1 Day 1: Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence

Departure at 7.15 a.m. from ROME by a deluxe coach to ASSISI.

Assisi:

Arrival and free time at disposal to visit this tiny town, surrounded by ancient Middle Ages walls. We suggest you visit the Basilica of St. Francis with the masterpieces of Giotto and Cimabue.

Lunch break not included.

Departure from ASSISI to SIENA.

Siena:

This medieval town is surrounded by ancient walls and it’s know for the shell – shaped Piazza del campo, the town square, famous for hosting the Palio horse race.

Departure from SIENA to our destination, FLORENCE.

Florence:

Arrival at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

2 Day 2:Florence

Florence:

After breakfast, visit of this beautiful city where the Italian genius for art reached its pinnacle. City of Etruscan – Roman origins, it flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune.

Furtherly refined by Renaissance, Florence is know as the “Heart of Renaissance” for its monuments, churches and buildings. The best – known site and crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore know as the Duomo that we will visit; the magnificent dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi.

We will then proceed to the nearby Campanile Tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery with the golden bronze doors (they were so beautiful that they were called the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo himself).

In the heart of the city there is Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also know as Palazzo Vecchio) gothic building and the Santa Croce Basilica.

Lunch Break not included.

Free afternoon, possibility to visit PISA (optional)

Pisa:

the power of this city as a mighty maritime nation began to grow on and reached its apex in the 11th century when it acquired traditional fame as one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. Then we will admire the Square of Miracles which also houses the Duomo, the Leaning Tower and the Baptistery. Return to Florence.

Dinner and overnight.

3 Day 3: Florence – Bologna – Padova – Venice

Breakfast, and in the morning departure from Florence by a deluxe coach to BOLOGNA.

Bologna:

The cityscape is further enriched by elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos), for which the city is famous. In total, there are some 38 kilometres of arcades in the city’s historical centre for its 40 km of high system of fortifications and defensive towers. From Independence Street we will proceed to Neptune Square and Major Square in the heart of the city. The central streets of Bologna, today are largely pedestrian. Here we’ll be fascinated by the Neptune square, King Renzo Palace, the Podestà Palace and the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world (during construction it was intended to be larger than St. Peter’s in Rome.

Lunch Break not included.

Departure from BOLOGNA to PADOVA.

Padova:

Visit at the beautiful Sant’Antonio Basilica in the heart of Padova.

Departure from PADOVA to our destination, VENICE.

Venice:

In the evening arrival in Venice, world – famous for its gondola (classic venetian boat) and for its elegant and refined art. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

4 Day 4: Venice - Milan

Venice:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Milan:

Arrival at the hotel.

Lunch and dinner not included.

5 Day 5: Milan – Stresa – Lugano – Como

Departure at 8.30 a.m. from MILAN by a deluxe coach to the LAKE MAGGIORE.

Lake

Maggiore:

one of the largest Italian Lakes. Wedged between the pre – alps, Lake Maggiore, of clear glacial origin, is framed in its lower section by the soft hills of the “Novarese” region, and in the upper section, by high mountain peeks, some of which with perennial snow. These features make it possible that in the costal areas the climate is temperate, milder in winter than in the inner areas and cooled down in summer by the breezes that blow on the water’s surface changing its colour. Thanks to its mild climate it was possible for many species of flowers and plants typical to the sub – tropical climate to adaptin the costal areas.

Departure to STRESA.

Stresa:

Arrival in STRESA, an international tourist resort situated in a central but also panoramic and picturesque position along the lakeside roadway, stands just in front of the Borromee islands.

Tour of the Pescatori island by boat: the island, is named after the main activity which over the centuries has characterized this fishermen town. Although only few families still go on with the original activity, the identity of the small community appears still intact. Tourists are fascinated by its simple houses, the narrow lanes, the stone portals and the attractive underpasses.

Bella Island: we will continue to the Bella Island, where it is possible to visit the Borromeo Palace with its magnificent gardens.

Return to STRESA.

Lunch Break not included.

Departure to LUGANO.

Lugano:

After a Panoramic tour around the lake, we reach LUGANO (Switzerland frontier). A very nice city, rich of shops and art galleries (Swiss shops offer the best luxury goods to be purchased), art galleries.

At the end of the visit departure to COMO.

Como:

Arrival at the hotel and overnight.

Dinner not included.

6 Day 6:Como – Bellagio– Varenna – Bergamo - Brescia

Como:

After breakfast, short visit of COMO. An amazing small province rich of atmospheres, panoramas, and human takeovers. In only a few kilometres you pass from the high mountain to the lake, from the wild alpine valley to the industrialized Brianzola hill, from the city area of COMO to the villages of little houses, from the oasis to north to the tracks from ski to south.

Como lake, it has long been famous for its setting at the intersection of the three branches of the Y – shaped lake, which is also know as Lario.

Board the boat we reach BELLAGIO.

Bellagio:

Situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake’s two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north. Divided in three branches, is situated on the most renewed beach on the Italian landscape. It is a picturesque village with small streets, luxury hotels and villas and gardens. Visit.

Free time for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon departure by boat to VARENNA.

Varenna:

Panoramic Tour.

Departure to BERGAMO.

Bergamo:

City characterized by a division of the urban structure on two levels, the “Lower town” (Città bassa), modern and dynamic and the famous “Upper town” (Città alta), a truly historic and artistic jewel. After, a small walking tour in the city centre.

Departure to BRESCIA.

7 Day 7:Brescia - Sirmione – Riva Del Garda – Verona

Breakfast, and in the morning departure to the GARDA LAKE, the largest Italian lake.

Garda Lake:

Lake Garda offers the visitor a splendid natural scenery, full of colours, surrounded by the Dolomites of Brenta in the north and the gentle slopes of the morainic hills in the south. A rich vegetation flourishes thanks to the Mediterranean climate: lemon trees, oleanders, magnolias and Bougainville. The cultivation of vineyards and olive groves produces good wines and olive oil.

Departure to SIRMIONE

Sirmione:

Here the Lake offers its best panorama, really sunny with the blue of its waters and the green of its trees. Boat tour to have a nice view of the Sirmione Cape, the castle and the Catullo’s ruins.

Free time for lunch (not included).

Departure to RIVA del GARDA.

Riva

Del Garda:

its historic centre shows the signs of the Venetian domain.

Leave to VERONA.

Verona:

arrival at the hotel, overnight.

8 Day 8: Verona - Milan

Verona:

Breakfast at the hotel and visit of famous city Verona. It is a work of art in itself: a fascinating cross – roads of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic), a blend of both Nordic and “Mediterranean” influences; the city is at the same time both ancient and modern.

a walk through its narrow streets allows we to get in touch with its varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles, its magnificent Renaissance palaces as well as the impressive fortifications which protect it.

Free time for lunch (not included).

Departure to MILAN and end of services.