| 15 Days ~ Italy ~
Sicily ~ San Marino
Tour
Pace
An evenly paced tour with two night stays in
five of the seven cities, with overnights in Assisi and Agrigento. The
majority of the driving days are of reasonable length and with frequent
stops, often with great photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SAT –
ROME AT LEISURE
On arrival at Rome’s
Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to
your tour hotel. 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 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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE –
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: Dioscuri Palace. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
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. (Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
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. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
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. (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
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. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 10 – MON –
ASSISI – VENICE
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? (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE –
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? (Buffet breakfast)
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. (Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
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.(Buffet breakfast)
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.
Stop by the Spanish Steps before enjoying a Highlight farewell dinner with
pasta and music. Hotel: Sheraton (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 15 – SAT –
ROME
Our memorable tour ends
today with a transfer to Rome Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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