Country Roads of Italy - Classic Group - From £4,114

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
Journey across the Italian peninsula in this 16-day guided tour that stretches from the sapphire waters of the Amalfi Coast to the calming canals of Venice. Step in the footsteps of Romans from ancient times and the present day buzzing city before reaching Sorrento. Sail to the rock Isle of Capri, where you can climb nearly 2,000 feet for unrivalled views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Perugia, learn the art of loom-weaving from a Local Expert. And in Venice, cruise along the canals and to Burano, an idyllic, colourful island in the Venetian Lagoon where you’ll toast to a fantastic trip and indulge in local specialities.
EXPERIENCES
Rome: Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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09/04/2027 24/04/2027 £4,850   Book
23/04/2027 08/05/2027 £4,950   Book
30/04/2027 15/05/2027 £4,950 Book
07/05/2027 22/05/2027 £5,295   Book
14/05/2027 29/05/2027 £5,350   Book
04/06/2027 19/06/2027 £4,925   Book
23/07/2027 07/08/2027 £4,895   Book
20/08/2027 04/09/2027 £4,950   Book
27/08/2027 11/09/2027 £4,950   Book
03/09/2027 18/09/2027 £5,375   Book
10/09/2027 25/09/2027 £5,375   Book
17/09/2027 02/10/2027 £5,450   Book
01/10/2027 16/10/2027 £5,350   Book
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ITINERARY

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director and get to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialities during dinner at a local restaurant.

Today is devoted to The Eternal City. Join a Local Expert to discover the modern-day city and how people lived in Ancient Rome. See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Then cross the Tiber river to see the Circus Maximus and learn about the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. Imagine the roar of the spectators as you enter the arena and stroll around picturing the gladiators and their adoring fans.

Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasures of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Ride an electric train along winding pathways and marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After visiting the former papal gardens, continue south—drinking in views of the Bay of Naples—on your way to the resort town of Sorrento.

Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean! For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento, where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.

Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and explore this extraordinary site with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Take in the flavours of the region and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience!

Immerse yourself in the enchanting medieval town of Todi, where you can wander through picturesque streets, marvel at historic architecture, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Umbrian countryside.

In Assisi, see St. Clare’s Church and the Roman Temple of Minerva. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia, the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square.

Time to explore more about this gem of a town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit an artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.

Journey past Lake Trasimeno to Renaissance Florence. On arrival, walk with a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and the Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Afterwards, witness the intricate craftsmanship behind Florence’s famed leatherwork and gold during an artisan demonstration before enjoying time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria - still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Then journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany, where you’ll enjoy a delicious exploration of Tuscany's red wines, discovering their robust flavours and absorbing history before arriving at your elegant hotel.

This morning, explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Basilica of St. Domenico or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano strikingly visible from every angle, its towers dominate the skyline and give it the nickname the Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Enjoy tasting the award-winning frozen delights of master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany as you return to your hotel.

Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Enjoy a sampling of a local specialty – freshly baked Tuscan bread. Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa.

Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or Five Villages, which for years were accessible only on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). You’ll have plenty of time to explore the medieval quarter and the popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.

Journey to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by a glass of wine.

Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue on through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and Rococo palaces.

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. In the evening, cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses. Sit down to a sumptuous dinner with wine, sampling the local specialities.

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Room 007 Select, Rome, Golden Tulip Rome Piram - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Room 007 Select, Rome, Golden Tulip Rome Piram - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Isabella, Sorrento - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Isabella, Sorrento - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Fonte Cesia, Todi - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Fonte Cesia, Todi - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Sangallo Palace, Perugia - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Sangallo Palace, Perugia - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Villa La Principessa, Lucca - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12: Villa La Principessa, Lucca - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: Starhotels Du Parc, Parma - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Indigo - Sant'Elena, Venice, Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice. - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Indigo - Sant'Elena, Venice, Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice. - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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