| 16 Days ~ Italy ~
San Marino
Tour Pace
This tour is well paced with an exceptional
three night stay in Sorrento at the start of the tour and two night stays in
all other cities except Orvieto. The majority of the driving days are not
too long with convenient stops at places of interest along the way, for both
refreshment and sightseeing.
DAY 1 – SAT –
ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome! On
arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are
complimentary transfers to the tour hotel. 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 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. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE –
ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – THU –
ORVIETO – 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. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 7 – FRI –
ASSISI EXCURSION
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. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SAT –
PERUGIA – VENICE
A delightful mountain
drive takes you through the heart of the Apennines to the independent
Republic of San Marino, couched within medieval ramparts at the top of a
dramatic cliff. Explore the old town, and perhaps shop at duty-free
prices, before continuing to the renowned Venice Lido. Hotel: Mabapa.
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE
– 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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
DAY 14 – FRI
– CHIANCIANO 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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. As night falls, visit the Piazza di
Spagna dominated by the majestic Spanish Steps before a Highlight Dinner
with wine. (Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 16 – SUN
– ROME
The tour ends with
transfers to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (Buffet
breakfast) |
