DAY 1 ARRIVAL ROME Arrival in ancient Rome. Meet our tour manager and fellow travellers tonight at the hotel. DAY 2 ROME (B/L/D)This morning we will visit the ruins of Palatine Hill and the magnificent Colosseum. See Piazza Navona, a large city square surrounded by fine old buildings and stunning fountains. After lunch at a local restaurant we see by walking the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Later we will walk to a local restaurant for dinner. DAY 3 ROME (B/L) Morning visit to the Vatican including Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. See Campo dei Fiori Food Market, a large open air market selling fruit and vegetables, meat and fish and other local products. After lunch at a local restaurant we return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is free. DAY 4 ROME - FLORENCE (B/L/D)We will leave Rome this morning for Florence. On arrival we transfer to the ancient town Fiesole located high in the hills above Florence for lunch and visit the archaeological area with the remains of Etruscan walls and temple, Roman baths and theatre. Fantastic views from Fiesole of Florence below. Check into our hotel in Florence and later walk to a local restaurant for dinner. DAY 5 FLORENCE (B/L)Today we explore beautiful Florence on foot. We see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, the Duomo, Campanile and Baptistery, Piazza delle Signoria, and Piazza Santa Croce. We visit the Monastery of Santa Croce and leather school located within the Monastery. Witness artisans creating leather goods for which Florence is famous. Still got some energy? Try your bargaining power at Mercato Nuovo Market. This small market is held under a beautiful loggia dating back to the 16th century. Leatherware, silk scarves, embroidered linen and Florentine straw hats are among the wares found here. DAY 6 FLORENCE (B/L)Today we see Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy's finest museums of art. After lunch walk through Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge over the Arno River with built-in shops and then explore Pitti Palace (Gallery of Modern Art), a massive renaissance palace once home to the Medici Grand Dukes and elegant Boboli Gardens behind the palace. Remainder of the afternoon is free. DAY 7 FLORENCE - SIENA (B/L/D)Today we head into the heart of Tuscany first visiting the walled hill town of San Gimignano. Called the town of towers, it had up to 72 tower houses, 14 of which remain today. Along the way we visit an award winning gelato shop where you might want to indulge in a fine homemade ice cream with a choice of up to 35 unique flavors! Lunch at a local restaurant. We visit a glassmaker at Colle di val d’Elsa, a town renouned for its crystal production and if time allows we will make a brief stop at the Monteriggioni Fort. Check into our hotel in Siena. Dinner later at a local restaurant. DAY 8 SIENA (B/L/D)Morning walking tour in the heart of Siena, along the way we visit a well known bakery which sells traditional Sienese treats which might be hard to resist. Lunch at a local restaurant. Free time to explore on your own before we meet later in the afternoon for a cooking lesson with Lella at her cooking school, Scuolo di Cucina, preparing a typical Tuscan menu. Dinner will be the meal prepared. DAY 9 SIENA (B)Today is a free day to catch your breath and spend some quiet time in this serene town. DAY 10 TUSCANY (B/L)We explore the Tuscan countryside around us with a visit to the Chianti towns of Castellina, and Radda. Lunch at Volpaia Castle. On our way back to Siena we stop for wine tasting at the most beautiful castle in Tuscany, Castello di Brolio. DAY 11 SIENA - PORTOVENERE (B/L/D)Time to say goodbye to Tuscany for and head to Portovenere in the north. On the way we visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and stop for lunch. We arrive in Portovenere and check into our hotel, dinner later at a local restaurant. DAY 12 CINQUE TERRE (B/L)Full day exploring Cinque Terre by public boat and train. We will walk the Lovers Track from Manarda to Riomaggiore which is the easiest section to walk. Our programme will depend on the weather. DAY 13 PORTOVENERE - MILAN DEPARTURE (B/L) Later in the morning we will transfer to Malpensa International Airport. Lunch will be enroute. Tour services finish here.
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Bella Italia Tour
