Day 1 – Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome

Day 2 – Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! After check–in, there's time to unwind before meeting your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink with your fellow travelers. 

Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace (2 nights)


Day 3 – Rome sightseeing and at leisure
Our sightseeing begins with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and then we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, renowned for chariot races, and we visit the mighty Colosseum to relive the stories of the gladiators! Later we have free time to explore or relax in a sidewalk café and watch Rome go by! (Buffet breakfast)


Day 4 – Sistine Chapel – Gargano Peninsula
First we enjoy a guided visit of Michelangelo’s miraculous Sistine Chapel, then we leave Rome and drive eastwards through the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic coast. We reach the Gargano peninsula before arriving at our hotel, where we dine tonight. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Manfredi Regio


Day 5 – Gargano Peninsula – Alberobello – Lecce
This morning, a drive along the coast takes us to the region of the Trulli – strange white dry–stone structures with conical roofs. We visit the unique town of Alberobello en route to beautiful Lecce. Here our guided sightseeing tour shows us this delightful city including the stunning basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: President


Day 6 – Lecce – Sorrento (2 nights)
Today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure, but first we drive to Bari and along the autostrada taking us to the Gulf of Salerno and on to Sorrento. Here orientation shows us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques and cafés. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (2 nights)


Day 7 – Isle of Capri Excursion
This morning we will visit an inlaid wood workshop where we see a demonstration of this local craft. Then we cruise across to the beautiful Isle of Capri for the day. Here orientation takes us up to Capri town where we enjoy a walking tour using our audio system to admire views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then we visit the Piazzetta where the rich and famous sip their cappuccinos – followed by free time to perhaps ascend to Anacapri. At the end of the afternoon we cruise back to Sorrento. Tonight we drive out by minibus to a unique family run restaurant, perched high above the Bay of Naples, surrounded by lemon groves and enjoy a delicious dinner of home cooked local produce. (Buffet breakfast 'Be my guest' dinner)


Day 8 – Sorrento – Pompeii – Assisi
It's a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with our audio system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then we drive through Campania, stopping at Monte Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Next on through the hills of Frascati and Umbria en route to Assisi, St. Francis' town. (Buffeet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Grand Hotel


Day 9 – Assisi – Ravenna – Venice (Lido) (2 nights)
Our morning walking tour with audio equipment in Assisi includes the upper and lower basilicas with their Giotto frescoes plus we see the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. From here we travel through the Apennines stopping to visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe to admire the mosaics. Then we continue on to the magical city of Venice for our two–night stay. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)

Hotel: Le Boulevard (2 nights)

Day 10 – Venice sightseeing and at leisure
Today we savour the sights and sounds as we cruise to St. Mark's Square on our private launch, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica which is adorned with magnificent and colourful glass mozaics. Afterwards, we visit a Murano glass–blowing workshop for a demonstration of this craft. At leisure maybe enjoy a local seafood lunch on the Island of Burano. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 11 – Venice (Lido) – Cortina d'Ampezzo – Bolzano (Dolomites)
Today through the Veneto plains to world–famous Cortina d'Ampezzo located in the Dolomites, it is a popular winter sport resort and hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1956. Here we will see the Olympic ski–jump before time at leisure. Later, we enjoy a stunning drive along the Tre Croci Pass via Dobiacco and Brunico to Bolzano. This evening we dine at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Alpi

Day 12 – Bolzano (Dolomites) – Verona – Milan
Today we're off to Verona for a guided walking tour using our effective audio system to see Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena which is still used each year for the magnificent Verona Music Festival. Then we arrive in Milan – home to the Italian fashion gurus. A walking tour using audio system with our local guide here shows us the Duomo, the Galleria, and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Later, perhaps visit one of the museums or shop in the boutiques! (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Atahotel Quark


Day 13 – Milan – Pavia – Santa Margherita
We stop at Pavia to enjoy a guided visit of the Carthusian abbey by one of the monks (when available). Next we pass Genoa, Columbus’ birthplace, en route to the Italian Riviera. We stay in the famous resort of Santa Margherita in Liguria for the night. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)

Hotel: Park Hotel Suisse


Day 14 – Santa Margherita – Portofino – Pisa – Florence (2 nights)
This morning we cruise to nearby Portofino (weather permitting), an internationally loved resort. Then past the quarries of Carrara to Pisa where we view the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. Finally, we reach the city that was the jewel of the Renaissance, Florence. During our stay in this beautiful city, our Tour Director will share with us the secret of another Hidden Treasure! (Buffet breakfast Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Mediterraneo (2 nights)


Day 15 – Florence sightseeing and at leisure
Our guided walking tour with an audio system includes the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica, burial place of many great Italians including Michelangelo. Later you may wish to shop for fine quality leather goods and 18–carat gold designer jewellery for which this city is so famous! There are also many wonderful museums to visit – your Tour Director can advise you on how to make the most of your time in this city. (Buffet breakfast)


Day 16 – Florence – Siena – Rome
We drive through the Chianti vineyards to the medieval city of Siena where we see the Piazza del Campo, scene of the annual Palio horse races and the cathedral. The horse races are held twice a year on July 2 and August 16, in which ten horses and riders represent ten of the seventeen city wards. Time at leisure before we return to Rome. This evening we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelers. (Buffet breakfast Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Sheraton Golf


Day 17 – Rome – USA
This morning we bid farewell to our Tour Director and touring friends as our Italian vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Free airport transfers
Transfers on Day 2 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.