Tastes of Italy

Arrive in Venice and be transferred to your hotel. Tonight, head to a local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers and delight in your first deep dive into Italian cuisine. Stay Two Nights: Venice, NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa or similar (D)

After an exciting Insider Experience this morning, join a guided tour of Venice's most iconic landmarks, including Saint Mark's Basilica - a magnificent cathedral that showcases a mesmerising blend of Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque and Renaissance architectural styles. You'll also wander past the impressive 14th-century Doge's Palace, which once served as the residence of Venetian Doges and a seat of power, before exploring the maze-like streets and laneways of Venice. (B)

Insider Experience - Gondola Workshop Visit a local squero, a gondola workshop, and learn about the craftsmanship behind these iconic boats and the centuries-old trade.

This morning, discover the revered craft of glassblowing with a visit to a traditional glass furnace on Murano, where local artists will demonstrate their skills. You'll then continue to Florence. Arrive in the heart of the city this afternoon and take time to explore before an exciting Insider Experience this evening. Stay Three Nights: Hotel Indigo Florence by IHG or similar (B)

Insider Experience - Florence Sensory Exploration Discover Florence's culinary delights alongside its hidden cultural gems on this engaging experience. Recognised as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to fine masterpieces from this period. You'll also taste local dishes and visit one of the city's famous wine windows, where you can order a delicious Italian red through a small opening carved into a wall.

Venture into Tuscany's sun-kissed countryside. Visit Siena and spend time exploring its medieval streets, marvelling at the impressive Piazza del Campo and the Siena Cathedral. Continue on to an exciting Insider Experience. (B/L)

Insider Experience - Tuscany Winery Experience Meet the family behind a Tuscan winery and vineyard, hear their stories, and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch paired with local wines. This is a day of cultural immersion, where you'll experience the warmth and flavours of Tuscany firsthand.

Today is yours to uncover the splendours of Florence. Whether you're an art lover or simply enjoy wandering, there's much to discover. Visit the renowned Uffizi Galleries to admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Da Vinci and Michelangelo, or take time to explore the city's charming streets. Marvel at architectural wonders, including the iconic Ponte Vecchio, and soak up the atmosphere of Florence's lively piazzas. (B)

Enhance Your Journey - Explore Pisa For those wishing to venture further, an optional excursion to Pisa offers the chance to see the world-famous Leaning Tower up close. Beyond the tower, enjoy the beauty of the Piazza dei Miracoli and its striking cathedral, or simply relax in this historic city.

Enjoy a relaxed start to your morning before starting your Journey Naples. Continue on to Sorrento, where the remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Stay Two Nights: Sorrento, Grand Hotel Vesuvio or similar (B)

Spend the day at leisure, exploring Sorrento at your own pace. Renowned for its breathtaking coastline, charming piazzas, fragrant lemons and dramatic cliffs, this captivating region invites you to discover its many delights. You might like to wander the bustling Piazza Tasso - Sorrento's popular central square - or gaze in wonder at the Valley of the Mills, a collection of modern ruins half-buried in greenery at the bottom of a gorge. Tonight, a memorable Insider Experience awaits. (B)

Insider Experience - Limoncello Tasting Experience Learn about Sorrento's lemon cultivation and production before enjoying a tasting of locally made limoncello, lemon cream, orange and lemon marmalades, and more. During your visit, take the opportunity to learn popular Italian phrases in a fun and engaging language lesson.

Enhance Your Journey - Full Day Discovery of Capri Join a full-day adventure to Capri and explore this stunning island - from its blue grottoes to elegant villas and picturesque villages.

Today, board your coach for a scenic journey to Rome, with a stop en route at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Here, enjoy a guided tour of the ancient city, remarkably preserved beneath layers of ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Afterwards, continue your journey to Rome. Stay Two Nights: Rome, Bettoja Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio or similar (B)

What better way to start your first full day in Rome than with a skip-the-line guided tour of the Vatican Museums? Immerse yourself in the treasures of the museum, gaze in awe at the iconic Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps exploring further or relaxing in one of the city's charming cafés. For dinner, enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Enhance Your Journey - Colosseum Guided Visit Join a guided visit to the Colosseum and gain deeper insight into the historical context of this world-famous icon.

Enhance Your Journey - Italian Street Food Tour Gain an authentic insight into local culture with a wander through the city's lively markets, where you can savour Italian street food - from pizza by the slice to golden, steaming arancini and more.

Early risers may choose to join your Tour Director for a tranquil dawn tour of Rome, before the city stirs to life. Take in the serene beauty of iconic sights, including the intricate sculptures of the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, bathed in the soft glow of morning light. After working up an appetite, stop for a traditional Italian breakfast - a cornetto and cappuccino - at a local café.

Your great Italian journey comes to an end today, after breakfast, with a transfer to the airport. (B)