Day 1
Rome
On arrival in Rome you are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight you will have a meeting with your guide.

Day 2
Rome (B)
Today you will take a city tour of Rome including St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum.

Day 3
Rome - Florence (B D)
Today you will see undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Reach Florence in time to enjoy the included walking tour featuring most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate to Paradise".

Day 4
Florence - Pisa (B)
An easy drive this morning to see more of the Tuscan countryside on the way to Pisa. Stop for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Return to Florence for the afternoon. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant.

Day 5
Florence - Milan - Lake Maggiore (B)
This morning you leave hilly Tuscany to travel north into the plains of Lombardy crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach Milan for a stop to see its great Duomo. Overnight in Baveno on the Lake Maggiore area.

Day 6
Lake Maggiore (B)
Time to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy's largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In fact on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. You will take an excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland.

Day 7
Lake Maggiore - Sirmione - Verona - Venice (B)
This morning journey eastwards for a first stop in Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda. Next, Verona for another stop to see Romeo and Juliet's balcony before the relatively short drive to the Venice area.

Day 8
Venice (B D)
Venice is more like a marvellous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces and little quiet piazzas. The tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark's Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago.

Day 9
Venice - Ravenna - Perugia (B D)
An interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the afternoon, journey to Assisi enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis-see the Church of St. Clara, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral. Overnight in beautiful nearby Perugia, capital of Umbria.

Day 10
Perugia - Sorrento (B)
Bypass Orvieto, then drive south on the excellent autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Next Sorrento, which is set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls.

Day 11
Sorrento - Capri (B D)
This legendary island is surrounded by rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set.

Day 12
Sorrento - Rome (B)
A comfortable drive northwards this morning for arrival in Rome well in time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening.

Day 13
Rome (B)
Today you are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Highlights
• Rome - St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum.
• Florence - Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate to Paradise".
• Pisa - Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower
• Milan - Duomo
• Lake Maggiore - see the peaks of the Swiss Alps, visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland
• Verona - see Romeo and Juliet's balcony
• Venice - boat ride, visit to St. Mark's Basilica, watch Venetian glassblowers
• Assisi - see the Church of St. Clara, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral
• Pompeii - see the signs of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D
• Sorrento - walk the streets lined with shops and stalls.
• Capri - see this maze of streets