Italian Holidays

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Welcome to Europe!!!.  On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel.  You can enjoy free time until your tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area. 

IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.  

Countryside: We will see the beautiful region of the Italian lakes; the mountain scenery with snow peaked summits and large Alpine lakes surrounded by beautiful villages are unforgettable.   

NB: Have some warm clothes to hand, you may need them to enjoy the boat trips included.  

NB: On days of bad weather, the stop in Stressa may be shorter.   

07:30 hrs - Milan -departure. We take the motorway to the great lakes. We first of all travel to Lake ORTA; its rather more isolated position and its smaller size give it a special charm. 

09.00 hrs - Orta de San Giulio -Arrival. A beautiful intact mediaeval town by the lake. In the centre of the lake, we will immediately see the ISLAND OF SAN GIULIO with its monastery. On a small tourist train we reach the town where we have hired launches to sail across the lake to the island. Time to see the town and its island.    

11.00 hrs - Orta de San Giulio -departure. We travel to LAGO MAGGIORE. 

11:45 hrs - Stressa. - Arrival in this tourist town by Lake Maggiore. Time to have a stroll and for lunch. If you want, there is time to take a boat trip to the Borronean Islands which face the town.    

15:45 hrs . Stressa –Departure-. We will leave the mountains and travel through the industrious areas of the Poo Valley. 

19:30 hrs - Verona –Arrival-

Countryside: A pretty entrance to Verona over its large bridge.     

Verona - Time to stroll in the city of Romeo and Juliet. 

11:30 hrs - Verona –Departure-.  

NB: depending on the time of year, the sunlight and the traffic on the way, sometimes we will see Verona on arrival from the lakes. In these cases, there will be an earlier start for Venice.  

13.00 hrs - Venice –Arrival-. We include a boat transfer to Saint Mark’s Square, the place where, after time for lunch, a local guide will take us around Saint Mark’s Square, the Basilica, the Campanile, etc.; we will also see a popular Murano glass factory, where we can admire the technique of working with glass. Free time. Do you fancy a ride on a gondola?   Transfer to the hotel at the end of the afternoon (normally in the area of Mestre / well connected to the historic centre by public transport).

Countryside: The arrival in San Marino stands out, with its fortress on top of the mountain. Pretty scenery crossing the Apennines.   

07:30 hrs - Venice -departure.  

08:15 hrs - Padua –Arrival- We are in the city of San Antonio, a beautiful mediaeval basilica which receives pilgrims, bustling streets in the centre. Time to visit the basilica.    

09:30 hrs - Padua –Departure-. -We travel to the Adriatic coast and to San Marino, a tiny independent country surrounded by Italy. 

13:30 hrs - San Marino -Arrival. Free time at the top of the heavily fortified mountain. Time to stroll, have lunch and do some shopping.   

16.00 hrs - San Marino –Departure-. Beautiful countryside crossing the Pennines. 

18:15 hrs - Gubbio. -Arrival- A small, marvellously preserved city, where the Palace of Consuls and the twelfth-century cathedral stand out. Time to stroll.   

19:30 hrs - Gubbio –Departure-. 

20:30 hrs - Perugia –Arrival and accommodation-.

Countryside: Pleasant scenery of Umbria. 

NB: In the basilica of St Francis of Assisi, discreet dress is required; make sure you remember this for this stage.    

In the Umbría region, Perugia is a surprising mediaeval historic city. With a local guide, we include a tour of the city (normally leaving the hotel at 08.00hrs), and on escalators we cross the rocky outcrop and see the surprising historic centre of the city of chocolate!   

10:15 hrs - Perugia –Departure-.  

11.00 hrs -  Assisi -Arrival. Time for lunch and to see this artistic jewel of Umbría. Free time to see the basilicas.   

13:30 hrs - Assisi - Departure. 

16:30 hrs  - Rome -Arrival. 

Highlights: city tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included) and Vatican City.

The morning starts with an early interesting city tour of the “Eternal City”, in which we will visit the Caracalla Baths, Venice Square, Circo Massimo, the Capitoline Hill and St. John Lateran. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.  Admission to the Coliseum included. This building, which dates from the first century, was built for the purpose of organising entertainment for the Romans, such as gladiator combats. We have the chance to learn about the ancient society of the Roman Empire.

18:30 h. Transfer to Via Cavour, which has many local restaurants and others that serve international cuisine, including Indian and Chinese. Return to hotel.