17D/16N - 2020 Il Bel Paese

Day 1 Sun Milan

Independent arrival to Milan airport and to your hotel. Meet the rest of the participants for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Mon Milan

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today we will enjoy a half day panoramic tour of the Economical Capital of Italy: The tour will continue to Piazza dei Mercanti, and you'll get to admire the medieval heart of the city, hidden away from the crowded streets. The Scala Theatre, built in 1776 and located in Piazza della Scala, is not only a monument, but a true temple of Music and Italian History and Culture. You will also enter the majestic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a treasure of XIXth century engineering, more than a building, it’s a real symbol of Italian excellence. And, last but not least, you’ll reach the Duomo, the third biggest Cathedral in Europe. The afternoon is at leisure to discover the city or to go shopping (one of the main attractions in Milan). Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Tue Milan–Sirmione–Verona-Venice

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to the Garda Lake and in particular to Sirmione: an ancient town replete with quaint cobbled streets and historical landmarks. You will have some time at leisure to visit the city or the beautiful Roman villa and the Grottoes of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo). Enjoy also the magnificient Scaliger Castle, a rare example of a medieval port fortification. Continue to Verona where we will enjoy a panoramic walking tour of the city, known for its famous Arena and for being the hometown of Romeo and Juliet. Then, we will depart to Venice for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Wed Venice–Murano–Burano-Venice

After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour of Venice: one of the most beautiful cities in the World among Italian Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Venice historic centre is situated in the middle of a lagoon, with a total of 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges for pedestrian use only. We will walk through beautiful monuments (exterior visits) as Palazzo Ducale, the famous Bridge of Sights, the tour will continue discovering the beauty of Venice, with the Basilica of San Marco (exterior visit). Lunch is at leisure. In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to the Lagoon islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello which are the traditional destination among the islands located in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedectine church designed by Andrea Palladio and built between 1566 and 1610, the public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the Lido (the famous beach resort), the boat arrives at Murano known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here there is a stop to visit one of the factories. The second stop is on the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for its fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Then, after a short sail, you will reach the quiet and sparsely populated island of Torcello, the first centre of civilization in the estuary. Only the Cathedral of "Santa Maria Assunta" with its magnificent mosaics and the church of "Santa Fosca" remain the testimony of its former glory

Day 5 Thu Venice–Florence

In the morning, we will depart to Florence. Lunch will be at leisure. Once in the city, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour: The walking tour begins at the Piazza San Firenze; home of the Bargello and the Tribunale Fiorentino, once a church and convent complex and now home to the Florence courts.You'll walk first to the Church of Santa Croce, home to many well-known masterpieces and burial place of some of Italy's most important personages. Then, you will arrive at Piazza Signoria, the heart of the city of Florence since ancient times. It is famous for Neptune's Fountain, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lovely Piazzale degli Uffizi as well as the famous Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening.

Day 6 Fri Florence–Cinque Terre–Pisa-Florence

Today enjoy a marvellous excursion to one of the most famous area in Italy: Cinque Terre. We will depart to Portovenere (if weather doesn’t allow it, we will stop in La Spezia and do the visit to Cinque Terre by train) to embark on a regular ferry which will bring us to Monterosso, the largest town among the Cinque Terre. Your tour leader will guide you through the terraced vineyards, the ancient olive groves and the spectacular panoramic views. Then depart to the charming town of Vernazza, characterized by its narrow streets and small square looking out over the sea. Then back to Portovenere. We will then head back to Florence but first we will do a stop in Pisa to admire (exterior visits) the famous Leaning Tower. Arrive in Florence for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Sat Florence-Siena-San Gimignano-Florence

After breakfast, depart to the medieval city of Siena. Walking tour of the city including (exterior visits) : the Cathedral, admiring the unique marble, the Piazza del Campo, the famed site of the Palio di Siena, the horse races held twice a year. Afterward, soak up some free time to continue exploring independently or to purchase lunch. In the afternoon, depart to the walled medieval city of San Gimignano. Resting on the top of a hill, explore the area’s impressive Romanesque and Gothic architecture, frescoes, towers and more. Back to Florence for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Sun Florence-Chianti area-Assisi-Rome

