Italy Bellissimo
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, there's time to unwind or perhaps people-watch from a pavement café. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. in a Roman Trattoria. (Welcome Dinner).
Day 3 - Rome — Pompeii — Isle of Capri (2 nights) This morning after breakfast we will travel through the area the Romans knew as the 'Campania Felix' and view the Abbey of Monte Cassino, where we visit the World War II cemetery. Then on to Pompeii where we enjoy a guided walking tour with our audio system of the excavations of this Roman city petrified and preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. From here we continue our journey to Sorrento where we have time to enjoy the atmosphere of the Piazza Tasso and where we visit an Inlaid Wood factory to admire the fine local craftsmanship. Then we enjoy a short sea-crossing across the Bay of Naples to the beautiful Isle of Capri for two relaxing nights. This evening, dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Capri orientation & at leisure Today's walking tour of Capri Town with our audio system includes views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola plus the famous 'Piazzetta' — home to the international jet-set. Then enjoy time at leisure perhaps to shop at the elegant boutiques, or explore the coast of this pretty island by private motor launch. Tonight, your Tour Director will be happy to advise you on the best dining in this romantic spot! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Isle of Capri — Naples — Assisi We enjoy a morning sail across the Mediterranean to 'Bella Napoli' — we drive through the streets of Naples and through the Latium, before heading into the Umbrian hills and to mystical Assisi. Here we enjoy a guided walking tour with our audio system of the town much loved by St. Francis. We'll see the Basilica with its serene Giotto frescoes, as well as the miraculous Church of St. Mary of the Angels before dinner in our hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Assisi — San Marino — Padua — Venice (Main.) (2 nights) This morning, we drive through rolling Umbrian hills to the tiniest Republic in the world — picture postcard San Marino. Then on to Padua, where we view the Basilica of St. Anthony before continuing to the floating city of Venice, where we spend the next two nights. Dinner will be included at our hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure Today we will savour the sights and sounds of this serene city by private motor launch on an included canal cruise to St. Mark's Square, where we will view the Byzantine Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace. After witnessing a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass-blowing, time is your own perhaps to explore further and relax. Or alternatively why not take a cruise to the island of Burano, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch" Tonight dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Venice (Main.) — Brenta Canal — Montecatini (Tuscan Hills) (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we gaze on the beauty of the Palladian villas as we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal. Then we head south and ascend into the Apennine Mountains, the Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Here, we make our approach to the spa-resort of Montecatini, for the next two nights. This evening, why not try some of the reputed Tuscan cuisine and Chianti wines" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Florence Excursion Today it is only a short drive to Renaissance Florence where we spend a full day. On our arrival a walking tour with a local guide using our excellent audio system highlights the Cathedral with its magnificent Baptistry, and visits the Santa Croce Basilica and the Piazza Signoria. Florence is truly a shopper's paradise with bargains in quality leather goods and gold jewellery. For 'culture vultures', there are many museums and art galleries to visit. Later, we return to our hotel at Montecatini for the night. This evening, we will enjoy dinner at a our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Montecatini (Tuscan Hills) — Siena — Castle of Serre di Rapolano — Rome (2 nights) A short drive today brings us to Siena - famous for its Palio horse race. Here there's time to admire the architecture from one of the open-air cafés on the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo. Or pick up some local pottery before we continue to the ancient castle of Serre di Rapolano where we stop to visit the grounds and perhaps sip a glass of Chianti or a 'cappuccino'. Later, we arrive back at the 'Eternal City', Rome for two nights. Why not dine out in one of the city's many fine trattorias this evening" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure A visit to the Sistine Chapel to marvel at the ceiling of Michelangelo provides a thrilling start to our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide making good use of our effective audio system. From here we visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and then cross the Tiber for our walking tour showing us the Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Finally, we stop to view the Circus Maximus, where 'Ben Hur' style chariot races were once the order of the day. The remainder of your day is at leisure perhaps to take an optional excursion to the Catacombs, ancient Tivoli or simply while away the afternoon sipping a cappuccino at a café and watch the world go by! This evening on the final night of your tour, why not enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelling companions. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Rome - USA Time to bid farewell before we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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