Day 1: Arrive Stresa (Lake Maggiore) (D)
From centrtal Milan at midday we will transfer you to Stresa on Lake Maggiore, where you will stay the next four nights. A welcome drink before dinner.
Day 2: Stresa (B, D)
Explore the famous Italian Lakes District. A drive to the town of Como to Tremezzo, where you visit the world famous Villa Carlotta.. Later you board our private boat for a cruise on Lake Como, past a number of striking lakeside villas, to Bellagio. This beautiful town is situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake's two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north. Later, return to Stresa.
Day 3: Stresa (B, D)
Drive north over the spectacular Simplon Pass into the mighty Swiss Alps and down into the ‘Swiss Valais’. From Taesch you board the Alpine cog railway up to the picture postcard village of Zermatt. The village is surrounded by a dozen peaks that are themselves dominated by the Matterhorn. Relax here or perhaps take the Gornergrat funicular train (not included) to the highest open air railway station in Europe, where the views across the Alps are staggering. Later, eturn to Stresa.
Day 4: Stresa (B)
Board our private boat to visit the islands of Lake Maggiore. First stop will be Isola Bella where we have included entrance and a guided tour of the palatial Borromeo villa and gardens, which dominate the island. Next you visit Isola Pescatori. Lunch is at leisure on this island with its quaint cafes and restaurants set amongst the old houses with wooden balconies, tiny boats and fishing nets. The afternoon and evening are at leisure in Stresa.
Day 5: Castelbrando (B, D)
Drive east to Lake Garda. This is the largest of the Italian lakes and the meeting point of three Italian regions. There will be time at leisure for lunch in one of the lakeside towns. Later you reach the foothills of the Dolomites and the superb CastelBrando, where you stay for the next two nights. Located abovin Cison di Valmarino, this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous noble’s palace in the 13th century. Access to the castle is by funicular. On arrival there is a guided tour.
Day 6: Castelbrando (B, D)
Descend to the Po Valley and visit Venice –one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto you board a private boat to St Marc’s Square, where you join an expert local guide for a walking tour. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is at the accommodation at CastelBrando.
Day 7: Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) (B, D)
Travel south to Tuscany and arrive in the spa town of Montecatini Terme. This was once a favourite ‘cure resort’ of the crowned heads of state from all over Europe. We stay here for the next five nights, in a traditional family run, four-star hotel, close to the major sights. In the evening you drive into the Tuscan countryside, where we have arranged dinner at Fattoria il Poggio set in vineyards and olive groves.
Day 8: Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) (B, D)
You catch a train to the centre of Florence where you are joined by a local guide for some sightseeing. See the Duomo and the magnificent statues in the Piazza della Signoria. Your tour ends inside the Uffizi Gallery - one of the world’s greatest collections of Italian, Florentine and Renaissance art. The afternoon is free to enjoy Florence at your own pace.
Day 9: Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) (B)
The whole day has been left entirely at leisure. This is an opportunity for you to do as little, or as much as you want.
Day 10: Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) (B, D)
Today an exploration of the famous Cinque Terre., five unspoilt fishing villages that cling to the cliffs, overlooking the sea. We have arranged a coastal boat ride for you to admire the spectacular scenery and almost inaccessible fishing villages, and to visit Porto Venere, Vernazza and Monterosso. The return journey is by train through the tunnels and cliffs above.
Day 11: Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) (B)
The first stop is in one of the most typically ‘Tuscan’ towns in the area, Lucca - a medieval walled city, filled with palaces, churches, ancient houses and the former home of Puccini, where he wrote Turandot. You later visit Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery in the magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli. In the afternoon at ‘I Cipressini’ farmhouse, near Montecatini Alto, the owner will host an olive oil tasting accompanied by Tuscan wines and a selection of antipasto including local meats, cheese and bread.
Day 12:Spoleto (Umbria) (B,D)
A short drive to San Gimignano, a town famous for its 13th and 14th century Tuscan towers. Exploring the pedestrian walkways of this hilltop town is an absolute delight. Lunchtime will be at leisure in medieval Siena amongst the great sights such as the gothic town hall and the Piazza del Campo, scene of the famous Palio horse race. Next stop - the hills of Umbria and the walled town of Spoleto where you stay the next two nights. Spoleto is easily explored on foot. There are numerous Romanesque churches and cobbled stone alleyways lined with shops, bars and trattorias.
Day 13: Spoleto (Umbria) (B,D)
The morning is spent in the nearby city of Assisi. Badly damaged by earthquakes in 1997 the city, dominated by two medieval castles, undertook a remarkable programme of restoration. On arrival in Assisi you are joined by a lay Franciscan Monk for a guided tour of the Basilica of St Francis. Later there is time for you to explore at your own pace. Returning to Spoleto, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 14: Maiori (Amalfi Coast) (B,D)
Drive south past Vesuvius to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii, where a local guide takes us through the city that was buried under volcanic ash in AD 79. From here it’s a short drive to the Amalfi coast and the port town of Maiori, where you stay for the next three nights.
Day 15: Maiori (Amalfi Coast) (B,D)
You enjoy a ferry across to Marina Grande, on the island of Capri. On arrival you catch a local shuttle bus up to the top of the island to explore the village of Anacapri. You also spend time at leisure amongst the boutiques and galleries in the main town, Capri. Later, there is an afternoon boat cruise around the island.
Day 16: Maiori (Amalfi Coast) (B,D)
You catch a ferry from Maiori along the dramatic coastline to Amalfi. Later, continue by ferry to perhaps the most scenic of towns, Positano. The town clings, in tiers to the rock face down the steep, rugged hillside to the old port, which is only directly accessible by boat. You return by ferry to Maiori, where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Prior to dinner, we have arranged a tasting of one of the region’s famous liquors – Limoncello.
Day 17: Rome (B, D)
On arrival in Rome you have a guided panoramic tour around the famous landmarks of this city, including the magnificent fountains by Bernini, the palaces and open squares to Piazza Venezia and the massive Colosseum (entrance not included). After checking into our central Rome hotel, your final dinner is in a local restaurant.
Day 18: Rome (B)
This tour concludes after breakfast.
Included:
- 17 nights accommodation
- Buffet breakfast daily plus 14 dinners
- Welcome drink in Stresa
- Personal audio system whilst on tour
- Porterage (1 bag per person)
- Sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions
- Services of a tour manager
- First class air-conditioned touring coach
- Local guides
- Cinque Terre excursion, private boat for tour of Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, private boat for Lake Como cruise to Bellagio, private water transfers in Venice, cog railway ride to Zermatt, return ferry to Capri, Capri island cruise, private boat for Amalfi Coast cruise to Positano and Amalfi, food, wine and olive oil tasting at ‘I Cipressini’ farmhouse in Tuscany, Limoncello tasting in Maiori
- End of tour tips to tour manager, driver and local guides
