Absolute Italy

16 Nights & 17 Days

Rome > Assisi > Siena > Florence > Bologna > Padua > Venice > Tuscany Wine Region (Traditional Tuscan lunch in Montepulciano) > Rome > Naples > Pompeii > Sorrento > Capri > Palermo > Monreale > Erice > Saline della Laguna > Agrigento > Piazza Armerina > Ragusa Ibla > Noto > Siracusa > Taormina

Discover the wonders of Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and the stunning island of Sicily on an Italian adventure that leaves nothing out! Explore the treasures of the eternal city, the enchanting artwork of Florence, the canals of Venice, and more, all on a single trip! See the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel up close, walk through the Renascence city of Florence and taste magnificent wine in Tuscany. You will then discover the treasures along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, from charmingly gritty Naples to sun-bleached Capri. Journey across Sicily, and sample local olive oils and citrus fruits from ancient royal towns, stand among the ruins of proud empires and venture across Mount Etna’s otherworldly lava fields. On this tour, you will experience just about everything that makes Italy great!

Itinerary

Day 1: ROME > ASSISI > SIENA > FLORENCE

Early morning departure for Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis featuring masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Continue to Siena, home of the Palio. End the day in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance for dinner and overnight. Meals: D

Day 2: FLORENCE

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional). Meals: B, L

Day 3: FLORENCE > BOLOGNA > PADUA > VENICE

Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through some of the city’s many, elegant arcades (or porticos), for which Bologna is famous. In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. In the early evening, we will arrive in Venice. Check-in to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay. Meals: B, D

Day 4: VENICE

After breakfast, enjoy your private water-taxi transfer to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica and, after this, check out the most iconic places of the “Floating City”. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. Meals: B

Day 5: VENICE > MONTEPULCIANO (TUSCANY) > ROME

After breakfast, depart for Tuscany, known for its romantic churches, castles and beloved wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a Medieval town rich with history and art. That evening we will arrive in Rome. Meals: B, L

Day 6: ROME

After breakfast depart from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St.Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Meals: B

Day 7: ROME

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before spending the day exploring Rome on your own or by selecting one of our regular tours in the city or its surroundings. Return to the hotel for your last overnight in Rome. Meals: B

Day 8: ROME > NAPLES > POMPEII > SORRENTO

After breakfast, pick up at your hotel and departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Arrival in Naples and short panoramic tour climbing up to Vomero hill to enjoy beautiful views over the Gulf of Naples with the Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Procida and the city below. Descending towards the port of Mergellina, you will leave the city and travel south towards Mount Vesuvius and, once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento. Meals: B, L, D

Day 9: SORRENTO > CAPRI > SORRENTO

After breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return to your hotel for dinner. Meals: B, L, D

Day 10: SORRENTO > PALERMO (OVERNIGHT ON FERRY BOAT)

Breakfast at your hotel, then spend a leisurely morning exploring Sorrento. In the afternoon, you will reach the port of Naples, where you will board on the ferry to Palermo. Let the waves rock you to sleep. Meals: B

Day 11: PALERMO

Arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel. That night, have dinner in the hotel and rest up for the adventure that lies ahead. Meals: D

Day 12: PALERMO

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then head out on a morning excursion to Monreale. Visit the elaborate Cathedral of Monreale and then enjoy some shopping of local delicatessen and souvenirs. Back to Palermo and continue with a walking tour of the city. Walk inside the impressive-looking place of worship and marvel at its arches, cupolas and mosaics – with an incredible mix of influences coming from several dominations on the island. Enjoy free time in the late afternoon and return to your hotel for dinner. Meals: B, D

Day 13: PALERMO > ERICE > SALINE > AGRIGENTO

Early breakfast and departure to Erice, a medieval village stacked into the side of Monte San Giuliano. Continue to visit the Saline, an extraordinary lagoon, where history, nature, archeology find a perfect synthesis and allow the visitor to try different, unique and charming experiences. After this wonderful experience, enjoy your lunch in a restaurant by the lagoon. Return to your coach and travel to Agrigento, your final destination of the day. Visit Ancient Greek monuments and ruins at the Valley of Temples – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and learn about the archaeological relics Check in to your hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight. Meals: B, L, D

Day 14: AGRIGENTO > PIAZZA ARMERINA > RAGUSA

Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Piazza Armerina a pretty and historic town nestled into the heart of Sicily. Entrance in Villa Romana del Casale to admire the largest, richest and most complex Roman mosaics in the world. Depart to Ragusa and visit of the enchanting historical centre “Ibla”, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches; together with other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Be enchanted by the elegant Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Church of the Souls in Purgatory and the magnificent Cosentini palace, one of the most interesting Late Baroque palaces in Sicily! Meals: B, D

Day 15: RAGUSA > NOTO > SIRACUSA > TAORMINA

Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Noto, a picturesque fishing town popular for its stately Baroque architecture. Continue along the south coast to Syracuse, on Sicily’s southeastern tip. Visit Syracuse’s famous archaeological area, home to a vast collection of Greek and Roman ruins from all over Sicily. Head inside to see impressive landmarks such as the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater and the Ear of Dionysius – an artificial limestone cave. After the visit, cross one of the city’s bridges for a visit to the island of Ortygia – the most ancient part of Syracuse. In the late afternoon arrive in Taormina. Dinner and overnight. Meals: B, D

Day 16: TAORMINA

Breakfast at your hotel and then head off to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe and the highest mountain in Italy. Learn about volcanic activity and marvel at the old lava fields and black magma rock that comprises Etna’s landscape. If weather permits, you have a chance to climb to the summit. After, return to Taormina, the beautiful and romantic town located on Mount Tauro. Return to Taormina in the afternoon and spend the rest of your day at leisure. Dinner and overnight. Meals: B, D

Day 17: TAORMINA

Enjoy one final breakfast before the tour comes to an end. Arrivederci! Meals: B

Departures

Various Monday departures from April 2020 to October 2020

Includes

  • Accommodation in 4 stars hotels (1 night overnight on a ferry boat)
  • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
  • Monolingual Tour-escort in English
  • Traditional Tuscan lunch in Montepulciano
  • Entrance tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice with “Skip the Line”
  • Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (with exclusive “Skip the Line” tickets)
  • Tour of Pompeii with “Skip the Line” tickets and Neapolitan Pizza lunch with 1 drink
  • Visit of the Blue Grotto in Capri (weather permitting)
  • Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites in Sicily
  • Saline della Laguna boat trip and lunch
  • Visits to Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Tuscany Wine Region, Amalfi Coast and Sicily
  • Meals as per itinerary (please inform us at the moment of the booking, in case of any food allergy or alimentary restriction)
  • Visits with an expert local guide as per itinerary
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard to be in touch with family and friends
  • Headsets to follow the information provided by the tour leader and local guides

Pricing Details

  • All prices are per person
  • City tax not included (paid directly at the hotel)

Optional Extras

  • Take advantage of our preferred airfares to Europe from any Canadian gateway
  • Airport Transfers
  • Ancient Rome Tour
  • Pre and Post Accommodation
  • Pisa Excursion from Florence
  • Deluxe Canal View in Venice

EXPERIENCE ITALY WITH US!