Italian Discovery

Welcome to beautiful Italy, a diverse country with something for everyone! Ancient ruins lie next to modern buildings and cobblestone alleyways next to busy streets. Home of pizza, pasta, olive oil and wine, Italy is known as a food lover's paradise. Fashion lovers from all over the world flock to Italy for the latest clothing, shoes and handbag designs.

We begin our tour in the lively city of Bologna, characterised by its red-brick palazzi, towers and lengthy porticos.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your hotel by 5.00pm.

This evening meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a welcome drink at the hotel.

Today we explore Bologna's historic centre, which is in fact the second largest in Europe. Settlements in the city date back to 1000 BC and it is also home to the world's oldest university - the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. Bologna's Piazza Maggiore is an extensive plaza lined with a mix of bustling cafes and medieval and renaissance structures including the city hall and the Fountain of Neptune.

Discover these fascinating sights on a walking tour, as well as the Piazza della Mercanzia, a bountiful market filled with colourful produce. We will also visit the magnificent Archiginnasio of Bologna, before standing in awe of Due Torri, Bologna's two leaning towers.

We'll end the tour with a visit to a popular local gelateria and enjoy a serve of the famous Italian ice-cream.

Tonight we enjoy a group welcome dinner.

Today we journey to Venice. Known as the city of romance, it has the capacity to impress not only first timers, but also the most jaded of travellers. It is unlike anywhere else on the planet, with a mosaic of 117 islands connected by 409 bridges, where cars are banned and everyone, including postmen and the police travel by boat.

Before travelling to Venice, we will make our way to Emilia Romagna this morning, widely regarded as the home of the finest food traditions found in all of Europe.

Special Experience: Experience the 'Food Valley', heading to the Emilia Romagna region to taste delicious local cheese and prosciutto. In Emilia Romagna we'll sample the famous artisan cheese, accompanied with a glass of Lambrusco. We'll then visit a local prosciutto manufacturer complete with a delicious parma ham tasting along with another glass of Lambrusco.

Next, we'll enjoy tasting some of the balsamic vinegar for which the area of Modena is famous. Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale has been produced in this region since the Middle Ages, growing in appreciation by the time of the Renaissance. It is made from reducing the juice of the Trebbiano grape.

Today Aceto Balsamico di Modeno is readily available and more widely used but it does not follow the traditional methods of production and is essentially a watered-down version. The traditional balsamic is listed under the EU's protected designation of origin label, along with Champagne, Gorgonzola and Parmigiano-Reggiano, to name a few.

We arrive in Venice this evening.

This morning we revel in the sights and sounds of this floating city with a walking tour of its major highlights, including the famous St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica.

St Mark's Square was memorably described by Napoleon as the 'drawing room of Europe'. The golden Byzantine St Mark's Basilica was founded in the 9th century, as a shrine for the relics of St Mark. Built on a plan of the Greek cross, its Eastern appearance is enhanced by golden mosaics, originally created by craftsmen from the Byzantine Court at Ravenna.

The afternoon is free for you to explore. Perhaps take a Gondola ride and experience the magic of the Venetian canals.

Our destination today is picturesque town of Como, best known for Lake Como, one of the most popular destinations in the country.

But first we'll visit the magnificent city of Verona, made famous by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Admire the scenic countryside of northern Italy as we travel to this romantic medieval town. Enjoy some free time here, where you can discover its historical centre. Perhaps explore some of the superb churches and palaces that helped make this town become UNESCO World Heritage-listed.

Special Experience: Visit a famous wine cellar in Franciacorta for a tasting, accompanied by some local cheeses and smallgoods. During our tasting we'll learn about the Franciacorta method, an ancient wine making tradition that is an invaluable legacy in this region.

This morning, we discover some of the charming towns dotted along spectacular Lake Como. First we make our way by bus to the lake side town of Menaggio. This lakeside haven is renowned for its historic city centre complete with cobblestone streets and quaint cafes, and its lovely lakeside promenade where locals and visitors alike can stroll and relax in the stunning scenery. We take to the water in Menaggio on a public boat and make our way to our next destination, Varenna.

Arriving in the small and incredibly charming village of Varenna, we'll embark on a guided tour uncovering the best sights in the area. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Varenna is home to a gorgeous lakeside promenade lined with colourful buildings, cute cafes and boutiques. After our tour, we'll enjoy some free time to immerse in this traditional town. Perhaps you want to check out the nearby pebble beach, Riva di Gittana, or indulge in some of the local cuisine?

Our last town of the day will be beautiful Bellagio. Take in the incredible scenery along the way, including lovely hillside villas with the extraordinary Alps as a backdrop. Once we arrive, we'll have a guided tour and some free time to explore. The town is known for its cobbled lanes and the gorgeous botanical gardens of Villa Melzi.

Why not take some striking photos of the many exotic and rare plants you can find here, or find a local restaurant to savour lunch?

Our visit today will end as we make our way back to the bus and head to Milan.

