8 Days / 7 Nights – Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence – Bologna – Padua – Venice – Tuscany Wine Region (Montepulciano) – Rome

Tour overview:

In 8 days, visit some of Italy’s highlights. Discover the wonders of the Eternal City, Rome, Travel North to Assisi, a tiny walled town, and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Siena. Continue to the Renaissance city of Florence to wander the cobblestone streets and marvel at the beautiful Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Continue to the canals of Venice and to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, churches, castles, and delicious wines.

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Day 1 - Arrive Rome

Welcome to Rome! After meet at the airport your driver, you will be transferred to your hotel (Transfer included!). At 07:45 pm p/up at the hotel and reach Via del Teatro Marcello. Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day - absolutely romantic at sunset. You will cross the characteristic area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, full with history and with a real Roman atmoshpere. As you know, one of Rome’s typical landmarks are its beautiful fountains, and one of the prettiest is the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in Piazza Mattei. The Jewish Ghetto of Rome is the second most ancient after the one in Venice and it can be considered the heart and soul of Roman cuisine! Then you will walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the lit view of the Pantheon, the former temple of Marcus Agrippa later converted into a church: this is the only ancient Roman temple that remained untouched through the centuries and it’s stunning at night when the crowds are away. Next Stop…Close your eyes and throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the Trevi Fountain: it’s said that those who do so, are granted to come back to Rome someday. Your walk continues towards Piazza di Spagna, one of the city’s most popular squares, known for its setting at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Walk up these famous steps to enjoy a lovely view from the top! After this intense and gratifying walk, there is only one thing missing to end this experience: relax enjoying a creamy and tasty Gelato, it’s on us! The tour ends in Spanish Steps area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.

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Day 2 - Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence

Departing at 7:15 am from your hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board on the bus to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest. (BD)

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Day 3 - Florence

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance", where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay in Florence. (BL)

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Day 4 - Florence – Bologna – Venice

After a delightful breakfast in Florence, we depart for the elegant city of Bologna. Upon arrival, the charming city center, adorned with its iconic porticos, awaits your freetime exploration. Begin your walking tour at Piazza Malpighi, leading to the heart of the city at Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. Here, you can marvel at the historic Palazzo Podestà as well as the Basilica of San Petronio, the largest Gothic church in the world built with bricks. We will then show you why Bologna is often hailed as Italy's gastronomic capital as you delve into its vibrant street food scene, which is as rich and diverse as its culinary heritage. Meandering through the city's medieval streets, you will encounter a delightful array of food stalls and markets, each offering a mouthwatering selection of both traditional and contemporary treats. As you explore the charming alleys and bustling piazzas, you will immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that goes beyond just a meal. With a

street food light lunch experience at a local eatery offered by us, this is your chance to savor the authentic flavors and unique dishes that define Bologna's renowned gastronomic identity. Later in the afternoon, we continue our journey to Venice (Mestre). Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a restful overnight stay.(B)

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Day 5 - Venice

After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco, and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After the walking tour, allow us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco, as a delightful conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous "cicchetti," a Venetian variation of tapas (light lunch).Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. (BL)

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Day 6 - Venice – Tuscany Wine Region (Montepulciano) – Rome

After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included!!! After lunch, quick stop to spend some free time. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel. (BL)

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Day 7 - Rome

Between 7:45 – 8:00 am, after breakfast, depart from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, you will be taken by a privileged door to St. Peter’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world! The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or at night! Overnight stay. (B)

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Day 8 - Rome.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Transfer included! Arrivederci! (B)

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