DAY 1

Arrive Rome (2 Nights)
Our launch pad to an epic journey through Italy begins in the Eternal City of Rome. Tread in the footsteps of gods and goddesses, emperors and gladiators as you explore its ancient streets before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city’s most iconic sights.
Hotel: Grand Tiberio
Meal: Welcome Reception

DAY 2

Rome Sightseeing and Free Time
We join a Local Specialist this morning for a tour of the Vatican Museums. Here we’ll ‘Dive Into Culture’, ascending the spiral staircase designed by Donato Bramante and admiring Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica to see his sorrowful Pietà. We continue to ancient Rome, once the capital of the world, imagining the thunderous applause of spectators as they cheered brave warriors in the Colosseum and Circus Maximus centuries ago. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own, or relax in one of the city’s piazze watching the world go by.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 3

Rome – Venice (2 Nights)
Journey past the hilltop towns of Orte and Orvieto and cross the steep Appenine Mountains before arriving in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, where tonight we enjoy a Regional Dinner.
Hotel: Principe/Amadeus
Meal: Breakfast,Regional Dinner

DAY 4

Venice Orientation and Free Time
‘Dive Into Culture’ and witness the delicate craft of Venetian glassblowing at a glassblowing workshop on Giudecca Island. Then cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square, sharing the city’s bustling waterways with ferries, gondolas and yachts. We’ll see the Byzantine Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the ornate Doges’ Palace before spending the rest of the afternoon on our own getting lost in the labyrinthine calli or enjoying a relaxing spritz.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 5

Venice – Verona – Florence (2 Nights)
Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers take centre stage today as we take a leisurely drive to Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet. We’ll see the impressive Roman Arena, the third-largest in Italy, and Juliet’s balcony. We continue south, through the rolling vineyard-clad landscapes of Tuscany, to Renaissance Florence where we’ll ‘Connect With Locals’ indulging in a memorable Be My Guest dinner with the Landi family.
Hotel: Grand Mediterraneo
Meal: Breakfast,Be My Guest

DAY 6

Florence Sightseeing and Free Time
Join your Local Specialist for a guided walking tour through Florence, past the multi-coloured Duomo with its impressive dome engineered by Brunelleschi and the Baptistery with its inspiring gilded doors. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore a city that inspired artists, poets and painters to create masterpieces. Consider a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s statue of David, enjoy spectacular views from Piazza Michelangelo or take an Optional Experience to medieval San Gimignano, famous for its hilltop towers.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 7

Florence – Sorrento (2 Nights)
Travel through the fertile Campanian plains to the Bay of Naples which lies in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Our home for the next two nights is Sorrento and our introduction to the Amalfi Coast. This evening, a delicious dinner at our hotel.
Hotel: Johanna Park
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 8

Isle Of Capri Excursion and Free Time
Cross the Bay of Naples by ferry to the chic island playground of Capri where you’ll join a Local Specialist to see its sophisticated sights. Consider an Optional Experience to Anacapri for beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and insight into a slower, more peaceful way of life. This evening, we enjoy the flavours of fresh seafood during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meal: Breakfast,Regional Dinner

DAY 9

Sorrento – Pompeii – Cassino – Rome
We explore the tragic immortalisation of an ancient civilisation in Pompeii today, preserved by volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted. Here a Local Specialist will take us on a walking tour to gain insights into the day-to-day life of the city’s former residents. Next, we visit the Commonwealth Cemetery in Cassino, which lies below the famous Montecassino Abbey, the site of a fierce campaign during World War II. Our Italian odyssey ends in Rome where we join our Travel Director and travel companions for a Farewell Dinner, celebrating joy in true Italian style.
Hotel: Sheraton Parco de’ Medici
Meal: Breakfast,Farewell Dinner

DAY 10

Depart Rome
It’s time to bid Rome a fond arrivederci as we prepare to depart Italy. Transfers are available to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Conditions apply.
Meal: Breakfast

Sightseeing Highlights

• VIP ADMISSION to the Vatican Museums
• WALKING TOUR of Capri Town and Pompeii
• CITY TOUR in Rome and Florence
• ORIENTATION of Venice and Verona
• VISIT St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in Rome and the Commonwealth Cemetery in Cassino
• VIEW St. Mark’s Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, the Duomo in Florence and the Abbey of Montecassino
• SEE the canals of Venice and Mount Vesuvius
• SCENIC CRUISE by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice and to the Isle of Capri

Dining Highlights

• 9 breakfasts
• 6 dinners (including Be My Guest) with local wine

First class travel Highlights

• Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
• Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• Optional Experiences and free time
• All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• Hand-picked Trip Highlights
• VIP entry to many sights