 |
|
Motor-Coach-Tours |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights of Italy
|
|
|
|
Rome/Civitavecchia – Naples – Pompeii – Sorrento – Assisi – Florence – Bologna – Venice – Verona – Como – Lugano – Locarno – Lago Maggiore – Monza – Milan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore with us the cultural heritage of the ancient Roman Empire and visit its great cities rich in history and art treasures. Enjoy splendid Rome and much praised Naples with its Vesuvius. Experience 2.000 years old ruins of Pompeii and see Sorrento's summer palaces of the Roman Emperos. Visit St. Francis imposing Basilica in Assisi and discover incomparable Florence, home of Michelangelo and its exquisite masterpieces of art and architecture. In legendary Venice cruise on Canal Grande lined with gilded palazzos and linked by hundreds of picturesque footbridges. Clear mountain air is waiting and a spectacular scenery when visiting its famous northern lakes surrounded by snowcapped peaks of the Italian and Swiss Alps! |
|
|
|
| | DAY 01 Rome or Civitavecchia
A warm welcome awaits you upon arrival Rom airport or at Rome's port of call Civitavecchia. Transfer to your hotel in Rome and join us this evening for a welcome cocktail and brief orientation (3 overnights at Hotel Ergife Palace). | | | | | | DAY 02 Rome
Your morning sightseeing tour of Italy's Eternal City starts with the Coliseum, a classical masterpiece of an arena used for gladiatorial contents. You will see the remains of Roma Forum where senate meetings were held, the Capitol with its Church of Santa Maria, palaces and beautiful gardens. You pass the white monument of Victor Emanuel II, first king of Italy and arrive at magic Trevi Fountain with its sea-horse and marine tritons. Throw some coins over your shoulder before we leave to Castle St. Angelo, an imposing fortress erected during the 2nd century right at the bank of the River Tiber. Within a short distance we stop at St. Peter's Square to visit its domed Basilica of the 4th century and landmark of Rome. You will see the balcony from which the Pope gives his „Urbi et Orbi” and the impressive inside with its Chapel Pieta by Michelangelo, the great St. Peter's Throne with gilded stuccoes and the magnificent Baldaquin which crowns the pontifical altar. The rest of the afternoon is yours to browse around, perhaps on famous boulevard Via Veneto or visit the ancient building of the Pantheon with tombs of Italy's kings.
Meals: B. | | | | | | DAY 03 Excursion: Naples – Pompeii – Sorrento
Today's beautiful excursion leads south of Rome to the harbor city of Naples with its close Vesuvius. See the fortified gateway Porta Capuana and its Castel, the Duomo, a 14th century cathedral, the splendid Castel Nuovo, surrounded by a moat with a fascinating Triumphal Arch and glorious sculptures. Following a lunch break at the Galleria Umberto your excursion continues to Pompeii, which was buried by a volcanic eruption about 2.000 years ago. An orientation walk through this excavated town will explain the ancient way of Italian life. - Then its on to the resort of Sorrento, overlooking the gulf in a beautiful setting of gardens, lemon and orange groves.
Enjoy from here a most memorable view over the bay of Naples. During the afternoon return to Rome with dinner en route at a selected restaurant.
Meals: B&D. | | | | | | DAY 04 Rome – Assisi – Montecatini Terme
You leave Rome this morning for the district of Umbria and stop at medieval Assisi, surrounded by a wall across the slopes of Monte Subasio. After a lunch break you visit its famous Basilica, built after the death of St. Francis in 1253 with remarkable frescoes, a vaulting with colorful paintings, the Madonna with Four Angels and St. Francis' Tomb at the transept of the church. Continue by way of former Etrusan city Perugia, along Lake Trasimeno amidst green hills and lovely valleys and arrive at Montecatini Terme near Florence, one of Italy's most fashionable spas for dinner and overnight.
