Jupiter
Italy Vacation Package - Travel Tour Package Italy-Rome-Florence-Venice-Tuscany
Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence - Bologna - Padova - Venice - Montepulciano/TuscanyRome - Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento - Capri - Rome
This ten day, nine night Italian Vacation Package takes you to the best of the North and the South, from the fast paced glory of Rome, to the elegance of Florence, to the sheer beauty of Venice and the rustic charm of Naples. This package is a great way to get a taste of the real Italy, sampling wines in Chianti, visiting Capri and Pompeii and taking in many of the country's most glorious sites. Breakfast and most dinners are provided. Lunch is not included unless stated.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 (ROME ARRIVAL TRANSFER)
On arrival in Rome you will be greeted by our transfer driver and driven to your hotel. This will be your first chance to look around this ancient and fast paced city. You will be spending one night at this hotel so settle in and then go for a walk to find your own dinner at any one of the local restaurants. The pizza in Rome is incredible. Tomorrow the real fun starts.
Day 2 (ROME - ASSISI - SIENA - FLORENCE)
Today we leave the hustle and bustle of Rome to make our way to Florence, via Assisi and Siena. Rising early in the morning for your 7.15 am coach pick up, we make our way north in air conditioned comfort. Assisi is our first stop, about an hour to the North of Rome. This is the home of St Francis and the basilica dedicated to him.
The walls surrounding the town were built in the middle ages and give a great perspective of life in this hillside town. You will be given time to wander this amazing town. St Francis's Basilica that rests in the centre of the town is a place you should visit, as it contains masterpieces painted by Giotto and Cimabue.
Lunch can be purchased at any one of the local cafes that line the street. After lunch you will get back on the coach and taken to the medieval town of Siena.
This shell shaped, ochre coloured town has tall buildings of red brick leading on to its centre, the Piazza de Campo, famous for the Palio horse race every year and an array of colourful festivals. Siena gives a very different view to modern and ancient Tuscany. Fruit can be bought at the market stalls lining the streets and you are guaranteed to find the best tasting offerings in the world. The shopping along these shady streets is wonderful. Siena is a traveller's paradise. Later in the afternoon, it's time to go back to the coach the short trip to Florence, or Firenze as it is known to the locals. On arrival in this most beautiful of cities, you will check into your hotel, have dinner with your fellow travellers and sleep the first of two nights in this jewel of Tuscany.
Day 3 (FLORENCE)
Florence is known as the cultural centre of Italy, as it takes its place as the centre of the Renaissance. It is full of some of the most striking and iconic buildings in the country, with many cultural and historical places lining every street. Today's tour starts after breakfast when you will be taken by coach around the city. The first place we visit is the Basilica Santa Maria Del Fiore, also known as the Doumo, the stunning domed Cathedral that sits in the centre of the city, whose walls were crafted by Filippo Brunelleschi. This is a stunning piece of architecture that needs to be taken in. After the Duomo, we visit the Campanile Tower and the Baptistery with its golden bronze doors, which were once calle the Gates of Paradise by Michelangelo. The tour finishes in the centre of the city at the Palazzo Vecchio, the large gothic building with its adjoining Piazza della Signorina, the medieval town square and the Santa Croce Basilica. Make an adventure of finding your lunch in one of the local cafes that line the streets. Also, spoil yourself with a gelato, as the ice cream in Florence is as good as it is anywhere else in the world, no matter what the weather. You will be returned to your hotel after lunch.
The afternoon is free to do as you choose. We can suggest that you take the option to take a tour to visit Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower and the adjoining Square of Miracles. You can also spend the afternoon exploring Florence on your own, maybe visit the Statue of David or roam any of the amazing galleries, including the ubiquitous Uffizi Gallery. If you chose the Uffizi option, we suggest speaking to your hotel concierge to book your entry tickets as soon as you arrive in Florence to avoid disappointment. Dinner is provided in the evening, so make sure you're back to have fun with the rest of your tour mates.
Day 4 (FLORENCE-BOLOGNA-PADOVA-VENICE)
After breakfast and check out, we leave for the northern cities of Bologna and Padova (Padua), making our way to the wondrous city of Venice. The morning coach has its first stop in Bologna, after taking you through the porticos and arcades of this thriving, university town. There's a total of 38 kilometres of arcades and porticos in this ancient city. Bologna is known for its fantastic food and its vibrant appeal, helped along by all the students. The tour will take you to Neptune Square and Major Square in the heart of the city where you will be shown around this fascinating city. The tour of Bologna will also take in King Renzo's palace and San Petronio's Basilica , one of the largest in the world. Lunch can be taken in one of the many bistros and restaurants that line the streets and alleys of the city. After lunch we continue on to Padova, or Padua as it is known in the English speaking world and the setting of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." In Padova, we will visit the beautiful Sant'Antonio Basilica in the centre of the town.
