Reflections of Italy
8 nights from $3,079 per person
- Included:
- Accommodation
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Selected excursions & meals
- In resort assistance & 24 hour contact center
Overview
A 10-day escorted tour through the fascinating country of Italy, with its rich history, beautiful scenery and arguably the best food in the world. Your journey will begin where else other than Rome, known at the “Eternal City” with a history spanning two and a half thousand years. A scenic journey will take you through beautiful Tuscany to the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance” – Florence. Enjoying delicious regional food and wine en route, you will continue to the utterly unique and picture-perfect city of Venice. Finally your Italian tour will come to a close in the smart city of Milan (CL)
Highlights
- Guided city tour of Rome seeing all the landmarks including Circus Maximus, Piazza Navona and the Coliseum
- Visit the historic cities of Assisi and Perugia
- Walking tour of the magical medieval town of Siena
- A city tour of Florence, taking in the famous sights of Michelangelo’s David and Palazzo Vecchio and enjoying leisure time to soak up the atmosphere of this glorious place
- Wine tasting in a historic setting in Chianti, with a lunch of local Tuscan specialities
- Glass-making demonstration in Murano Venice
- Walking tour of superlative Venice, featuring St Mark’s Basilica, the Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
- Admire Milan’s Duomo – the largest cathedral in Italy, a marvellous gothic construction – beautiful inside and out
Details
Day 1
Rome
This evening begin your tour by joining your fellow travellers at a popular local restaurant for a special welcome dinner featuring regional delicacies and Italian wines.
Dinner included
Day 2
Rome
Begin the day with a guided city tour of Rome featuring the impressive Piazza Venezia, Circus Maximus – the Roman chariot racing stadium, Piazza Navona with its famous Fountain of the Four Rivers and a visit to the iconic Coliseum. The afternoon is yours to choose your activities – either take an optional excursion to the Vatican City or stroll around this magnificent city at your own pace admiring the ancient buildings and watching the world go by from a café.
Breakfast included
Day 3
Rome – Assisi - Perugia
Travel to Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis and several other saints, where you will enjoy a guided walking tour to see the sights of this medieval city including the Basilica di San Francesco. Continue onto beautiful Perugia, the historic capital of Umbria, your overnight destination. Enjoy a gelato in the Piazza IV Novembre – the ancient square in the heart of the town flanked by the magnificent Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 4
Perugia – Siena - Florence
Begin the day with a beautiful drive through the Tuscan countryside to the captivating city of Siena. The highlight is the Piazza del Campo – one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares where the world famous Palio horse race is held. After a walking tour with a local expert you will have time to soak up the atmosphere of this lovely town, meandering through the narrow streets with their traditional shops and cafes. Later you will travel to Florence and then enjoy a delicious traditional Italian dinner.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 5
Florence
A full day in the fascinating city of Florence – the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance”. Visit the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s remarkable statue of David. Continue on a cultural tour of Florence, taking in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore, the Palazzo Vecchio and the church of Santa Croce. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore this beautiful city at your leisure.
Breakfast included
Day 6
Florence – Venice
A morning to enjoy the wonderful region of Tuscany, with a visit to a traditional winery in the heart of Chianti. Learn about the famed Tuscan wines and enjoy a light lunch of delicious local specialities, at this lovely winery in the shadow of a 12th century castle. Enjoy an afternoon journey through central Italy, crossing the Apennine Mountains, until you reach the magical city of Venice – like no other city on earth, Venice is made up of 117 tiny islands, 150 canals and 400 bridges.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 7
Venice – Murano Island - Venice
Weather permitting this morning you will be able to view Venice from the water with a boat trip to Murano Island – the center of glassmaking since the fourteenth century. Here you will discover the secrets of the ancient art of glass-making and admire the crafting of unique pieces. You will then return to Venice for a walking tour with a local expert. In lively St Mark’s Square you will admire the awe-inspiring Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and the Clocktower – where two great bronze figures strike the hours on the bell. Then enjoy a glimpse of the Bridge of Sighs – built in the 17th century and given its romantic name by Lord Byron in the 19th century.
Breakfast included
Day 8
Venice – Milan Malpensa
Travel to the city of Milan – renowned for both is magnificent buildings and its fashionable shops. Prepare for the breath-taking view of the truly impressive Duomo – the grandest gothic cathedral in Europe. You will also admire the Opera House La Scala and the glorious Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. Some free time will allow you to either browse the shops of Quadrilatero della Moda in Milan’s high fashion district or indulge in a spot of people-watching from one of the many pavement cafes. Continue onto Milan Malpensa for your final night of the tour, and celebrate your Italian experiences at a farewell dinner.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 9
Milan Malpensa
Your tour ends
Breakfast included
What's Included:
- 14 meals - 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
- 8 nights accommodation**: Rome 2 nights Hotel dei Borgia, NG Vittorio Veneto or Massimo D’Azeglio Hotel; Perugia 1 night Sangallo Palace Hotel or Roseo Hotel (Assisi); Florence 2 nights Starhotels Michelangelo, Best Western Rivoli Hoel or Albani Hotel; Venice 2 nights Carlton on the Grand Canal Hotel or LaGare Hotel (Murano Island); Milan Malpensa 1 night Crowne Plaza Malpensa or Sheraton Malpensa Airport
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Tours as described in the above itinerary
* On some dates alternate hotels may be used
With offices in UK and Ireland, we have the experience and resources to provide you with the very best vacation, partnering only with the most reputable coach operators to ensure you have a truly great touring experience.
