UK - Rome
Day 1Fly to Rome where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Rome - Orvieto - Tuscan Hills
Day 2Drink in the Umbrian countryside as you head for Orvieto, a winemaking town on a high volcanic outcrop. Admire its black and yellow 14th-century cathedral, which took 300 years to build and overflows with frescoes and works of art. Afterwards, drive through classic Tuscan landscapes past the hill towns of Chianti before arriving at your hotel for four nights.
Tuscan Hills at leisure
Day 3Spend today relaxing at leisure or take our optional excursion to two of Tuscany's most enchanting towns. With its pepperpot-shaped towers, cobbled streets and tall townhouses, hilltop San Gimignano looks as if it has bypassed time itself. Another medieval masterpiece, Siena's narrow lanes and russet-painted mansions cluster around its famous Piazza del Campo. Shaped like a scallop, this café-lined square is the setting for its fabled Palio horse race.
Tuscan Hills - Florence - Tuscan Hills
Day 4Brimming with artistic and architectural treasures, Renaissance Florence is heaven for culture vultures. Your full day excursion makes the most of this glorious city, ruled over for centuries by the Medici family. Enjoy a guided walk around its architectural treasures.
Tuscan Hills - Greve - Pisa - Tuscan Hills
Day 5This morning we visit one of the celebrated wine estates in the Chianti Classico valley to see the magnificent environment in which the wine is created, and where we enjoy a wonderful lunch. Afterwards, we drive to Pisa to see its world-famous Square of Miracles, home to the Leaning Tower. Building started in 1173, this extraordinary tower started to lean soon afterwards due to poor foundations, before being completed in the 14th century. Admire the nearby Duomo, Baptistry and Campo Santo cemetery.
Tuscan Hills - Verona - Venice area
Day 6Travel through the Po Valley to Verona on the River Adige. Laid out in a grid by the Romans, Verona, called the 'Pink City' serves up a wealth of sights, including 'Juliet's Balcony', which Shakespeare had Romeo climb to meet his lover. Take in all of the city's sights with a guided walking tour before continuing your travels to the Venice area.
Venice
Day 7After a short drive and a boat trip along the Giudecca Canal, arrive in what is arguably the world's most beautiful city, Venice. An independent state and major maritime power during the Middle Ages, its narrow canals, ornate footbridges and exquisite architecture never fails to impress. Enjoy a simply unforgettable canal boat ride and a demonstration of the historic Venetian delicate art of glass blowing. Get to know this magical city at your will, exploring piazzas, palazzos and churches.
Venice area - Ravenna - San Marino
Day 8This morning, depart the Venice area and begin your journey to San Marino. En-route make a stop in Ravenna, known for its domed churches before arriving in San Marino, Europe's third smallest independent state.
San Marino - Urbino - Gubbio - Assisi area
Day 9Today the first stop is Urbino, the birthplace of Raphael. Nestling on a hillside, this walled town is dominated by a twin-towered Ducal Palace, the setting for 15th century Europe's most illustrious court. Next, carry on to medieval Gubbio, whose fairytale Palazzo Dei Consoli commands sweeping views over its rooftops and countryside beyond. Finally, drive towards Fuego, the birthplace of St Francis.
Assisi area - Naples
Day 10Your day begins at the major Catholic pilgrimage site of Assisi. Admire Giotto's frescoes in its breathtaking 13th century Basilica, before crossing the Apennines to the Mediterranean coast for three nights in historic Naples.
Naples - Capri by Ferry - Naples
Day
11Depart Naples and cross into Capri by way of ferry. Stroll through this island's pretty piazza's and exclusive avenues studded with boutiques and restaurants. Return to Naples this evening for to overnight stays.
Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento - Naples
Day 12Get to know bustling Naples on an orientation drive before heading for Pompeii. Walk with your guide to its astonishing archaeological sites before spending the evening in colour Sorrento.
Naples - Montecassino - Rome
Day 13Leave Naples this morning and stop in Montecassino. This famous hilltop Benedictine Abbey, was the site of a important World War II battle. Continue to Rome, where you'll have free time to acquaint yourself with the 'Eternal City'. Alternatively, dig deeper into the city on one of our optional sightseeing tours.
Rome
Day 14
With its ancient monuments, Renaissance art and grand fountains and palaces, Rome spans the millennia like no other city on earth. Today's included sightseeing takes in its greatest sights, from St Peter's Square to the inside visits of the Roman Forum and majestic Colosseum - the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. Afterwards, there's time to explore on your own or take one of our optional excursions.
Rome - UK
Day 15Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
Hotels
Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.
- Rome: Buenos Aires or Holiday Inn Express S Giovanni
- Tuscan Hills: Aquaviva at Casole d'Elsa or Toscana Ambassador Poggibonsi
- Venice area: Poppi at Mira or Holiday Inn at Marghera
- San Marino: GHSM Group
- Assisi area: Holiday Inn Express at Foligno
- Naples: M Gallery Palazzo Caracciolo or Holiday Inn
- Rome: Buenos Aires or Holiday Inn Express S Giovanni