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to the famous Chianti area where apart admiring the famous Tuscany countryside, we will be able to do a wine tasting (not including). Continue to Assisi: famous pilgrimage site. Stroll the maze of medieval streets, and visit the Basilicas of Santa Chiara and St Francis to see one of Italy’s largest collections of church art. Depart to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 Mon Rome-Amalfi-Sorrento-Naples

In the morning, you will be transferred to the departure meeting point in Rome. We will drive to Amalfi for a city tour. We will then continue to the famous Sorrento through the panoramic road that will allow us to admire from the top the famous village of Positano. We will arrive in Sorrento to visit the town with its typical streets. We then continue to Naples for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Tue Naples-Capri-Naples

Breakfast at the hotel and we depart to Naples to board the Jet foil that takes us to the magnificent island of Capri, resting place of Roman emperors that surprises with its landscape of cliffs and caves. Highlights include the Marina Grande and multiple scenic spots from where you can enjoy spectacular views. Lunch is at leisure. You will return to Naples by Jet Foil for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Wed Naples-Pompeii-Tropea area

Breakfast at hotel and departure for Pompeii, where we will visit the excavations of this famous city that was completely buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD departure to the area of Tropea stopping en route for lunch (not included). Arrival in Tropea. Free time to visit the old town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Thu Tropea area-Reggio Calabria-Taormina-Syracuse

Breakfast at hotel and departure for Reggio Calabria visit the magnificent Bronzi di Riace and embark to Sicily. Continue to Taormina for a free visit the Greco-Roman Theatre. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch before heading to Syracuse for dinner and overnight.

Day 13 Fri Siracusa-Piazza Armerina-Agrigento

Breakfast at hotel and we will visit the archaeological area including the Greek Theatre, the Latomie, Ortigia and the historical centre baroque city. We then depart to Piazza Armerina to visit the Roman Villa del Casale, famous for its more than 3500 square meters of perfectly preserved mosaics. Free time for lunch and continue in the afternoon towards Agrigento "the most beautiful city of mortals" where, today, you can admire ten Doric temples still preserved almost intact and form an immense archaeological value. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Sat Agrigento-Monreale-Palermo

In the morning, visit the "Valle dei Templi". Continue to Monreale and visit the Cathedral of Monreale and its Cloister Continue to Palermo. In the afternoon, free time for lunch and visit the city of Palermo including the Palatine Chapel, Palermo's Cathedral. Dinner and Overnight in the hotel

Day 15 Sun Palermo-Rome (Imperial Rome)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Palermo airport. Flight to Rome Fiumicino. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy an half day excursion (with other participants) to discover the symbol of the Eternal City: the Colosseum. Arriving by coach at Piazza Venezia you then continue on foot to the famous Piazza Del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. By coach we will then drive by the Circus Maximus and the Aventino Hill. Stop to admire the beautiful statue of Moses by Michelangelo located in the Church of St Peter’s in Chains from where it will take us 5 minutes to reach the symbol of the eternal city: The Colosseum (visit inside, the entrance fee is included) Due to seasonal opening times the itinerary may be altered without notice. (Colosseum closing days : Jan. 1st – Good Friday - May 1st – Dec. 25th)

Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 Mon Rome (Baroque Rome & Vatican Museums)

Today, we will visit the classic monuments of Rome by coach and on foot. Crossing Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads, our local guide will take you on a pleasant stroll through the historical centre, where you can admire the Trevi Fountain, La Colonna di Marco Aurelio, the Palazzo di Montecitorio, designed by Bernini, the Pantheon (visit inside), Palazzo Madama - seat of the senate and Piazza Navona. Passing alongside Castel Sant'Angelo, we get St Peter’s Square where there will be an explanation of the Basilica from outside.

