DISCOVER ITALY:  12 Day Tour

The perfect introduction to Europe’s most visited destination, this eclectic tour travels the length of this amazingly diverse country, providing our guests an opportunity to explore the most beautiful and intriguing parts of Northern Italy. A balanced blend of sightseeing, guided touring, and time for leisure, this tour is ideal for travelers of all experience levels, from the novice European visitor to seasoned travelers who have already scoped out their favorite parts of this remarkable country. From beginning to end, this tour provides you with memories that last a lifetime, all wrapped up in one neat little package – Italy!

Itinerary At a Glance

• DAY 1: Rome
• DAY 2: Rome-Assisi-Siena-Florence
• DAY 3: Florence
• DAY 4: Florence-Bologna-Padova-Venice
• DAY 5: Florence-Bologna-Padova-Venice
• DAY 6: Venice
• DAY 7: Venice-Montepulciano-Rome
• DAY 8: Rome
• DAY 9: Rome-Napeles-Pompeii-Sorrento
• DAY 10: Sorrento-Capri
• DAY 11: Capri-Rome
• DAY 12:  Rome

Day 1:  ROME

Welcome to Italy! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable experience. Upon your arrival, you will make your way to your Rome hotel. Today, take advantage ofa day at leisure, so rest up as you prepare to embark on your Italian adventure!

Day 2:  ROME, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE

Rise and shine for an early departure from ROME via deluxe motor coach to your next destination, Assisi. Today, you will meet your tour guide and get to know your fellow guests. Relax, enjoy the ride, and welcome to the Discover Italy tour!  Arrive in Assisi, in Italy’s Umbrian region, and enjoy some leisure time in this tiny town surrounded by ancient walls and graced by grand castles and historic ancient churches.

A visit of the Basilica of St. Francis, a World Heritage Site, will provide visitors with a chance to view the frescoes of Giotto and Cimabue as well as many other beautiful works of art.Departure from Assisi to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Tuscan hill town includes magnificent cathedrals, pretty botanical gardens, Gothic palazzos, and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the town square and favored gathering place, home to the Palio horse race, an excellent art museum,and plenty of opportunity for people-watching.

Departure from Siena to our destination of the evening, magnificent Florence.Arrive at your hotel in Florence. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and comfortable overnight accommodations.

Day 3:  FLORENCE

After breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring this popular city of Etruscan- Roman origins, which flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune.  Now the most populated city in Tuscany, Florence is recognized as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and is lauded for its magnificent sites. You’ll visit the architectural gem of Florence, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as The Duomo. This 14th century masterpiece is visible throughout the city and is the most-visited attraction in Florence.

The tour will then proceed to the Campanile (bell tower), partly designed by Giotto, and the accompanying Baptistery, graced with spectacular bronze doors that artist Michelangelo dubbed The Gates of Paradise.  Other city sites include the Florence Accademia Gallery, where visitors can view Michelangelo’s David, the Ufizzi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vechhio, Florence’s oldest bridge.  Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, with the option of visiting nearby Pisa. Known, of course, for its famous Leaning Tower, Pisa achieved notoriety as one of Italy’s four 11th century Maritime Republics and was the birthplace of physicist/astronomer Galileo. While in Pisa, we’ll take time to admire the Square of Miracles where we’ll find the lovely Duomo, the quirky Leaning Tower, and many other notable sites.  Upon return to Florence, we’ll eat dinner and settle in for an overnight stay.

Day 4:  FLORENCE, BOLGONA, PADOVA, VENICE

Start the day with a delicious breakfast and then depart for Bologna. Known for its excellent quality of life, Bologna has a strong industrial tradition and is known for its medieval towers and ramparts and its many elegant porticos. We’ll visit the Piazza del Nettuno with its beautiful Neptune fountain, Piazza Maggiore, and other sites in the heart of the city like King Renzo’s Palace, the Podesta’s Palace, and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest basilicas in the world.  In the afternoon, we will continue towards the town of Padova, where Shakespeare set his Taming of the Shrew.  Here, visitors can view the 13th centuryPisano-designed Santo Antonio Basilica and other historic structures. In the evening, head for Venice, world-famous for its canals and gondolas and its numerous museums, palazzi, churches, and villas.  Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the city the New York Times called “undoubtedly the most beautiful city ever built by man.”