Today we will explore the world capital of fashion and design, Milan. Often described as the city of the future, this buzzing metropolis is where big business and high-end fashion meet, creating a city like no other.

Our tour will take us to the historic Sforzesco Castle and the Duomo, the most impressive structure in Milan and the largest church in Italy.

We'll also visit the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, an extravagant 19th century shopping mall, the oldest of its kind in the world. Here you can shop for the latest fashion pieces or simply watch the world go by from one of the many bars and restaurants.

The afternoon is for you to enjoy at your leisure.

This morning we depart Milan and make our way to the hilly region of Langhe. A foodie's paradise, the Langhe Region is renowned for its gastronomic delights including wine, truffles and over 100 types of cheese.

En route we visit the elegant city of Turin. We'll explore the tree-lined boulevards and see the Duomo, located in the Piazza Castello district.

Next, we visit the region's Royal Palace, a majestic 17th century building designed by renowned architects from Italy and across Europe. Also known as the ‘Residences of the Royal House of Savoy,' this UNESCO World Heritage-listed property is home to ornate tapestries, grand staircases and an Armory of bygone weaponry. Be sure to keep an eye out for the golden relief of Medusa on the palace gates, when entering the palace grounds.

Enjoy some free time for lunch before we continue our journey to Guarene, in the Langhe Region.

Tonight we'll get to enjoy dinner with a local resident. This is a great way to get to know more about the local culture and way of life.

Take to the woods in search of the Langhe region's famous truffles with a trifulau (truffle hunter) and their trained canine. After sharing their knowledge on the skilled art of truffle hunting, you will have the opportunity to put your new-found insight to the test and find your own little piece of delicious gold! We'll also visit a local farm where we will taste some of the regional produce, accompanied with a glass of wine.

Our next stop will be Serralunga, where we visit the medieval Castello di Serralunga d'Alba. Unique in Italy given its French ‘donjon' architectural structure, this grand castle is centuries old, and was originally built as a base to control local production. Surrounded by the gorgeous Barolo vineyards, it is considered to be one of the best conserved examples of 14th century castles in Piedmont.

We continue our journey to Alba, famous for its white truffle and wine production. Here we'll enjoy some free time before a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy the wonderful scenery as we travel to the harbour town of La Spezia today, gateway to the stunning Cinque Terre. La Spezia also hosts the arsenal of the Italian Navy and is one of Italy's major military and commercial harbours.

As we journey through the countryside, we will stop for some free time to explore the port city of Genoa, known for its twisting maze of narrow streets. Why not visit the Piazza De Ferrari in the old town or the San Lorenzo Cathedral?

Later this afternoon we'll arrive in La Spezia where we'll enjoy a short orientation tour before some free time to explore at our own pace.

We spend a full day exploring some of Italy's most photographed coastline, discovering some of the five colourful villages that make up the Cinque Terre.

Clinging to steep terraces, the villages and ancient vineyards are linked by paths, trains and boats and cannot be accessed by car, making this a truly unique area. The towns have been heritage-listed by UNESCO since 1997 and date back to the early medieval period.

Today they are characterised by the brightly painted houses, however this only originated in the 1970s. The villages are filled with local artisan shops, gelato bars, cafes, restaurants, and plenty of places selling souvenirs.

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful Tuscan countryside as we make our way to Florence via Pisa. Patronised by the Medici family from the late 14th century, Florence was a city where art flourished. This is evident today with its outstanding Renaissance buildings, sculptures and artwork.

Famous for its Leaning Tower, Pisa is also home to more than 20 historic churches and medieval palaces. Today we will see the Piazza dei Miracoli, a fascinating cathedral with Romanesque art, the Baptistry and one of Europe's most iconic structures – the Leaning Tower. Construction of the tower commenced in the late 12th century, taking 200 years to complete. The tilt comes from the poor foundations on one side and the tower leans at an angle of 4 degrees. We'll enjoy some free time here where you can choose to go inside the historic monuments of Pisa.

This afternoon we will arrive in Florence and explore this beautiful city. Our tour commences at the grand Piazza del Duomo where we see the Cathedral of Florence (the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore). It was here in the 15th century that Filippo Brunelleschi designed its distinctive dome. The engineering behind the dome was revolutionary for its time and it remains the world's largest brick dome to this day. Considered the father of the Renaissance, Brunelleschi's technical prowess changed architecture and art, developing linear perspective. We also visit Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery with Ghiberti's bronze ‘Gate of Paradise'.

We continue to the Galleria dell'Accademia and Michelangelo's incomparable statue of David, sculpted by the master at the age of 26. This marble statue was carved in the early 16th century as a symbol of youth, strength and beauty.

Today we escape the bustle of Florence and explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Our first stop will be the medieval town of Siena, characterised by its gothic brick architecture. Siena is also famous for its cuisine, art, museum and the ‘Palio', a horse race held twice per year. Here we'll take a tour through Piazza del Campo (the main town square) and see the Cathedral, Baptistery and Basilica of San Domenico.

