| Grand Tour of Italy and Sicily - Itinerary
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DAY 1 – SAT – UK –
ROME
After your scheduled
flight to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there
are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel at 09.30, 12.30
& 15.30 hours. Relax on the Via Veneto or stroll the Piazza
Navona before joining your Tour Director and fellow travellers
for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Cicerone. |
DAY
9 – SUN – SORRENTO - ASSISI
Drive north into Umbria
and continue to the walled town of Assisi, spread across the
slopes of Monte Subasio. Stroll through the narrow streets
and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes
by Giotto before spending the afternoon at leisure. The energetic
can climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley.
Hotel: Windsor Savoia. (BB,D) |
DAY 2 – SUN – ROME
- SIGHTSEEING
Tour St Peter’s Basilica,
seeing the Popes’ Altar by Bernini. Now visit the Colosseum,
scene of great entertainment in Imperial times and overlook
the Roman Forum. Time at leisure this afternoon. (BB) |
DAY
10 – MON – ASSISI - VENICE
Visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built to
commemorate the site where St Francis died. Then a beautiful drive brings us through the wild
Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic coastal plain. Drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its
magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility, to the romantic city of
Venice, where your hotel overlooks the Grand Canal. Hotel: Continental. (BB,D) |
DAY
3 – MON – ROME - OVERNIGHT FERRY
Meet your local guide
for a sightseeing tour of the priceless art in the Vatican
Museums before admiring Michelangelo’s amazing ceiling in
the Sistine Chapel. Drive through vine-covered hills to visit
the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino. Stop at
Pompeii, where a local expert will guide you around the excavations
of the city, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Drive through
the city of Naples before boarding an overnight ferry to Sicily.
(BB) |
DAY
11 – TUES – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Relax and enjoy the
scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark’s Square.
See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges’ Palace to the
prisons. See the ornate St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a
demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. To truly appreciate
this unique city, step aboard your gondola to glide along
the peaceful canals. Now you are at leisure. Why not cruise
to Burano Island for a delicious seafood meal? (BB) |
DAY
4 – TUES – PALERMO - AGRIGENTO
Arrive in the early
morning in Palermo where a guided tour will show you the cathedral,
the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel and the magnificent Monreale.
Then it’s off to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento,
considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. See the impressive
Temple of Concord and Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea.
Hotel: Jolly della Valle. (BB,D) |
DAY
12 – WED – VENICE - FLORENCE
Cross the fertile valley
of the river Po before heading into the Apennines to the Tuscan
capital, Florence. A guided tour takes you to the original
‘Statue of David’ inside the Academy Gallery. Walk to the
Cathedral to see Giotto’s Belltower and the ‘Gates of Paradise’
before continuing to Signoria Square, adorned with statues
and fountains, before visiting the basilica of Santa Croce,
where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leatherwork
demonstration before enjoying some time at leisure. Hotel:
Sheraton. (BB,D) |
DAY 5 – WED – AGRIGENTO
- GIARDINI NAXOS
Travel into the heart
of Sicily to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, noted for the
mosaics which cover almost the entire floor. Descend to the
east coast and follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera
to Giardini Naxos. Hotel: Sant Alphio. (BB,d) |
DAY
13 – THU – FLORENCE - AT LEISURE
A whole day is set
aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of
the Italian Renaissance. Take an excursion to see the Leaning
Tower of Pisa or indulge in a delicious local meal with rich
Chianti wine. (BB) |
DAY
6 – THU – TAORMINA EXCURSION
Tour the hillside town
of Taormina. Founded in 400 BC, Taormina is beautifully located,
facing the snowy peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre
before free time to explore the sub-tropical terraced gardens,
or stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for
panoramic views across the bay. Return to Giardini Naxos where
the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB,D) |
DAY
14 – FRI – FLORENCE - ROME
Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive
groves to Siena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the vast
Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. See the Town Hall, Della Quercia's ‘Fountain
of Joy’, and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome for a last night celebration
Highlight Dinner with pasta and music.Hotel: Marriott Park. (BB,HD) |
DAY
7 – FRI – GIARDINI NAXOS – SORRENTO
Drive to Messina to
board the ferry back to the Italian mainland. Continuing north
past Salerno, take the cliff-top road to Sorrento. Hotel:
Parco del Sole. (BB) |
DAY
15 – SAT – ROME - UK
The tour ends after breakfast. Transfers from the tour hotel
arrive Rome Airport at 07.00 & 09.30hrs. (BB) |
DAY
8 – SAT – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
See the art of ‘intarsio’,
or marquetry wood inlaying, before cruising to the island
of Capri. A funicular train takes you up to Capri town to
spend time browsing the shops and admiring the Mediterranean
views. Perhaps visit Anacapri before returning to Sorrento.
(BB,D) |
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