Best Of Italy

Best Of Italy 

Take the ultimate tour of Italy with this harmonious blend of culture and countryside. Highlights include ancient Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Assisi, Pomposa, Venice, Verona, Milan, Lugano, Siena and Florence.

13 Day guided holiday includes:
• 12 nights First Class accommodation
• Breakfast daily and 6 evening meals including dinner on an island in Lake Maggiore
• A range of great sightseeing tours as per the itinerary below
• Local Guide in Rome, Pompeii, Assisi, Milan and Florence
• Transportation by luxury air conditioned coach and services of a Travel Director
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes

From: $2990 per person twin share

Price is per person twin share and land only.
Single supplement is available.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! Spend the rest of your day relaxing or take a leisurely stroll around the city. Join your companions and your Travel Director later for a Welcome Reception. Then enjoy an orientation drive to see St. Peter’s Basilica and other sights – a great introduction to this beautiful city.

Meal(s): (Welcome Reception)
Hotel: Cicerone

Day 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Your included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide begins at the Vatican Museums. Experience a Unique Insight in the Vatican when you ascend the smooth and step-less spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante. Admire Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and then visit St. Peter’s Basilica to see his famous Pietà. Your tour continues in ancient Rome. View the Forum and see Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held. Visit the impressive Colosseum. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own, or simply relax and watch the world go by!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3 – ROME – POMPEII – SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS)

Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery near Monte Cassino. Your Local Guide tells you all about the devastation caused by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 during your walking tour of Pompeii. Arrive later at your hotel in Sorrento where you dine tonight.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Corallo/Johanna Park/La Residenza

Day 4 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

Witness the art of inlaid wood-working, for which Sorrento is famous. Later, embark on an included excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. See the local gardens and other sights during an orientation walk of Capri town. Spend time exploring this lovely island on your own. Perhaps consider visiting the villa of the Swedish doctor, Axel Munthe.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 5 – SORRENTO – ASSISI

Assisi is a mystical town perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio overlooking the peaceful Umbrian landscape. Under the protection of St. Francis this city is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Your Local Guide takes you on a walking tour, which includes a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its frescos depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Spend time afterwards exploring on your own and shopping for souvenirs. Dine at your hotel this evening.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Ora Cenacolo

Day 6 – ASSISI – CLASSE – VENICE (2 NIGHTS)

Driving north from Assisi, cross the Apennines to the Adriatic Coast and the town of Classe, famous for ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris. Admire the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Arrive later in Venice, Queen of the Adriatic, where you stay for two nights.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Albergo Hungaria

Day 7 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Your cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square is magical! View the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful Doge’s Palace and the Basilica. Watch a demonstration of the ancient art of glass-blowing at a traditional workshop on Giudecca island. Spend free time seeing the sights of your choice. You might like to cruise across the lagoon to the Island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8 – VENICE – VERONA – MILAN – LAKE MAGGIORE (2 NIGHTS)

This morning travel to Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, to admire the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony. Cross the plains of Lombardy to Milan for a walking tour of this fashionable city with your Local Guide. See the Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera house and the famous Galleria. Dine tonight at your hotel.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Simplon

Day 9 – LAKE COMO EXCURSION

Travel to the beautiful Lake Como with free time to explore or simply soak up the scenery. This evening, take a private boat to an island on Lake Maggiore for a special Be My Guest dinner experience.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 10 – LAKE MAGGIORE – PISA – FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS)

Cross the Plains of Lombardy, the forested Apennine Mountains, and pass by Genoa to Pisa. View the extraordinary Leaning Tower before arriving in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Tonight, you might like to sample some local Tuscan cuisine.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Croce Di Malta

Day 11 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Your Local Guide brings the city’s rich history to life during your walking tour. See the Cathedral and Signoria Square and view Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend free time exploring or shop for high quality leather and gold.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12 – FLORENCE – SIENA – ROME

Set in scenic Tuscan countryside, visit the medieval town of Siena, famous for its exciting Palio horse race. This evening in Rome, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Hotel: Sheraton Golf Parco Dei Medici

Day 13 – DEPART ROME

Say ‘arrivederci Roma’ at the end of your memorable holiday in Italy. Transfers are available to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Insider Experiences

• Local Speciality Visit Giudecca Island for an insider look at Venetian Arts. See glass-blowing artisans and other craftsmen in action.
• Local Speciality Visit a traditional inlay wood-working workshop in Sorrento.
• Be My Guest Take a private boat trip for an exclusive dinner on an island in the idyllic Lake Maggiore. Your host will share stories of the history of the island and ‘pirate’s hideaway’ and then you will be served a delicious meal.
• Local Guide in Rome, Pompeii, Assisi, Milan and Florence.
• Unique Insight Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and da Vinci when visiting the Vatican Museums. Ascend the smooth and step-less spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante, in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.
• Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Rome Sightseeing tour with a Local Guide includes views of the ancient Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s Pieta. Visit the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. Visit the Colosseum.
• Monte Cassino Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery.
• Pompeii Visit the excavations.
• Isle of Capri Cruise to the beautiful island in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• Assisi Visit St. Francis’ Basilica.
• Classe Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris and admire its mosaics.
• Pomposa View the ancient Romanesque Abbey.
• Venice Canal cruise by private launch. View St. Mark’s Square, the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
• Verona See the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony.
• Milan Walking tour with your Local Guide includes views of the Glass Domed Galleria, the Gothic Cathedral and La Scala Opera House.
• Lake Como Visit the beautiful Lake Como.
• Pisa View the Leaning Tower.
• Florence Admire the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Your walking tour with a Local Guide takes you to Signoria Square and includes views of the Duomo, Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce Basilica.
• Siena Visit this medieval Tuscan city, home of the Palio horse race.

Dining 

• 12 hot buffet breakfasts.
• 6 evening meals including:
• Welcome Reception with light snacks and welcome drinks with your Travel Director in Rome.
• Be My Guest dinner on an island in Lake Maggiore.
• 4 three-course dinners with local wine.
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome.

Travel Highlights

• Return cruise to the Isle of Capri.
• First Class hotel accommodation featuring two-bedded rooms and private facilities
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
• Travel by luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and an on-board restroom
• The services of a professional Travel Director
• Audio headsets to clearly hear your guide’s commentary on all included sightseeing
• A travel wallet with your documentation
• Complimentary keepsake photo and map
• Airport transfers are include

Contact us for more information or a quote.
We are also able to quote for different accommodation, dates, or No. of people.