Enjoy some free time here to relax and have lunch before we continue to UNESCO World Heritage-listed San Gimignano. Sitting atop a hill, it's a site to behold on the Tuscan horizon. It is known as the ‘Town of Fine Towers' with many of its medieval tower houses still preserved today.

Special Experience: A tour to Italy is never complete without learning more about the local cuisine. We'll learn the art of simple Italian cooking and enjoy our creations over dinner.

Today is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy this wonderful city and local surrounds at your own pace. An ideal town to discover by foot, why not immerse yourself in one of the many museums Florence has to offer or stroll down to Gelateria dei Neri, a famous local ice cream shop that is known by locals as the best gelato in Italy.

Today we'll make tracks for Rome, Italy's sprawling capital and one of the most famous cities in the world. Filled with historic icons, picturesque streets and bustling piazzas, it's easy to see how the locals have been enjoying la dolce vita since 753 BC.

On our way we stop at the Umbrian town of Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, where we are shown the sights by a local guide. We learn about this famous saint who practiced humility and compassion in the face of poverty, whilst appreciating the town's beautiful scenery and spectacular architecture.

We continue our journey to Rome, passing Marmore Waterfalls along the way. Built by ancient Romans, it is the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.

We discover majestic Vatican City this morning, where we'll visit the amazing museum with its collection of artworks and artefacts, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.

The world's smallest sovereign state, Vatican City is situated entirely within the city of Rome, spread over a hill west of the river Tiber. It's regarded as a non-commercial economy as it has no major imports or exports and is administered by the Pope and the Pontifical Commission. Most notably, it is the centre of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide organisation.

Vatican City is home to the famous Sistine Chapel and incredible museums, St Peter's Square, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Garden. The Sistine Chapel is most famous for the painted ceiling by Michelangelo which was commissioned by Pope Julius II and took 4 years to complete (1508-1512).

St Peter's Basilica (one of the largest basilicas of Christianity) stands on the site where Peter, the apostle who was considered to be the first Pope, was crucified and buried. St Peter's Square is directly in front of the Basilica and is surrounded by a colonnade of 284 columns.

After our morning tour the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy at leisure.

Today we explore Imperial Rome by foot.

Highlights include the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, the Capitol, the Imperial Palace and lastly, the Colosseum.

The Colosseum is one of the most famous sites in Rome and was the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, including mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology.

We will also visit the Roman Forum and picturesque Palatine Hill, a site where emperors once lived. Here we will learn the fascinating history about one of the most ancient parts of this eternal city.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at leisure. Why not visit Bocca della Verità, a large marble disc depicting a man's face with an open mouth, known as the ‘Mouth of Truth.' According to legend, those who are accused of lying place their hand inside the mouth and if found guilty, would lose the appendage.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today we continue to the beautiful coastal town of Sorrento, gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Built into the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, the sweeping views will take your breath away.

We first depart for the ancient city of Pompeii, where a local guide will meet us for a tour of the famous ruins. The prosperous Roman city of Pompeii lay buried for hundreds of years after the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in the year 79AD and is one of the most significant examples of Roman civilisation. The volcanic material that covered Pompeii kept the city largely intact, including both the exteriors and interiors of many buildings. We'll have some free time to wander around and marvel at the ruins before continuing along the beautiful coastline to Sorrento.

Special Experience: Visit a local teatro for a performance of the ‘Sorrento Musical', a vibrant musical depicting life on the Sorrentine Peninsula centuries ago.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

After breakfast we'll make our way to the Sorrento port to board the ferry to Capri, the island playground for the rich and famous. The ferry between Sorrento and Capri skirts a stunning stretch of the coast – so if you can, sit on the left side to really enjoy the view!

The emperor Augustus was the first to discover the beauty of the Isle of Capri in 29BC followed by many others including Tiberius, Lenin, Mussolini, the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe and the factory owners Krupp. Each one of these guests influenced Capri's culture which continues to enchant the many visitors it receives today. A true jewel of the Mediterranean, Capri is known for its rugged seascape, café culture and brilliant bougainvillea.

On arrival we'll take a minibus up to the peaceful hilltop village of Anacapri. After our tour enjoy some free time to explore this beautiful island before we return to Sorrento later this afternoon.

Today we enjoy an excursion along the Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast stretches for 50 kilometres across the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Its rugged cliffs and the beautiful villages that cling to the hillsides make it one of the most picturesque destinations in Italy.

Enjoy the views as we travel past the stunning towns of Positano and Amalfi, making photo stops along the way. We'll enjoy some time in Amalfi, the main town of this beautiful coast, as well as Ravello, before we make our way back to Sorrento.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at leisure. Limoncello, Italy's famous lemon liqueur, has traditionally been made from the zest of Sorrento lemons for more than 100 years. Maybe try some after dinner as a ‘digestivo'?

Today we make our way back to Rome.

Upon arrival the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure Why not indulge in a gelato and wander the cobblestone streets for one last exploration of this iconic city?

This evening we enjoy a group farewell dinner.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning, marking the end of our Italian adventure. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!