SOLO TOUR OF ITALY HIGHLIGHTS
- Wonderful three night stays in Rome, Sorrento and Florence
- In Italian style, included lunches and dinners are enjoyed with a glass of wine
- Restaurants selected to showcase Italian cuisine
- In Rome, visit the superb Vatican Museums and admire Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
- A guided tour through the cobble-stoned streets of the ill-fated town of
- Visits to Ravello & Positano, local towns of the Amalfi Coast
- An Italian cooking class, Amalfi Coast
- A day tour to Isle of Capri, off the Amalfi Coast
- A guided tour of the Commonwealth Cemetery of Montecassino
- Enjoy a Michelin plated venue for a superb dinner in Assisi
- A Tuscan highlight lunch
- A superb day discovering the delights of the Cinque Terre
- Time in Assisi, a charming hilltop town of Umbria
- A sightseeing tour of Florence including a visit to see Michelangelo's original statue of ‘David'.
- Two nights staying Venice Mestre; visit Venice and Murano Islands with included guided tours
- A full day of visiting magnificent islands of Lake Maggiore
Pre Tour Stay
Consider arriving a day before the tour start, or enjoy a stopover. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
Guided Tours with Headsets
Our travellers are provided with a headset each and a guide narrates using a radio microphone. This eliminates background noise, interruptions from other tour groups and offers a more intimate touring experience.
DAY 1
Rome
Welcome to Rome, Italy, the ‘Eternal City' for a three night stay. Early evening, meet with the group Tour Director for a welcome drink and tour briefing. The evening is at your leisure. You may like to head out with other group members and enjoy dinner together.
Meals: Welcome Drink
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Meet with your tour director and group for a welcome drink and briefing.
DAY 2
Rome
After a relaxing breakfast we head out for a guided walking tour of Rome. You will be escorted by an expert local guide, as you visit Rome's iconic landmarks and places of interest including entrance to The Colosseum and Roman Forum, to explore ancient Rome. This afternoon you have time at leisure to enjoy your choice of sightseeing, shopping or relaxing in Rome.
We celebrate our tour commencement with a wonderful group dinner including a glass of Italian wine, at a lovely local restaurant in Rome.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A guided walking tour of Rome
- Highlight welcome dinner at a local restaurant
DAY 3
Rome
An early breakfast today, and then we complete our discovery tour of the highlights of Rome. We have a group reservation (no queues) for our guided tour of the Vatican Museums to see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel plus visit St Peter's Basilica * built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history's greatest architects, Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo.
Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Shop till you drop, explore more of Rome or you may be tempted to throw another coin into the famous Trevi Fountain to ensure your return one day! The evening is at your leisure and the chance to make your own local discoveries for a dinner spot.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A guided tour of the Vatican Museums & visit St Peter's Basilica
- The afternoon & evening at your leisure.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- shorts or short skirts not permitted visiting St Peter’s Basilica
DAY 4
Rome – Pompeii - Amalfi Coast
Today we travel to the Amalfi Coast for a relaxing three night stay. We set off early to make our way to incredible Pompeii, where an expert local guide will walk you through the streets of this Roman resort buried by an eruption of the volcano Mt Vesuvius in AD79. From Pompeii it’s only about a forty minute drive to reach the city of Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. Once we arrive to the Amalfi Coast, there’s some free time before the fun and fabulous cooking class.
HIGHLIGHT EXPERIENCE: ITALIAN COOKING CLASS
Dinner tonight is a fabulous cooking class. In your two hour hands-on cooking class, learn to cook two typical Italian dishes like gnocchi and eggplant parmigiana. After, enjoy what you’ve prepared with wine, coke, water and of course limoncello!
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Guided tour of incredible Pompeii
- Group transfer from Rome to Amalfi Coast
- A fun and fabulous Italian cooking class with dinner
DAY 5
Amalfi Coast
It’s a fabulous day of sightseeing, escorted by your tour director, as we get to know the Amalfi Coast, including a visit to the resort town of Ravello, perched above Amalfi, renowned for its views and wonderful gardens and a visit to Positano. This evening, why not try the local seafood at a local restaurant for dinner?
