ESSENCE of ITALY 4* / STANDARD from ROME to VENICE (including SORRENTO)

Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport, transfer to the hotel by a private car and hotel accommodation. During the rest of the day free time at your disposal for a first exploratory tour of the Eternal City. You can explore the city on your own to discover the most famous symbols of Rome, such as Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Spain Square. In case of an early arrival in Rome, we recommend a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, to admire Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel and other masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance more closely. It is also possible to participate in a series of other optional activities, such as a cooking lesson to learn how to make pizza or pasta and ice cream. For dinner we suggest trying a typical Roman restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel in Rome.

Meals included: -

Breakfast at the hotel, then another day dedicated to discovering the city. Today you join our Imperial Tour of Rome (included in the rates), to closely admire the monuments of the Roman Forum, enter the Colosseum and listen to our guide's presentation of the evocative history of ancient Rome and the gladiators' fights that took place there. In the afternoon, free time to continue exploring the Eternal City. You can join an excursion to visit Rome Catacombs. For the sporty people, there is also the option of an electric bike tour, to discover the historic center with its symbols or even a more secret and unusual Rome. For the evening, we recommend a nice walk in the Trastevere district, full of typical restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel in Rome.

Meals included: Breakfast.

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This morning, reach Termini Rail Station and take the high-speed train to Naples. Upon arrival in Naples, meet our driver and proceed to Pompeii where you will enjoy a 2-hour stop to visit the archaeological area (tickets included – guide not included but possibility to add it). This ancient Roman city was destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and buried it, preserving it under a sea of volcanic ash for nearly 1700 years. At the end of the visit transfer to Sorrento, famous for its picturesque old town center and characteristic fisherman's village of Marina Grande, one of the most authentic treasures of the city. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will participate in a small group tour (max 20 pax) in Capri and Anacapri, with the famous Blue Grotto included. Through this excursion, you can visit the beautiful Blue Grotto, with its colors and atmosphere known throughout the world (PLEASE NOTE: the visit of Blue Grotto is weather permitting). Afterwards, you can visit Anacapri and Capri and discover the beauties of this wonderful island (lunch not included).

In the afternoon, return to Sorrento by ferry. Once you arrive at the port, return to the hotel independently. Overnight stay at the hotel in Sorrento.

Meals included: Breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will reach Napoli centrale rail station by private transfer, to board the high-speed train to Florence.

After arriving, hotel accommodation and free time available for an independent visit of the city, the 'cradle of the Renaissance'. We would suggest a guided tour of one of the main museums: the Uffizi Galleries, with the masterpieces of the masters of the Italian Renaissance (Leonardo, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Tiziano, Botticelli and many others), or the Accademia Gallery, which houses the original of Michelangelo's famous statue of David, or an half day visit to Pisa and its famous leaning tower. 

Alternatively, those who are fond of food can have an engaging Italian cooking lesson, which begins at the "Central Market", the largest, most vibrant and colourful food market in the city. Here the chef will illustrate the various local specialties and teach you how to recognize the best and tastiest ingredients. At the end of the lesson, you will be released a certificate of participation and a recipe book.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will discover two thousand years of history of the cradle of the Renaissance through the eyes of an expert local guide, who will take you in an unforgettable journey to discover the most beautiful squares and monuments of Florence. With this half day tour, you will admire with your own eyes the sites and monuments that have made Florence one of the most visited destinations in the world. Rest of the day at disposal to visit the monuments and/or the museums or Florence or organize an excursion to the surrounding areas. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel, we board the high-speed train to Venice S. Lucia. The journey takes about 2h 15'. After arriving, hotel accommodation, so in the afternoon there will be a 30-minute “gondola ride” with commentary via app on your mobile phone. 

Before dinner in Venice, it is traditional to have an aperitif based on “cichéti” (small snacks) in one of the many “bacari” (taverns) scattered along the “calli” (that is what the Venetian streets are called): a must experience to try, absolutely!

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel, then full day dedicated to the discovery of Venice or its lagoon.

You can take a guided walking tour through the most famous places in the city (Piazza San Marco with the Basilica and the Clock Tower, the Rialto Bridge, Campo Santa Maria Formosa) and others less known; or a skip-the-line guided tour of the Doge's Palace, with the Doge's luxurious apartments and the famous Bridge of Sighs.

Alternatively, you can go on a boat trip to the islands of the Venice lagoon: Murano, known all over the world for its famous glass craftmanship; Burano, famous not only for its lace, but also for the picturesque fishermen's houses all painted in bright colours; and Torcello, the first settlement centre in the lagoon.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and end of the services.

Possibility to book a private transfer to the airport as an additional service, or to continue the journey by joining another tour of ours.

Meals included: Breakfast.