Day 5:  VENICE

Eat breakfast and then transfer by vaporetto to St. Mark Square. We’ll tour the square as well as the Doge’s Palace (exterior), a symbol of the glory and the authority of Venice, former residence of the Dukes, and seat of the government and the Court of Justice. We’ll cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, where it is said prisoners would catch their last glimpse of Venice before being incarcerated in the attached prison.

At the end of the tour, the group will make a stop at one of the famous Murano glass factories.Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and the chance to visit numerous other Venetian sites such as the Accademia Gallery, the Ca d’Oro, one of the city’s most magnificent palazzi, or the Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute.  Enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Day 6:  VENICE, MONTEPULCIANO, ROME

Breakfast and departure by motor coach from Piazzale Roma to the Chianti Region of Tuscany, known for its wines, and then on to Montepulciano, a Renaissance hill town known for its churches and palazzos. A great place to explore on foot, Montepulciano is famous in Italy for its Vino Nobile, considered one of the best wines in the country and available in many locations throughout the town.  Use your free time to enjoy a glass or two or perhaps visit the 16th century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.  In the evening, arrival in Rome and overnight.

Day 7:  ROME

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart at approximately 8:00 am for a walking tour of this famous city and its artistic landmarks, which include St. Peter’s Square, Navona Square, the Pantheon (visit inside), famous Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.  Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring more sites, eating gelato, or hobnobbing with the friendly locals.

Day 8:  ROME, NAPLES, POMPEII, SORRENTO

Breakfast at the hotel and depart from ROME to NAPLES.

NAPLES: After leaving Rome, the coach will take the Sun Route motorway, driving through the regions of Lazio and Campania, providing views of the Abbey of Montecassino. Upon arrival in Naples, guests will embark on a short panoramic city tour which will include: Margellina, Castel dell’Ovo, Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, the Maschio Angioino, and the port. We’ll stop for a pleasant lunch in a local restaurant before departing for POMPEII.
POMPEII: Visit the excavations of this famous Roman City, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A. D. After the tour, we will depart and drive along the Sorrentine Coast on our way to the town of SORRENTO.
SORRENTO: Arrival at the hotel, where you will eat dinner and enjoy an overnight stay

Day 9:  SORRENTO

Eat breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the day at your leisure in beautiful Sorrento. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10:  SORRENTO, CAPRI

Eat breakfast at the hotel and depart for the port, where we board a boat for the Island of Capri.

CAPRI: In Capri, weather and sea conditions permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotto in small row boats — a truly magical experience for visitors of all ages. Afterwards, enjoy a tasty lunch at a local eatery and time at your leisure to explore this picturesque island. In the afternoon you will return to check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11:  CAPRI, ROME

Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will depart for an enjoyable ride to Rome.
ROME: Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 12:  ROME

Breakfast at the hotel and end of services. Not ready to go home yet? Having too much fun exploring magnificent Italy? Your travel specialist will review all the options available to you at the end of the trip, including an extended opportunity to explore the country or the option of spending an extra night in Rome. If you must go, you’ll head to the airport for your return home. Remember, we are always eager to help you create the travel experience you desire, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like to keep your travel options open!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: 3 and 4 star hotel pricing available

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The tour includes:

• Private transfer to and from airport
• Transportation by deluxe motor coach
• Multilingual tour guide and escort
• Accommodation at the hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Panoramic visits as per itinerary
• Luggage service: 1 piece of luggage per person in Florence and Venice
• Taxes and fees
• 24 hour emergency hotline

The tour does not include:

• Tips
• Drinks and extras in hotel
• Entrance fees to monuments or museums
• Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “the TOUR includes”
• Extra luggage may incur an additional fee