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Tour the Amalfi Coast with your tour director, including the town or Ravello
DAY 6
Amalfi Coast (Isle of Capri)
We take a hydrofoil ride from Sorrento to the Isle of Capri and around the Isle to appreciate the isle’s beauty from the water. By boat, visiting the Blue Grotto, then returning for a tour to Ana Capri. Before returning to the mainland, there will be some time at leisure in the town of Capri. This evening, dine locally on the Amalfi Coast.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A hydrofoil ride from Sorrento to the Isle of Capri
- By boat, visit the Blue Grotto
- A tour to Ana Capri.
- Some time at leisure in the town of Capri.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Visit to Blue Grotto is weather dependent
DAY 7
Amalfi Coast – Assisi
From the coast, we depart first thing to make our way to Assisi for a two night stay. A few hours along the way, we enjoy a guided city tour on foot at the Commonwealth Cemetery of Montecassino. After lunch we take the afternoon to reach Assisi. It’s a scenic drive to the
hill top town of Assisi home of St Francis. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to Assisi for a two night stay
- A guided city tour on foot at the Commonwealth Cemetery of Montecasino
DAY 8
Assisi
This morning a guided city tour on foot to visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto and other highlights of Assisi. The rest of the day is free to wander the cobblestone streets and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. We come together in the evening for a special & very memorable dinner, at a Michelin plated restaurant in Assisi.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A guided city tour on foot to visit the Basilica of St Francis and other highlights of Assisi.
- Free time to wander the streets of Assisin
- A special dinner, at a Michelin plated restaurant in Assisi
DAY 9
Assisi - Florence
We depart Assisi to make our way to Florence for our three night stay. On our way to Assisi, in the heart of Tuscany, on a hilltop stands the majestic medieval walled town of San Gimignano. It has retained all its old streets, its walls, gates, palaces, strongholds and thirteen towers. There’s a guided city tour on foot to explore this many towered and very charming town with its squares and winding streets.
This afternoon we travel to Florence, just over an hour from San Gimignano and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to Florence for three night stay.
- A visit and guided tour of the city of San Gimignano
DAY 10
Florence
In Florence this morning, take in a city tour which includes a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts, to show you Michelangelo's statue of ‘David' in the Academy Gallery. We continue, to visit the Cathedral and Baptistry, Giotto's 14th century Campanile (said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world), the ‘Gates of Paradise' and enjoy a view of Signoria Square, the political stage of the Florentines.
This afternoon, there's a wonderful excursion to Greve in the picturesque Chianti region including wine tasting. Returning to Florence, the remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A guided city tour of Florence
- An afternoon excursion to Greve in the picturesque Chianti region including wine tasting.
DAY 11
Florence
Time to discover Florence at your leisure; meander this lovely city, absorbing the atmosphere or make plans for some shopping or other local discoveries. A gorgeous evening ahead, visiting the outskirts of Florence for an evening meal of Tuscan flavors in the enchanting hills of Chianti.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Time at leisure in Florence
- An evening meal in the hills of Chianti
FREE TIME EXTRA
- Uffizi Museum; option to go to the Uffizi Museum
DAY 12
Florence – Pisa – La Spezia
Today onto La Spezia via Pisa, to reach the eastern end of the Italian Riviera. Your tour director will take you on a guided walk of Pisa and of course, see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Along the way, a special stop in Monte Carlo for a highlight Tuscan lunch at a Tuscan farm and winery for some of the best of Tuscan cuisine. After lunch, we make our way to La Spezia, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to La Spezia via Pisa, to the Italian Riviera
- Guided walk of Pisa
- A highlight lunch at a Tuscan farm
DAY 13
La Spezia (Cinque Terre)
Today, is the highlight excursion to the Cinque Terre (or the five lands), which were for years only accessible by donkey. Luckily, today we take the train to explore the spectacular area.
