Highlights of Italy Tour - Venice Island Hotel

Welcome to Rome! After meet at the airport your driver, you will be transferred to your hotel (Transfer included!). At 07:45pm pick up from the hotel and reach Via del Teatro Marcello. A local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City. Cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. Walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the lit view of the Pantheon. Next Stop Trevi Fountain. The walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. After this walk, relax enjoying a creamy and tasty Gelato. The tour ends in Spanish Steps area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Overnight at St. Martin Hotel, Hotel Diana Roof Garden or similar.

Departing at 7:15am from hotel by deluxe coach, arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure. This tiny town surrounded by walls was built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board the bus to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, continue on to Florence, check in at hotel before enjoying dinner. Overnight at Hotel Raffaello, Hotel Una Vittoria or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, spend the day around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. Admire the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings such as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. See the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, see Piazza della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional). There, tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure, overnight at Hotel Raffaello, Hotel Una Vittoria or similar. (B, L)

Travel to Bologna, a city rich in culture and culinary excellence. Walk from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza Maggiore, admiring San Petronio Basilica and the Palazzo del Podestà. Delight in a light local lunch, savouring regional specialties. Stroll the medieval streets, arcades, and markets. In the afternoon, continue to Venice. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight at Hotel Amadeus Venice 4*, Hotel Principe 4* or similar. (B, Local Food Experience)

After breakfast, transfer to Piazza San Marco, and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After this walking tour, drink a spritz or a prosecco to crown your visit to Venice highlights with the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savour your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous “cicchetti,” a Venetian variation of tapas (light lunch). Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Amadeus Venice 4*, Hotel Principe 4* or similar. (B, L).

After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, available to purchase in local wine houses. Typical lunch in a restaurant is included. After lunch, free time. Arrive in Rome in the evening. Overnight at St. Martin Hotel, Hotel Diana Roof Garden or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, between 7:45 - 8:00am, departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Square with an exclusive “Skip the Line” access. Visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square where you can admire the incredible masterpiece; St. Peter’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world. Rest of the day at your leisure or take any one of the selected tours for the afternoon or at night. Overnight at St. Martin Hotel, Hotel Diana Roof Garden or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. (B)