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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
Evenly paced tour with two night stays in all three centres – Rome, Montecatini & Venice – allowing plenty of time for sightseeing & people watching, from the comfort of a sidewalk café! The driving days are all of a reasonable length with frequent stops for rest and photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SAT – ROME AT LEISURE
On arrival at Rome Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Now this beautiful and historic city is yours to discover. Maybe stroll down to the Spanish Steps, or sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe in the Piazza Navona (the 'Living Room of Rome') and watch life go by? This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton Roma.
DAY 2 – SUN – ROME – TUSCANY
We drive northwards, following the valley of the Tiber, to Perugia, in medieval times one of the great Italian schools of painting. We visit the Piazza 4 Novembre, one of the grandest squares in Italy, to see the Great Fountain, Gothic Cathedral and splendid Priors' Palace. We also see the nearby Collegio del Cambio. Now a delightful drive through the Tuscan olive groves brings us to Florence where we explore the riches of the Renaissance. With our local guide, we visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David'. Then we see the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery too, where Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, we visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. We then make our way to our hotel in Montecatini. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 3 – MON – FLORENCE EXCURSION
We drive back to Florence this morning and enjoy a demonstration of traditional Florentine leatherwork. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop, explore or continue sightseeing? Perhaps take an optional excursion to the leaning tower of Pisa? Don't forget to sample the fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine too! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE – TUSCANY – VENICE
Then we cross the Apennine Mountains, passing Bologna and the flood plains of the River Po for a scenic drive along the famous Brenta Riviera. Here we see the magnificent classical villas that were once the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. Our route takes us along the canal through Strà, Dolo and Mira to magical Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. Tonight we stay on the Lido, one of the most fashionable resorts on the Adriatic! Hotel: Le Boulevard. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – WED – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Venice – a living treasure! Appreciate her splendour as we cruise by the Biennale Park and Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore, to St Mark's Square. Our Tour Director explains the glorious history of 'La Serenissima', once one of the greatest trading centres of the world, importing goods especially from the Orient. The city's wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St Mark's Basilica, and we also see the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. We then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge this afternoon. Don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – THU – VENICE – ROME
Sadly we bid farewell to Venice this morning and take the spectacular highway over the wild Apennines. Continuing southwards, we reach the valley of the River Tiber and follow its course back to Rome. Tonight, why not dine to your favourite Italian songs from some of the best voices in Italy? Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Our local guide introduces us to the grandeur of the city today! We drive first to the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world! Here we visit the superb Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art, gathered by Popes over the ages. We continue into the Sistine Chapel, glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills! Next we tour St Peter's Basilica to see another of Michelangelo's early works, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome completed after his death. We now hear tales of the glory of ancient Rome as we cross the River Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. This afternoon is free time to enjoy Rome at our own pace. Tonight, we throw a coin or three into the illuminated Trevi Fountain, to ensure our return to Rome, before enjoying a highlight dinner including pasta, wine and music. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 8 – SAT – ROME
We bid farewell to the glories of Italy as we are transferred to the airport for our homeward flight. (Buffet breakfast)
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