DAY 1: DEPART USA. Over night flight to Rome.

DAY 2: ROME. (FRI.) Welcome to Rome! You are met upon arrival at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport and transferred to your hotel in the 'Eternal City'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before joining your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Massimo D'Azeglio

DAY 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING. (SAT.) Get to know Rome with a guided tour of the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Then visit St Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. The afternoon is free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. As evening falls, stroll to the elegant Spanish Steps before enjoying a Highlight Dinner, which includes pasta, wine and music. (BB,HD)

DAY 4: ROME - LA SPEZIA. (SUN.) Take the autostrada northwards through Tuscany, to medieval Siena, where you can explore narrow cobbled streets lined with palaces and patrician mansions, and the famous Campo Square. Continue to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Meadow of Miracles', and the 11th century Cathedral and Baptistery. Follow the Mediterranean coast past the marble quarries of Carrara to your hotel in La Spezia on the eastern end of the Italian Riviera. (BB,D)

Hotel: Jolly

DAY 5: LA SPEZIA - FLORENCE. (MON.) Explore the Cinque Terre, or 'five villages', which were for years only accessible by donkey. Luckily, today you can take the train! A local expert will guide you around two of the villages, which both retain their charm and reputation for producing one of Italy's most sought after and exclusive wines. Later, head to Florence, city of treasures and cradle of the Renaissance, for your two night stay. (BB,D)

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn

DAY 6: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING. (TUE.) With a local guide you will see the lofty Cathedral and Baptistery, Giotto's 14th century Campanile - said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world - the 'Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. Afterwards, visit the craftsmen's area to see the famous Florentine leather and gold-work, or discover more art treasures housed in the many museums and galleries. As night falls, consider joining a Tuscan dinner party. (BB)

DAY 7: FLORENCE - VENICE. (WED.) Descend the Apennine Mountains to reach Ravenna, the 'City of Mosaics' and meeting point of Roman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. At one time Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire and a local guide will show you some of the area's great artistic treasures and famous buildings. Follow the coastal road around the Lagoon to reach Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic', and step back to the 16th century. (BB,D)

Hotel: Dei Dogi

DAY 8: VENICE SIGHTSEEING. (THU.) Sightseeing by private launch on Venice's watery 'streets' unveils canals lined with ornate palaces - memories of a Golden Age now long past. Pass the Bridge of Sighs, named in the last century by Lord Byron, to reach St Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificently decorated Basilica, and overlooked by the great Clock Tower where bronze Moors beat out the hours on a huge bell. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before enjoying a romantic Gondola Serenade. Spend the evening shopping or cruising out into the Lagoon to try local fish and wine specialities. (BB)

DAY 9: VENICE - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO. (FRI.) Bid farewell to this enchanting city and take the scenic route along the Brenta Canal, lined with classical villas by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. See more of his work in the town of Vicenza, nicknamed 'Venice on terra firma'. Walk down the main street, Corso Andrea Palladio, and visit the Piazza dei Signori before continuing to Bassano del Grappa, which gives its name to the brandy distilled here. Perhaps try a glass on the covered wooden bridge designed by Palladio that spans the Brenta River? Journey through Possagno, birthplace and final resting place of sculptor Antonio Canova, and then to the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites. Overnight in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. (BB,D)

Hotel: Ancora/Sheraton Four Points in Bolzano*

DAY 10: DOLOMITES AT LEISURE. (SAT.) Enjoy the fresh mountain air and blue skies as you relax in Cortina. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks by cable car for magnificent Dolomite panoramas? (BB)

DAY 11: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - ITALIAN LAKES. (SUN.) Take the beautiful route to the 'Lago di Misurina', the prettiest lake of the Dolomites. Then it's on via Dobbiaco, past fields, forests, farms and mountain pastures to join the autostrada heading south. Follow the Adige River to Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet, and see the well-preserved Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony. Later, continue westwards to the beautiful Italian Lake District. (BB,D)

Hotel: Simplon

DAY 12: ITALIAN LAKES SIGHTSEEING. (MON.) Time to relax and enjoy the scenery this morning, or why not take an optional cruise to the Borromean Islands to visit the exotic gardens? Later, a beautiful drive takes you along the shores of the lake past splendid villas set in sub- tropical gardens. Cross into Switzerland and stop awhile in fashionable Lugano, beautifully located on the shores of its lake amid spectacular mountains. Time here to stroll in the gardens and browse in the exclusive shops, before returning to tour hotel. (BB)

DAY 13: RETURN TO USA. (TUE.) The tour ends after breakfast with transfers to Malpensa Airport. (BB)