Mini Italian Adventure:  5 Day Tour 

The perfect introduction to Europe’s most visited destination, this eclectic tour travels from Rome heading North of this amazingly diverse country, providing our guests an opportunity to explore the most beautiful and intriguing parts of Italy, from its vibrant cities, like Rome and Venice, to its bucolic countryside. A balanced blend of sightseeing and guided touring, this tour is ideal for travelers of all experience levels, from the novice European visitor to seasoned travelers who’ve 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! **This tour departs in the early morning. Please be sure to schedule your flight plans properly as to arrive in Rome the day before the tour departure.

Itinerary At a Glance

• DAY 1: Rome-Assisi-Siena-Florence
• DAY 2: Florence
• DAY 3: Florence-Bolgona-Padova-Venice
• DAY 4: Venice
• DAY 5: Venice-Montepulciano-Rome

Day 1:  ROME, ASSISI, VENICE, FLORENCE

Rise and shine for an early departure from ROME via deluxe motor coach to your first destination, ASSISI. Today, you will meet your tour guide and get to know your fellow guests. Relax, enjoy the ride, and welcome to the “Mini-Italian Adventure” tour!

Day 2: FLORENCE

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.

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.

Day 3: FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, PADOVA, VENICE

Arrive at your hotel. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and comfortable overnight accommodations.

Day 4: VENICE

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then depart for a day of Florence sightseeing.

FLORENCE: Truly the center of Italian art, this breathtaking Etruscan city will be the highlight of the trip for culture lovers. Florence flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune and became the center for art and architecture during the Renaissance. The most-populated city in Tuscany, it is best known for its domed cathedral, the 13th century Santa Maria del Fiore (known as the Duomo). A visit to this astounding site is included on the tour. This ecclesiastic structure is a masterpiece inside and out, having as its centerpiece the magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. We will then proceed to the nearby Campanile Tower (partially designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery with its golden bronze doors, dubbed the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo himself. In the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city, guests can view the Piazza della Signoria, the Santa Croce Basilica, and walk the paths that once led to the homes of the city’s most famous residents, including da Vinci, Machiavelli, Raphael, Donatello, the Medici Family, and even modern well-known “artists” such as Gucci and Ferragamo.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure or take part in the optional Pisa tour.

PISA: (Optional) Most famous for its Leaning Tower, the power of this city as a mighty maritime nation reached its apex in the 11th century, when it acquired fame as one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. We will take time to admire the area known as the Square of Miracles, which includes the Duomo, the Leaning Tower, the monumental cemetery, and the opulent Baptistery of the Cathedral.

Enjoy dinner with your tour companions and overnight accommodations in a Florence hotel.

Day 5: VENICE, MONTEPULCIANO, ROME

Eat breakfast at your hotel and depart by motor coach from Piazzale Roma to the famous MONTEPULCIANO in Tuscany. MONTEPULCIANO: Known for its pork, cheese, pasta, honey, and famous Vino Nobile wine, this attractive ancient city is situated in southern Tuscany. A medieval and Renaissance hill town, it’s a great place to enjoy a little wine tasting. A pedestrian-friendly, car-free town, Montepulciano also boasts several handsome churches and a small palazzo designed by Michelozzo. Departure from MONTEPULCIANO to our ending destination, ROME. ROME: Evening arrival in ROME and end of our 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:
• 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