Wonders of Italy

Join us for an incredible adventure as we discover the wonders of Italy. This country is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich history, amazing architecture and as the birthplace of some of the world's greatest artistic works. The delightful Mediterranean climate and mouth-watering cuisine only add to its charm, making Italy one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. During our 12-day holiday, we journey across the country for the tour of a lifetime, fully immersing ourselves in the marvels of Italy at these amazing destinations: Pisa, Florence, Siena, Rome, Montepulciano, Verona, and Venice! Semplicemente perfetto! Simply perfect!What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- First & last night on a bed & breakfast basis in France (JG3 rating) (last night with a light evening meal)- Overnight stay at a selected hotel in Italy, Milan area (JG3 rating), dinner included- Overnight stay at a selected hotel in Austria (JG3 rating), dinner included- 7 nights at selected hotels in Italy (JG4 rating) with breakfast plus 4 dinners- Excursions to Florence, Rome & Venice- En-route visits to Pisa, Siena, Montepulciano & Verona- Guided city tour of Rome- Guided walking tour of Florence & Venice- Services of a tour manager

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1We board our ferry to Calais and stay overnight in France on a bed and breakfast basis.Day 2Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Italy, with dinner included.Day 3 - PisaWe continue to our hotel in Montecatini, our base for the next two nights, stopping en-route in Pisa, famous for its leaning tower.Day 4 - Florence (full day)Today we travel by train to Florence, where we enjoy a guided walking tour. Undoubtedly one of Italy's most charming cities, don`t miss the Palazzo Vecchio, Giotti's Bell Tower and the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's lovely 'Old Bridge', which is still occupied by gold and silversmiths today. Afterwards, we return by train to our hotel in Montecatini.Day 5 - SienaWe leave Montecatini and travel to Rome via Siena in central Tuscany - a beautifully-preserved hilltop city surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, best known for its Palio horse race which takes place each summer in the Piazza del Campo. After time enjoying the square and admiring the medieval brick buildings, we continue south to our hotel on the outskirts of Rome where we stay for two nights.Day 6 - Rome (full day)There's no place like Rome! We start this exciting day of sightseeing with a guided city tour. Highlights include Via Veneto, Santa Maria Maggiore, Circus Maximus, Ponte Sisto, Castel Sant'Angelo and the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. We continue our tour on foot, taking in some of the most famous sights of the Italian capital; the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. The rest of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace and choose a restaurant for an early dinner before we return to our hotel.Day 7 - MontepulcianoWe travel to Venice with an en-route stop in the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano. This rare gem in southern Tuscany is full of elegant Renaissance buildings and has the most wonderful square, the Piazza Grande. Make sure you have a look at the figure of Pulcinella on the clock tower or explore the charming streets of the Old Town, while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.Day 8 - Venice (full day)After breakfast, we board our coach and enjoy a walking tour of Venice, a city renowned for its beauty, architecture and artwork. A 'Floating City' with over 400 bridges and 177 canals, Venice is known as the 'City of Bridges' and attracts visitors from all over the world to view its wonderful monuments, houses and squares, such as the Piazza San Marco which contains St. Marks Basilica. Other highlights include the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace and of course the gondolas that ply their trade up and down the canals. The rest of the day is left free to explore at leisure and choose a restaurant for dinner (not included).Day 9 - Day at leisureDay 10 - VeronaAfter breakfast, we leave Venice and head to Verona, a city that needs little introduction. Famous for its terracotta rooftops, star-crossed lovers and bridges arching over the glistening waters of the Adige River - Verona is a medieval old town with heart. Explore the beautifully-preserved amphitheatre, pockets of pretty streets and, of course, Juliet's House, where you can gaze up at her balcony and leaf through the love notes that surround the bronze statue of the young lover. Afterwards, we re-board the coach and continue to our hotel in Austria, where we enjoy dinner.Day 11Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.Day 12Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.Hotel
Selected HotelsJG4 ratingWe'll stay in a selection of hotels in Italy such as the Grand Hotel Croce di Malta, Montecatini (JG4 rating), the Principe di Pomezia on the outskirts of Rome (JG4 rating) and the Smart Hotel Holiday, Venice Mestre.Your hotels will be confirmed approximately 3 weeks before departure, therefore we cannot guarantee that the hotels will have a lift and/or ground floor rooms and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility.Hotel RatingJG4 ratingAccommodation in our JG4 category is of an even higher standard, typically offering a wide range of facilities and services. Bedrooms are designed to make your stay the most comfortable possible and the staff provide a service that reflects the detail and quality. You can also expect higher standards of food and beverages.