Italy makes it hard for its visitors to decide whether they should head to the city or the countryside. With this tour, you don’t have to! Enjoy the delights of the Italian capital, as well as other landmark Italian cities such as Florence, Pisa and Siena before checking out smaller settlements including the medieval hilltop town of Monteriggioni. With its historic walls, it the perfect place to look out and admire the rolling vineyards of the Chianti region. Finally, for pure natural wonder head to the Cinque Terre, the famously romantic series of fishing villages in the Italian Riviera!
Benvenuti a Roma! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel and then enjoy your first day in the city at your own leisure. Overnight in Rome.
In the morning, meet your guide at the Vatican and join a small group to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. An expert guide will be your docent as you pass through the vast Vatican collection. This Vatican tour will focus on the must-see and famous masterpieces of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, Michelangelo’s Dome, Pinecone Courtyard, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square. After visiting the Sistine Chapel you’ll enter what many consider a wonder of the world and the most magnificent church on earth – St Peter’s Basilica, before ending in outside in the superb square designed by Bernini. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B
Meet your driver-guide at your hotel and transfer to Florence. You’ll stop in Siena and Monteriggioni for an independent visit to these enchanting villages. Siena is probably Italy’s loveliest medieval city. Its heart is the central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio. During our drive to Florence, we’ll stop at a wonderful Tuscan Villa and vineyard for a cellar visit followed by lunch and wine tasting. You’ll arrive late afternoon in Florence and overnight in the heart of the town. Time permitting, we’ll take a short stop at the charming and tiny castle town of Monteriggioni. Overnight in Florence. Meals: B, L
Today, you’ll join a small group to explore Florence and discover the 2000 years of tumultuous history that changed the world forever. You’ll visit 3 churches – the Duomo, Santa Trinità and Orsanmichele. By day’s end, you’ll understand why Florence became one of the greatest art centres in the world. You’ll walk through the medieval center of the city passing the Baptistery, the Bell Tower, the Gates of Paradise, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio. When the morning tour ends, enjoy the city or head back to further explore some of the sites we passed earlier in the day. Take time for a relaxing lunch and in the afternoon head over to the Academia to visit Michelangelo’s David. Meals: B
Today you’ll have free time to further explore Tuscany and Florence. Florence is a city that you can visit again and again. Here are some of our favourite things to do is to spend some time in the Palazzo Strozzi Museum. There are always interesting exhibits by Italian and international artists. Watch the sunrise from the Ponte Vecchio and then take a walk along the Arno. Another interesting thing to do is to climb Giotto’s Campanile (the bell tower). If you want to head out of the city one of the great things to do is to visit Chianti and visit a few wineries along with lunch or dinner. We can help you to organize this memorable excursion. Meals: B
Meet your private driver-guide at the hotel early morning and transfer to Portovenere. Your first stop will be in Pisa. The Leaning Tower made of Pisa a must-see site, but the city offers many other exciting things. The beautiful Square of Miracles hosts a beautiful Cathedral and the Baptistery. We’ll then continue to Lucca, for an independent tour. Located at the foot of the Apuan Alps, Lucca is one of the most loved cities in Tuscany. You will arrive in Cinque Terre in the late afternoon. Overnight in Portovenere. Meals: B
Today explore the magnificent Cinque Terre with your guide. Cinque Terre is the name of a district that encompasses five glorious towns, where small houses are surrounded by lush nature. Visitors are fascinated by the beauty of these five small villages, namely: Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. The inhabitants of Cinque Terre benefit not only from its pristine waters but from its natural environment, where wild nature is interspersed with vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards, creating a precious bond between man, his traditions and this breathtaking stretch of coast. You’ll return late afternoon in Portovenere. Meals: B
After breakfast, make your own way to the airport or train station for your departing flight or train for your onward journey. An optional private transfer is available. Meals: B
