Serenissima
Venice-Murano-Burano-Florence-Cinque Terre-Pisa-Siena-San Gimignano-Chianti-Assisi-Rome
07days/06nights, Venice/Rome
2020 depart: Mar 24, Apr 07, 21, 28. May 05,12, 19, 26. Jun 09, 16, 30. Jul 14. Aug 25. Sep 08, 15, 22, 29. Oct 06, 13, 20 Dec 29
Cost 4* from: $2370 pp twin share (s/sup $785)
day 01 Venice
Arrival at Venice airport and independent transfer to your hotel where you will meet the rest of the participants over dinner.
day 02 Venice – Murano – Burano - Venice
Today we will first enjoy a walking tour of the Serenissima: 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 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 colors. 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 03 Venice – Florence
Depart to Florence and stop on the way for lunch. Once in the city, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour beginning 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. Next you'll 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.
day 04 Florence – Cinque Terre – Pisa - Florence
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Today enjoy a marvellous excursion to one of the most famous area in Italy: Cinque Terre. Weather conditions permitting, depart to Portovenere, in case of bad weather conditions, we will stop in La Spezia and do the visit to Cinque Terre by train. In Portovenere, you will 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. 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 05 Florence – Siena – San Gimignano - Florence
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.
day 06 Florence – Chianti area - Assisi – Rome
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 07 Rome
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Own arrangement for departure.
Inclusions: twin share in 3 star hotel, buffet breakfast and dinner daily, transportation from the nearest point of your hotel to Venice central parking, half day excursion to Murano and Burano by ferry, cinque Terre ferry from Portovenere to Monterosso and Vernazza (weather conditions permitting. Otherwise the excursion will be done by train from La Spezia to Monterosso and Vernazza), transportation on deluxe motorcoach (sizes accordingly to the number of passengers), multilingual tour guide in Spanish and in English from 7 participants except on Day 1 and on the last day. Panoramic visits (no local guides) except for the visits to Venice and Florence
Exclusions: flights, transfers in & out, lunches, beverages during meals, entrance fees, city tax to be paid locally, tips and personal extras, porterage
Hotel: Venice-Il Mercante di Venezia, Florence-Meridiana, Rome-Fiamma or Garden (or similar)
Note: tour itinerary’s, for technical reasons, can be changed or inverted without notice. All previous visits, excursions and services are guaranteed. Dinners during the tour could be at hotel or at local restaurant according to the tour director’s decision. If the tour counts less than 7 participants, the trip could be done with an English/Spanish speaking driver/guide (no tour guide).
On request: Upgrade to 4* hotels - private transfers from Milan or from Como