This journey takes us by train from Venice to the Bay of Naples on the Sorrento Peninsula. We visit Italy’s magnificent historical sights in Florence, Pisa and Rome. We travel into the rolling Tuscan countryside and stay on an idyllic working farm – or agriturismo. We can also discover the Roman remains of Pompeii and enjoy a boat trip to the beautiful island of Capri.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
On arrival in Venice we transfer to our hotel
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
AM Tour of Venice; PM Free or Optional Murano visit
Venice is truly unique and its splendour and mystique continues to grow as it evolves. From its earliest settlers 2000 years ago, Venice has constantly been fought over and it’s not surprising given its location along some major trade routes. Today, the biggest threat is from the rising tides, which in time threaten to destroy this wonderful city. This morning we will take a walking tour of the city and visit such wonders as the Ponte di Rialto and the Doges Palace. This afternoon your time is left free for you to enjoy Venice as you please. You may like to visit Murano to see at first hand how the famous Venetian glass is made or just wander the streets and alleyways of this timeless city.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Train to Florence
This morning we depart Venice by water taxi and train and head inland, across the Apennines to the Renaissance capital of Florence. In the afternoon, we head out for a walking tour to discover the many treasures of this cultural haven. Among the highlights is the multicoloured Duomo, which rises and dominates the city skyline unlike any other in Italy. Built when the seat of the Bishop of San Lorenzo was transferred to Florence in the 7th century, it is the third largest church in Europe and in its heyday saw a congregation of over 10,000 drawn to its spacious interior to hear Savonarola preach to the assembled masses.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Free day in Florence or Optional day in Pisa
Today is left free for you to decide whether to explore more of Florence or to travel with your tour leader for an optional day (no transport or entrance fees are included) to the remarkable city of Pisa. Pisa is so much more than just its famous Leaning Tower. The Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), of which the Tower is but one part, also contains the Baptistry, Duomo and Camposanto (cemetery), which between them make up a stunning collection of architectural wonders. Indeed, legend has it that Pisan knights returning from the 4th crusade were ordered to bring back a cargo of soil from the hill of Golgotha, so that eminent Pisan citizens could be buried in holy soil. These, along with the churches and palazzi that make up the historic centre, belong to Pisa’s Golden Age, a period from the 11th to 13th centuries, when the city was one of the major maritime powers of the Mediterranean. The Tower that has become synonymous with Pisa, was originally designed as the bell tower for the Duomo, before its almost immediate and comic slip to the oblique, but nevertheless attracts thousands of visitors a year to the city.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Train to Siena; on to Agriturismo late afternoon
No journey to Tuscany would be complete without a visit to Siena where we travel to this morning by train. Today is left free for you to enjoy Sienna at your own pace. (Please note no entrance fees or guides are included). The centre of this city is almost traffic free, making it ideal to wander around on foot, soaking up the many intriguing sights. The focal point is the Piazza del Campo, a semi-circular area surrounded by ancient buildings and overlooked by the 100m belltower (Torre del Mangia). The Piazza is also used for a horse race twice a year – the famous Palio, when horses and their riders hurtle dangerously around the square to the delight of the crowds. The Duomo, the Pinocoteca gallery and many other fine buildings and sights provide ample to occupy our visit here before we continue by bus on to our agriturismo just south of Siena.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Visit San Gimignano; optional walk in the area
Today we travel by bus to San Gimignano. The Etruscans were well known for building their towns on hilltops and San Gimignano is perhaps the best preserved of all their settlements. It is most famous for its medieval towers and for its churches and public buildings, containing many marvels of medieval and Renaissance art. Once an independent city-state, run as a dictatorship, it is famous locally for the dry white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, literally meaning, “local to this place”. The hills around the town offer picturesque villages and ruins to explore, together with fine views of the towers of the town. This afternoon we make our way back to our agriturismo ready to enjoy the evenings barbeque.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7:
Train to Rome
Leaving the rolling Tuscan landscape behind us, we head by train, via Florence, south to the “Eternal City” of Rome. Few cities in the world have the same magnificence and none match the historical significance that Rome has created across the regions that were once part of its impressive empire. From the Colosseum and the Forum, the classical symbols of ancient Rome, to Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches Rome is packed with relics of over 2000 years of history and habitation. This afternoon will be spent exploring the Coliseum, Roman Forums, Trevi Fountain and Venice Square on foot with the benefit of a local guide to bring Rome’s fascinating history to life.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Free Day in Rome
Today is again left free for you to choose how you wish to spend your time. You could choose to visit the Vatican City, a Sovereign City State in its own right. Have a chance to see the magnificent Sistene Chapel and the world famous Vatican Museums.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Transfer to Sorrento: visit Pompeii
The area of the Bay of Napls is unique. It’s majestic landscapes and extraordinary classical monuments make it the ideal place to end our tour. We will take the train into Naples today, then catch an onward connection to Sorrento, our base for the next two nights. This afternoon we will catch the train to visit the remarkably well preserved Roman provincial city of Pompeii, buried during the eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago. The city once housed 15,000 people and was an important commercial centre as well as a favourite residence of wealthy Roman patricians. The extensive colannaded forum with its Temple of Jupiter and magnificently decorated villas such as that of Vetii are something to behold. Later this afternoon we will retun to Sorrento.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Free in Sorrento
Our final day is free to enjoy as you wish. Sorrento has a wonderfully relaxed charm and it is easy to while away the hours in one of its pavement cafes enjoying the local life. However, we would recommend a trip to the island of Capri (optional). Take a minibus to the upper town of Anacapri and visit the delightful Villa San Michele, which the Swedish scientist, doctor and author Axel Munthe owned until his death in 1949. The villa contains an interesting museum and there are breathtaking views of the island from the gardens. In the afternoon you might want to walk to the Villa Jovis, the ruins of Tiberius’ cliff top palace. The climb takes about 45 minutes and is fairly strenuous, but most rewarding: the views over the island and the Bay of Naples are nothing short of spectacular. Capri was the favourite residence of the emperors Augustus and Tiberius; the latter lived here almost continuously for the last decade of his life. Tiberius was a rather perverse character and there are numerous stories about his fits of temper and sexual excesses. He reputedly diverted himself by hurling his former favourites off a 1,000 foot precipice into the waters below! Alternatively, you may choose to travel along the coast to Amalfi or Ravello, a town famous for its beautiful villas. You may alternatively choose to visit the nearby ruins of Herculaneum.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
Sorrento
Tour ends.
Included meals: Breakfast
