Italy is a country in Southern Europe. Together with Greece, it is acknowledged as the birthplace of Western culture. Not surprisingly, it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its delicious cuisine, its trendy fashion industry, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its beautiful coast, alpine lakes and mountain ranges (the Alps and Apennines). No wonder it is often nicknamed the Bel Paese (the Beautiful Country). Two independent mini-states are surrounded entirely by Italy: San Marino and Vatican City. While technically not part of the European Union, both of these states are also part of the Schengen Area and the European Monetary Union (EMU). Apart from different police uniforms, there is no evident transition from these states and Italy’s territory, and the currency is the same. Italian is also the official language in San Marino and is commonly spoken in Vatican City whose official language is Latin.
The climate of Italy is highly diverse, and could be far from the stereotypical Mediterranean climate. Most of Italy has hot, dry summers, with July being the hottest month of the year. Autumns are generally rainy. Winters are cold and damp (hence often foggy) in the North, and milder in the South. Conditions on peninsular coastal areas can be very different from the interior’s higher ground and valleys, particularly during the winter months when the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy. The Alps have a mountain climate, with cool summers and very cold winters.
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. While here, enjoy a visit to one of the factories to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark’s Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments including the Bridge of Sighs, the pink marble Doge’s Palace…
Arrive in Venice and private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Overnight in Venice.
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. While here, enjoy a visit to one of the factories to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark’s Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments including the Bridge of Sighs, the pink marble Doge’s Palace, and golden Basilica of San Marco, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or to participate in this afternoon’s optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water. Overnight in Venice.
Depart from Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees. Visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa, to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight in Florence.
Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned “Gates of Paradise” of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto’s Bell Tower. You’ll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, first residence of the Medici family that today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the “Old Bridge”. Florence is indeed the center of the world’s finest art and architecture. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city to savor its unique atmosphere, between a gelato and a cappuccino. Tonight, you are invited to participate in the optional Dinner at a Tuscan Restaurant, which begins with a scenic ride through the Tuscan hills and culminates with a sumptuous dinner with unlimited wine and entertainment. Overnight in Florence.
Depart Florence and venture on to the quaint medieval town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis-patron saint of Italy, and perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Upon arrival, join your local guide for a walking tour of Assisi, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. Its main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, an artistic highlight of medieval Europe containing the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto’s frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills. Overnight in Rome.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure with your luggage at time indicated. Commence the day with visiting two of the most important monasteries of the region. This area has been a monastic center in the mid of 11th century. Monasteries nestled on the peaks of the rocks has impressive views enable contemplations but also austere monastic way of life away from crowds and isolated enough necessary to pray, to seek spirituality. We will make a complete visit of this fantastic place seeing beautiful paintings to the fresco, as well as original icons crafted by monks. Then return to Athens with a brief stop at the Thermopylae Pass, the monument dedicated to the Spartan King Leonidas, who with his 300 warriors fought the famous battle against the Persian invaders. Arrival in Athens in the afternoon. Check in our hotel.
Private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
PLEASE NOTE:
We will do our best to adhere to our printed itinerary. But sometimes unexpected obstacles, or opportunities, may arise that will force us to deviate from the itinerary as written. We would ask you to be open-minded and flexible should we vary the itinerary slightly. In addition, please note that airline schedules are subject to change. We will provide you with updated flight information closer to your departure (if tickets are issued through our company).
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins at the Roman Forum, walking through the uneven surfaces of the original central area of the city from which Rome developed. View the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City…
Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Overnight in Venice Lido.
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. While here, visit a local factory to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice Island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark’s Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments, the pink marble Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and golden Basilica of San Marco. The Doge’s Palace was the official residence of the Venetian ruler. The Bridge of Sighs offers one of the most notable scenes of this Romantic city. Marvel at the golden Basilica of San Marco, that is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or to participate in this afternoon’s optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water. Overnight in Venice Lido.
Depart Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees. Visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Baptistery, the Duomo, the Monumental Cemetery and its famous Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The four monuments on the extraordinary Piazza create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight in Florence.
Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned “Gates of Paradise” of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto’s Bell Tower. You’ll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, first residence of the Medici family that today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the “Old Bridge”. Florence is indeed the center of the world’s finest art and architecture. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city. This evening, travel through the Tuscan hills, where a sumptuous dinner with unlimited wine and entertainment awaits. Overnight in Florence.
This morning, depart Florence and travel to the small medieval town of Assisi perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Participate in a walking tour of Assisi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture and best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi – patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto’s amazing frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills. Overnight in Rome.
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins with a walk along the uneven and irregular paths of the Roman Forum, the original central plaza of the city from which ancient Rome developed. Next, view the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City. On to the mighty Colosseum*, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire that seated over 50,000, where gladiatorial contests and public events were attended by the rich, the poor and by the Emperor himself. Discover the delights of Rome this afternoon on your own. Overnight in Rome.
Today, visit the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Stroll through one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the Sistine Chapel, with its great frescoes by Michelangelo. Continue to St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famous colonnade to view St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the burial site of Saint Peter. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City’s grand piazzas that includes the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, view of the Pantheon, and the baroque Piazza Navona. Overnight in Rome.
Traveling south, at a distance, you can view the magnificent Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the mountaintop (weather permitting). This was the scene of a huge battle near the end of World War II in which the Abbey was completely destroyed, but has since been lovingly restored. As you pass the Bay of Naples, majestic Mt. Vesuvius marks your way to Pompeii. Visit the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Walk through the original sloping streets of Pompeii and view the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape beside their children and dogs, along with the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Spectacular panoramic views and the sapphire blue waters of the Gulf of Naples welcome you to the Sorrento Coast. Overnight in Castellammare di Stabia, Sorrento Coast.
A day at leisure on the picturesque Sorrento coast awaits, strikingly beautiful with its seaside setting and soaring cliffs plunging into the sea. Don’t miss the optional full day tour to the enchanting and picturesque Isle of Capri by boat – it will be a highlight! Here, you’ll walk through the narrow lanes of Anacapri, with its chic boutiques and shops offering tastings of the island’s famous limoncello. Then continue on to La Piazzetta, where everyone gathers to socialize, and to the Gardens of Augustus, a natural paradise, from where you can see splendid views of the sea and the famous Faraglioni rock formations, one of the island’s natural wonders. After a lovely day in Capri, return to your hotel. Overnight in Castellammare di Stabia, Sorrento Coast.
Private transfer to the airport in Naples for your departure flight.
PLEASE NOTE:
We will do our best to adhere to our printed itinerary. But sometimes unexpected obstacles, or opportunities, may arise that will force us to deviate from the itinerary as written. We would ask you to be open-minded and flexible should we vary the itinerary slightly. In addition, please note that airline schedules are subject to change. We will provide you with updated flight information closer to your departure (if tickets are issued through our company).