Italian Rendezvous

Small Group Touring:
You will enjoy a more personal experience with this small group tour of a maximum of 20 travellers. When so many other European Tour groups are sizes up to 48 to 50 travellers you will appreciate this more intimate experience. 

Share your journey with a group of like-minded single travellers.

Tour Pace:
The tour is well paced with an exceptional three night stay in Florence and Sorrento (Amalfi Coast) and two nights of stay in most other cities. The majority of driving days are not too long, with convenient stops at places of interest along the way for refreshments and sightseeing. With eight of the seventeen nights of dinners included in the itinerary it's the ideal balance of social group dining and the option to make your own arrangements.

Day 1  Milan                                                                                                                      
Welcome to Italy. If you have booked the group flight with us, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel by a private group transfer (or also if you have made arrangements for this transfer separately). The hotel check-in time is 2pm. For early arrivals you need to book the night prior if you wish to ensure a morning check-in. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome drink with the Tour. Please meet your tour director and the group at the hotel bar at 5pm.   Overnight: ATA Executive

Day 2 Milan - Como                                                                                                       
Before we travel to the Lakes District we enjoy a morning tour of Milan visiting the Duomo, Castello Sforzesco and viewing the Teatro Della Scalla. Today, we travel to our lake-side hotel in the picturesque Italian Lakes District.  Enjoy a two night stay in beautiful Como.  Dinner tonight is at local restaurant  (B, D)   
Overnight:  Hotel Como   
                                                                             
Day 3  Como                                                                                                                       
Today's highlight is enchanting Lake Como, considered the jewel of the Italian Lakes for its superb mountain setting. This morning there is a guided tour of Como. Como is dominated by its marble cathedral set in the narrow streets of the Old Town. Perhaps take an excursion to visit another lakeside town. Tonight we enjoy an exciting dining experience high above the city of Como. We start our evening by taking the cog railroad to the top of Mt. Brunate allowing time to take photos and see the lake from a new perspective. Dinner includes a 3 course meal at ‘Locanda Milano'. The breathtaking views and excellent food will make this a dinner you will always remember.     (CB,HD)  
Overnight: Hotel Como  
                                                                                         
Day 4    Como - Verona - Venice                                            
This morning we drive to the elegant city of Verona (about 200kms). There's time at your leisure plus entry to see the ancient Roman arena, venue for the opera each summer, and visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet's balcony. Then it's on to romantic Venice, a glorious city of quaint bridges, ornate palaces, and gondolas.  (CB)
Overnight:  Hotel Antony, Venice Mestre 

Day 5     Venice                                                                                   
Your morning tour is by boat and by foot today.  Admire the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, and later visit a glass showroom for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. We also see the ornate St Mark's Basilica, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Venice on your own, before we return to our hotel. The group joins together for dinner at a local restaurant  (B) 
Overnight: Hotel Antony, Venice Mestre

Day 6     Venice - La Spezia
Today, it's a longer drive to cross the Italian peninsular and see the quarries at Carrara, its milky white stone attracting everyone from Michelangelo to Mussolini.  We then travel to La Spezia, on the eastern end of the Italian Riviera.  Tonight, we dine out at a local restaurant.(B,D)      
Overnight: Hotel La Spezia Jolly

Day 7      La Spezia      
Today, we experience a full day highlight excursion to Cinque Terre, or five villages, which were for years only accessible by donkey.  Luckily, today we take the train we explore the spectacular area.  A local expert will guide you around two postcard pretty villages, which both retain their charm and reputation for producing one of  Italy's most sought after and exclusive wines.  For the adventurous there is a hill side track which leads from one village to another.  We join together tonight for dinner at our hotel.  (B) 
Overnight: Hotel La Spezia Jolly
     
Day 8       La Spezia - Pisa - Florence                                                             
We depart earlier today to travel to Florence via Pisa. This morning we have a photo stop at the leaning tower of Pisa and a guided walking tour of Pisa.  Tonight we visit the Monastery of Certosa where we'll enjoy a 3-course menu with wine and Tuscan entertainment.   (B,HD) 
Overnight:

Day 9      Florence                                                                                                 
This morning we drive to San Gimignano, a medieval town where there is time to explore this many towered town with its squares and winding streets. Then onto the walled town of Sienna to continue your full day tour before heading back to Florence.  We dine together tonight at a local restaurant  (B)  
Overnight:

Day 10   Florence                                                                                                  
Today, there's a sightseeing tour to show you Michelangelo's statue of ‘David' in the Academy Gallery. Continue to see the Cathedral and baptistery, Giotto's 14^th century Campanile (said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world), the ‘Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square, political stage of the Florentines.   This afternoon, there's an excursion to Greve in Chianti including wine tasting at Castello Verrazzano.  We return to Florence and dinner tonight is at your leisure (B, HD)     
Overnight:

Day 11    Florence - Assisi                                                                                     
From Florence, we enjoy a scenic drive to the hill top town of Assisi, home of St Francis. In the afternoon, we visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. There rest of the time is free to wander the cobblestone streets and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.  Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant(B) Overnight: Roseo Hotel

Day 12    Assisi - Pompeii - Sorrento                                                             
We depart first thing this morning to travel to Sorrento. It's a full day on the road with stops along the way. Our first stop is the Commonwealth Cemetery of Montecassino. Then through Campania to Pompeii where a local guide will walk you through the streets of this Roman resort buried by an eruption of the volcanic Mt Vesuvius in AD79.  Later we make our way to Sorrento for dinner at a local restaurant ‘La Basilica' and our 3 night stay in Sorrento (B, D)  
Overnight:  Grand Hotel La Pace 

Hotel note: swimming pool, located on the first level, with panoramic terrace inclusive of sun beds, deckchairs, sun umbrellas and snack bar.

Day 13    Sorrento                                                                                            
This morning we take a short drive for a bird's eye view of the terraced houses of Positano. Then by mini buses we travel down into the heart of the town. The rest of the day is at your to leisure to explore.  Tonight why not try the local seafood at a local restaurant for dinner?     (B)   
Overnight:  Grand Hotel La Pace

Day 14       Sorrento                                                                                             
The Amalfi Coast is picturesque. Enjoy a day at leisure. It's an opportunity to take a special interest tour, wander the streets of some of the Amalfi Coast villages, do a spot of shopping or relax with some beach time. Whatever you choose, you're in a beautiful part of the world to enjoy it.   (B)
Overnight: Grand Hotel La Pace

Day 15      Sorrento - Rome                                                                          
Today we travel to the ‘Eternal City', Rome for our three night stay. There will be time at your leisure this afternoon. (B) 
Overnight: Visconti Palace      

Day 16    Rome                                                                                                                
Sightseeing with a local guide today to visit the Vatican Museums to see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Visit St Peter's Basilica, built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history's greatest architects, Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Crossing the Tiber, explore ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. There will be some time at your leisure this afternoon: shop, relax or continue sightseeing.  (B)
Overnight: Visconti Palace      

Day 17  Rome
A full day at your leisure, to do as you wish. Shop till you drop, take an optional tour to further explore Rome or you may be tempted to throw another coin into Trevi Fountain to ensure your return one day! As night falls, stroll to the Boat Fountain at the foot of the elegant Spanish Steps before enjoying a typically Roman dinner 3 course farewell dinner in a local restaurant   (B, HD)
Overnight: Visconti Palace      

Day 18      Depart Rome
Our memorable tour comes to an end after breakfast. Those group members travelling on the group nominated flight (or if you have made other arrangements with us) will be  transferred to the airport for the return journey home  (B)