by country
Italian Elegance
Day 1
ROME
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2
ROME
Enjoy a tour of the priceless art of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Visit St Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. The afternoon is free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing.
Day 3
ROME - FLORENCE (300km/3h)- TUSCANY (250km/2h30min)
Travel to Renaissance Florence. Accompany your local guide inside the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo's original statue of David. Admire the Cathedral, campanile and the Baptistery, adorned with the 'Gates of Paradise'. Walk on to Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. Continue to your elegant Tuscan hotel.
Day 4
TUSCANY - SIENA (200km/2h30min) - TUSCANY
Visit medieval Siena. The narrow cobbled streets, lined with palaces and patrician mansions lead to Campo Square, scene of the Palio horse race. Now enjoy a drive through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tuscany, past farmhouses, medieval towns, olive groves and the Chianti vineyards. In the afternoon, relax and take in the tranquil surroundings, or perhaps take an excursion to see more of fantastic Tuscany.
Day 5
TUSCANY - CINQUE TERRE (450km/5h) - SANTA MARGHERITA (700km/8h)
Head for the famous Italian Riviera and a highlight of your tour, the Cinque Terre. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Italy's best kept secrets, this wild but hospitable coastline, at one time could only be reached by boat or train! Visit two of the picturesque fishing villages before continuing along the coast to the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 6
SANTA MARGHERITA - PORTOFINO (700km/9h)- ITALIAN LAKES (250km/3h)
Enjoy a short cruise along the Ligurian coast to the exclusive and elegant village of Portofino, epitome of La Dolce Vita. Admire the gaily-coloured houses, browse the boutiques, stay a while in the café bars on the piazzetta and watch the yachts moored in the harbour. Later, head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lake District.
Day 7
ITALIAN LAKES
A full day to relax and enjoy this popular resort and beautiful lake, which has long been a favourite retreat of the famous. You can take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands - to the Isola Bella where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace.
Day 8
ITALIAN LAKES - VERONA (250km/2h30min)- CORTINA D'AMPEZZO (262km/3h)
Drive to the town of Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet. Enjoy free time to admire the well preserved Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony. Continue through the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, some of the most beautiful scenery that Europe has to offer, to your overnight stay in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Day 9
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
Your hotel is located right across from the church tower in the pedestrian mall which incorporates most of downtown Cortina. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and blue skies as you relax in this fashionable capital of the Dolomites. Overnight.
Day 10
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO – VENICE (150km/2h30min)
Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice. Arrive at your hotel overlooking the Grand Canal. This afternoon a private launch ferries you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St. Mark's Square. See the Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Watch a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before gliding along the picturesque canals by traditional gondola. Overnight.
Day 11
VENICE
Today is free 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, explore the back lanes and squares or cruise across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano. Overnight.
Day 12
VENICE
Departure to the airport.
