JEWELS OF ITALY

Rome, Poggibonsi, Venice, San Marino, Assisi, Naples

ITINERARY:

1 ROME, ITALY.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Italy's ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

2 ROME - ORVIETO - TUSCANY.
This morning, start your journey northwards to Orvieto in the province of Umbria to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. Next, enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with its hillside towns and villages that skirt the Chianti wine-growing region of Castellina. Overnight in Poggibonsi, situated in the heart of Tuscany almost halfway between Pisa and Siena and next door to San Gimignano. No better place than this to easily get around in Tuscany. (B,D)

3 TUSCANY.
Take advantage of today's optional excursion to San Gimignano, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns. Admire its 14 towers and the countryside dotted with vineyards and olive trees. Next is Siena, rightly considered the jewel of Tuscany. The Piazza del Campo is quite unique in shape and setting, and famous the world over for the Palio horse racing event. Tonight, join the optional Tuscan dinner. (B)

4 TUSCANY. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE.
A full day is dedicated to the city that's known as the "Cradle of the Renaissance." Wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty. The included walking tour with a Local Guide will introduce you to most of the city's highlights. (B,D)

5 TUSCANY. EXCURSION TO PISA.
This morning, enjoy the short drive to Pisa to see its world-famous Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower. Take a stroll down the busy Via Santa Maria, perhaps Pisa's most typical street. Plenty of time this afternoon at leisure or join one of the optional excursions available. (B,D)

6 TUSCANY - VERONA - PADUA - VENICE AREA.
A comfortable drive north today, first through more of Tuscany, then into the flatlands of the Po Valley and across its river to Verona on the banks of the Adige River. Get to know more about this enchanting city on your included sightseeing tour that will take in all the highlights and, of course, the famous balcony of Romeo and Juliet. Continue to Padua, famous for its university and the great Basilica of St. Anthony. Later, a short drive to your overnight hotel in the Venice area. (B)

7 VENICE.
Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful sights. View the delightful criss-crossing canals, the gondolas, water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. Enjoy the included orientation, which starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a visit to a typical Venetian glassblowing workshop. In the afternoon, join one of the many optional excursions. (B,D)

8 VENICE AREA - RAVENNA - SAN MARINO.
South today to Ravenna, at one time an imperial city known as the "Byzantium of the West." After a short stop here, continue to the tiny hilltop Republic of San Marino, one of the smallest in the world. (B,D)

9 SAN MARINO - URBINO - GUBBIO - ASSISI AREA.
First to Urbino with its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. Then, on to medieval Gubbio, where a superb view of the rooftops of the town from the Consul's Palace is a must. Continue on to Foligno in the Assisi area for an overnight. (B,D)

10 ASSISI AREA - MONTE CASSINO - NAPLES.
Start the day in Assisi by visiting the Basilica of St. Francis with its famous paintings by Giotto dating back to the 1300s. Travel south across the Apennines into the province of Latium for a stop in Montecassino, known for its Benedictine Abbey. Next, continue to the shores of the Mediterranean for three overnights in Naples, rightly known as Italy's most colorful city. (B,D)

11 NAPLES. EXCURSION TO CAPRI.
Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you round the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (B,D)

12 NAPLES. EXCURSION TO POMPEII & SORRENTO.
This morning, get to know more about lively, bustling, and mindboggling Naples on the included orientation drive. Next, Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Continue to Sorrento to spend a leisurely evening in this easy-back town with views over the Gulf of Naples. Return to Naples for overnight. (B)

13 NAPLES - ROME.
North this morning back to the "Eternal City" with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last-minute shopping, or maybe sip a drink on Piazza Navona and watch the world go by. (B)

14 ROME.
This city is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Then, some more time to do just as you please. (B)

15 ROME.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)