13 Day Italian Splendors small group minivan tour Max 8 pax
- Duration: 12 Days (approx.)
- Location: Venice
- Product code: PDTCNZ
Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday- USA - VENICE: Overnight flight to Venice, Italy. Airfare not included.
DAY 2 Monday - Benvenuto a Venezia! World-renowned for its classic gondola boats and its elegant, refined art. Check in to your hotel. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation. (B, D) Hotel Plaza, Venice
Day 3, Tuesday – VENICE: We begin our exploration of Venice with a boat ride to the island of Murano, which is actually several small isles dissected by a wide canal. Disembark the boat to walk around Murano with your guide. Visit a glass factory, where you’ll watch a glass blower creating beautiful pieces of glassware, a Murano tradition that dates back to 1291. Hear a bit about the island’s history from your guide, who tells you about Murano’s prosperity in the 1400s and 1500s, when it was the center of glassmaking in Europe. Then go admire other sights like churches decorated with mosaics and other ornamental details. Next, visit Torcello, an island established between the 5th and 6th centuries, to see its ornate palaces and churches. Highlights include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in the 7th century, and the excavated remnants of the baptistery in the Church of Santa Fosca. Then head to your third stop, Burano, an island known for its lace production, which dates back to the 16th century and was once the best in Europe. While you visit local shops and a museum to admire high-end lace on display, admire the island’s brightly colored fishermen’s houses. Your tour then ends with the return boat ride to Venice. Continue at your own pace to St. Mark’s square with visits to St. Marks Basilica, the Doge Palace, and a symbol of the glory and authority of Venice as it housed the seat of the government and the court of justice. Nearby you will see Rialto Bridge, the legendary bridge of sight. Tonight embark on a gondola for a 30 minute ride along the Grand Canal and minor channels. Overnight in hotel (B) Hotel Plaza, Venice
Day 4, Wednesday – VENICE – Bologna / Pisa / GREVE-CHIANTI HILLS: This morning we travel southwest to Pisa, one of the four main historical marine republics of Italy. It’s also the home to the gleaming white monuments of Piazza dei Miracoli (square of miracles) which houses the Duomo, the leaning tower, and the baptistery. The most famous is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, an iconic UNESCO site, which is recognized around the world. Pose for photos outside the tower and see Pisa Baptistery and Pisa Duomo. Later in the afternoon we travel through the Chianti Hills to Fattoria Viticcio Farmhouse and Winery. (B)
Day 5, Thursday – Siena/Montepulciano: This morning we travel through Tuscany to visit the city of Siena. Surrounded by ancient walls, the city is best-known as the venue for the Palio, a famous horse race. Stroll around at leisure, exploring Piazza del Campo where the Palio takes place each year, and see other highlights like Siena Cathedral and Palazzo Comunale – the city’s elegant Gothic palace. Next visit is to the hill town of Montepulciano in a picturesque area known as Val d’Orcia. As you explore the town independently, soak up the views of the gently rolling Chianti hills that surround you, and admire the gorgeous Renaissance architecture. The town is best known for its wine production, so make the most of your time here to shop for quality Tuscan wines. Dinner at Cantina Gattavecchi Restaurant & Winery before returning to our hotel. (B, D)
Day 6, Friday – CHIANTI HILLS/ Greve: Day at your leisure to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Chianti Hills with its vineyards. This afternoon you will participate in a Tuscan cooking class by our chef Elisa, followed by dinner and wine at Farmhouse Viticcio. (B, D)
Day 7, Saturday – Florence: After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “cradle of renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-roman origins, the city flourished in the middle ages as a free “commune” and was further refined by the renaissance. You will be fascinated by its numerous monuments, churches, and buildings, as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the campanile tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the baptistery, with its bronze doors that Michelangelo dubbed the “gates of paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy a light lunch (own your own) or favorite drink at one of the many restaurants and cafes in Santa Croce square. Early evening a Tuscan dinner awaits us at a local restaurant. Return to hotel Viticcio Farmhouse for a glass of wine and a well-deserved rest. (B, D) Viticcio Farmhouse & Winery
