Day 1 

ROME 
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2

ROME
Tour St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, seeing the Popes' Altar by Bernini & Michelangelo's Pieta. Now visit the Colosseum, scene of great entertainment in Imperial times and overlook the Roman Forum. Time at leisure this afternoon. 

 

Day 3

ROME - PALERMO
Meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Drive through vine-covered hills to the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino. Stop at Pompeii, where you are guided around the Roman town, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Drive through Naples before boarding an overnight ferry to Sicily. 

 

Day 4 

PALERMO – AGRIGENTO (150km/1h30min)
Disembark in Palermo early in the morning. Join a local guide who will show you the rich colour of the bustling Vucceria market, cathedral and mosaics in the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel. Then it's off to visit the famous Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily.

 

Day 5 

AGRIGENTO – ENNA (100km/1h) - GIARDINI NAXOS (150km/1h30min)
Travel to the hilltop town of Enna, the Belvedere of Sicily. Explore the quaint streets, see the cathedral or enjoy the views from the medieval castle. Descend to the east coast and follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera to the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.

 

Day 6 

GIARDINI NAXOS - TAORMINA - GIARDINI NAXOS
Drive up to Taormina, clinging to the side of Mount Tauro. Walk into the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja. Visit the Greek Theater, overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. Now stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile for more panoramic views. Return to Giardini Naxos. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. 

 

Day 7 

GIARDINI NAXOS – SORRENTO (550km/7h)
Head for Messina to board your ferry back to the Italian mainland. Drive along the very edge of the mountainous Calabria region, so often compared to Switzerland. Continue north past Salerno, to take the cliff-top road to Sorrento. Overnight.

 

Day 8 

SORRENTO - ISLE OF CAPRI (23km/30min) – SORRENTO 
See the local art of 'intarsio', before cruising to the beautiful Isle of Capri.  A funicular train takes you up to Capri town to spend time browsing the shops and admiring the sea views. Return to Sorrento for overnight.

 

Day 9 

SORRENTO – ASSISI (400km/4h30min)
Ascend the Apennine Mountains to delightful Assisi, a stone-built town sprawling over the steep hillside of Monte Subasio. Stroll through the narrow streets and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto. The energetic might like to climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley. 

 

Day 10 

ASSISI - BOLOGNA (250km/3h)- VENICE (150km/2h)
Take a beautiful drive through the Apennines to Bologna to see Giambologna's Neptune Fountain in Piazza Nettuno and the Old Town. Time to savour the local specialties in the trattorias and restaurants and mingle with the locals before continuing to your hotel in Venice.

 

Day 11 

VENICE 
Enjoy the scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark's Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges' Palace to the prisons. See the ornate St Mark's Basilica, followed by a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. Step aboard your gondola to glide along peaceful canals to hidden parts of the city. Time at leisure. 

 

Day 12 

VENICE – FLORENCE (300km/3h30min)
Head for the Apennines and the Tuscan capital, Florence. Join your guide to visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto's bell tower and 'Gates of Paradise' before continuing to Signoria Square. Your walking tour finishes at the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leather work demonstration before enjoying time at leisure.

 

Day 13 

FLORENCE
A whole day is set aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of the Italian Renaissance. Perhaps take an optional excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

 

Day 14 

FLORENCE - SIENA (100km/1h)- ROME (300km/3h)
Travel through archetypal Tuscan countryside to Siena. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the vast Campo Square. Time to see the Town Hall, Della Quercia's 'Fountain of Joy', and perhaps climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome. 

 

Day 15 

ROME
Departure to the airport.