THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF ITALY

Start of Tour, ROME
Arrival in Rome in the morning and transfer to your 4 star Hotel in one of the most beautiful streets of the city centre.
During the first afternoon, a welcome cocktail will be offered to you in the hotel. Preliminary meeting between the group and presentation of the itinerary.
Walk through the historical centre, to discover the eternal city.
Dinner in a typical restaurant of the Roman “dolce vita”.

The marvels of the “eternal city”, ROME
Guided visit to “Ancient Rome: on the trail of the great fire”, amid the sites of the fabulous origins of Rome: the Colosseum (Colosseo), the Roman Forum (Foro Romano), the Imperial Forums (Fori Imperiali), with an extraordinary uncommon itinerary.
Break for lunch and visit to one of the masterpieces of Italian art: the Basilica of San Pietro, topped by the dome perceived by Michelangelo, the “dome loved by the Romans”. Guided visit inside the Basilica, the Vatican Museums with its 1000s of masterpieces and the marvellous Sistine Chapel.
Evening at your leisure in Rome, walking through the streets of the centre or tasting the local specialties in Trastevere. Alternatively, you could also decide to relax in your fascinating hotel.

From the silence of the House of Saint Benedict in Montecassino to the lively streets of Naples, NAPLES
From Rome towards the heart of the south of Italy: the vibrant city of Naples.
During the trip, visit to the Abbey of Montecassino, founded by St. Benedict: the gorgeous cloisters, the Basilica, the museum and the library, with its picturesque medieval architecture.
Arrive in Naples. Accommodation in a gorgeous hotel with a view on the Bay and Mount Vesuvius.
In the afternoon, guided visit through the most beautiful and characteristic streets of the centre of Naples (from the picturesque “Spaccanapoli” to the elegant shopping street “Via Toledo”).
In the evening a master class to prepare the “real Neapolitan pizza” and pizza for dinner.

The pearls of the South, POMPEII and AMALFI
Day-long excursion: The incredible archaeological site of Pompeii and the fabulous Amalfi Coast.
In the morning visit to Pompeii, the city buried by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius in ’79 AD, which has remained virtually untouched ever since: the Piazza del Foro, the Ancient Temples, the Thermal Baths, the Market, the Majestic Theatre, the beautiful Roman houses.
In the afternoon, guided visit to Amalfi: The breathtaking views of the Coast, the lively and colourful alleys, the marvellous Cathedral, the colours, scents and flavours of local specialities.
Return to Naples in the evening. Superb dinner on the elegant terrace of your hotel.

Masterpieces in grey stone set in green, SPOLETO and VALNERINA
From Naples to the ‘heart of Italy’, Umbria.
Arrival in Valnerina at the end of the morning, in a unique and magical land, a perfect mix of nature, culture and history. Visit to one of the ‘Most beautiful villages of Italy’, Vallo di Nera.
Lunch with tasting of many of the local specialities at a typical “Trattoria”: black truffles, delicious local hams and salami, lentils and other local delicacies.
In the afternoon, a guided tour of Spoleto. From the small centre to the magnificent Cathedral located in a spectacular scenic location, displaying itself at the end of a long narrow staircase. At the top of the hill, visit to Towers’ Bridge “Il Ponte della Torre” and its impressive Rocca (fortress).

Umbria: the land of Saint Francis and gentle hills, ASSISI, DERUTA and MONTEFALCO
A day dedicated to the discovery of “The Heart of Italy”.
In Deruta, visit to the most ancient and prestigious ateliers of valuable artistic majolicas and beautiful Umbrian fabrics woven on antique looms.
In Montefalco, tasting of pecorino cheese, local salami and the famous Sagrantino wine.
In the afternoon, guided visit to Assisi, the city of Saint Francis. Walk through its narrow medieval streets, admiring the transition between churches and cloisters and visit to the amazing Basilica of Saint Francis, with marvellous frescos by Giotto and Cimabue.
Visit to the sites where Saint Francis withdrew to pray: the Hermitage of Carceri and San Damiano.

