| Tour Pace
As the name suggests,
this tour has been designed to showcase the historic cities of northern and
central Italy in a relaxed & leisurely manner, with three day stays in each
fascinating city.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE
MILAN
Welcome to Italy! On
arrival at Malpensa airport there are complimentary transfers
to the tour hotel at 09.00 and 12.30. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Tonight, before dinner, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour
Director. Hotel: Star Hotel Ritz. (Dinner)
DAY 2 – MILAN
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing this morning
includes the magnificent Milan Cathedral, its marble facade
bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! We see the massive
Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre
too, before free time to explore on our own. (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 3 – MILAN AT
LEISURE
Today is at leisure to
relax or perhaps continue sightseeing? Why not take an optional excursion to
the nearby, scenic Italian Lake District? (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 4 – MILAN –
VENICE
We head east to pretty
Verona, Roman city and gateway to the Alps. We see the Arena
built over 1900 years ago and walk through the old narrow streets to the
courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet's balcony. Then on
to Venice, glorious city of bridges, palaces and gondolas. Hotel:
Continental. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 – VENICE
SIGHTSEEING
We cruise to St
Mark's Square by private launch to see the ornate Basilica.
We also admire the Doges' Palace and adjoining Bridge of
Sighs. Later we visit a glass showroom to see a traditional
craftsman at work. Now the rest of the day is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 6 – VENICE AT
LEISURE
A day to drink in the
unique atmosphere of this wonderful city! Maybe explore the treasures of the
Academy Museum, browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge or sit a while
at a canal side café with a glass of local wine? (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 7 – VENICE –
FLORENCE
Leaving Venice we follow
the smooth highway across the valley of the river Po and into the wild
Apennines. We soon reach the Renaissance city of Florence. Our sightseeing
with a local guide shows us the statue of ‘David’ in the Academy Gallery. We
continue to see the Duomo, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Signoria Square,
political stage of the Florentines. Our last stop is the Basilica of Santa
Croce which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. Now on to our
hotel.
Hotel: Croce di Malta. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAYS 8 & 9 –
FLORENCE AT LEISURE
Two whole days to enjoy
this beautiful city! Maybe take an optional excursion to see the Leaning
Tower of Pisa or the unique and beautiful Cinqueterre region? Perhaps visit
San Gimignano to admire the picturesque Salucci Towers? Or why not dedicate
a day to shopping for leather and gold products? The choice is yours!
(Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 10 – FLORENCE
– ROME
We travel through the
vineyards of the Chianti region en route to Assisi. A chance
to visit the tomb of St Francis and the frescoes of
Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the Tiber
valley towards the 'Eternal City', Rome. Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace.
(Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 11 – ROME
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with our
local guide begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums where we see
Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Next, we visit
St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. This
afternoon we are free to shop or relax. (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 12 – ROME AT
LEISURE
A day to explore Rome at
our own pace. Perhaps spend some time in the designer stores of the Spanish
Steps, visit the well preserved Pantheon or sip a cappuccino in the Piazza
Navona - the 'Living Room of Rome'. This evening, we toss a coin into
the illuminated Trevi Fountain before enjoying a typically Roman dinner in a
local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – ROME
Our tour ends today.
Transfers from the hotel arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci
Airport at 07.00 and 09.30 hrs. (Buffet Breakfast)
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