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DAY 1 WELCOME TO THE ETERNAL CITY OF ROME Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director at 17:30. Get to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (DW) Hotel St. Martin, Rome. DAY 2 VATICAN CITY AND ROME WITHA LOCAL ALocal Expert leads you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, culminating beneath Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your priority visit includes fast- tracked entry to the museums and a behind-the- scenes look at the Bramante Staircase. Later, continue to St. Peter's Basilica and cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the legendary Colosseum. (B) DAY 3 PISA AND SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE Enjoy a delightful drive to Pisa through rolling countryside dotted with cypress trees, passing vineyards and olive groves. With a Local Expert, view the incredible Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure. (B) (DW) Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure. DAY 4 THE CHARMS OF THE CINQUE TERRE Head to the famous Cinque Terre, which translates to Five Lands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located ona gorgeously wild yet hospitable part of the coastline. With a Local Expert, approach one of the fishing villages by boat. In Monterosso, spend some time exploring the medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach before continuing to the village of Portofino, famed for its colourful houses. Should weather permit, return with a cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to your hotel in the resort of Santa Margherita. (B) TOP RATED HIGHLIGHT Take in the (Photo by @Elaine.beach, Day 4, Italy) DAY 5 LAKE MAGGIORE Relaxed Start. Head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lakes District and the town of Baveno, noted for its narrow cobbled streets and charming 16th century square. On arrival, settle into your hotel and take in the magical scenery. In the afternoon, why not join an optional cruise to Isola Bella to explore the palace and admire the stunning and immaculate Italian style gardens. (B) Hotel Simplon, Baveno. DAY 6 onTO VENICE Relaxed Start. Your travels continue past the vineyards of Soave, the university town of Padua and on to the canals of Venice. In the evening, indulge ina delicious dinner at a local restaurant. (B) (DW) NH Venezia Rio Novo. DAY 7 VENICE AND THE MAGIC OF LA SERENISSIMA Relaxed Start. Your private boat takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark's Square. The first sight is the gilded facade of St. Mark's Basilica. Turn the corner, and view the pink marble of the Doge's Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Afterwards, board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre. See how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. (B) DAY 8 ASCENIC JOURNEY TO FLORENCE Bid farewell to Venice and begin your journey to Renaissance Florence. Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a guided shopping tour. Walk to the Cathedral and see Giotto's bell tower and the Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Wander through the open-air gallery of Piazza della Signoria, gazing at statues such as Neptune, Hercules and Cacus, along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Your exploration will finish in front of the basilica where Michelangelo lies buried in Piazza Santa Croce. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed. (B) (DW) Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli. DAY 9 FLORENCE, BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE Relaxed Start. Start the day with a traditional Florentine leather-work demonstration and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to explore the hilltop town of San Gimignano? (B) Callan Insight Specialist on 1800 001 778 or contact your preferred travel advisor DAY 10 ILL-FATED POMPEII AND ON TO SORRENTO Journey south through the voleanic hills of Frascati to Pompei Walk with a Local Expert through the preserved cobbled streets for a glimpse into the daily life of, civilization during the Roman Empire Follow the clifftop road to the resort town of Sorrento. (B) Hotel Isabella, Sorrento. DAY 11 capri, THE ISLE OF DREAMS With your Local Expert, cruise to the Isle of Capri and ascend to Capri town by one of the island's iconic open-top taxis. Explore the narrow alleyways and descend to the port by funicular railway for the return to Sorrento. Later perhaps explore Positano on the Amalfi Coast. (B) DAY 12 sassi DI MATERA AND ALBEROBELLO After breakfast, discover two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, visit Matera for an in-depth guided exploration of the extraordinary Sassi ancient troglodyte dwellings and churches dug out of the rock. These are the most extensive example of their kind in the Mediterranean and were inhabited by about 20.000 people up until 1950. Matera was also used as the setting for the film ‘The Passion of the Christ’. Continue to Alberobello, the second UNESCO World Heritage Site and your home for the next two nights. (B) (DW) Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
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