Discovering the best UNESCO sites – Florence, Rome & Venice

Day 1 – Milan, Genoa, Sestri Levante Arrival at Milan airport and transfer towards Liguria. According to flight time, we could arrange a short city tour (local guide with supplement). Genoa, the most important city of Liguria, owes its beautiful historic centre to its history as marine republic. Also the port contributes to the importance of Genoa. You will see around the finest examples of palaces and buildings which embellish the town. Then hotel accommodation in Sestri Levante area. Dinner at leisure.

Day 2 – Portovenere – Pisa – Montecatini Terme After breakfast, visit of Portoven ere, one of the most beautiful towns on the west coast of Italy. In 1997 Portovenere and the villages of Cinque Terre were designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you can taste the best Italian ice cream. Then continue to Tuscany for the visit of Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli, where you will enjoy a spectacular view of three medi eval marble monuments: the Baptistery, the Cathedral consecrated to Virgin Maria and the world famous leaning Belltower which does not fall over…yet! Back to hotel late afternoon. Dinner at leisure.

Day 3 – Florence – Montecatini Terme After breakfast you will visit of Florence, whose historial city centre is one of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. European town, between the 14th and the 16th century Florence astonished the world. Indeed, second only to Athens, Forence was a hotbed of creative minds who wanted to create a new culture. Dante, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Brunelleschi, Donatello and the “divine” Michelangelo have left their mark in the streets, the marble, the magnificent palaces and the museums of this town, a legacy of mankind. In the afternoon you can visit the Uffizi museums (optional and as free visit, without local guide) or just go around the elegant shops and the popular markets in the small streets and squares. Back to hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at leisure.

Day 4 – San Gimignano – Montepulciano – Rome After breakfast departure towards San Gimignano, a charming historic town set on a hill above Val d’Elsa, also called the Manhattan of the Middle Age. Well recognized from a distance because of its famous medieval towers. You will admire the beautiful view on the countryside and enjoy its flowered balconies and all the little shops. It historic centre is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards you go to Montepulciano for a tasting of excellent tuscan wines and farm products, such as pecorino cheese and salami. Late afternoon you will reach Rome.Hotel accommodation and dinner at leisure.

Day 5 – Rome Breakfast in hotel. Today you will make a “full immersion” in Ancient Rome, visiting the Capitoline Hill, symbol of Rome’s power, which still serves as the seat of the city government, the Roman Forum, which was the centre of the ancient city; next to it the Imperial Forums were built later on. Particularly famous is Trajan’s Column (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Colosseum where in the past gladiatorial combats took place will seen from outside. The tour goes on with the Arch of Constantine and the Palatine. When it is time to have a break, we have arranged for you the typical Italian “Aperitivo” with a drink of Prosecco and some snacks in one of the most beautiful squares of Rome. Then the tour continue with the visit of the most fountains of Rome, such as Piazza della Repubblica with its Naiadi Fountain. Not far awa y stands Moses Fountain while the Fountain of Dioscuri is on the Quirinale Hill. Atop of the hill stands the Quirinale Palace, the presidential residency. From here we reach Trevi Fountain, Rome´s most renowned fountain. According to tradition, if you throw a coin into the fountain, one day you will return to Rome. Not far away there are the famous Spanish Steps!Back to hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner at leisure.

Day 6 Rome After breakfast, a vip-entrance has been arranged for you to visit of The Vatican Museums, Cappella Sistina and St. Peter’s Basilica. This impressive construction had been built as mausoleum for Adrian and his family and later on it was converted into a papal fortress. During its centenarian history, it has been also used as a prison. Visit of the Vatican Museums: among the works of art there are for example the Lao koon group, the Belvedere Torso, masterpieces of the Greek art dating back to the I century BC. The Sistine Chapel, where the papal election takes place, contains masterpieces of Michelangelo, such as the Last Judgement. Of course you can not miss St. Peter’s Cathedral, Christianity’s biggest and most impressive church, with art works of Michelangelo and Bernini. In front of it the fascinating St. Peter´s Square, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. In the afternoon you will go outside of Rome, to the Albani hills area and Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence. Then go down to the Alban Lake, a volcanic lake. From here we can enjoy the stunning view of the various medieval towns with its castles. On the slopes is pleasantly situated Frascati, the famous city of wine.Back to hotel late afternoon. Dinner at leisure.

Day 7 – Arezzo – area Venice After breakfast you will leave Rome and go towards Northern Italy. On the way on you will make a nice stop in Arezzo (Tuscany) to visit the “Etruscan Town”, where famous personalities have left their mark such as the poet Francesco Petrarca, Piero della Francesca and his frescoes in the Church of San Francesco, Giorgio Vasari, the great architect who built the Uffizi. Arezzo is mainly dedicated to handicraft as under the Etruscan and later the Roman rule. At that time Arezzo was famed for the handcrafted ceramics and metal. Today the town is renowned for the production of golden jewellery. The Antique market on Piazza Grande and the surrounding streets are very charming. In the surrounding we have organised for you a light lunch in a “locanda” of charme situated in the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. In the wine bar, you one can taste the best of Tuscan and Italian wines accompanied by little appetisers. Then transfer to hotel in area of Venice. Accommodation and dinner at leisure.

Day 8 – Venice Breakfast in hotel. Then you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Venice. Fairytale beautiful, suspended between sea and sky, the town of the Doges welcomes visitors from all over the world. Venice owes most of its charm to the fairylike light lagoon scenery as well as its array of works of art created in both Western and Eastern style. The rest of the day is at our own disposal. If the return flight the day after leaves in the morning from Milan, you can visit Verona this afternoon. Back to hotel late afternoon. Dinner at leisure.

Day 9 – Verona – Milan After breakfast, departure towards Verona, the town of “Romeo and Giulietta” where a local guide will show you its beauties. Verona is wonderfully located in the hilly landscape of the River Adige, the second most important art city of art in Veneto after Venice. From Piazza Bra with the magnificent Roman amphitheater, one of the largest in Italy, you can easily reach the old town strolling along the colourful and lively Via Mazzini. A very important colony under the Roman Empire, later Verona was conquered by the Ostrogoths, the Langobards and the Franks. Then you go towards Milan airport and fly back

By Air: The group arrives by air and services usually start at the arrival at the airport. Included ground services like local coach or assistance at the airport will be specified in the section “Description – Tour Includes”
By Coach: The group arrives by coach from the country of origin.

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