vistas, before arriving in the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.  

Day 9 Cortina d’Ampezzo        
Relax in this mountain paradise, perhaps take a cable car ride for spectacular views or simply wander around the town and while away the day in a café.    

Day 10 Cortina d’Ampezzo to Venice
Leave The Dolomites behind and travel to the romantic city of Venice. Enjoy a private boat cruise through the canals to St Mark’s Square, passing sights such as the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. The afternoon is free to explore this marvellous city at leisure.  

Day 11 Venice  
This morning, visit a traditional arts centre to admire the art of glassblowing before enjoying some free time to explore. Wander the open air markets of the Rialto Bridge and the numerous fascinating back lanes of the city, before a romantic gondola serenade, a highlight of any trip to Venice. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.    

Day 12 Venice  
Say goodbye to Venice with a transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Departs: