| 12 Days ~ Italy ~
Switzerland
Tour
Pace
This is a perfectly paced tour with two night
stays in Rome, Florence, the Italian lakes, Venice and Sorrento and one
night in Assisi. All travelling days are of a reasonable length with
interesting stops en route, for both photography and refreshment.
DAY 1 – FRI –
ROME
Welcome to Rome! You
are met upon arrival at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport and transferred
to your hotel in the 'Eternal City'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure
before joining your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome
Drink. Hotel: Massimo D’Azeglio.
DAY 2 – SAT – ROME
SIGHTSEEING
Get to know Rome with a
guided tour of the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums,
followed by a visit to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Then visit St
Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the
Tiber to enter the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. The afternoon is
free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. As evening falls, stroll
to the elegant Spanish Steps before enjoying a Highlight Dinner, which
includes pasta, wine and music. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 3 – SUN –
ROME – LA SPEZIA
Take the autostrada
northwards through Tuscany, home of the famous Chianti wines, to medieval
Siena, where you can explore narrow cobbled streets lined with palaces and
patrician mansions, and the famous Campo Square. Twice a year, the Palio
horse race takes place here to the accompaniment of great festivities.
Continue to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Meadow of
Miracles', and the 11th century Cathedral and Baptistery. Follow the
Mediterranean coast past the marble quarries of Carrara to your hotel in La
Spezia on the eastern end of the Italian Riviera. Hotel: Jolly. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4– MON –
LA SPEZIA – FLORENCE
Explore the Cinque
Terre, or ‘five villages’, which were for years only accessible by
donkey. Luckily, today you can take the train! A local expert will guide
you around two of the villages, which both retain their charm and
reputation for producing one of Italy’s most sought after and exclusive
wines. Later, head to Florence, city of treasures and cradle of the
Renaissance, for your two night stay. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – TUE
– FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide you
will see the lofty Cathedral and Baptistery, Giotto’s 14th century
Campanile - said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world - the
‘Gates of Paradise’ and Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of
Renaissance sculpture. Afterwards, visit the craftsmen’s area to see the
famous Florentine leather and gold-work, or discover more art treasures
housed in the many museums and galleries. As night falls, consider joining a
Tuscan dinner party. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – WED –
FLORENCE – VENICE
Descend the Apennine
Mountains to reach Ravenna, the ‘City of Mosaics’ and meeting point of
Roman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. At one time Ravenna was the capital
of the Western Roman Empire and a local guide will show you some of the
area’s great artistic treasures and famous buildings. Follow the coastal
road around the Lagoon to reach Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic', and step
back to the 16th century. Hotel: Dei Dogi. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 7 – THU
– VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing by private
launch on Venice's watery ‘streets’ unveils canals lined with ornate
palaces - memories of a Golden Age now long past. Pass the Bridge of Sighs,
named in the last century by Lord Byron, to reach St Mark’s Square,
dominated by its magnificently decorated Basilica, and overlooked by the
great Clock Tower where bronze Moors beat out the hours on a huge bell. See
a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before enjoying a romantic Gondola
Serenade. Spend the evening shopping or cruising out into the Lagoon to try
local fish and wine specialties. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – FRI –
VENICE – CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
Bid farewell to this
enchanting city and take the scenic route along the Brenta Canal, lined
with classical villas by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. See more
of his work in the town of Vicenza, nicknamed ‘Venice on terra firma’.
Walk down the main street, Corso Andrea Palladio, and visit the Piazza dei
Signori before continuing to Bassano del Grappa, which gives its name to
the brandy distilled here. Perhaps try a glass on the covered wooden
bridge designed by Palladio that spans the Brenta River? Journey through
Possagno, birthplace and final resting place of sculptor Antonio Canova,
and then to the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites.
Overnight in the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Hotel: Ancora/Sheraton
Four Points in Bolzano*. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 9 –SAT –
DOLOMITES AT LEISURE
Enjoy the fresh mountain
air and blue skies as you relax in Cortina. Why not ascend to the summit of
one of the nearby peaks by cable car for magnificent Dolomite panoramas? (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 10 – SUN
– CORTINA D’AMPEZZO – ITALIAN LAKES
Time to relax and enjoy
the scenery this morning, or why not take an optional cruise to the
Borromean Islands to visit the exotic gardens? Later, a beautiful drive
takes you along the shores of the lake past splendid villas set in
sub-tropical gardens. Cross into Switzerland and stop awhile in fashionable
Lugano, beautifully located on the shores of its lake amid spectacular
mountains. Time here to stroll in the gardens and browse in the exclusive
shops, before returning to tour hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – MON
– ITALIAN LAKES SIGHTSEEING
Time to relax and enjoy
the scenery this morning, or why not take an optional cruise to the
Borromean Islands to visit the exotic gardens? Later, a beautiful drive
takes you along the shores of the lake past splendid villas set in
sub-tropical gardens. Cross into Switzerland and stop awhile in fashionable
Lugano, beautifully located on the shores of its lake amid spectacular
mountains. Time here to stroll in the gardens and browse in the exclusive
shops, before returning to tour hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – TUE
– DEPART MILAN
The tour ends after
breakfast with transfers to Malpensa Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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