Italy Panorama

17 Days /16 Nights
Depart from Rome and arrives in Taormina
03 May - 18 October 2009
2 nights Florence, 2 nights Venice, 4 nights Rome, 2 nights Sorrento,

1 night Cabin on Ferry Naples to Palermo, 2 nights Palermo,

1 night Agrigento, 2 nights Taormina
15 Breakfasts, 2 lunch, 11 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, FIRENZE

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. Day at leisure (possibility to book regular excursion in Rome) and overnight at the Hotel

DAY 09: ROME / NAPLES / POMPEII / SORRENTO

Breakfast at the Hotel. Departure from the Hotel at hrs 07:00 am . After leaving Rome, the coach will take the " Sun Route " motorway, driving through the regions of Lazio and Campania, with a view of the Abbey of Montecassino. Upon arrival in Naples there will be a short panoramic city tour :Mergellina, Castel dell'Ovo Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, the Maschio Angioino and the port. Lunch in a restaurant on our way to Pompeii and then visit of the excavations of the famous Roman city , destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Leaving Pompeii and driving along the Sorrentine coastal, arrival in Sorrento. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel.

DAY 10 – SORRENTO / CAPRI / SORRENTO

After breakfast we board the boat for the Island of Capri, where, weather and sea conditions permitting, we will visit the Blue Grotta in small rowing boats. Lunch in a restaurant and free time for personal activities. Return to Sorrento, Dinner and Overnight in the Hotel.

DAY 11: SORRENTO / PALERMO , OVERNIGHT ON BOAT

Breakfast at the Hotel and morning at leisure. In the afternoon departure towards Naples harbour to take the Tirrenia Ferry Boat to Palermo. Overnight on boat (no dinner no breakfast)

DAY 12: PALERMO

Arrival in Palermo, transfer to the hotel and day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 13: PALERMO

Breakfast. In the morning visit of Monreale, ancient royal town. Return to Palermo. Here we will visit the Cathedral and other main interesting places of the city. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 14: PALERMO /ERICE/ MAZZARA/ MARSALA/ AGRIGENTO

Breakfast. Departure as far as Erice, situated on 700 mt above sea level and remained unchanged thanks to its retaining wall erected in the VI century BC We will then visit Mazara del Vallo, fishing port of Italy overlooks the Strait of Sicily. We will proceed to Marsala, next to Africa. Free time at disposal to visit this seaside resort known for its wines growth. We will arrive at Next, we’ll go on to Agrigento. The visit will continue with the Valley of the Temples (admission tickets included) with the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde, the Temple of Hercules and Temple of Jupiter, one of the largest of all doric style buildings. (If the weather doesn’t permit, we will enjoy a visit of the Valley of Temples on the 8 day in the morning). Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 15: AGRIGENTO/NOTO/ SIRACUSA / TAORMINA

Breakfast. After leaving Agrigento we reach Noto, a beautiful city with its baroque buildings and its Cathedral that will astonish you. Free time. After Noto we will reach Siracusa, we will visit the Greek Amphitheatre, the Dionisio Ear and the Roman Theatre (admission tickets included) after this visit we see the Island of Ortigia, rich in Baroque and medieval palaces and churches. In the afternoon arrival at Taormina. Dinner and overstay.

DAY 16: TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS)

Breakfast. Excursion to the Mount Etna, an active volcano and it is the largest active volcano in Europe. It is the highest mountain in Italy. (Weather permitting) we’ll climb the summit area up to 1800 m. Return to Taormina, crossing the town located on a impressive embankment of the Monte Tauro. Dinner and overstay.

DAY 17: TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS)

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