Enticing Northern Italy,
Tuscany & Rome

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

This evening we will join our fellow travellers and enjoy a welcome drink and tour presentation, followed by dinner together in a nearby restaurant.

This morning we will enjoy a boat excursion to the Borromean Islands, which lie in the heart of Lake Maggiore. 

Isola Bella, the largest of the three islands is our first stop, and home to the historic Borromeo Palace. The islands are private and still owned by the aristocratic Borromeo family, whose antecedent was St (and Pope) Charles Borromeo and whose currnet daughter is now married into the Monegasque Royal family. We will visit the palace and baroque gardens.

Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure in Stresa, the lively lakeside town.

We will depart after breakfast for a panoramic guided coach tour of Milan before heading east for Verona. Sights will include La Scala, Milan's world renowned opera house, Sforzesco Castle and the Cathedral amongst others. 

We will then continue to Verona to discover the historic city, with its ampitheatre, famous piazzas and 'Juliet's Balcony' 

We continue on Venice and its lagoon, our base for the next two nights. 

After breakfast, we will enjoy a guided walking tour of the main sights of Venice, including the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basillica (no entrances included).

After lunch at leisure, we will enjoy a seranaded gondola tour of the city's famous canals.

The rest of the day and evening will be free to explore Venice with your 24hour ACTV Tourist Venice Travelcard (unlimited travel including the water-buses) Perhaps take a boat tour to the islands of Murano and Burano where the famous glassware is produced or treat yourself to a tour of the canals on a gondola!

This morning we will continue our tour south towards Florence and Tuscany, stopping en-route at the city of Bologna, Italy's culinary capital and, yes, the home of Bolognese Sauce! We'll have lunch before continuing on our journey.

We'll continue to our Tuscan countryside retreat and relax before dinner at leisure in the hotel this evening.

We will depart after breakfast for Florence.  On arrival we will be met by our local guide and taken on a walking tour of this historical city.  We will see a host of famous sites such as the Galleria dell'Accademia (statue of David), Uffizi Gallery, Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, St. John's Baptistry, Ponte Vecchio amongst others.   

After all this exercise, it's time to relax and partake of a traditional gelato. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure, before returning to our hotel

Following breakfast we will board our coach for a full day tour to Pisa and Lucca. 

First stop will be Lucca for a walking tour of this highly attractive entirely-walled Renaissance town. Walking through the historical centre along the cobblestone streets we will see the Casa di Puccini, where the great opera composer was born which is now a house museum.

There will be time for lunch before we board the coach again and head off to Pisa. We will meet our guide for a tour of the Campo dei Miracoli (Miracles Square) comprising Duomo, Baptistry and the famous Leaning Tower, to which entrance is included for those who want to climb the steps!

 Dinner will be together at our hotel.

As we leave Florence behind we will drive through the picturesque Tuscan countryside and the Chianti region where we will stop at a classic Chianti vineyard for a presentation and wine tasting including local snacks/light lunch.  After re-boarding our coach we will continue south to the Eternal City that is Rome for the next 3 nights.  Dinner will be together this evening in a local restaurant/trattoria.

This morning we will have a guided city sightseeing tour by coach where we will discover Ancient Rome including visits to the Colosseum and Roman Forum (including skip-the-queue tickets and headsets). 

The rest of the day and evening will be free to explore this amazing city, making our own way back to the hotel.

Another highlight will be the guided visit we are making today to the Vatican and its museums including the Sistine Chapel (including skip-the-queue tickets and headsets).

Like yesterday, the afternoon will be at leisure for more sightseeing or last minute shopping, making our own way back to the hotel.

This evening we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner together in a local restaurant/trattoria.

Sadly our Italian Experience has come to an end and its time to depart.  Transfers to the airport will be arranged accordingly.

However, if you want to continue your Italian Experience, why not extend your holiday and come to Sicily with us!