Meals: B & D. (2 overnights at Grand Hotel Ambasciatori). | | | | | | DAY 05 Florence
Florence, the capital of arts and truly one of the greatest cities in the world of exquisite architecture, the city tour will include Santa Croce, a monastery with a campanile and facades paved with tombstones. The interior shows a pulpit, pillars, frescos and the tomb of the famous composer Rossini. Within a short walk along the River Arno you arrive at Florence' oldest bridge Ponte Vecchio, lined with shops.We cross the river for Piazza del Duomo and visit its Gothic Cathedral of the 13th century, one of the largest in the world representing an incomparable example of Florentine architecture. See its great chancel and a splendid fresco of the Last Judgement. If you are able climb the steps to the top of the dome for a magnificent view of the city. A tenminutes walk from here leads to Piazza della Signoria, an open-air museum of ancient statues, including a copy of the world famous one of Michelangelo's David and Palazzo Vecchio with its bell tower. Right next the Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the world's best art museums. You will see its Painting Galleries with unique collections of famous Italian and foreign artists, like Michelangelo, Titan, Tintoretto, Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt and many others. The rest of the day is at leisure or explore further sights on your own. Later, return to Montecatini Terme for overnight. Meals: B. | | | | | | DAY 06 Montecatini Terme – Bologna – Abano Terme
Following breakfast our today's journey continues further north to Bologna, district of Emilia-Romagna to see one of Europe's oldest Universities and remains of a fortified city wall. We stop at Piazza del Nettuno in the old town center to see an impressive fountain and its bronze monument of Neptune. Some other highlights of Bologna are the Torri Pendenti, two leaning towers of the 12th century. Spend your lunch time here before we continue our drive to Abano Terme near Venice for dinner and overnight, another elegant thermal spa of Italy.
Meals: B&D. (2 overnights at Hotel Adriatico). | | | | | | DAY 07 Venice
Founded over a thousand years ago, built on 117 little islands and with its link to the sea, Venice' beauty still reflects incomparable architecture of Byzantine domes, palaces of Venetian-Gothic style, charming squares, silent canals and traditional gondolas. Start your sightseeing from Piazzale Roma with a boat cruise on picturesque Canal Grande. Passing magnificent palazzos and numerous footbridges like the most famous Ponte di Realto we arrive at Piazza San Marco with its arcades and watchtower Campanile. Next to the Doges' Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian architecture you will visit among other sights the great Basilica di San Marco, built during the 11th century with a rich interior of marble and gilded mosaics. Ample time is yours for strolling or take a private gondola ride to the Bridge of Sighs before we return to our hotel in Abano Terme.
Meals: B. | | | | | | DAY 08 Albano Terme – Verona – Como
During the morning we leave again one of Italy's beautiful spa resorts and travel by way of Padova to Verona, former home and rest place of Romeo and Juliet. An orientation drive will show you delightful buildings of Roman and Venetian architecture, the impressive fortified Castel Vecchio and the Roman Arena, the world-famous openair opera stadium with a seating for 25.000 spectators. Then your drive continues to Lago di Garda for a lunch break on peninsular Sirmione. View its 13th century castle Rocca Scaligera and enjoy a panoramic view across this charming lake and its steep slopes and mountain range of Monte Baldo. Our route leads further west, passing Brescia and Bergamo on the northern edge of Lombardy we arrive the city of Como. An orientation drive will show its landmark Duomo, a remarkable cathedral of the 14th century with a splendid interior of Renaissance decoration. Transfer to your hotel in time for dinner and overnight.
