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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
Being an 'Easy Pace' tour, with three nights in each city, this is as relaxed as it gets! Use your free time to explore as you wish, go shopping, or ask your Tour Director for suggestions. A complete list of optional excursions will be offered on commencement of your tour.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE MILAN – ITALIAN LAKES
Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Malpensa airport there are complimentary transfers departing for the Italian Lake District at 09.00 and 12.30. Settle into the tour hotel overlooking Lake Maggiore and relax - the rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, before dinner, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our fellow passengers and Tour Director. Hotel: Dino. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 2 – MILAN EXCURSION
Today we visit Milan, Italy's renowned fashion capital, a city dominated by the magnificent Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! We see the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre too, before free time to explore or shop. We return to our beautiful lakeside resort where the rest of the day is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – LAKE COMO EXCURSION
Today's highlight is enchanting Lake Como, considered the jewel of the Italian Lakes for its superb mountain setting. We stop in the resort of Como, dominated by its marble cathedral set in the narrow streets of the old town. After some time to explore we return to our hotel this afternoon, where we are at a leisure to relax and enjoy this beautiful lakeside setting. Why not take a cruise out to the lovely Isola Bella, where Carlo Borromeo (Cardinal, Pope and later Saint) built his charming Palace? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – ITALIAN LAKES – VENICE
We head east to the elegant city of Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. We see the ancient Roman arena, still in use today for the annual Verona Festival, and visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet's balcony - can you recite Shakespeare's immortal words? Then on to romantic Venice, glorious city of quaint bridges, ornate palaces, and gondolas. Hotel: Hungaria Palace/Sant'Elena. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
We cruise to St Mark's Square by private launch to see the ornate Basilica. We also admire the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Later we visit a glass showroom for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – VENICE AT LEISURE
A day to drink in the atmosphere of this wonderful city! Maybe explore the treasures of the Academy Museum, browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge or sit a while at a canal side cafe with a glass of local wine? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – VENICE – FLORENCE
Leaving Venice we follow the smooth highway across the valley of the river Po and into the wild Apennines. We soon reach the Renaissance city of Florence. Our sightseeing with local guide shows us the statue of 'David' in the Academy Gallery. We continue to see the Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square, political stage of the Florentines. Now on to our hotel. Hotel: Palazzo Ricasoli/Croce di Malta. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE
A whole day to enjoy this beautiful city! Maybe take an optional excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or perhaps a visit to San Gimignano to admire the picturesque Salucci Towers? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE
Why not dedicate today to shopping for leather and gold products? Perhaps visit one of the many museums or simply relax at an outdoor café with a glass of vino? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – FLORENCE – ROME
We travel through the vineyards of the Chianti region en route to Assisi. A chance to visit the tomb of St Francis and the frescoes of Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the Tiber valley towards the 'Eternal City', of Rome. Hotel: Massimo D'Azeglio. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with our local guide begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums where we see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Next, we visit St. Peter's Basilica, built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history's greatest architects - Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Crossing the Tiber we also visit the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. This afternoon we are at leisure to shop, relax or continue sightseeing. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – ROME AT LEISURE
A day to explore Rome at our own pace. Perhaps spend some time in the designer stores of the Spanish Steps, visit the well preserved Pantheon or sip a cappuccino in the Piazza Navona - the 'Living Room of Rome'. This evening, we toss a coin into the illuminated Trevi Fountain before enjoying a typically Roman dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – ROME
Our tour ends today with transfers from the hotel to Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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