Italian Elegance

Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director at 17.30 and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner with wine.

Romanico Palace, Rome

• Rome

Rome Sightseeing and the Vatican

Enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including seeing St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome with your Local Expert. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and visit the iconic Colosseum. In the afternoon, enjoy fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

Romanico Palace, Rome

• Rome
• Vatican
• Rome

Renaissance Florence

Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, continue on foot to admire the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue into the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica and indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines. Marvel at the artistry during a demonstration of leather work and admire how the goldsmiths create their designs both famous luxury goods found in Florence.

Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano

• Rome
• Florence
• Tuscany

The flavours of San Gimignano Relaxed Start

Spend time exploring the maze of alleyways and admire scenic views across the valley. Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his finest frozen treats.

Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano

• San Gimignano

The Chianti Hills to Lucca, Pisa and Santa Margherita

Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills before continuing to the delightful town of Lucca. Taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread. Head for Pisa and see the incredible Leaning Tower, 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. Next, cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, the epitome of la dolce vita (should weather permit). Continue along the coast to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.

Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure

• San Gimignano
• Lucca
• Pisa
• Portofino
• Santa Margherita Ligure

The Cinque Terre and Portofino

Head to the port of La Spezia for a highlight of your travels and one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes, the Cinque Terre. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat. For lunch, enjoy a delicious Sea-to-Table dining experience. Enjoy leisure time to admire the coloured houses, browse the boutiques or simply stay a while in the café bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbour.

Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure

• Santa Margherita Ligure
• Cinque Terre
• Santa Margherita Ligure

Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start

Head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with lush vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake.

Simplon, Baveno

• Santa Margherita Ligure
• Lake Maggiore

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Travel through the stunning northern Italian countryside to one of the world’s most breath-taking wine regions. The vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavour of prosecco. Continue through the Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo

• Lake Maggiore
• Cortina d'Ampezzo

Experience the Dolomites Relaxed Start

The whole day is free for you to explore the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps. During summer, once the snow and ice have melted away, a breathtaking landscape is revealed. There are a number of walking tracks through pristine Alpine wilderness for the adventurous to explore, or for a more relaxed pace, perhaps take a thrilling optional experience to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking panoramic views?

Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo

• Cortina d'Ampezzo

Venice, Queen of the Adriatic Relaxed Start

Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice.  A private boat glides you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the basilica, the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, before checking into your luxurious hotel.  With the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian Lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialities and wine?

Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione

• Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Venice

Venice at Leisure Relaxed Start

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Then there is free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace. Mingle with the locals at the open air markets near the Rialto Bridge and explore the back lanes and squares where Venetians go about their day. Later, on your romantic gondola serenade, glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce during a magical dinner.

Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione

• Venice

Arrivederci Venice

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

• Venice