After Padova, later in the afternoon, the tour bus will take you the short distance to Venice. Settling into your hotel, you have the evening to yourself. You will be spending two nights in this hotel, so you can relax a bit and maybe start to explore this more famous and romantic of cities. This most amazing city, first built in the 1200s is built on 114 islands and has a fascinating history. You can find your dinner at a local ristarante or bistro - the hotel will have some recommendations. You may also like to arrange a first gondola ride, the traditional transportation method of Venice. Venice is a city you could spend a month in and not be finished taking in its splendour. Use your time well.
Day 5 (VENICE)
Today we show you the best of Venice. After breakfast you will take the vaporetti (water taxi) to St Mark's Square where you will visit the iconic St Mark's Square and Cathedral and the nearby Doge's Palace, the latter was used as a residence of the Dukes who ruled Venice. It is also the old seats of Justice and Government. From here, we walk the short distance to the beautiful Bridge of Sighs, the place where Casanova, among many others both famous and infamous, took their last look at Venice before being incarcerated or executed in the adjoining prison. The fascinating history of this most famous city will be told to you by your guide. The day trip concludes with a visit to one of the famous Murano glass factories. Lunch is not included. At the end of the tour you will be returned to your hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Venice has so much to see and do within its long and winding canals. On this free afternoon you can ride the Grand Canal on a vaporetto or a gondola, ponder the many amazing galleries or churches or just walk along the canals drinking in Venice's unique, ethereal beauty. Dinner can be found at any of the restaurants found within the city. Make sure you make the most of your time here.
Day 6 (VENICE - MONTEPULCIANO/TUSCANY - ROME)
Today we travel back to Rome through the beautiful Tuscan region of Chianti. Boarding the coach after breakfast and check out, we will make our way to this most beautiful central region that rests between Siena and Florence. Artists have found inspiration from this region for centuries. It is also well known for its sunflowers and the wine. The Chianti region is also filled with medieval castles, gentle hills and some of the most amazing colours in the world - make sure you have your camera ready. The wine from the region is known around the world. Chianti Classico the most famous drop is found all over the world in Italian restaurants.
From Chianti, you will travel to Montepulciano, home of Brunello wine and a fantastic jazz festival. Located north of Val d'Orcia, you will visit some of the wineries that make this amazing wine so that you can taste and purchase some of it. Montepulciano is also the place to buy some lunch in a local bistro.
Once we have finished taking in the joys of Montepulciano, we will take you by coach back to Rome to your hotel where you will be spending the next two nights. Dinner for this evening is not included, but you can find a meal in any one of the local restaurants. The evening is yours to do as you choose. Rome is a fantastic city to explore by night, with many of the antiquities and famous buildings illuminated. This should not be missed.
Day 7 (ROME)
Today's tour will take you to the major sites of Rome. Leaving from the hotel at 8 a.m, the excursion will take you the main sights of the city including the Piazza di Spagna or Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, one of architectures greatest achievements. The tour ends in the Vatican City at St Peter's Cathedral, home to the Pope and the Catholic Church for the last two millennia. At the end of the tour you will be taken back to the hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included and the rest of the day has no activities, but you are free to wander this amazing city on your own for the rest of the day. For those who like antiquities, a walk through the Roman Forum and the Colosseum is a must. There are hundreds of churches to explore. You can visit the Trastevere area on the banks of Tiber River and take in the colours. There is plenty to see and do in this vibrant, bustling city, make sure you enjoy yourself.
Day 8 (ROME - NAPLES - POMPEI - SORRENTO)
After an early breakfast and check out, departure for Naples is scheduled for 7.00 am. Taking the Sun Route motorway, we drive through the regions of Lazio and Campania, taking in the views from the Abbey of Montecassino. Arriving in Naples there will be a short tour of the city, visiting Margellina, Castel dell'Ovo, Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, the Maschio Angioino and the port. Lunch will be provided in a restaurant on our way to the ancient city of Pompeii. Here we will visit the famous excavations of the city destroyed by the volcano in 79AD. This is a fascinating afternoon wandering this well preserved city. After Pompeii we will get back on the coach and drive along the gorgeous coastline to Sorrento, where we will stay the night. After checking into the hotel, dinner will be had in a local restaurant. The seafood and fish from this area are known across the country.
Day 9 (SORRENTO - CAPRI - ROME)
Day 10 (AIRPORT DEPARTURE TRANSFER)
On this last day of your tour all there is to do is check out of your hotel and our driver will transfer you to the hotel for your flight home.
4 Nights Rome2 Nights Florence2 Nights Venice1 Night Sorento