Lunch will be at leisure. In the afternoon, take a relaxing afternoon tour of the Vatican Museums and escape from the crowd. No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums through our preferred entrance, hence you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel. Unforgettable! After the Sistine Chapel you will be taken, through an exclusive access to StPeter’s Basilica, skipping long lines.

Day 17 Tue Rome

You tour comes to an end after breakfast. Own departure arrangements. Optional private transfers on request

Inclusions: accommodation in 3 star or 4 star centrally located in a standard rooms, buffet breakfast daily, dinner from day 01 to day 15, return transfer from Venice central parking to the nearest point to your hotel, half day excursion to Murano and Burano by ferry, ferry or train from Portovenere to Monterosso and Vernazza (depending on weather conditions), return ferry to Capri, transportation on deluxe motorcoach (sizes accordingly to the number of passengers), English/Spanish speaking driver/guide if less than 7 participants, transfer from the hotel in Rome to the point where the Southern part of the tour starts, transfer from Palermo hotel to Palermo airport, transfer from Rome airport to Rome hotel, assistance in Spanish and English from 7 participants throughout the tour except on day 1 and last day (multilingual), no tour guide with less than 7 participants, transfer from Palermo hotel to Palermo airport, Palermo-Rome flight in Economy class with low cost airline (includes 1 piece of luggage max 15 kg per person), transfer from Rome airport to Palermo hotel, half-day regular excursion to the Ancient Rome (Colosseum and Roman Forum) with skip the line entrance, half-day regular walking excursion to the Baroque Rome (Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, Via del Corso, Spanish Steps), half-day excursion to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip the line entrance and city taxes.
Sightseeing: panoramic visits (no local guides) except for the visits to Milan, Venice and Florence, panoramic visits (no local guides) in Reggio Calabria, Naples, Capri, Sorrento and Amalfi, English/Spanish local guides for visits to Milan, Venice and Florence, English/Spanish local guides for visits to Palermo, Agrigento Syracuse and Pompei.
Hotels: Tourist class 3 & 4* : Milan-Hotel Ibis Milano Centro, Venice-Hotel Il Mercante di Venezia, Florence-Hotel Meridiana, Rome-Hotel Fiamma / Hotel Rome Garden, Naples-Hotel Naples, Tropea area-Hotel Tropis (in some departures, the accommodation could be in Vibo Valentia: Hotel 501), Siracusa-Hotel Alfeo, Agrigento-Hotel Kore/ Hotel Della Valle, Palermo-Hotel Principe di Villafranca/ Hotel Plaza Opera / Cristal/ Hotel Astoria, Rome-Hotel Fiamma/ Hotel Rome Garden(or similar)
First class hotel: Milan-Grand Hotel Adi Doria, Venice- Hotel All’Angelo/ Hotel Bonvecchiati/ Hotel Santa Chiara, Florence-Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli/ Hotel Kraft/ Hotel C-Hotels, Rome-Hotel Donna Laura Palace/ Massimo d’Azeglio/ Hotel Diana Roof Garden, Naples-Hotel Naples, Tropea area-Hotel Tropis (In some departures, accommodation could be in Vibo Valentia: Hotel 501), Siracusa-Hotel Alfeo, Agrigento-Hotel Kore/ Hotel Della Valle, Palermo-Hotel Principe di Villafranca/ Hotel Astoria, Rome-Hotel Donna Laura Palace/ Massimo d’Azeglio/ Hotel Diana Roof Garden (or similar)
Exclusions: flight to Milan, transfers from Milan airport to hotel in Milan, transfer from Rome airport to Rome hotel (on last day), full board, beverages during meals, local guides in Piazza Armerina, Tropea and Taormina, visit to the Blue Grotto in Capri, entrance fees, tips and personal extras and porterage.
Notes: bilingual tour English/Spanish. the tour itinerary can be changed or inverted without notice due to technical reasons. All previous visits, excursions and services will be guaranteed. Dinners during the tour could be at hotel or at local restaurant. Visits in Rome are based on regular excursions and clients will need to make their own way to the meeting point. Once the flight ticket Palermo-Rome is issued, no refunds will be done in case of cancellation or amendments.