The ‘perfect city’ of the Renaissance, URBINO
From Umbria to Marche crossing the centre of Italy.
Break at Sant’Angelo in Vado, capital of the precious White Truffles. Visit to the National Centre of Truffle cultivation and some practical experience looking for Truffles, with expert prospectors and ‘sniffer' dogs.
Lunch at a farm inn with dishes based around truffles and other local specialities.
Arrival in Urbino in the afternoon, the ‘perfect city’ of the Renaissance, birthplace of Raphael. Guided visit of the city, the Ducal Palace and the Marche Regional Gallery, with treasures by Raphael, Piero Della Francesca, Paolo Uccello…

The Montefeltro Castles, SAN LEO and GRADARA
Excursion to discover the land of Montefeltro and the splendid Castles amidst the hills, sky and sea.
In Gradara, visit to the village and the Castle, a fortress with its towers, drawbridges, walkways and arrow slits, but also a rich Renaissance residence, scene of one of the most beautiful stories in Italian literature: The unfortunate love between Paolo and Francesca, as described by Dante Alighieri in his Inferno.
In San Leo, visit to the village and the Fortress, built on a rock spur with walls which overhang the valley.
Relaxing break at the hotel and later an Italian haute cuisine dinner, at one of the best gastronomic restaurants in the area.

The city on water, VENICE
Arrival in Venice at the end of the morning, an incredible city built in a lagoon on over a hundred little islands. Boat transfer to the hotel, an antique palace located in one of the most enchanting sites of the city.
Exploring visit to this marvellous city: from San Marco Square to the Ponte di Rialto bridge, all the places you can imagine when thinking about Venice!
Dinner in a typical traditional Venetian “trattoria” away from mass tourism.

The romantic city of Casanova, VENICE
Visit to the “hidden Venice”: walk through narrow streets frequented by the Venetians themselves, from the Market of Rialto to the characteristic neighbourhood of Canaletto, to arrive at the spectacular Chiesa dei Frari, in which works by Tiziano and Donatello can be admired.
Romantic gondola tour through the channels. It is not possible to visit Venice without going for a Gondola tour!
Afternooon at your own leisure to explore this amazing city or the islands of the lagoon (Murano, Burano and Torcello).
After dinner, special baroque music concert.

The city of Michelangelo, FLORENCE
In the morning, transfer from Venice to Florence, city which is a symbol of Italian art and classical elegance.
In the afternoon, from the Piazzale Michelangelo, from where you can admire all of Florence, we will wander through the city and visit the main monuments, avoiding the most crowded places and giving priority to its treasures: the Cathedral with its incredible dome by Brunelleschi, the Baptistery and Giotto’s spectacular Bell Tower, the austere Piazza della Repubblica and the elegant Piazza della Signoria, the characteristic Ponte Vecchio. Afterwards we’ll take you to the Galleria dell’Accademia to admire the David, Michelangelo’s indisputable masterpiece.
Dinner in a typical Florence local restaurant.

The Masterpieces of the past in the Uffizi and the ones of the present in the workshops of Florentine artisans, FLORENCE
A day dedicated to the discovery of the Italian artistic genius, with two exclusive itineraries.
In the morning, visit to Oltrarno (literally “on the other side” of the Arno River), one of the most fascinating and least known neighbourhoods of Florence, place of many of the artisan goldsmiths workshops, Florentine mosaic ateliers, restorers and wood carvers, gilders and engravers.
Early in the afternoon, guided visit to one of the most famous museums in the world: the Uffizi Gallery, which displays the works and biggest achievements of the greatest Italian artists: Cimabue, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Tiziano and many others. Visit to the Vasari Corridor, the most exclusive area of the entire Museum, normally closed to the public.
The rest of the afternoon and the evening is free for your own leisure.

Tuscan colours and landscapes - End of Tour, SIENA and VAL D’ORCIA - ROME
From Florence back to Rome crossing the Val d’Orcia, with its hills covered in vineyards, its warm colours and the lively piazzas.
First stop: Siena, an amazingly beautiful city of medieval origin, characterised by the orange-brown colour of its land and its buildings. Visit to the Cathedral of Piazza del Duomo and a walk to the Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city.
For lunch, a delicious light meal in Val d’Orcia, including typical products and great wine.
In the afternoon, visit to the medieval town of Montalcino and the renaissance town of Pienza.
Late afternoon arrival in Rome.
Evening in a refined restaurant in the centre of Rome for a memorable goodbye dinner.

Travel to Hometown.