Best of Italy

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enquire now 13 Days From NZD $3,956 pp twinshare
 Coach tour
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13 Day Italy Sightseeing Tour of Rome, Lake Como and Sorrento

Connect With Locals

Join the Cinque family and enjoy a delicious Be My Guest dinner.

Stays With Stories

Built to welcome pilgrims visiting Assisi, Hotel Cenacolo is a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery in nearby Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Dive Into Culture

Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums and enjoy an exclusive visit up the spiral staircase designed by the famous architect Donato Bramante in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.

Dive Into Culture

Witness the exquisite craft of glassblowing, a delicate tradition that generations of Venetian craftsmen have perfected over the centuries.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.

Sightseeing highlights

  • VIP Admission to the Vatican Museums
  • Explore Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Assisi and Florence with a Local Specialist
  • Discover Venice, Milan and San Gimignano
  • Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome, the excavations at Pompeii, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, a glassblowing factory in Venice, Lake Como and the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
  • View Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo in Florence
  • See the ancient sites of Rome and the Abbey in Monte Cassino
  • Scenic Cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice

ITINERARY 

Day 1
Welcome to Rome
Ciao Roma! Explore this imperial city of emperors and senators, gods and
goddesses, before joining your companions and Travel Director later for a
Welcome Reception. Our introduction to the ‘Eternal City’ is an evening
orientation drive to view some of the sights which await tomorrow.

Day 2
Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
The Holy See takes centre stage today as we join a Local Specialist for an included
sightseeing tour in the Vatican Museums. Dive Into Culture and admire the
Bramante Staircase, created for Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, and
Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. See the marble
masterpiece of the Pietà, housed in St. Peter’s Basilica before crossing the Tiber
into Ancient Rome. Visit the famous Colosseum and see Circus Maximus, once the
site of celebrated chariot races. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Rome.
Indulge in an espresso in the Piazza Navona or clamber up the Spanish Steps.

Day 3
Explore the Ruins of Pompeii and Sorrento
We journey south to the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii. Here we join a Local
Specialist who will share details of the devastation caused by the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius as we wander through the ancient paved roads of a city that was
frozen in time. Later, we arrive at our hotel in the clifftop town of Sorrento where
we’ll dine tonight.

Day 4
A Day on the Isle of Capri
We cross the Bay of Naples today by ferry to the glamorous Isle of Capri to visit
some of its landmark sights. Wander past the chic boutiques and pavement cafés
in Capri town in the company of a Local Specialist before taking your time to soak
up the sophistication of this lovely island. Later, we return to the mainland.

Day 5
Onwards to Assisi
See the Benedictine Abbey of Cassino, which featured as the site of the Battle of
Monte Cassino in 1944, before heading north to the slopes of Mount Subasio. We
arrive in the mystical town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, under whose
protection this medieval city is said to remain. We join our Local Specialist for a
visit of Basilica of St. Francis, before some free time to explore this fascinating
hilltop town. Tonight, we’ll stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – a fully
renovated old Franciscan monastery.

Day 6
Discover Verona and Venice
We journey through the glorious countryside of the Emilia Romagna region. This
area is also renowned for its gastronomy and is credited with being the origin of
tortellini, mortadella and parmesan cheese. Travel to Verona, the home of
Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, to admire the Roman arena and Juliet’s
Balcony. Arrive later in Venice, the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’, where we’ll enjoy a
Regional Dinner.

Day 7
St. Mark’s and More in Venice
Cruise your way through Venice by private launch to soak up the sights and
sounds of what was once one of the world’s greatest ports. Your MAKE TRAVEL
MATTER® Experience with the master craftsmen of Venice follows and you’ll Dive
Into Culture watching them share their centuries-old glassmaking traditions. Your
visit helps to preserve this delicate craft for which Venice is justifiably famous and
you’ll want to remember your visit by purchasing a souvenir or two to display at
home. From there, continue past the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace to St.
Mark’s Square where we will view the impressive square and Basilica. Consider an
Optional Experience to see the colourful fishermen’s houses on the Island of
Burano or search for a cosy bacaro and indulge in some tasty Venetian treats,
starting with that refreshing Venetian Spritz which is the local drink of choice.

Day 8
On to Milan and Scenic Lake Maggiore
Today we cross the lush green plains of Lombardy to sophisticated Milan, Italy’s
capital of design and fashion. An orientation tour takes us past the intricate
Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and the famous Galleria. Later arrive at Lake
Maggiore where we’ll enjoy dinner served tonight at our hotel.

Day 9
Stroll around Lake Como
The glistening blue waters of Lake Como welcome us today. We’ll enjoy some free
time to explore the lakeside lifestyle and beautiful scenery which has enchanted
visitors for centuries. Spend this morning exploring Como’s historical quarter,
indulge in the area’s delicious gelato, take the funicular for spectacular views of
the lake or consider a cruise on the lake. This evening we venture by private boat
to a secluded island on Lake Maggiore where we’ll Connect With Locals over
dinner at a Be My Guest experience. Join the Cinque family and hear all about the
intriguing history of Villa Toscanini situated on a tiny romantic island which was
the hideaway of the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini one of the most
influential musicians of the 19th century.

Day 10
Admire Pisa and on to Florence
Tuscany lures us across the forested Apennine Mountains, past the marble
quarries of Carrara to the famous city of Pisa and its Square of Miracles where we
will enjoy an opportunity to view the Leaning Tower. Our next stop is Florence,
the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’.

Day 11
Experience Art and Architecture in Florence
Delve into the extravagant history of the Medici family, whose legacy of art and
architecture are explored in the company of a Local Specialist. We visit Piazza della
Signoria with its exquisite statues and palazzi and enjoy spectacular panoramic
views of the beautiful skyline of Florence, dominated by the elegant Duomo and
the almost 700-year-old Ponte Vecchio, from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, learn
about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at
demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold.

Day 12
Treasures of San Gimignano and Return to
Rome
This morning we stop at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial.
Continuing south, we visit the charming Tuscan hill-town of San Gimignano,
where one finds extraordinary examples of medieval architecture and history.
Venture to the centre of town to view its Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by
medieval towers and the 13th-century city walls. This evening in Rome we enjoy a
Farewell Dinner spent in the company of newfound friends and our Travel
Director.

Day 13
Farewell Rome
Our discovery of the best of Italy has come to an end. Find out more about your
free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

What’s included

12 Nights

Accommodation

19 Meals

1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 12 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

On-Trip Transport

All transport shown

Images courtesy of The Travel Corporation 

TRA – ITBO

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