Umbria, Tuscany, and Ligyuria
Journey dedicated to the discovery of Umbria , Tuscany and Ligury : Umbria , in the true heart of Italy, is for one-thi mountains and for the rest hills covered with olive trees and vineyards , and acknowledged among the most beautiful landscape in Italy. Tuscany , green hills with rich vineyards , romantic towns with historical monuments , old castles fortified middle aged towns, the most beautiful renaissance history. Ligury with the Cinque Terre - the picturesque beaut, with its overhanging coasts, thousands of kilometres of dry-stone walls, rural building, the medieval quarters and the panoramic trails over the sea.
OUR SELECTED HOTELS:
n TERNI, Best Western Garden Hotel – 4*
PERUGIA, Sangallo Palace Hotel – 4*
FLORENCE, Hotel Santa Maria Novella – 4*
GENOVA, Hotel Bristol Palace – 4*
DAY 1: ROME -TERNI
Arrival at Rome airport and transfer to the hotel in Terni. Depending on flight times, take time to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Terni.
DAY 2: TERNI - CASCATA DELLE MARMORE - SPOLETO SPELLO - PERUGIA
After breakfast, we will visit the Marmora falls (the highest in Italy at 165 metres) and see the Clitumno springs, revered since Roman times and also admired by Byron. We will then stop for a tasting session of olive oil and typical produce at one of the many well-known farms in Umbria. We will then continue to Spoleto, an important city within the old Papal State and stop for a walking tour. We will then proceed to Spello, a lovely village where the time seems to have stood still, before heading for Perugia for an overnight stay
DAY 3: ASSISI - GUBBIO - PERUGIA
After breakfast, we will visit Assisi and its Basilicas: St Mary of the Angels and the Porziuncola chapel which was the initial nucleus from which the Franciscan order was born and where the saint died on October 4th 1226. We will visit the Basilica of St Francis and admire the beautiful rose window and the stunning fresco decorations. In the afternoon we will proceed to Gubbio to visit the most important monuments such as 40 Martyrs Square, the Major square, the exterior of the Consuls Palace and the Cathedral. We will then return to the hotel in Perugia for the overnight.
DAY 4: PERUGIA - SIENA - SAN GIMIGNANO - FLORENCE
Following breakfast, we will head for Siena with its well-conserved medieval streets and piazzas like the beautiful gothic Piazza del Campo (otherwise known simply as “Il Campo”), the secular heart of Siena, its public palace and cathedral. We will stop for a walking tour and you can enjoy some time there at your leisure. We will then continue to San Gimignano, an old medieval city rich of several monuments (the Duomo, the People’s Palace, the church of St Agostino) where we will enjoy a guided tour with a wine tasting in a local Tuscany winery before proceeding to Florence. Overnight in Florence.
DAY 5: FLORENCE
After breakfast, we will begin a full day guided tour of Florence, a symbol of the Renaissance and a must for art lovers. We will visit the exterior of the main monuments: the Cathedral and the Baptistery, the Cupola by Brunelleschi and the Campanile by Giotto. In the afternoon we will walk around discovering the Pitti Palace, Santa Croce church, the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge of the city, and Michelangelo Square where you can admire a stunning view on the town. Overnight in Florence.
DAY 6: FLORENCE
After breakfast, enjoy a full free day to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Florence.
DAY 7: FLORENCE - PISA - GENOVA
After early breakfast in the hotel, we will travel to Pisa, home to the world famous leaning tower. Enjoy a panoramic tour to admire Piazza dei Miracoli and the Baptistery. We then head for Genoa, Columbus’ birthplace and whose name is believed to derive from Genua founded by the two headed Giano, protector of ships and coins. We will enjoy a guided tour that will include the fascinating carrugi (the narrow medieval alleys), the beautiful historical buildings and squares of the largest old town centre in Europe. We will reach Columbus’ house in Piazza Dante and the majestic cathedral of San Lorenzo. Overnight in Genova.
DAY 8: GENOVA - CINQUE TERRE - PORTOVENERE - GENOVA
This morning experience a very special private guided tour of the priceless collection of art and treasures found in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. You will be amazed by the beautiful wall frescoes created by Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli. The unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Christian world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. Then proceed to the Piazza Venezia, and the Roman Forum, with a stop at the Colosseum - a testament to the greatness of Rome’s past. Continue your full tour day with visits to the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Castel Saint Angelo. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Rome (meals: B. D
DAY 9: GENOVA - RAPELLO PORTOFINO
After breakfast in the hotel we will depart to the Gulf of Tigulio. Entire day dedicated to the visit of some of the amazing villages belonging to the gulf. We will start with Rapallo, the largest Italian Riviera seaside resort town. The discovery goes on with the picturesque castle in the sea , a small harbour and the seaside promenade: Portofino, international and fascinating town which will be reached by a beautiful navigation. Lunch in local restaurant in Portofino. Free time at disposal. We will then return to Genova for an overnight stay
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then depending on the flight departure time, transfer from the hotel to the airport and return to your original departure city.
