Grand Tour of Italy
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, there's time to unwind before meeting your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink with your fellow travellers.
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure Our sightseeing begins with a visit to St Peters Basilica and then we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, renowned for chariot races, and we visit the mighty Colosseum, to relive the stories of the gladiators! Later we have free time to explore or relax in a sidewalk café. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Sistine Chapel — Gargano Peninsula First we enjoy a guided visit of Michelangelo's miraculous Sistine Chapel, then we leave Rome and drive through the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic coast. We reach the Gargano Peninsula before arriving at our hotel. (Breakfast Buffet / Dinner)
Day 5 - Gargano Peninsula — Alberobello — Lecce This morning a drive along the coast takes us to the region of the Trulli — strange, white, dry-stone structures with conical roofs. We visit the unique town of Alberobello on route to beautiful Lecce. Here our guided sightseeing tour shows us this delightful city including the stunning Basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Lecce — Sorrento (2 nights) Today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure, but first we drive to Bari and the autostrada taking us to the Gulf of Salerno and on to Sorrento. Here orientation shows us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques and cafés. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a picturesque restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 7 - Isle of Capri Excursion This morning we will visit an inlaid wood workshop where we see a demonstration of this local craft. Then, we cruise across to the beautiful Isle of Capri for the day. Here orientation takes us up to Capri Town where we enjoy a walking tour with use of our audio system to admire views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then we visit the Piazzetta where the rich and famous sip their cappuccinos — followed by free time to perhaps ascend to Anacapri. At the end of the afternoon we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Sorrento — Pompeii — Assisi It's a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with audio system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then, through the Campania, stopping at Monte Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Next on through the hills of Frascati and the Umbria en route to Assisi, St. Francis' town. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Assisi — Ravenna — Venice (Lido) (2 nights) Our morning walking tour with audio equipment in Assisi includes the Upper and Lower Basilicas with their Giotto frescoes plus we see the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. From here we travel through the Apennines stopping to visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe to admire the mosaics. Then we continue on to the magical city of Venice for our two night stay. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 10 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure Today we savour the sights and sounds as we cruise to St. Mark's Square on our private launch, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Afterwards, we visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop for a demonstration of this craft. At leisure maybe enjoy lunch on the island of Burano. (Buffet Breakfast )
Day 11 - Venice (Lido.) — Cortina d'Ampezzo — Bolzano (Dolomites) Today through the Veneto plains to world-famous Cortina d'Ampezzo. Here we will see the Olympic ski-jump before time at leisure. Later, a stunning drive along the Tre Croci Pass via Dobiacco and Brunico to Bolzano. This evening we dine at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Bolzano (Dolomites) — Verona — Milan Today we're off to Verona for a guided walking tour using our effective audio system to see Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena. Then we arrive in Milan — home to the Italian fashion gurus. An walking tour using audio system with our local guide here shows us the Duomo, the Galleria, and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Later, perhaps visit one of the museums or shop in the boutiques! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Milan — Pavia — Santa Margherita We stop at Pavia to enjoy a guided visit of the Carthusian Abbey by one of the monks (when available). Next we pass Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, en route to the Italian Riviera. We stay in the famous resort of Santa Margherita in Liguria for the night. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 14 - Santa Margherita — Portofino — Pisa — Florence (2 nights) This morning we cruise to nearby Portofino (weather permitting), an internationally loved resort. Then past the quarries of Carrara to Pisa, where we view the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. Finally, following the old road to Empoli we reach the city which was the jewel of the Renaissance — Florence. During our stay in this beautiful city our Tour Director will share with us the secret of another Hidden Treasure! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure Our guided walking tour with an audio system includes the Duomo, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica, burial place of Michelangelo. Later you may wish to shop for fine quality leather goods and 18 carat gold designer jewellery for which this city is so famous! There are also many wonderful museums to visit — your Tour Director can advise you on how to make the most of your time. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 16 - Florence — Siena — Rome Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti vineyards to the medieval city of Siena. Here an orientation includes the Piazza del Campo, scene of the annual Palio horse race, and the Cathedral. Time at leisure maybe to shop for beautiful ceramic pottery before we return to the 'Eternal City', Rome. This evening we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner )
Day 17 - Rome - USA This morning bid farewell as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America.(Buffet Breakfast)
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