Fabulous Sightseeing

• Rome: Guided visit of the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums and of St Peter’s Basilica. Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus.
• Pompeii: Visit the excavations
• Sorrento: Witness the art of inlaid wood-working. Excursion to the Isle of Capri
• Assisi: Sightseeing includes St. Francis' Basilica
• Ravenna: Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe and admire its mosaics
• Pomposa: View the ancient Romanesque Abbey
• Venice: Canal cruise by private launch. See St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory
• Verona: See the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony
• Milan†: See the Duomo
• Lugano Excursion: Visit this magnificent lakeside resort
• Pisa: View the Leaning Tower
• Florence: Sightseeing tour includes Signoria Square and Santa Croce Basilica. Admire Florentine leatherwork and views from Piazzale Michelangelo
• Siena: Visit the medieval Tuscan city, home of the Palio horse race
• Scenic drives: along the Sorrento Peninsula, the Adriatic Coast, Italian Lakes, Lombardy Plains, Apennine Mountains, Chianti wine region and Umbrian and Tuscan Hills
• Where Trafalgar considers that our excellent audio system will enhance the commentary made by our local guides, making your tour of a city clearer and more entertaining, it will be included. Look out for the headset symbol which pinpoint the occasions when these will be used.

• Hot Buffet breakfast daily
• Welcome Dinner in Rome and 6 Three course dinners
• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities; all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom on board
• Cruise to the Isle of Capri
• Professional, multi-lingual Tour Director on tour
• Specialised local guides in Rome, Pompeii, Assisi and Florence
• Travel bag and wallet with comprehensive tour documents
• Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers are provided on Days 1 and 14

Airport Transfers

Airport Transfers Transfers on arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.

• European Gateways: Trafalgar passengers purchasing “Land Only” will receive coach transfers at the times published in the brochure at NO extra charge. However, if these “Land Only” passengers arrive outside the brochure advertised coach transfer times they must make their own arrangements at their own expense.
• Passengers purchasing “Land and Air” from Trafalgar will receive coach transfers at times published in the brochure or, if they arrive outside of these set times, then a separate transfer will be booked for them. These transfers will be available only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour.
• Passengers purchasing pre and post tour accommodation must arrange their own transfers regardless of whether or not they have bought “Air” from Trafalgar.

Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights

Tour departure 16 Dec will be accommodated in the Italian Lakes on Christmas Eve, tour departure 23 Dec will be accommodated in Rome over Christmas and tour departure 30 Dec will be accommodated in Rome for the New Year celebrations

Double Click on Map to Enlarge

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in
the remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps to relax or explore. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome
Dinner with wine with our Tour Director and travelling companions. (Welcome Dinner)

Hotel: Diana (2 nights)

Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
This morning, after breakfast our included sightseeing tour features a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums. We’ll also enjoy our local guide’s commentary as he takes us
on an informative visit of St Peter’s Basilica where we will see many of Michelangelo’s great
works, including the Pietà. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome stopping at Piazza
Venezia where we view the Victor Emmanuel monument and the 15th century Palazzo Venezia.
Then making our way along the Via Sacra we reach the Roman Forum and the breathtaking Colosseum. Finally we head to the Circus Maximus where at one time 'Ben Hur' style chariot races took place. The rest of your day is at leisure perhaps to sightsee further or relax with a cappuccino at a pavement café on the Via Veneto. This evening, why not discover the city's culinary delights and vibrant nightlife? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 - Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento (2 nights)
This morning we leave Rome and head south, with views of the Abbey of Monte Cassino en
route to the Bay of Naples. Next we will enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii, the town frozen in time
when it was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Finally our journey continues along
the coastline to Sorrento where we spend the next two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Johanna Park (2 nights)

Day 5 - Isle of Capri Excursion
After breakfast, we witness the art of inlaid wood-working, one of the crafts of the Sorrento peninsula. After we will embark on an excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. There's plenty of time to explore this lovely island. Why not visit the villa of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe with its magnificent views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 - Sorrento – Assisi
This morning's drive will take us to the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, perched on Mount Subasio and overlooking a peaceful Umbrian landscape. This city under the protection of St. Francis is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. On our arrival a sightseeing tour includes the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Later time is your own to do as you please. Why not shop for local handicrafts? This evening we will dine at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel

Day 7 - Assisi – Ravenna – Venice (Mestre) (2 nights)
We enjoy a morning drive along the Adriatic Coast to the Roman town of Ravenna with its ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Here we will visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe before seeing the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Next we drive to the floating city of Venice for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: NH Laguna Palace (2 nights)

Day 8 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure
This morning after breakfast we will absorb this city's unique atmosphere on our included canal
cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace
and Basilica of St Mark. After, we will stop to visit a traditional glass-blowing factory to
witness a demonstration of this ancient art. Then with time on your own you may wish to discover
the island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. Later, a gondola serenade would be
hard to resist! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9 - Venice (Mestre) – Verona – Milan – Italian Lakes (2 nights)
Our day will start with a drive to the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Verona. We stop to admire the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony. From here we cross the plains of Lombardy to the fashionable city of Milan. Here we see the gothic 'Duomo', 'La Scala' Opera house and the famous Galleria. Finally, we make our way to our hotel in the Italian Lake District for dinner and our overnight stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: Chateau Porro Pirelli (2 nights)

Day 10 - Lugano Excursion (Switzerland)
This morning we will enjoy an excursion into the Ticino, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland; where we stop to visit the beautiful lakeside resort of Lugano. On our arrival there’s time to shop and enjoy some lunch. Perhaps hire a pedalo and cruise across the lake! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11 - Italian Lakes – Pisa – Florence (2 nights)
Our morning drive takes us via the Plains of Lombardy and cross the Apennine Mountains to Genoa, Columbus' birthplace. Next off to Pisa to see the extraordinary Leaning Tower, before arriving at Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Tonight, why not venture out into the hills surrounding the city for a meal of excellent Tuscan cuisine accompanied by some delicious Chianti wine? (Buffet Breakfast) 

Hotel: Palazzo Ognissanti (2 nights)

Day 12 - Florence sightseeing & at leisure
The Cathedral, Signoria Square and a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce feature on our guided sightseeing tour on foot. Later, enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo before free time. Perhaps discover the artistic wonders in the museums or shop for leather and gold. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 13 - Florence – Siena – Rome
We enjoy a scenic drive through the Chianti wine-producing region to medieval Siena, famous for
its exciting Palio horse-race. Here there's time to explore the wonders of this city and maybe shop for beautiful locally produced ceramics. We arrive in Rome late in the afternoon. (Buffet Breakfast) 

Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo

Day 14 - Depart Rome
'Buon viaggio' to new-found friends as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight home. (Buffet Breakfast)

Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights 

Tour departure 15 Dec will be accommodated in Florence on Christmas Eve. Tour departure 22 Dec will be accommodated in Sorrento for Christmas and Florence for New Year’s Eve. Tour departure 30 Dec will be accommodated in Rome for the New Year celebrations.