Discover the best of Italy on this highlights tour. Begin amid the canals of Venice, hike through the charming towns of the Cinque Terre, soak up beauty and history in Florence and wind up in the piazzas of Rome. With plenty of free time for independent exploration and the freedom to discover Italy’s history and culture at your own pace, there’s no better way to visit one of the most beloved countries in the world.

Tour program

Day 1: Tuesday: Venice

Arrival at Venice airport. Private transfer to the hotel. Meet the rest of the participants. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Wednesday: Venice – Murano – Burano - Venice

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Today we will first enjoy a walking tour of the Serenissima: one of the most beautiful cities in the World among Italian Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Venice historic center is situated in the middle of a lagoon, with a total of 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges for pedestrian use only. We will walk through beautiful monuments (exterior visits) as Palazzo Ducale, the famous Bridge of Sights, the tour will continue discovering the beauty of Venice, with the Basilica of San Marco (exterior visit). Lunch at leisure.
In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to the Lagoon islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello which are the traditional destination among the islands located in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedectine church designed by Andrea Palladio and built between 1566 and 1610, the public Gardens, the tip of Sant´Elena and the Lido (the famous beach resort), the boat arrives at Murano known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here there is a stop to visit one of the factories. The second stop is on the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for its fishermen´s houses painted in bright colors. Then, after a short sail, you will reach the quiet and sparsely populated island of Torcello, the first centre of civilization in the estuary. Only the Cathedral of "Santa Maria Assunta" with its magnificent mosaics and the church of "Santa Fosca" remain the testimony of its former glory. Dinner and overnight

Day 3: Thursday: Venice – Florence

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to Florence. Lunch at leisure. Once in the city, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour: The walking tour begins at the Piazza San Firenze; home of the Bargello and the Tribunale Fiorentino, once a church and convent complex and now home to the Florence courts.You´ll walk first to the Church of Santa Croce, home to many well-known masterpieces and burial place of some of Italy´s most important personages. Next you´ll arrive at Piazza Signoria, the heart of the city of Florence since ancient times. It is famous for Neptune´s Fountain, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lovely Piazzale degli Uffizi as well as the famous Ponte Vecchio. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Friday: Florence – Cinque Terre – Pisa - Florence

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Today enjoy a marvelous excursion to one of the most famous area in Italy: Cinque Terre. (Weather conditions permitting, departure to Portovenere. In case of bad weather, we will stop in La Spezia and do the visit to Cinque Terre by train) : here embark on a regular ferry which will bring us to Monterosso, the largest town among the Cinque Terre. Your tour leader will guide you through the terraced vineyards, the ancient olive groves and the spectacular panoramic views. Then depart to the charming town of Vernazza, characterized by its narrow streets and small square looking out over the sea. Then back to Portovenere. Back to Florence but first we will do a stop in Pisa to admire (exterior visits) the famous Leaning Tower. Arrive in Florence. Dinner and overnight.
(Part of the trip is done by ferry but if weather conditions are not good, the visit will be done by train). Accordingly to the time at disposal, the meteorological conditions, we guarantee the visit to only one of the indicated villages in the Cinque Terre: Vernazza or Monterosso

Day 5: Saturday: Florence – Siena – San Gimignano - Florence

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to the medieval city of Siena. Walking tour of the city including (exterior visits) : the Cathedral, admiring the unique marble, the Piazza del Campo, the famed site of the Palio di Siena, the horse races held twice a year. Afterward, soak up some free time to continue exploring independently or to purchase lunch. In the afternoon, depart to the walled medieval city of San Gimignano. Resting on the top of a hill, explore the area’s impressive Romanesque and Gothic architecture, frescoes, towers and more. Back to Florence. Dinner and overnight

Day 6: Sunday: Florence – Chianti area - Assisi – Rome

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to the famous Chianti area where apart admiring the famous Tuscany countryside, we will be able to do a wine tasting (to be paid locally). Continue to Assisi: famous pilgrimage site. Stroll the maze of medieval streets, and visit the Basilicas of Santa Chiara and St. Francis to see one of Italy’s largest collections of church art. Depart to Rome. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Monday: Rome

Buffet breakfast at hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport.

DEPARTURE DATES

MARCH: 24
APRIL: 07, 21 and 28
MAY: 05, 12, 19 and 26
JUNE: 09, 16 and 30
JULY: 14
AUGUST: 25
SEPTEMBER: 08, 15, 22 and 29
OCTOBER: 06, 13 and 20

What´s included:

- 6 nights HB in selected 4* (or 3* - according to your choice) hotels
- Tourist taxes
- Transportation from the nearest point of your hotel to Venice central parking
- Half day excursion to Murano and Burano by ferry
- Cinque Terre ferry from Portovenere to Monterosso and Vernazza (weather conditions permitting.
- Transportation on deluxe motor-coach
- Panoramic visits (no local guides) except for the visits to Venice and Florence
- English local guides for visits in Venice and Florence

Rate doesn’t include:

- Flights
- Beverages during meals
- Entrance fees
- Tips and personal extras
- Porterage
- Anything else not mentioned in the “What´s included” section

SELECTED HOTELS

4*

Venice    : Hotel All’Angelo  / Hotel Bonvecchiati / Hotel Santa Chiara s  / Hotel Continental
                      IN SOME EXCEPTIONAL CASES, THE HOTEL MAY BE IN MESTRE
Florence    : Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli / Hotel Kraft / Hotel C-Hotels
Rome    : Hotel Donna Laura Palace / Massimo d’Azeglio / Hotel Cicerone

3*

Venice    : Hotel Il Mercante di Venezia / Hotel Universo & Nord / Hotel Nazionale
                      IN SOME EXCEPTIONAL CASES, THE HOTEL MAY BE IN MESTRE
Florence    : Hotel Meridiana / Hotel B&B Firenze City Center/ Hotel Delle Nazioni
Rome    : Hotel Rome Garden  / Hotel Nord Nuova  / Hotel Regio