Experience 8 days some of Italy's most fascinating cities on this comprehensive tour. From the capital of Italian fashion to the "Eternal City" passing through the city of renaissance, Florence and the city built on the water, Venice! This tour is a perfect combination of guiding, educational and free time for exploration. Italy Europe Tours takes all the stress from traveling and allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation!
Tour Highlights
Milano - Is the country's economic engine room, home to Italy's stock market and business centres. This stylish city is also the world's design capital and rivals Paris as a leading fashion centre.
Como - Como appears to be a world away from bustling modern Milan. It is an ancient, but lively town of about 85,000 that is the gateway to Lake Como for many. Lake Como is a jewel-like oasis of tranquility, a magical combination nearby lush Mediterranean foliage and snowy alpine peaks in the distance.
Venice - Venice is a dream shimmering on the waters, a city of painted palaces and serene churches. This unique urban masterpiece has canals instead of streets, boats instead of buses, and ornate bridges instead of subways. The immense wealth of the city was celebrated in art and architecture throughout the city. Over the last centuries, Venice (Venezia) switched its livelihood to a new trade: tourism.
Florence - The incredible art and architecture of Florence offers a true cultural experience in a country renowned for its beauty and diversity. Home at times to Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Dante, the Romans who prophetically dubbed this city Florentia for "may she flourish" in 59 B.C., would have been astounded.
Rome - Rome (Roma), the eternal city, is't literally eternal-it has endured for over 2,700 years, with an ambiance like no other. Embedded in centuries of history and culture, it is Ital's capital and largest city, offering far too much to see in one visit. In this city a phenomenal concentration of history, legend, and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life.
Cultural and historic sites, city exploration, museums, castles, cathedrals, ruins. Italy Europe Tours arranges on request according to the groups's needs and specifications Sport or Music Performances, religious meetings and masses. Explore the rich and diverse history and culture of Venice, the "Eternal City" and Florence.
Milan Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre and the shopper's paradise - Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle.
Como Isola Comacina, Sala Comacina, ,Cernobbio, Gravedona, Bellagio, Villa d'Este.
Venice San Marco's Square, San Marco's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the bridge of Sighs and the oldest glass factory in Venice.
Florence The Accademia Gallery, Michelangelo's most famous work: the statue of David, Prigioni and San Matteo. The Cathedral of Santa Maria degli Angeli , the Duomo with the baptistery and Giotto's tower. Dante's House, visit of Signoria Square with the old palace, Santa Croce Square with the famous Santa Croce Church and old leather factory.
Rome Coliseum, the Arch of Constantine, and Trajan's Column, P.zza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Via Appia, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto, and the Chapel of Domine.
Day 1 - Departure from Home/Arrival in Milan Private coach transfer to Venice with a stop en route to visit Verona, Romeo and Juliet's house. Private boat transfer to your hotel. Check-in and time at leisure to explore the city.
Day 2 - Milan Walk the streets of Milan with your English speaking guide and discover many of the monuments and museums Milan has to see: the Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre and the shopper's paradise - Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle. This is a great way for new arrivals into Milan to get orientated with the city and begin exploring it's rich history and heritage.
Day 3 - Como Private coach transfer to Como. Arrival at the hotel, check-in and stroll along the shopping streets and will have free time.
Day 4 - Como Today you will take a private panoramic boat cruise on the lake. The entire lake is surrounded by mountains. The only island on the Lake is Isola Comacina facing the village of Sala Comacina, on the Como branch. Along the shores, in particular from Cernobbio to Gravedona and Bellagio, you will see wonderful villas and gardens with plenty of flowers as well as exotic and rare plants. For instance, Villa d'Este at Cernobbio, which is today a luxurious hotel, has a magnificent garden.
Day 5 - Venice Head south today through green, hilly Umbrian countryside to Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see the Saint's tomb, and the cell where he spent his final years in contemplation and solitude. Check-in and stroll along the shopping streets and will have free time.
