Impressions of Italy

Italy is renowned for its scenic vistas, fascinating history and unique architecture, and is home to some of the world's greatest works of art. Combined with a Mediterranean climate and delicious food and drink, it's no wonder that the country is one of Europe's most popular destinations. On this grand tour, we enjoy many of Italy's highlights, immersing ourselves in the country's captivating culture while visiting wonderful cities. Experience remarkable Venice with its trademark canals, historic Florence, the capital of Rome and the beautifully preserved hilltop city of Siena on this fantastic trip!What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- First & last night on a bed & breakfast basis in France (last night with a light evening meal)- 6 nights at selected hotels in Italy (JG4 rating) with breakfast plus 3 dinners- Excursions to Rome & Venice- Guided city tour of Rome- Guided walking tour of Venice- En-route visits to Pisa, Siena & Florence- Services of a tour manager

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.Day 2Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Italy, with dinner included.Day 3We continue on to our hotel in Montecatini Terme, stopping en-route in Pisa, famous for its leaning tower.Day 4 - SienaWe leave Montecatini and travel via Siena, 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. We continue south to our hotel on the outskirts of Rome where we stay for two nights.Day 5 - RomeWe start this exciting day of sightseeing with a guided city tour of Rome. 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 6 - FlorenceWe head to Florence, undoubtedly one of Italy's most charming cities. Just some of the city's highlights include 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 travel to our hotel in the Verona area, our base for the next two nights.Day 7 - VeniceWe explore Venice with a guided walking tour. This city is a floating work of art replete with locals lounging back in sunny piazzas with a spritz in hand. Boasting wonderful attractions, highlights include St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the gondolas that ply their trade up and down the canals.Day 8Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.Day 9Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.Hotel
Selected HotelsJG4 ratingWe'll stay in a selection of hotels (JG4 rating) in Italy such as the Ibis Milano Fiera, the Grand Hotel Panoramic in Montecatini, the Prinzipe on the outskirts of Rome and the Maxim in the Verona area. Each hotel features comfortable en-suite rooms as well as a bar and restaurant.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.