13 days
Italian Discovery

Day 1: Venice

Upon your arrival at Venice Airport, our local English-speaking representative will be waiting to welcome you to Italy. You will be transferred by private motor launch to your hotel in the city.

 

The balance of this first day is at your leisure. Relax after your trip, or begin to explore the sights of this extraordinary city.

 

4-Star Hotel: Palazzo Priuli
(or similar star rating hotel)

Other hotel options for Venice

• Saturnia         

Day 2: Venice Tour

This morning, your private English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel for your guided walking tour of the city.

Venice’s charm lies both in its unique civil engineering achievements, and in the harmony of Eastern and Western artistic styles that have flourished here over the centuries. Your tour highlights some of the major sites that define the look and history of Venice, and includes visits to Doges' Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Square.

Day 3: Venice to Florence

You will be escorted to the rail station by our local representative who will assist you to your train bound for Venice.

You will have first class rail tickets with seat reservations. The journey will take two and a half hours on the comfortable Eurostar train

Upon arrival in Florence you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy

4-Star Hotel: Grand Hotel Cavour

(or similar star rating hotel)

Day 4: Classical Florence Tour

Your private guide will meet you at your hotel for your private walking tour of the city. Florence's rich past as the cultural centre of the Italian Renaissance can still be seen today in the wealth of art gathered here, and in the preservation of its splendid architecture. The tour includes visits of the Duomo and the Baptistery, the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, and the famous Accademia Gallery.

 

Balance of day at your leisure.  Optional Uffizi gallery reservations or guided tour possible

Day 5: Florence - Siena - Montepulciano

Morning departure for Southern Tuscanywith your English-speaking driver.  

You will stop in Siena, one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Tuscany, where you will tour with our local guide visiting the main sites including the famous Piazza del Campo site of the Palio horse race. 

 

After the tour you will have time for lunch and some shopping or independent sight seeing before continuing on to Montepulciano and your charming accommodations.

Hotel: Poggio alla Sala

Day 6: Montepulciano- Pienza-Montalcino

Your full day excursion in the beautiful Val D’Orcia will be a feast or superb wines, cheese and beautiful scenery.

 

Together with your private driver you will visit exquisite town or Montepulciano renowned for is Vino Nobile and Rosso di Montepulciano. A wine tasting will be included.

 

Pienza, sits on a hill with sweeping views over the vast Val D'Orcia with undulating fields dotted with olive groves and farmhouses leading up to Monte Amiata. Pienza is famous for its pecorino “sheep” cheese.

 

You will visit a local cheese maker and a taste this delicious cheese.

 

Return back to the medieval hill town of Montalcino, famous for Brunello wine, you can stroll the narrow streets, stop at Italian wine, honey and gastronomy stores, or outdoor cafes, or sip some Brunello at the medieval fortress, now an enoteca. A tasting of the Brunello wine will be included.

 

Your driver will return you to your accommodations.

Day 7: Montepulciano - Orvieto -Sorrento

After check-out from the hotel this morning, continue your journey with your private  driver to Sorrento. 

On the way you will stop in Orvieto, famous for its Etruscan ruins as well as its Gothic cathedral and the excellent wines preserved in its underground cellars.

After an independent visit of the charming town you will proceed to Sorrento.

 

Hotel: Imperial Hotel Tramontano