Day 6 - Venice With our local guide the group will discover not only the major attractions, such as San Marco's Square, San Marco's Basilica, and the Doge's Palace, but we'll also get off the beaten path, or even off the path all together and into the water on a romantic gondola ride (link). A private glass bowing demonstration will be followed after the tour on Venice island.
Day 7 - Padua/Florence Private boat and coach transfer to Florence. Head back inland for a stop in the elegant city of Padua. Admire the Byzantine intricacies of St. Anthony's Basilica, and marvel at the Giotto frescoes in the great Scrovegni Chapel. Continue south, up and over the Apennine Mountains, to the Renaissance city of Firenze. Check-in and stroll along the shopping streets and will have free time.
Day 8 - Florence Meet your Local guide at the hotel for a morning sightseeing tour with our local guide to Immerse in the fascinating world of Michelangelo. The Accademia Gallery in Florence attracts visitors from all over the world to gaze upon masterpieces by famous artists, especially Michelangelo's most famous work - the statue of David. Other important works of art by Michelangelo include Prigioni and San Matteo. Afterwards the tour will continue to Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria degli Angeli , the Duomo with the baptistery and Giotto's tower. Continuation through the medieval district of Florence to see the Dante's House, visit of Signoria Square with the old palace. The tour will end in Santa Croce Square with the famous Santa Croce Church, Mausoleum of Florence.
Private leather work demonstration by an historical leather shop.
Day 9 - Rome Today depart Florence stopping en route During in Siena where you could enjoy a fascinating tour of this city. Enjoy an informative and entertaining walking tour of Siena. The Gothic city par excellence. Wandering through the back-streets of Siena you'll soon be captivated by its history and culture, which is still part of everyday life in the city. Visit the imposing Cathedral of Siena and its important library and Piazza del Campo .
Day 10 - Rome Coach and Sightseeing tour of Piazza Venezia you can admire the impressive monument dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II and the unknown soldier. Continue on foot to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Your coach will then continue to view the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius. Your guide will take you inside the Basilicia which was built over the burial place of the Apostle of the Gentiles and is one of five churches considered to be one of the great ancient basilicas of Rome. Your last stop on the tour is the Colosseum where you can conclude the tour, or return to your hotel. This tour does not go inside the Colosseum, however your guide has plenty of artistic and historical information about it to share with you.
Day 11 - Rome Coach and Sightseeing tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Explore the world's smallest country, its largest church and an impressive collection of fine art. The Vatican is one of the most interesting and breathtakingly beautiful sites in the world. In 1508, Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II della Rovere to repaint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This is where you can see on of his most well known frescoes, the Last Judgement. This fresco covers the entire end wall of the chapel, and is one of the highlights for visitors to the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums can be overwhelming to the first time visitor so allow your experienced guide show you some of the major attractions, as well as some of the lesser known spots, and share with you the history, architecture, and politics of the Vatican. However, the Vatican is not just gold, pomp and stateliness! It has a history full of dark tales of deceit and even lust! A world of discovery awaits you.
Day 12 - Departure/Bye Bye Italy Private coach Transfer to Airport.
Milan: Guided tour to include Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Royal Palace, La Scala Theatre and the shopper's paradise - Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle.
Como: Guided tour to include Villa Balbianello, Piazza Cavour, Volta Temple, Duomo di Como, Silk Museum, Villa Carlotta, La Punta Spartivento, Villa Melzi, Villa Serbelloni, Baradello Castle, History Museum, Isola Comacina, Sala Comacina, ,Cernobbio, Gravedona, Bellagio and Villa d'Este.
Venice: Guided tour to include the Doge's Palace (AD), St. Mark's Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Square.
Florence: Guided tour to include the Accademia (AD), Cathedral, Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica, Piazza Santa Croce and private leather work demonstration by an historical leather shop.
Rome: City tour to include the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Roman Forum and Colosseum (AD), Vatican Museums (AD), St. Peter's Basilica AD= Admissions
Breakfast (8) at hotel each morning Meals based on 3 courses, drinks not included.
Milan: Link Excursions & Extra Services
Florence: Link Excursions & Extra Services
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