Ciao Bella Italia

Tour ID: 2

8 Days / 7 Nights
Depart from Rome and arrives in Rome
3 nights Rome, 2 nights Florence, 2 nights Venice
7 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

Meeting Point: Rome Airport or Termini Train Station

*Private transfer to/from port of Civitavecchia can be arranged at an additional cost.

DAY 01: ROME

Complimentary Private Transfer to Hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 2: ROME, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE

Departure at 07.15 from the hotel Diana by a deluxe coach we’ll arrive to Assisi. Arrival and free time at disposal to visit this tiny town, surrounded by ancient Middle Ages walls. We suggest the visit of the Basilica of St. Francesco with its masterpieces of Giotto and Cimabue. Lunch break (not included). By the motorway we’ll arrive to Siena. This medieval town surrounded by ancient walls and known for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the town square, famous for hosting the Palio horse race. Then we’ll reach our destination: Florence. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: FLORENCE

Breakfast. Visit of this beautiful city where the Italian genius for art reached its pinnacle. City of Etruscan- Roman origins, it flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune. Further refined by Renaissance, Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance” (la culla del Rinascimento) for its monuments, churches and buildings. The best-known site and crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore known as The Duomo that we will visit. The magnificent dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi. We will then proceed to the nearby Campanile tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery with the golden bronze doors (they were so beautiful that they were called the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo himself. In the heart of the city there is Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), gothic building, and the Santa Croce Basilica. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, PADUA, VENICE

Breakfast. In the morning departure to Bologna. The cityscape is further enriched by elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos), which the city is famous for. In total, there are about 38 kilometres of arcades in the city historical center for its 40 km of high system of fortifications and defensive towers. From the Via dell’Indipendenza, we will proceed to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. The central streets of Bologna today are largely pedestrian zones. Here we’ll be fascinated by the Piazza del Nettuno, King Renzo’s Palace, the Podestà Palace and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world (during its construction it was intended to be bigger than St. Peter's in Rome. In the afternoon we will continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’ Antonio Basilica. In the evening, arrival in Venice, world-famous for its gondola (classic venetian boat) and for its elegant and refined art. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: VENICE

Breakfast. Transfer by vaporetto to St Mark Square. We will visit: St Mark Square and the Doge’s Palace (external), symbol of the glory and the authority of Venice, residence of  the Dukes and seat of the Government and the Court of Justice. It can be reached crossing the Bridge of Sighs where Casanova had been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.. At the end of the tour, the group will stop in one of the famous Murano glasses factory. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: VENICE, MONTEPULCIANO (TUSCANY), ROME

Breakfast and departure by motor coach from Piazzale Roma to the famous area of Tuscany interesting for its Romanic churches as Pievi and its castles, area where the production of the most famous wines takes place. After a short panoramic of the Chianti Region we will reach Valle D’Orcia and stop in Montepulciano, precious medieval  town rich of history and art, known for its “nobile” wine that can be bought in the wine houses of the town. For wine and jazz lovers, in July there is the Jazz and Wine festival. Tasting of local wine, Free time at disposal. In the evening arrival in Rome. overnight.

DAY 07: ROME

Breakfast at the Hotel. Departure from the Hotel at 08:00 am approximately to visit by foot this famous city and its artistic beauties among which: Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon , Piazza Navona and end in San Pietro Basilica. Afternoon at leisure and overnight.

DAY 08: ROME

Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to the airport. End of Tour.