ITALIAN ELEGANCE (CLASSIC GROUP)

• Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches.
• Transfers depart from Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel.
• Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director at 17.30 and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30

Welcome Meet your Travel Director at 17:30

• In the morning, enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including visiting the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City with your Local Expert.
• Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome.
• See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum.
• Enjoy fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert.
• Admire the Papal art collection, before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on its ceiling.
• Dine on Lazio’s culinary specialties at Ristorante Di Rienzo, located beside the Pantheon, an architectural masterpiece and symbol of Italy.

• Explore Florence with Insight Choice.
• Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David.
• After, continue on foot to admire the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory.
• Continue into the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces.
• Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
• Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica and indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines.
• Marvel at the artistry during a demonstration of leather work and admire how the goldsmiths create their designs both famous luxury goods found in Florence.

• Spend time exploring the maze of alleyways and admire scenic views across the valley.
• Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his finest frozen treats.

• Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills before continuing to the delightful town of Lucca.
• Taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca’s sweet raisin anise bread.
• Head for Pisa and see the incredible Leaning Tower, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity.
• See the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble.
• Next, cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, the epitome of la dolce vita (should weather permit).
• Continue along the coast to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.

• Head for the port of La Spezia for a highlight of your travels and one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes, the Cinque Terre.
• With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat.
• For lunch, enjoy a delicious Sea-to-Table dining experience.
• Enjoy leisure time to admire the coloured houses, browse the boutiques or simply stay a while in the cafe bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbour.

• Head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with lush vegetation.
• Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake.

• Travel through the stunning northern Italian countryside to one of the world’s most breath-taking wine regions.
• Protected by the Alps to the north, and caressed by the warm breezes from the Adriatic, the vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine.
• Great care is taken to ensure these hand-picked grapes produce the world’s finest prosecco and you see how production differs from its more famous French counterpart, champagne.
• Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavours and learn how to make the perfect bellini.
• Continue through the Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

• The whole day is free for you to explore the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps.
• During summer, once the snow and ice have melted away, a breathtaking landscape is revealed.
• There are a number of walking tracks through pristine Alpine wilderness for the adventurous to explore, or for a more relaxed pace, perhaps take a thrilling Optional Experience to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking panoramic views?

• Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice.
• A private boat glides you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St Mark’s Square.
• See the basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs, before checking into your luxurious hotel.
• With the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian Lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialities and wine?

• Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.
• Then there is free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace.
• Mingle with the locals at the open air markets near the Rialto Bridge and explore the back lanes and squares where Venetians go about their day.
• Later, on your romantic gondola serenade, glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs.
• This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce during a magical Celebration Dinner.

• Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30