Enjoying walking around the postcard pretty villages, which both retain their charm and reputation for producing one of Italy's most sought after and exclusive wines. For the adventurous there is a hill side track which leads from one village to another. There's also the option to return by boat after the walk (which is spectacular) or you can choose to walk further to more of the five villages and then return by train to La Spezia. After an adventurous day, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Highlight excursion to the Cinque Terre
DAY 14
La Spezia – Bologna - Venice
Today, it's a longer drive to cross the Italian peninsular. On our way, we take a stop to experience an Italian vinegar tasting, before arriving to Bologna, a medieval town in northern Italy. Your tour director will guide a short walking tour and then, you have time to wander at your leisure. More importantly, take the time to enjoy lunch, as Bologna is often regarded as the culinary capital of Italy. The market in the city centre displays an impressive array of deli produce; cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables and baked delights. From Bologna it’s a few hours to arrive to Venice. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to Italian peninsular.
- An Italian vinegar tasting
- Visit medieval town of Bologna with a guided walking tour & free time to wander
DAY 15
Venice
Your morning tour today is by boat and by foot. There’s a walking tour from the famous Piazza San Marco. You'll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour that includes entrance to the Doges' Palace, and visit the ornate St Mark’s Basilica. On Murano Island visit a glass showroom for an interesting demonstration of the traditional craftsmanship of Murano glassware, unchanged for centuries. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Venice on your own.
This evening, we come together again to dine near to Piazza San Marco, Venice a local restaurant with traditional Venetian and regional cuisine and of course, a glass of Italian wine.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A walking tour of Venice
- A ferry to visit Murano Island with a glass showroom visit
- Time to explore Venice
- A local Venetian dinner
DAY 16
Venice – Verona
Your morning today is for you to discover and enjoy Venice; maybe with a gondola ride or drinking the famous Aperol Sprit cocktail in Saint Marks Square. In the early afternoon we drive to the elegant city of Verona. There's a guided city centre walking tour in Verona and it includes entry to the Arena Di Verona, an ancient Roman arena and venue for the opera each summer and entry to Juliet's house and the balcony (from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet).
Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Verona. After dinner, we are escorted back to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A morning at leisure on Venice Island
- A short transfer to the elegant city of Verona
- Guided city centre walking tour in Verona including entry to Shakespeare’s Juliet's house and the balcony
- Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Verona
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Gondola Ride
DAY 17
Lake Maggiore
Before we head to beautiful Lake Maggiore, we visit The Parco Giardino Sigurtà. The park covers an area of 600,000 square metres, created over forty years with loving care, turning an arid hill into a lush garden. Today the Garden-Park is regarded as one of the most extraordinary of its kind in the whole world.
Lunch is in a typical restaurant in the town of Valeggio sul Mincio, famous for “tortellini” and local wine (Custoza and Lugana). After lunch, onwards to Lake Maggiore, arriving to enjoy the end of the day and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to Lake Maggiore
- Visit The Parco Giardino Sigurtà
- Lunch is in the town of Valeggio sul Mincio, famous for “tortellini” and local wine
DAY 18
Lake Maggiore
Enjoy time today around the lake and in the afternoon depart to discover more of magnificent Lake Maggiore, visiting three of the islands. A local guide joins the group to escort us on our cruise to visit the first two islands; Isola Madre being the largest of the Borromeo Islands and Isola Bella. At each of the islands we enjoy a visit to the monumental baroque palaces and their majestic gardens.
In the evening, enjoy a highlight dinner at a fabulous restaurant on Isola Superiore di Pescatori, the third of the three islands. Isola Superiore di Pescatori is renowned as a quaint village with its narrow cobbled street, pretty harbour and charming homes. After dinner, we return by ferry to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Time to enjoy the lake area at leisure
- Visit three of the islands of Lake Maggiore with ferry travel
- A highlight dinner at a fabulous restaurant on Isola Superiore di Pescatori
DAY 19
Lake Maggiore – Milan Airport (MXP)
Our memorable tour comes to an end after breakfast. Or feel free to extend your stay with additional nights at Lake Maggiore, or transfer for a city break in the cosmopolitan city of Milan,
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
