Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport, meet and greet and transfer to hotel. Time at leisure in the afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with music and wine included. Return to your hotel and overnight.
OPTIONAL: ROME BY NIGHT
After breakfast, enjoy a unique guided sightseeing, including inside visits of highlights of religious and ancient Rome: the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, monumental St. Peter's Square and Basilica to admire Michelangelo's Pieta. Admire the amazing Coliseum (outside) and the Roman Forum (outside). Overnight at your hotel.
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Day 3 - Rome/Florence (320km).
After breakfast departure to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance, known worldwide for its unequalled treasures. A stop is planned at Michelangelo’s square for a first photo opportunity. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the city with your guide including the Cathedral (outside), Giotto’s Bell Tower (outside), the doors of the Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria and the Church of Santa Croce, the sanctuary of many famous Italian artists. Lunch in local restaurant. Overnight in Florence.
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Day 4 - Excursion to Cinque Terre (170 km)
Breakfast at hotel. Today discover by train the highlights of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscapes in the world. Five (cinque) villages, suspended between sea and land listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. You will visit Portovenere, You will then reach Vernazza, a village dating from the early thirteenth century, and known for its historic character and its wine “Sciacchetrà”. Your journey will continue to Monterosso, an ancient fishing village considered the pearl of the Cinque Terre, where you will be overcome by its enchanting beaches. Back to Florence and free time. Overnight at hotel
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Day 5 - Florence/Venice (300 km)
After breakfast departure to Venice, the Door of the Orient and the unique city built on the water. Upon arrival enjoy a guided tour of this unique and romantic city. Strolling through the ancient “calli” (the narrow streets of Venice) you will reach the Rialto Bridge (outside) and St-Mark’s Square with the impressive Basilica (outside). Overnight
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Day 6 - Venice /Verona/San Gimignano/ Siena (450 km)
After breakfast departure to Verona where your tour leader will make you discover the wide array of monuments and historic buildings of this romantic city, such as Juliet’s Balcony (the star-crossed lover from the masterpiece by Shakespeare) and the Roman Theatre (outside). Then leave to the beautiful hilltop town of San Gimignano, famous all over the world for the skyline of its medieval towers. Today you’ll have the chance to visit a wine estate and taste the world-known Chianti wine accompanied with light dinner. Continuation to the hilltop town of Siena where overnight.
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Day 7 - Siena / Rome (280 km).
After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of the city with your tour escort to admire the Dome (outside), the magnificent square known as Il Campo, where twice a year the “Palio” race is run on bareback horses. Time at leisure for personal discoveries. Continuation to Rome upon arrival enjoy dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
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Day 8 - Rome/Pompeii/Sorrento (280 km)
After breakfast, departure to Sorrentine Peninsula, visit of cameo factory before arriving in Pompeii where you will take your time for lunch on your own. Guided tour of the archaeological excavations of this ancient Roman city destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and rediscovered at the end of the 16th century. Then proceed to Sorrento. Dinner and overnight.
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Day 9 - Sorrento/Capri/Sorrento (50 km).
After breakfast, transfer to the harbour and departure to Capri by hydrofoil. Ticket to the funicular included. The tour escort can suggest how visit on your own this marvellous island. Return to Sorrento and enjoy a tasting of “Limoncello”, the liquor made from the fragrant lemon of Sorrentine Area. Dinner and overnight.
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Day 10 - Sorrento/Naples/Overnight cruise to Palermo (50 km + Cruise).
After breakfast time at leisure to stroll along the charming Sorrento. In the afternoon, transfer to boarding your ferry in Naples for the overnight cruise to Sicily. Dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 11 - Palermo/Monreale/Agrigento (150 km).
After disembarkation and before starting your sightseeing tour of Palermo with local guide, enjoy your first Sicilian breakfast in a typical bar. The panoramic tour of Palermo will include Normans Palace (outside), the Cathedral (outside). Drive up to Monreale and visit the 12th-century Moorish-Norman Cathedral, famous for its 50,000 square feet of precious byzantine mosaics. Proceed to Agrigento. Dinner and overnight.
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Day 12 - Agrigento / Tasting / Taormina / Acireale (265 km).
After breakfast, guided visit of the splendid Doric buildings of the Valley of Temples, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Then depart for a farm nearby for a tasting of the amazing Sicilian products. Proceed to the beautiful town of Taormina, a favorite of worldwide tourists. Free time for personal discoveries, for shopping or for a leisurely stroll along the panoramic terrace. Check in at hotel where dinner and overnight.
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Day 13 - Acireale / Syracuse / Acireale (175 km).
After breakfast, depart to Syracuse, for a guided visit of the Neapolis Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysus, an ear-shaped grotto. Time at leisure in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
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Day 14 - Acireale/ Mount Etna/ Rome (60 km + Flight).
After breakfast, depart for an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, up to the Rifugio Sapienza, 1900 meters above sea level, and time to enjoy the suggestive view. Today a special Farewell Lunch, consisting of typical local products, will be served. Continue to Catania airport for your flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, transfer to hotel nearby the airport. Overnight
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Day 15 - Rome Airport/Airport (30 km
After breakfast transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight home.