Grand Tour of Italy

Italy is renowned for its scenic vistas, fascinating history and unique architecture, and is home to some of the world’s greatest works of art. Combined with a Mediterranean climate and delicious food and drink, it's no wonder that the country is one of Europe's most popular destinations. On this grand tour we enjoy many of Italy’s highlights, immersing ourselves in the country’s captivating culture while visiting wonderful cities. Experience remarkable Venice with its trademark canals, historic Florence, the capital of Rome and the beautifully-preserved hilltop city of Siena on this fantastic trip!Included:
* Return coach travel & ferry crossings
*First & last night on a bed & breakfast basis in France (last night with a light evening meal)
* 6 nights at selected hotels in Italy (JG4 rating) with breakfast plus 3 dinners
* Excursions to Rome & Venice
* Guided city tour of Rome
* Guided walking tour of Venice
* En-route visits to Pisa, Siena & Florence
* Fully escorted by a tour manager

Itinerary
Day 1
Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2
Travel onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Italy, with dinner included.

Day 3
We continue on to our hotel in Montecatini Terme, stopping en-route in Pisa, famous for its leaning tower.

Day 4
We leave Montecatini and travel via Siena, a beautifully-preserved hilltop city surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, best known for its Palio horse race which takes place each summer in the Piazza del Campo. We continue south to our hotel on the outskirts of Rome where we stay for two nights.

Day 5
A day in Rome awaits us, where we start with a guided city tour. Highlights of Italy’s capital city include the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City, an independent state within Rome and seat of the Catholic Church. The rest of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace and choose a restaurant for an early dinner before we return to our hotel.

Day 6
We head to Florence, undoubtedly one of Italy's most charming cities. Just some of the city's highlights include the Palazzo Vecchio, Giotti's Bell Tower and the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's lovely Old Bridge, which is still occupied by gold and silversmiths today. Afterwards we travel to our hotel in the Verona area, our base for the next two nights.

Day 7
We explore Venice with a guided walking tour. This city is a floating work of art replete with locals lounging back in sunny piazzas with a spritz in hand. Boasting wonderful attractions, highlights include St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the gondolas that ply their trade up and down the canals.

Day 8
Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.

Day 9
Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.

Rome
"Bella, Bella, I hear you cry- well Rome is certainly beautiful but also romantic and inspirational. There really is a plethora of world famous sites around every corner! Where do we start with Rome? Its many historic buildings are just too many to mention but here are a few of our favourites to see on a coach tour and we are sure that they will be your favourites too!
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Venice
The stunning city of Venice harbours a wealth of artistic and architectural wonders, hardly changing for 600 years. Although now very much a popular place for tourists, it still retains its romantic charm and appeal.
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Pisa
The charismatic city of Pisa is a must-see for visitors exploring the Tuscan region of Italy! Widely recognised for its iconic landmark, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this beautiful city combines a wide range of historic and Romanesque attractions with a feel-good atmosphere and a brilliant range of restaurants and bars.
Pisa is of course most famous for the unintended Leaning Tower of Pisa, standing at just less than 56 metres, and no trip here is complete without a photo of you pretending to hold it up! The Tower is part of the Piazza del Duomo, which also includes the Camposanta cemetery, the Baptistery (the largest in Italy), as well as the Duomo itself, set within the picturesque grounds in the heart of Pisa.
The Tuscan city also offers many cultural pieces of architecture bursting with Italian heritage such as gothic cathedrals and churches, from the Santa Maria del la Spina to the San Paulo a Ripa d’Arme. If you would like to explore more of the culture and history of Pisa, why not visit the renowned Knights Square. Once the political centre of Pisa within the medieval times, the square now boasts sights such as Medici statue of Cosimo I and more.


Siena
The charming hilltop city of Siena boasts an array of fine architecture and beautiful vistas for your pleasure. Enjoy the stunning views from the high points of the city and the wonderful bustling atmosphere of the Piazza del Campo.

Florence
Beautiful Florence, Italy’s city of art and cultural heartbeat, is situated on the banks of the River Arno. It offers many delights, from its famous museums, palaces, piazzas and churches to some of the most important sites in Florence, including the Cathedral and the library of San Lorenzo’s with its magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius.Selected Hotel, Montecatini (JG4 rating)