| 13 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 – ROME AT
LEISURE
Welcome to Rome, one of
the greatest centres of Western Civilisation, thickly studded with ancient
monuments. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport,
there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Relax or spend the
rest of the day exploring this wonderful city. As evening falls, join your
Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Grand
Ritz/Grand Hotel Palatino.
DAY 2 – ROME
SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide,
visit the Vatican Museums, the treasure house of the Catholic faith with
vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art. Continue to the Sistine
Chapel, a masterpiece of Michelangelo’s fresco skills. Then enter St
Peter’s Basilica to see Bernini’s ‘Popes’ Altar’ above the spot
where St Peter is reputed to have been crucified. Afterwards, cross the
River Tiber to ancient classical Rome and visit the world’s largest
Roman arena, the Colosseum, the scene of many gladiatorial contests, and
overlook the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. The afternoon sees
time set aside for sightseeing at your own pace. As night falls, why not
enjoy a night out with splendid Italian food and wine. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – ROME –
FLORENCE
Travel north to the
picturesque medieval town of Siena and stroll through its cobbled streets
to the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place amid
great festivities. See the ‘Fountain of Joy’ and then walk up to the
black and white striped cathedral. After some free time, continue
through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence.
Hotel: Sheraton
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – FLORENCE
SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour takes you
inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s original statue of
David, then continue to the Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and the
‘Gates of Paradise’ adorning the Baptistery. Visit the political stage
of Florence, Signoria Square, filled with works of art, and finally see
the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in Santa Croce Basilica. After
watching a leatherwork demonstration, you have spare time to shop or
continue sightseeing. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – FLORENCE
– ITALIAN LAKES
Travel to Pisa to see the
famous Leaning Tower, the white marble cathedral and Baptistery before
heading north to Milan to admire the Gothic Cathedral and famous La Scala
Opera House. After some time here, head to the beautiful Italian Lake
District for a two-night stay at a lakeside holiday resort on Lake Maggiore.
Hotel: Simplon/Splendid. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 – ITALIAN
LAKES AT LEISURE
The day is set aside to
relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights this beautiful lakeland area has to
offer. Why not take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque
Borromean Islands? (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 7 – ITALIAN
LAKES – VENICE
Briefly enter Switzerland
to visit the mountain ringed resort of Lugano. Take time to stroll by the
lake’s shores and shop for watches or fine chocolate. Continue to Verona
to see Juliet’s balcony and the ancient Roman Arena. Then it’s off to
romantic Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'. Hotel: Continental / Sant'Elena /
Bellini. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 8 – VENICE
SIGHTSEEING
What better way to see
Venice than from our private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to
St Mark’s Square? See the Basilica, the Doges’ Palace and Bridge of
Sighs. Watch a demonstration of glass-blowing before enjoying a highlight
ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals. Spend time at
leisure exploring at your own pace. As night falls, why not enjoy a
traditional Venetian dinner with music? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – VENICE –
ASSISI
Skirt the Venetian Lagoon
and cross two of Italy’s most important rivers, the Adige and Po, before
approaching the city of Ravenna. Stop to visit the Church of St Apollinaris
in Classe with its dazzling mosaics. Then the scenery changes dramatically
as you drive through the Apennines to Assisi to see the Church of St Mary of
the Angels and enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis.
Hotel: Grand Hotel. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 10 – ASSISI –
SORRENTO
Drive past the vineyards
of Frascati and Castelli Romani to the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow
of the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino. Continue along the cliff tops
to the picturesque holiday resort of Sorrento, which bustles with life until
late each night. Hotel: Corallo / Crowne Plaza di Stabiae (Pozzano). (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – ISLE OF
CAPRI EXCURSION
Visit Sorrento’s Piazza
Tasso and watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the
island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time
to explore before returning to Sorrento. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 12 – SORRENTO
– ROME
Drive to the ancient
Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius
in AD79, and walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore
some of the shops, villas and temples. Return to Rome where you stroll to
the Spanish Steps before your Highlight farewell dinner including pasta,
wine and music. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters/Tiberio. (Buffet breakfast, Specialty
Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – ROME
Our memorable tour ends
this morning after breakfast, with a complimentary transfer
to Rome Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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