11 Days Italian Discovery Tour Package

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: $1,725 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jan - Apr

Experience many landscapes and varied cities on this regional tour of Italy. Including the picturesque Lake District, Venice's water world of canals and cobblestone streets, Bologna's 'kissing' towers and Pisa's leaning tower.

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
‘Benvenuti’ to the warmth of the Italian peninsula! You will have time to relax this afternoon before enjoying a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Hotel: Novadomus

Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our first highlight today is a trip to the Vatican City to visit the Sistine Chapel, enhanced by the use of our audio equipment and our local guide. We’ll hear of the many years Michelangelo spent on his back painting the scenes of the Creation on to the ceiling of this significant building before we continue our discovery of his great work in St Peter’s Basilica. We’ll be moved by the ‘Pieta’ and amazed by the massive cupola of the Church before we cross the river Tiber and to quite another aspect of this city on the Seven Hills – ancient Rome. Listen to tales of Julius Caesar and other great emperors as we stop to overlook the Forum and continue along the Via Sacra to visit the Colosseum.

Finally we will see the Circus Maximus where Ben Hur style chariot races are said to have taken place. Then you are free to perhaps take an excursion to the Catacombs or simply enjoy ‘la dolce vita’ as you sip a glass of wine from at a pavement café on the Via Veneto. Tonight, why not
indulge in some delicious Roman cuisine? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome – Florence
A drive through the regions of Latium and Umbria brings us into Tuscany and Renaissance Florence, where our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure of this beautiful city. We’ll admire views over the city across to elegant Fiesole from Piazzale Michelangelo and then enter the ancient center of the city for a guided walking tour. We’ll visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, where so many of Italy’s great men are buried, particularly Michelangelo, Piazza Signoria with its beautiful cafés and sculptures, and, of course, see the Duomo with its Bell Tower and famous Baptistery. Then time at leisure to explore the city further or to shop for fashionable leather and 18-carat gold jewellery. Tonight, we enjoy a delicious ‘Be My Guest’ dinner of local specialties in a family run restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Hotel: Astoria

Day 5 - Florence – Pisa – Turin
After breakfast we drive to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles; make sure to pick up a souvenir or two before an exhilarating drive along the Ligurian coast. We’ll see the Carrara Marble quarries where Michelangelo chose the stone for so many of his great sculptures as well as views of the magnificent coastline. Passing Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, we turn inland to travel toward the Alps and Turin, home of Fiat, Capuccino and Martini! On arrival orientation will show us the Antonelliana Building and the Piazza San Carlo before dinner in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Atahotel Concord

Day 6 - Turin – Lake Maggiore – Milan
First we travel to Lake Maggiore, which is the most westerly of the three large pre-alpine lakes of Italy. From here we enjoy a scenic drive along the lake and then head south for the capital of Lombardy, Milan. An orientation of the city includes the Galleria, the first shopping arcade in Europe, and views of La Scala Opera House and of course the Gothic Cathedral bristling with saintly statues. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner together in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Brun

Day 7 - Milan – Pavia – Verona – Venice (Island) (2 nights)
First stop today is at the Cistercian Abbey of Pavia, an important architectural momument in Italy. Later we continue our journey into the Veneto stopping to see Juliet’s Balcony in the city of the star-crossed lovers, Verona. We will also see the 2,000 year old Roman arena, still in use today and then we continue to the magical city of Venice. On arrival we walk together to our charming hotel crossing over several ornate bridges that span the fascinating network of canals for which Venice is renowned. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Bellini

Day 8 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast, a stroll through the narrow streets brings us to one of the oldest Murano glass-blowing workshops on the island where we will witness a demonstration of this ancient craft. The balance of the day is at your leisure to perhaps take an excursion to the fishermen’s island of Burano for a fresh seafood lunch, or to visit one of the many art galleries and museums for which this city is justifiably renowned. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 9 - Venice – Ferrara – Bologna
First we visit Ferrara, the medieval city which was ruled over by the Este family for three centuries. Later we arrive in Bologna, famous for its architecture, its ancient university and wonderful sausages! Bologna is a feast for the senses – and the stomach! Sightseeing with a local guide shows us ‘Neptune’s Fountain’, the ‘Kissing Towers’ and Piazza Maggiore. Later don’t miss the chance of sampling some of the city’s reputed cuisine in an atmospheric trattoria. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Golden Tulip Aemilia

Day 10 - Bologna – Assisi – Rome
Our journey takes us over the glorious Apennine Mountains to the Umbrian town of Assisi set atop the Mount Subasio. With a local expert we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the town of St. Francis on foot – enhanced by the use of our excellent audio system. We’ll visit St. Francis’ Basilica and see the Saint’s tomb, and later pass by the church of St. Mary of the Angels which stands on the site where he died. From here it is but a short drive to the Eternal City past the hilltop town of Orte. This evening, we celebrate the end of our tour together with a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Villa Pamphili

Day 11 - Rome – USA
This morning it’s ‘buon viaggio’ to your Tour Director and new found friends, as your tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Rome

Florence

Pisa
 
Stresa

Italian Lakes

Pavia

Verona

Venice

Mantua

Bologna

Assisi

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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