Meals: B&D. ( 2 overnights at Hotel Nuovo). | | | | | | DAY 09 Excursion: Lugano – Locarno – Lago Maggiore
Your morning starts with a short drive to Villa Olmo to enjoy a memorable view of Como and its beautiful lakeside setting. Travel along Lago di Como surrounded by wooden hills, cypresses and olive groves your motorcoach takes you into Switzerland and to Lugano, situated between the gentle peaks of Mt. Bre and Salvadore rising up to about 3.000 feet. See the inviting Parco Civico, a delightful park with a splendid promenade next to the lake and the Cathedral of St. Lawrence with fine decorated Renaissance doorways. Continue to the Swiss resort of Locarno known for its annual and international Film Festival on dream-like Lago Maggiore share its shores with Italy.We stop for a lunch break and viewing later its castle Castello Visconti and the pilgrim church Madonna del Sasso dominating the city. From here enjoy a panorama of this brilliant lake and see adjacent the Swiss city of Ascona. We soon re-enter Italy along the Lago Maggiore passing magnificent villas and tropical gardens and stops at Isole Borromee for a boat trip to the island Isola Madre, covered with enchanting gardens of flowers and exotic vegetation. Time now is on your own to enjoy this little paradise before we cruise back to the mainland and return to our hotel in Como.
Meals: B. | | | | | | DAY 10 Como – Monza – Milan
An easy morning drive takes you first to Milan's suburb Monza to view its Parco di Villa Reale, a magnificent royal villa of former King Umberto I. Close by see Monza's racing circuit for the annual Grand Prix Formula One race. - Before noon arrive at Milan, the lively capital of Italy's Lombardy. Following hotel check-in and time for lunch at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele the afternoon sightseeing tour includes the Duomo, a 14th century masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The impressive inside construction shows four aisles separated by pillars of enormous high, artistic stained-glass windows of the 15th and 16th century and take a walk on the roof to view over a hundred pinnacles and more than 2.000 splendid statues of white marble. Among further sights you will view Castello Sforzesco, a huge brick mansion of the former Dukes of Milan and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a 17th century palace, originally one of the first public libraries. Visit the most famous Teatro alla Scala, built 1778 and its museum to view from one of the boxes the mighty auditorium. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps at Milan's most celebrated shopping arcades Vittorio Emanuele. Tonight you are invited for a farewell dinner at your hotel, including a drawing of valuable goods with everyone winning a present. We wish this last evening to be the most enjoyable one of your tour!
Meals: B&D. (1 overnight at Hotel Holiday Inn Linate). | | | | | | DAY 11 Milan – Last day of tour
After your breakfast an unforgettable package tour of Italy's most beautiful places and magnificent sights comes to an end a journey that will linger in a good memory for ever! Finally, your motorcoach takes you to the airport of Milan for your return flight.
Meals: B.
Please note: On request, transfers from Milan to ports of
call Genova or Venice can be arranged! | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All includings* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Transfer between Rome Airport or port of call
Civitavecchia/Milan Airport and hotels.
- A welcome cocktail upon arrival hotel in Rome.
- 10 accommodations at selected three to four-star hotels
as named or similar, including hotel tax,
service charges and baggage handling.
- 10 buffet-style breakfasts. / 5 three-courses dinners.
- A valuable gift to each member of the tour.
- Touring by a private and late-model motorcoach
with all facilities.
- All sightseeings, excursions and entrance fees
as per itinerary:
- City sightseeing of Rome.
- Excursion to Naples, Pompeii's excavation ground and
Sorrento, each with orientation drives and/or walks.
- Orientation drive of Assisi, including Basilica visit.
- City sightseeing of Florence,
including entrance to Uffizi Galleries.
- Orientation drive Bologna.
- Sightseeing Venice,
including boat trip to/ from San Marco and its Basilica.
- Orientation drive of Verona and Como
with a stop at Lago di Garda.
- Excursion to Lugano, Locarno and Lago Maggiore,
each with orientation drives and stops,
including boat trip to Isola Madre.
- Orientation drive of Monza, including racing circuit.
- City sightseeing of Milan, including entrance to La Scala.
- An experienced and multi-lingual Tour Director
each day throughout land. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land Tour Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 up : € 1.160,- p.p.
30 – 39 : € 1.265,- p.p.
20 – 29 : € 1.480,- p.p.
15 – 19 : € 1.750,- p.p.
Single supplement : € 395,- p.p.
1 – 6 pass. by priv. limousine or van; please request rates.
ARRIVAL DATES
All year - select your own departure dates!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
