The Best of Italy

 

Day 1 

ROME
Arrive at the airport and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2 

ROME
Enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour with a local guide who will take you inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. Admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Enter St Peter's Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive 'Pieta'. Then cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests. After seeing the Roman Forum, the rest of the day is yours to sightsee or shop.

 

Day 3 

ROME – ASSISI (200km/2h30min)
Leave Rome and follow the valley of the River Tiber to the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. Your destination is the peaceful hill-top town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. Visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, then continue up Mount Subasio to the town. Step inside the huge Basilica, built in the 13C after St. Francis' death, where the frescoes by Giotto heralded a new era in Italian art.

 

Day 4 

ASSISI – VENICE (400km/4h30min)
A pleasant drive leads to the romantic city of Venice. Cruise past Palladian churches and 13C palaces to St Mark's Square. See the Doges' Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Admire the mosaics of the Basilica and watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola.

 

Day 5 

VENICE – FLORENCE (250km/3h30min)
Drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility.  Cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines to reach the Arno valley. Then follow the river to the coastal town of Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. Time also to admire the marble cathedral and Baptistery before continuing to Renaissance Florence.

 

Day 6 

FLORENCE
Join a local guide for a walking tour of the historic city centre. A highlight is the visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral to see Giotto's bell tower and  Gates of Paradise before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods; see a demonstration of leather work in the very place this craft first established itself. Then, there's free time to shop for Florence's finest, or continue sightseeing. 

 

Day 7 

FLORENCE – SORRENTO (500km/5h)
Continue through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino where you visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino. Now follow the scenic cliff top road towards the picturesque resort of Sorrento. Overnight.

 

Day 8 

ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
Today have an excursion to  the Isle of Capri. Take the funicular train up to Capri Town where you can explore the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques and enjoy the views over the Mediterranean Sea.  Perhaps join an optional tour to Anacapri to visit Villa San Michele before returning to your hotel in Sorrento for some relaxation time.

 

Day 9 

SORRENTO - POMPEII (30km/1h)- ROME (250km/2h30min)
Today drive to Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. A walking tour with a local guide through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Afterwards, back to the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Overnight.

 

Day 10 

ROME
Transfer to airport.