THE HEART OF ITALY

Tour fully escorted by our professional tour leader with ten meals included in our prices (three lunches, and seven dinners always varied and typical menus of four courses of the area visited).

This tour will take you through the central part of the country. This is more or less the vast territory which in ancient times was called Etruria, and, in fact, the trip will take you immediately to the heart of the mythical Etruscans, Tarquinia. This town is famous for the necropolis that extends for kilometers and has a wealth of tombs in the form of painted chambers that are a unique witness to the art and customs of the VI and V centuries B.C.

The next stop is Volterra, a severe, medieval town known for its alabaster production: San Gimignano, with its ancient towers, a perfectly intact medieval town, and noble Siena stretching over three hills, one of the most admired artistic and tourist attractions in Italy.

With your arrival in Florence the tour reaches one of its main points of interest. Florence is the triumph of the Renaissance, which in that inimitable period of man's history created and bequeathed to us lofty examples of harmony and beauty.

After Florence the tour will take you to Assisi, with its atmosphere of serenity and profound spirituality which inspire the sites dedicated to the message of the mystic St. Francis. On to Rome with a stop at Orvieto. Perched on a rock, it is famous for the magnificent Cathedral with its stupendous multicolored Gothic facade.

And triumphal, solemn Rome to greet the visitor who arrives filled with all the expectations and fervour of one who feels like a pilgrim in the capital of history, art and religious feeling.

Rome is a bountiful city, generous with her gifts and emotions, able to satisfy curiosity, to realize dreams with her immutable beauty.

1st day - Rome

Transfer from airport or railway station to the reserved hotel.

Time at disposal for an initial exploration of the Eternal City or for relaxation. At 8,00 p.m. departure for the welcome dinner in a typical restaurant with five-course menu and drinks included. Overnight at the hotel.

2nd day - Rome - Tarquinia - Siena

Departure from Rome at 08,00 a.m. after breakfast. Upon arrival in Tarquinia visit the ancient Etruscan city and the tombs frescoed 2500 years ago. After an independent lunch, departure for Siena via Grosseto, a historic city, Volterra, capital of alabaster, and of the famous Vernaccia wine, and San Gimignano, with its ancient towers. Arrival in Siena is scheduled for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

3rd day - Siena - Florence

After breakfast visit of the city rich in art treasures such as the Cathedral the splendid Piazza del Campo, dominated by the Torre del Mangia, and the internal city structure, intact for centuries. From here the tour proceeds to Florence, where you arrive in time for an independent lunch.

She afternoon is free for your first contact with this city of art, of harmony and unforgettable fascination. Dinner and hotel accommodation.

4th day- Florence

Both morning and afternoon are dedicated to a guided visit of the extraordinary artistic and historical possessions of this beautiful city, heart of the Renaissance; lunch is in the hotel restaurant.

Among the numerous examples of beauty that we will visit are the Cathedral with Brunelleschi's dome, the Baptistery with its Doors of Paradise by Ghiberti, the Bell Tower by Giotto, Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Art Gallery, the Medici Chapels, the Arno River with the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo for a beautiful panoramic view. Dinner tonight is in a typical restaurant in the Florentine hills.

Overnight at the hotel.

5th day - Florence -Assisi

After breakfast morning free for personal activities. Lunch not included. Then departure by coach to Assisi via Perugia. Short visit of the town of Perugia and arrival in the small city of St. Francis late in the afternoon. Time to relax, then dinner and hotel accommodation.

6th day -Assisi - Rome

Breakfast and lunch in the hotel. The morning is devoted to visiting the Holy Church of St. Francis, with the assistance of a local guide.

In the afternoon, departure for Rome via Todi and Orvieto, where a stop is planned to visit the famous Cathedral and for a taste of the world famous local wine in an ancient cellar. The tour then leaves for Bolsena, Viterbo and Bracciano, arriving in Rome and checking in at the hotel in time for dinner. Overnight accommodation.

7th day - Rome

Complete board in hotel. A full day sightseeing tour of Rome by coach with local guide to see the most important and significant sights of the Eternal City, among which are the Colosseum, the Fontana di Trevi. Piazza Venezia and Piazza di Spagna, St. Peter's Basilica, the Forum. After a short break for independent lunch the trip continues in the afternoon and ends around 5,30 pm. with free time for shopping or for personal activities. Dinner tonight is a special farewell event with five-course menu and drinks included in a typical restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

8th day - Rome

Breakfast at the hotel and end of our services, with transfer to the railway station or to the airport.