BEST OF ITALY

Tour Duration: 11 days

DAY 1 – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – ROME AT LEISURE

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with Classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. After checking in, there’s time at leisure to explore or relax. Spend time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso or the elegant designer stores of the Via Condotti. As night falls, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters.

DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy an indepth sightseeing tour with a local guide who will take you inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. Also see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Tour St Peter’s Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pieta’, then cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests. After seeing the Roman Forum, the rest of the day is yours to relax, sightsee or shop. (BB)

DAY 4 – ROME – ASSISI

Leave Rome and follow the valley of the River Tiber to the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. Your destination is the peaceful hill–top town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. Visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of the original Porziuncule Chapel foundations, then continue up Mount Subasio to the town and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. Hotel: Subasio. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – ASSISI – VENICE

A pleasant drive leads to the romantic city of Venice, and what better way to see it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s square and disembark to see the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. After turning the corner and admiring the mosaics of the Basilica, watch one of the few remaining Masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass–blowing factory. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. Hotel: Continental/Principe/Amadeus. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – VENICE – TUSCANY

Leave magical Venice, and drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility. Cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines, the hilly backbone of Italy, to reach the Arno valley. Follow the river westwards to the coastal town of Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, where elaborate steps have been taken to prevent this landmark from falling over. Time also to admire the marble cathedral and Baptistery before continuing to the Tuscan spa resort of Montecatini for a two–night stay. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (BB)

DAY 7 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

Drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence, and join a local guide for a walking tour and highlight visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi–coloured marble Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods; see a demonstration of leatherwork in the very place this craft first established itself. Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – TUSCANY – SORRENTO

Take the smooth motorway south through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino and visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino – headquarters of the Benedictine order. Take the clifftop road to your hotel in the picturesque resort of Sorrento. Hotel: La Pace. (BB)

DAY 9 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

Spend the morning being shown the art of ‘intarsio’ or marquetry wood inlaying before cruising to the sun–drenched island of dreams, Capri – a rock rising from the Mediterranean. Take the funicular train up to the main village (Capri Town), then spend time exploring the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques and enjoy the fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea. Join an optional tour to Anacapri to visit Villa San Michele before returning to your hotel for some time to relax. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – SORRENTO – ROME

Only a short drive from the hotel lies Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. A walking tour through the varied and extensive excavations with a local guide brings the ancient, ill– fated city to life. Afterwards, the smooth motorway leads back to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Tonight, stop by the elegant Spanish Steps and Boat Fountain on the way to a special Highlight Dinner of local cuisine, complete with wine and entertainment. Hotel: Sheraton/Crowne Plaza St Peters. (BB,HD)

DAY 11 – RETURN TO USA

Arrivederci Roma! The tour ends with transfers to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (BB)