The Grand Tour Venice to Taormina

Welcome to Venice. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your Tour Leader and fellow travelers. This evening enjoy a spritz or prosecco accompanied by traditional Venetian cicchetti at a local café. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal or similar. (Local food experience)

Explore Venice on foot with your Tour Leader before meeting a local guide for a tour of the historic centre. See St Mark’s Square, the exterior of Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, with time afterwards to explore independently. Overnight in Venice. (B)

Travel to Bologna and walk through its historic centre, including Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio Basilica and Palazzo del Podestà. Enjoy some free time before continuing to Florence. Overnight at Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar. (B)

Discover Florence on a guided tour including the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce Basilica. The afternoon is free to explore independently or join an optional excursion to Pisa. This evening travel to Impruneta in the Chianti region for a traditional Tuscan dinner with regional wines. Overnight in Florence. (B, D)

Depart Florence for Rome, stopping in the medieval hill town of San Gimignano. Enjoy time to explore its UNESCO-listed historic centre and distinctive towers before continuing to Rome. Overnight at Twenty One Hotel or similar. (B)

Meet your local guide for a tour of Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Square, with skip-the-line entrance. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at a traditional Roman restaurant accompanied by live music. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)

Explore Rome with your Tour Leader, seeing Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. The afternoon is at leisure, or you may choose an optional guided visit to the Colosseum. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Rome independently. Optional activities and excursions are available at additional cost, including cooking or street food experiences, Pompeii, Capri or Florence. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your included flight to Palermo. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your Tour Leader. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or similar. (B)

Travel to Monreale to visit its magnificent Cathedral, renowned for its mosaics, before returning to Palermo for a guided walking tour. Discover the historic centre, including the old town, Palermo Cathedral and the colourful local markets. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Palermo. (B, D)

Travel to the medieval hilltop town of Erice before continuing to Marsala. Visit a historic winery for a tasting of regional wines and a light lunch. Continue to Agrigento and visit the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples, including the Temple of Concord, Temple of Hercules and Temple of Jupiter. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Della Valle or similar. (B, L, D)

Travel to Ragusa and explore its historic centre, including Ragusa Ibla, one of the UNESCO-listed Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. See the Church of San Giuseppe, Cathedral of San Giorgio and other historic landmarks. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Poggio del Sole or similar. (B, D)

Travel to Noto, renowned for its Baroque architecture, before continuing to Siracusa. Explore the historic centre of Ortigia, including Piazza Duomo and its Baroque churches and palaces. Later continue to Taormina. Overnight at Hotel Splendid or similar. (B, D)

Travel to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, ascending to approximately 1,800 metres to explore the volcanic landscape. Return to Taormina with the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Catania Airport where your tour concludes. (B)