Day 8, Sunday – Chianti Hills / Assisi / ROME: As we depart the Chianti Hills we travel south to the hilltop town of Assisi in Umbria. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed town, Assisi is best known as the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, St Francis of Assisi. As you stroll leisurely visit the incredible Basilica di San Francesco, which is dedicated to the saint, as well as Santa Maria degli Angeli Church. Continue south to Rome. This afternoon you may relax or explore the city independently. Discover the Eternal City on your own with a leisurely walk, see the Fountain of the Nayads, Roman Forum, Coliseum, Arch of Constantine, and Circus Maximus. Castel Sant'Angelo, St. Peter's, Porta Flaminia, Via Veneto, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain. Early evening dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B, D) Trevi Collection Hotel
Day 9, Monday – ROME: Early morning departure for the Vatican tour: visits include Piazza Della Repubblica, Aurelian walls, Villa Borghese Park, Piazza del Popolo. On arrival at the Vatican Walls, your guide will lead you into the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (ticket included-Pick up from your hotel and drop off in centre of Rome). Go inside St Peter’s Basilica. Rest of the afternoon at your leisure. (B) Trevi Collection Hotel
Day 10, Tuesday – Rome / Pompeii / SORRENTO: After breakfast at your hotel, we depart early, taking the highway “of the sun” through the regions of Lazio and Campania, where you will arrive in Pompeii, visit the excavations of the famous roman city, destroyed and buried under ashes and forever preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Leaving Pompeii, you will drive along the Sorrentine coast, arriving in Sorrento. Check in for dinner and an overnight in your hotel. (B, D) Hotel Carlton International
Day 11, Wednesday – Sorrento: You will be transferred from your hotel to the port of Piano di Sorrento, depart to Capri, sailing along the Sorrento Coast. Along the way you will admire the ancient fishing village of Marina Grande, the ruins of a Roman villa near Bagni della Regina Giovanna, the natural waterfall that flows from the rock, and other interesting attractions along the coast. Arrive at Capri and tour the island by boat with stops to visit the Marvelous Grotto, the White Grotto, the Green Grotto and the Blue Grotto (subject to sea and weather conditions). Along the way, admire the Natural Arch, the Villa Curzio Malaparte, the Faraglioni rocks and the Lighthouse of Punta Carena. Disembark on the island for approximately 4 hours to explore Capri by land. Shop in the exclusive boutiques or enjoy a lunch (on your own) at one of the delicious restaurants. Then, depart from Capri for your return trip to Sorrento. Return to the port of Piano di Sorrento and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure. (B) Hotel Carlton International
Day 12, Thursday – Sorrento / Amalfi Coast: We depart early today for our tour of the Amalfi coast. We journey over the local hills onto the famous Coastal Road. Enjoy the views as you journey to your first stop at the pretty Village of Positano with an hour of free time to explore the quaint town with its shops and take in the atmosphere. Continue along the Coastal Road to Amalfi and enjoy free time. Leisure over a delicious, Southern Italian, light-lunch (on your own)… and take in the unique Mediterranean atmosphere. We continue on the higher Town of Ravello. Free time to enjoy Ravello’s stunning gardens and views down and across the whole bay, shop and explore…before re-joining your transport and journeying back to your Hotel in Sorrento. (B, D) Hotel Carlton International
Day 13, Friday - Sorrento / Naples/ USA: Enjoy one final breakfast before transferring to the airport. Arrivederci Italia (B)
Price Includes:
· Roundtrip airport transfers
· 11 nights first class 4 star hotel accommodations with daily breakfast
· Transportation throughout via minivan, max 8 pax.
· English speaking tour escort and local guides where included per itinerary.
· Murano 4 hour tour, 3 island cruise
· Gondola ride in Venice
· Full day Island Capri
· 18 Meals included: 11 breakfast, 7 dinners
· Wine Tastings
· Panoramic sightseeing per itinerary
· Vatican Museums skip the line entrance fee
· Porterage one suitcase
· Hotel taxes and service charges.
· Note: Not included, Hotel local tax of 2€ - 5€ /room/day paid directly to hotel upon check-in.
