Rome | Italy's Cities of Art

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Our Italy's Cities of Art fully escorted coach tours brings you to some of Italy's most fascinating & historical sites. With visits to important religious sites such as Assisi & Padua mixed with the artistic delights of Florence & the mystery of Venice, this is a tour you'll talk about for many years to come! 

Day 1: Rome

Benvenuti in Italia! Arriving at Rome's Fiumicino Airport you will meet your driver who is ready to bring you to your hotel in central Rome. The remainder of today is free to enjoy as you please, relax or head out to explore on your own. In the evening, at 7:45 pm, you'll be picked up at the hotel and meet your expert local guide who will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City - charming by day and absolutely romantic at sunset. You will cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighborhoods, full of history and with a real Roman atmosphere. As you know, one of Rome’s typical landmarks are its beautiful fountains, and one of the prettiest is the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in Piazza Mattei. Then you will walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the illuminated view of the Pantheon, the former temple of Marcus Agrippa later converted into a church. This is the only ancient Roman temple that remained untouched through the centuries and is stunning at night after the crowds are gone. Next Stop…Close your eyes and throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the Trevi Fountain. It is said that those who do so, are granted to come back to Rome someday. Your walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, one of the city’s most popular squares, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top! After this intense and gratifying walk, there is only one thing missing to end this experience: relax enjoying a creamy and tasty Gelato, it’s on us! The tour ends at the Spanish Steps area. Enjoy on your own the remainder of the evening before returning to your hotel on your own for a well-earned rest. 

Day 2: Rome | Assisi | Siena | Florence

Today there will be an early morning departure by deluxe motorcoach to reach Assisi. Located just 90 miles north of Rome and set in the rolling hills of Umbria, here you will have time on your own to explore this walled, middle ages city. Take your time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue, and then enjoy lunch on your own (not included). Board the coach again to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest. (B.D)

Day 3: Florence

After breakfast at your hotel 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 “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings such as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you are sure to be amazed by its magnificent dome which was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined 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. Lunch, today will be served in a typical Tuscan restaurant located in Piazza Santa Croce. Once the guided tour has ended, you can then spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery.  Dinner, this evening is on your own. (B.L)

Day 4: Florence | Bologna | Padua | Venice

After breakfast in Florence, departure to Bologna. There, you will discover the elegant city centre with its “porticos”, its shopping streets and so on. From Piazza Malpighi you can walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune Square and Major Square) in the heart of the city, then King Renzo’s Palace, Palazzo Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio, which is one of the largest in the world. Bologna is truly a real gourmet’s heaven…don’t miss a tasty meal at your own leisure! In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with the Sant’Antonio Basilica: one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the Catholic world. Later in the afternoon, arrive at your hotel in Venice (Mestre), where you'll spend the next two nights.(B)

Day 5: Venice

After breakfast, a water-taxi transfer will take you to Piazza San Marco to visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, a symbol of Venice’s glorious past, and the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. Following this walking tour, let us offer you a spritz or a prosecco as a delightful conclusion to your visit to Venice's highlights, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous "Cicchetti," a Venetian variation of tapas. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel to rest after such a day! (B)

Day 6: Venice | Tuscany Wine Region | Rome

After breakfast, depart from Piazzale Roma and head to Tuscany, world-renowned for its magnificent landscapes, its churches, and castles plus its delicious wines. We'll drive to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, for sale in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Lunch, which is included today, will be a highlight and held in a typical Tuscan restaurant! After lunch, there will be a quick stop to enjoy some free time. We then continue to Rome where we'll arrive in the evening in time for check-in at your hotel. (B.L)

Day 7: Rome

After breakfast, depart from your hotel for your included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, the tour ends in St. Peter’s Square where you can admire the biggest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica! Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or evening. (B)

Day 8: Rome

Enjoy a final breakfast in Rome before your driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your journey home. Arrivederci! (B)

Set departures:

Sunday -  January 07 & 21; February 04 & 18;  March 03 & 17, 2024. 
Friday & Sunday - March 24 & 31; April 07, 14, 21 & 28; May 03, 05, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 & 31; June 02, 07, 09, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30;  July 05, 07, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28; August 23, 25 & 30; September 01, 06, 08, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 & 29; October 04, 06, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 & 27, 2024  
Upgrade to accommodation at a hotel on Venice Island is available on request.