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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Italy
Tour Pace
This tour is well paced with an exceptional three night stay in Sorrento at the start of the tour and two night stays in all other cities except Orvieto. The majority of the driving days are not too long with convenient stops at places of interest along the way, for both refreshment and sightseeing.
DAY 1 – SAT – ROME AT LEISURE
On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to the hotel. Then time to relax and begin to enjoy La Dolce Vita (the sweet life)! Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton Roma.
DAY 2 – SUN – ROME – SORRENTO
We travel south to Castelli Romani where we stop at Castel Gandolfo to see the Pope's summer residence. Then on to the celebrated wine town of Frascati. Now to Pompeii where our local guide walks us through the streets of this Roman resort. A cliff top drive now brings us to Sorrento. Hotel: Grand Hotel la Pace. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 3 – MON – AMALFI COASTAL DRIVE
Plenty of photo opportunities today as we travel along Italy's finest coastline - the Amalfi Coast. We stop for a birds-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano before boarding minibuses to take us into the heart of town. There's time to be tempted by the boutiques before we head back to Sorrento for a relaxing afternoon. Maybe dine at one of Sorrento's top restaurants tonight? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields! Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, we ascend to Capri Town by funicular railway. Time now to browse through the elegant shops and enjoy the fabulous views. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Anacapri before returning to Sorrento? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – WED – SORRENTO – ORVIETO
This morning we visit the formidable Abbey of Monte Cassino, dominating surrounding countryside from its mountain-top site. Later, we stop at the nearby Commonwealth War Cemetery. Then it's on to visit Tarquinia's Archeological Museum and view the Etruscan tombs. We continue to our hotel tonight in the hilltop town of Orvieto. Hotel: Aquila Bianca. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – THU – ORVIETO – PERUGIA
This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of Orvieto, seeing the Cathedral, with its richly decorated facade. Now there is free time to shop before we continue to the lovely city of Perugia. Here our walking tour shows us the Exchange Building, Priors' Palace, Great Fountain and Cathedral. We stay in the historic town centre for the next two nights. Hotel: Sangallo Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – FRI – ASSISI EXCURSION
Crossing the River Tiber we arrive at the St Mary of the Angels Basilica, erected where St Francis died. Now we continue to hilltop Assisi where we visit the Basilica. We stroll down the Via San Francesco to St Clare's church. Next we see the Cathedral with its baptismal font where St Francis was christened. The energetic may climb to the medieval Castle for panoramic views! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SAT – PERUGIA – VENICE
We travel through the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Near Ravenna we visit the church of St Apollinaris in Classe, to see the mosaics. Then we continue to the magical city of Venice. Hotel: Sant'Elena. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – SUN – VENICE AT LEISURE
By private launch we cruise to St Mark's basin, seeing the Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace. We stroll to St Mark's Square to admire the Byzantine Basilica, and then watch a glass-blowing demonstration. Now we enjoy a highlight gondola ride through the canals. The rest of the day is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – MON – VENICE – FLORENCE
This morning we journey to the cradle of the Renaissance – Florence. On our walking tour we see the marble clad Cathedral, Giotto's belltower and the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery before continuing to Signoria Square. We then visit the Basilica of Santa Croce to see Michelangelo's tomb and finish with a Florentine leatherwork demonstration. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With our local guide we admire some of Michelangelo's work in the Academy Gallery including his original statue of David and the half completed Four Slaves. Afterwards, time to relax, shop or continue sightseeing? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – WED – FLORENCE – CHIANCIANO TERME
A delightful drive brings us to San Gimignano. We admire the Salucci Towers, Chigi Towers and Cathedral before continuing to Siena. We stroll the cobbled streets with a local guide to the Campo Square where we see the 'Fonte Gaia', then continue to the zebra striped cathedral. Now we follow the country roads to the spa town of Chianciano Terme. Hotel: Majestic. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 13 – THU – MONTEPULCIANO EXCURSION
Today we visit beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's highest hill towns, it's fortifications offering broad views over Umbria and Southern Tuscany. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 14 – FRI – CHIANCIANO TERME – ROME
We return to Rome today to visit the vast collection of ancient and Renaissance art in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills. The rest of the day is at leisure. Hotel: Cicerone. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 15 – SAT – ROME SIGHTSEEING
With our local guide we visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. On the opposite side of the Tiber, we tour StPeter's Basilica, seeing Michelangelo's masterpiece, the 'Pieta', as well as the dome, completed after his death. There is time at leisure this afternoon. Tonight we ensure our return to Rome at the Trevi Fountain, then enjoy a highlight dinner including wine. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 16 – SUN – ROME
After breakfast, there are transfers to Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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