Italian Showcase

Overview

A whirlwind intercity adventure that takes in winding lanes of medieval towns, world-famous works of art and architectural treasures in Italy’s best-loved cities.

UK - Rome

Fly to Rome where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for the night.

Your tour starts today. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy’s ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Rome - Orvieto - Tuscan Hills

Journey to Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. Next, enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with its hillside towns and villages that skirt the Chianti wine-growing region. Overnight in the heart of Tuscany. Tonight, join the optional Tuscan dinner.

Tuscan Hills at leisure

Spend the day at leisure or take advantage of today’s optional excursion to San Gimignano and Siena. San Gimignano is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns. Admire its 14 towers and the countryside dotted with vineyards and olive trees. Siena is rightly considered the jewel of Tuscany. The Piazza del Campo is quite unique in shape and setting, and famous all over the world for the medieval-style Palio horse-racing event.

Tuscan Hills - Florence - Tuscan Hills

A full day is dedicated to the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty. The included walking tour with a local guide will introduce you to the main highlights.

Tuscan Hills - Greve - Pisa - Tuscan Hills

This morning, head to the village of Greve. Visit the Vicchiomaggio Wine Estate, where the renowned Chianti wine is made, and indulge in an included Tuscan lunch before heading to Pisa to see its world-famous Square of Miralces and the curious Leaning Tower. Take a stroll down the busy Via Santa Maria, perhaps Pisa’s most typical street.

Tuscan Hills - Verona - Venice area

Drive north, first through more of Tuscany, then across the Po River to Verona on the banks of the Adige River. Get to know more about this enchanting city on your included guided city tour that shows off all the highlights, including the famous balcony from Romeo and Juliet. Continue to the Venice area.

Venice

Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful sites. View the delightful criss-crossing canals, the gondolas, water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Enjoy the included orientation, which starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by time at leisure and a visit to a typical Venetian glass blowing workshop. In the afternoon, join one of the optional excursions.

Venice area - Ravenna - San Marino

Travel to Ravenna, a city that preserves the richest heritage of byzantine mosaics dating from the 5th century AD. After a stop here, continue to the tiny hilltop Republic of San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world.

San Marino - Urbino - Gubbio - Assisi area

First to Urbino to see its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. Then, on to the verdant Umbria region to visit medieval Gubbio, where a superb view of the rooftops of the town from the Consul’s Palace is a must. Continue on to Foligno.

Assisi area - Naples

Start the day in Assisi with a guided tour of the Basilica of St Francis with its famous paintings by Giotto dating back to the 1300s. Carry on south across the Apennines to the shores of the Mediterranean for three overnights in Naples, rightly known as Italy’s most colourful city.

Naples - Capri by Ferry - Naples

Today, cross the crystal-blue waters to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cosy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. Return to Naples for an overnight.

Naples - Pompeii - Sorrento - Naples

This morning, get to know more about lively, bustling Naples on the included orientation drive. Next, Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, will bring that day back to life. Continue to Sorrento for a leisurely evening of superb views over the Gulf of aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. A local guide Naples. Maybe join an optional dinner in a local restaurant before returning to Naples.

Naples - Montecassino - Rome

North this morning through the province of Latium for a stop to visit Montecassino's Benedictine Abbey. Return to Rome, the “Eternal City,” with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last-minute shopping, or maybe to sip a drink on Piazza Navona and watch the world go by.

Rome

Steeped in history, Rome is vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique. Included sightseeing with a local guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Other highlights are the iconic Coliseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built; the Roman Forum; Piazza Venezia, and Campidoglio. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgement.

Rome - UK

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.