Christian Tour of Italy
Journey dedicated to the discovery of the Christianity . Rome, the capital of culture and faith, the cradle of the western civilization but first of all a real museum in the open air. Modern and old, past and present go side by side , all the time . Assisi , the top destination for pilgrims who visit the churches and relics of Saint Rufino, Saint Francis and Saint Clair. Puglia (Apulia), the heel of Italy’s boot that looks onto two seas: Adriatic and Ionian with amazing blue waters… a suspended region between tradition, religion and art.
VENICE, Starhotel Splendid - 4*
FLORENCE, Grand Hotel Cavour - 4*
SORRENTO, Hotel Antiche Mura - 4*
ROME, Hotel Imperiale - 4*
DAY 1: VENICE
Meet your English speaking tour manager who will assist your private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Venice. To reach your centrally located Hotel, you will take a water taxi. Then, time to leisurely familiarise yourself with the hotel surroundings. Welcome dinner at your hotel. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 2: VENICE
After breakfast, meet your English speaking guide in the hotel foyer. We begin with a tour of the highlights of Venice; starting with a walk through the St Mark’s square, highlighting its most celebrated monuments such as the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful architecture of the Doge’s Palace and the Renaissance Marciana Library. We will then visit the golden Basilica of St. Mark to admire some of its most precious treasuries: about 90,000 square feet of golden mosaics, the four famous bronze horses and the astonishing Golden Screen, decorated with 1, 927 precious gems. Late afternoon, our tour guide will take you through the backstreets “far from the madding crowd,” to discover some of the more tranquil corners of the city. You will see where Marco Polo’s house used to be, and venture to Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, one of the most interesting monumental areas of the city; here you have the chance to taste the “ Cicchetti” (Venetian tapas) and a good glass of wine. Dinner tonight is at leisure. Overnight stay in Venice. (Meals: B.)
DAY 3: FLORENCE
After breakfast at your hotel, you will leave Venice by private water taxi for the city coach terminal, board the deluxe motor coach and then on to your next Italian destination, Florence. Check in at your hotel in the centre of Florence. The rest of the day is set aside for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 4: FLORENCE
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a wonderfully full day excursion to the medieval towns of Siena, San Gimignano and to the beautiful countryside of Chianti to visit a charming winery and taste some of the best wines in the world. First stop in Siena, where you will visit the city’s famous basilica and the very centre of the city to admire its narrow streets and its beautiful square (Piazza del Campo), a UNESCO World Heritage site. After Siena and a good lunch, we will proceed to San Gimignano, another fine example of well preserved medieval architecture, with its towers overlooking the whole town. On the return to Florence we will traverse the Chianti region with its villages, hills and vineyards. We will stop in the heart of Chianti at Rocca delle Macie for some wine tasting and relaxation. Back to the hotel and time for a hearty dinner and perhaps a mouth watering gelato. Dinner and overnight stay in Florence. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 5: FLORENCE
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your private English speaking guide for a half day tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery. You will visit the heart of the city experiencing amazing locations such as Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral with Giotto’s masterpiece, the bell tower and Baptistery of San Giovanni. You will then visit the Accademia gallery where David’s Michelangelo is waiting for you! The rest of the day is spent at leisure. Dinner is also at leisure tonight. Overnight stay in Florence. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 6: FLORENCE
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board your private motor coach for a full day excursion to the Cinque Terre area. You will arrive in the town of La Spezia and board a public boat to visit some of the five towns of this charming area: Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. After your private boat excursion and a local lunch, you will be taken to the town of Pisa (or Lucca if you prefer) for a two hour private, guided tour of the town. Back to Florence in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in Florence. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 7: SORRENTO
After breakfast at your hotel, you will board your private motor coach for a transfer to your hotel in Sorrento. Along the way we will stop in the Castelli Romani region for a succulent lunch. After check in at the hotel the rest of the day can be spent at leisure under the sun of the Amalfi Coast. Dinner and overnight stay in Sorrento. (Meals: B. L. D.)
DAY 8: SORRENTO
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board your private motor coach for a full day excursion to the Amalfi Coast to visit gems such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The founding of Amalfi can be traced back to the Romans; we visit the most famous monument the cathedral (Duomo) built in an Arabo-Norman style. The natural beauty of this location is why the city of Amalfi has been classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1997. We continue to Positano; a curious note is that in the latter half of the 19th century, more than half the population emigrated, due to the city falling on hard times, and the majority chose the United States. Our last stop will be Ravello, a terrace jutting out into the sea. From this vantage point the Amalfi Coast becomes a vision of rare beauty. Dinner and overnight stay in Sorrento. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 9: SORRENTO
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day tour of the beautiful island of Capri; known for its dramatic views, striking Faraglioni rocks and sheer beauty. We will visit Villa San Michele, built in the early 20th century by Axel Munthe, a Swedish physician; it is home to an enchanting and serene garden that is billed as one of the top 10 gardens in Italy. We will take a stroll through the historic centre of Anacapri, less crowded than Capri, the atmosphere here is also more laid-back, with a more authentic character. (Meals: B. D.)
DAY 10: ROME
After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and board your private motor coach as we head for the city of Rome. Along the way we will stop in Pompeii for a two hour private tour of the excavations. This fascinating archaeological site was buried by lava and ash following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our guide will take you on a compelling walk through the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see baths, forums and villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 BC. Admire the fabulously preserved Frescos that decorate the walls and floors of the villas. After the visit, we will proceed to Rome, check in at your hotel and take some time for a stroll or simply to relax. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 11: ROME
Today is dedicated to a visit to Vatican City. In the morning we will depart for St. Peter’s Square, where each Wednesday it is possible to attend the Papal Audience, when Pope Francis blesses the attending crowd. In the afternoon we will visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. In the Vatican Museums you will be shown a fine collection of antiques. The visit includes: the Sculpture Museum, the fascinating Tapestry Gallery, the Gallery of Maps and the world famous Sistine Chapel decorated by Michelangelo. The tour will then proceed to St. Peter’s Basilica where you will view the artistic treasures of the largest Roman Catholic Church in the world, which includes Michelangelo’s Pietà. Our final stop is the Grand Piazza Navone, one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome, where you may wish to remain, explore and have a meal in one of the many restaurants in the area. Overnight stay Rome. (B.)
DAY 12: ROME
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be taken by private motor coach to the Coliseum. Here you will meet your private English speaking guide for a stroll back in time, visiting the Coliseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. In the Coliseum you will be surrounded by impressive monuments and the ruins of the Arch of Constantine the Great. The tour will then proceed to the Roman Forum, the old centre of the Imperial City where the Senate House, the Basilicas and the Temples of the major gods are located. You will walk the Via Sacra and pass by the Arch of Titus. Then, your English speaking guide will take you to Palatine Hill, the location where brothers Remus and Romulus battled over who would found the first empire, and where Romulus founded the city that would become Rome. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at the beautiful Trastevere, the place where Romans go to eat, people watch and enjoy ice cream. Overnight stay in Rome (B.D.)
DAY 13: DEPARTURE
Transfer by private coach from the hotel to the airport in Rome.