On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Perhaps take a stroll in the Piazza Navona before joining your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: NH Giustiniano.

Tour St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, seeing the Popes' Altar by Bernini and Michelangelo's Pieta. Now visit the Colosseum, scene of great entertainment in Imperial times and overlook the Roman Forum. Time at leisure this afternoon. (BB)

Meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of the priceless art in the Vatican Museums before admiring Michelangelo's amazing ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Drive through vine-covered hills to visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino. Stop at Pompeii, where a local expert will guide you around the excavations of the city, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Drive through the city of Naples before boarding an overnight ferry to Sicily. (BB)

Disembark in Palermo early this morning. Join a local guide who will show you the cathedral, the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel and the magnificent Monreale. Then it's off to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. Especially impressive are the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea.
Hotel: Della Valle. (BB,D)

Travel into the heart of Sicily to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, noted for the mosaics which cover almost the entire floor. Descend to the east coast and follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera to Giardini Naxos.
Hotel: Sant' Alphio Garden (BB,D)

Tour the hillside town of Taormina. Founded in 400 BC, Taormina is beautifully located overlooking the sea and facing the snowy peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre with a guide before free time to explore the sub-tropical terraced gardens, or stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for panoramic views across the bay. Return to Giardini Naxos where the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB,D)

Head for Messina to board your ferry back to the Italian mainland. Drive along the very edge of the mountainous Calabria region, so often compared to Switzerland. Continue north past Salerno, to take the cliff-top road to Sorrento.
Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (BB)

See the local art of 'intarsio', (marquetry wood inlaying), before cruising to the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. A funicular train takes you up to Capri town to spend time browsing the shops and admiring the sea views. Perhaps visit Anacapri before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)

Drive north into Umbria and ascend the Apennine Mountains to delightful Assisi, a stone-built town sprawling over the steep hillside of Monte Subasio. Stroll through the narrow streets and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto. Afterwards, the energetic might like to climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley. Tonight, before dinner, work up an appetite as you join the locals for a traditional leisurely promenade (passaggiata).
Hotel: Subasio (BB,D)

Visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built to commemorate the site where St Francis died. Then a beautiful drive brings us through the wild Apennine Mountains to the city of Bologna, gastronomic capital of Italy. See Giambologna's Neptune Fountain in Piazza Nettuno and the Old Town. Time to savour the local specialties in the many trattorias and ristoranti before continuing to the unique city of Venice. Tonight take your first stroll by the canalside.
Hotel: Sant'Elena. (BB,D)

Relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark's Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges' Palace to the prisons. See the ornate St Mark's Basilica, followed by a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. To truly appreciate this unique city, step aboard your gondola to glide along the peaceful canals. Now you are at leisure. Why not cruise to Burano Island for a delicious seafood meal? (BB)

Cross the fertile valley of the river Po before heading into the Apennines to the Tuscan capital, Florence. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the famous Chianti wines that make this region so famous. On arrival, a guided tour takes you to see the original 'Statue of David' inside the Academy Gallery. Back outside, walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto's Belltower and the 'Gates of Paradise' before continuing to Signoria Square, adorned with statues and fountains. Your walking tour finishes at the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leatherwork demonstration before enjoying some time at leisure.
Hotel: NH Florence (BB, D)

A whole day is set aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of the Italian Renaissance. Take an excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or indulge in a delicious local meal with rich Chianti wine. (BB)

Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive groves to Siena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. See the Town Hall, Della Quercia's 'Fountain of Joy', and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome for a last night celebration Highlight Dinner with pasta and music.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma (BB,HD)

Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)