| Country Roads of Italy - Itinerary
|
DAY 1 – SAT – UK –
ROME
Welcome to Rome! After
your scheduled flight to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci
Airport, there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel
at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30hrs. Then there is time to relax and
begin to enjoy La Dolce Vita (the sweet life). Later, join
your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sheraton. |
DAY
9 – SUN – VENICE AT LEISURE
Cruise by private launch
to St Mark’s basin to see the Bridge of Sighs connected to
the Doges’ Palace. Stroll to St Mark’s Square to admire the
Byzantine Basilica, before watching a glass-blowing demonstration.
Enjoy a Highlight gondola ride through the canals. The rest
of the day is at leisure in this remarkable city. (BB) |
DAY 2 – SUN – ROME
- SORRENTO
Visit the formidable Abbey
of Monte Cassino which dominates the surrounding countryside
from its mountain top. Stop at the nearby Commonwealth War
Cemetery before continuing on to Pompeii. Here a local guide
will walk you through the streets of this Roman resort buried
by an eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. A cliff-top drive leads
to Sorrento. Hotel: La Pace. (BB,D) |
DAY
10 – MON – VENICE - FLORENCE
Journey to Florence,
cradle of the Renaissance. On a walking tour, see the marble
clad Cathedral, belltower and the Gates of Paradise on the
Baptistery before continuing to Signoria Square. Visit the
Basilica of Santa Croce to see Michelangelo’s tomb and finish
with a Florentine leatherwork demonstration. Hotel: Sheraton.
(BB,D) |
DAY
3 – MON – AMALFI COASTAL DRIVE
There are plenty of
photo opportunities as you travel along Italy’s finest coastline,
the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced
houses of Positano before boarding minibuses to explore the
heart of the town. There’s time to be tempted by the boutiques
before heading back to Sorrento. Consider dining at one of
Sorrento’s top restaurants. (BB) |
DAY
11 – TUES – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide,
admire some of Michelangelo’s work in the Academy Gallery,
including his original statue of David and the half-completed
Four Slaves. Afterwards, relax, shop or continue sightseeing.
(BB) |
DAY
4 – TUES – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
For 2,000 years, Capri
has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields.
Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri Town
by funicular railway. There is time to browse in the elegant
shops and enjoy the fabulous views. You can also join an optional
excursion to Anacapri before returning to Sorrento. (BB) |
DAY
12 – WED – FLORENCE - CHIANCIANO TERME
A delightful drive leads
to San Gimignano. Admire the Salucci Towers, Chigi Towers
and Cathedral before continuing to Siena. Stroll through the
cobbled streets with a local guide to the Campo Square to
see the ‘Fonte Gaia’, then continue to the zebra-striped cathedral.
Follow the Tuscan country roads to the spa town of Chianciano
Terme. Hotel: Grand. (BB) |
DAY 5 – WED – SORRENTO
- ORVIETO
Travel north to the celebrated wine town of Frascati and continue to Castel Gandolfo to see the Pope’s summer residence. Then to the hilltop town of Orvieto where an orientation tour shows you the Cathedral with its richly decorated façade. Hotel: Aquila Bianca. (BB) |
DAY
13 – THU – MONTEPULCIANO EXCURSION
Visit beautiful Montepulciano,
one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns, its fortifications offering
broad views over Umbria and Southern Tuscany. (BB,D) |
DAY
6 – THU – ORVIETO - ASSISI - PERUGIA
After crossing the River Tiber, arrive at St Mary of the Angels Basilica, erected where St Francis died, before continuing on to hill-top Assisi to visit the Basilica. Stroll down the Via San Francesco to St Clare’s church, then see the Cathedral with its baptismal font where St Francis was christened. Take time to explore or shop before continuing on to the lovely city of Perugia for two nights. Hotel: San Gallo Palace. (BB,D) |
DAY
14 – FRI – CHIANCIAO TERME - ROME
Visit Tarquinia’s Archeological
Museum and view the Etruscan tombs on the return journey to
Rome. The rest of the day is at leisure. Hotel: Cicerone.
(BB) |
DAY
7 – FRI – PERUGIA SIGHTSEEING
This morning a walking tour introduces you to the Exchange Building, Priors’ Palace, Great Fountain and Cathedral. Later there is time at leisure in this beautiful, historic town. (BB) |
DAY
15 – SAT – ROME - SIGHTSEEING
With your guide, visit the vast collection of art in
the Vatican Museums and the exquisite Sistine Chapel. Next door, tour St Peter’s Basilica, seeing
Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pieta. On the opposite side of the Tiber explore ancient Rome as you visit
the Colosseum and see the Forum. There is time in the afternoon to relax or explore. In the evening, enjoy
a last night celebration Highlight Dinner with your new-found friends. (BB,HD) |
DAY
8 – SAT – PERUGIA - VENICE
Travel through the Apennine Mountains to the city of
Ravenna, the meeting point of Roman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. Visit the church of St
Apollinaris in Classe to see the dazzling mosaics, before continuing along the Adriatic coastal plain to
your hotel on the renowned Venice Lido. Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (BB,D) |
DAY
16 – SUN – ROME - UK
The tour ends with transfers arriving Rome’s Fiumicino
Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30hrs. (BB) |
