11 Days : Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence – Bologna – Padua – Venice – Tuscany Wine Region (Montepulciano) – Rome – Naples – Pompeii – Sorrento – Capri – Rome

Tour overview:

When you think of the highlights of Italy, you think of Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and the Amalfi coast. SITA will take you there on this 11-day tour! Besides these larger cities, there will also be stops in some of the most charming historic towns such as Assisi, Siena, Padua, and the Isle of Capri. Exclusive “skip the line” access included for guided tours to the most visited landmarks such as St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the ruins of Pompeii. This Italian Highlights tour will leave you with a lifetime of memories.

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Day 1 - Arrive Rome

Benvenuti a Roma! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel. Hop on hop off daily ticket at disposal.

Visit Rome by riding one of the Open-top Hop on Hop off Gray Line buses (I Love Rome City Tour) and spot your favourite city landmarks from a different point of view! Our open-top panoramic buses allow you to enjoy a spectacular view of the most iconic monuments of the Eternal City. All you have to do is jump on board and relax, listen to the audio commentary and get on and off at any of the eight stops available along the route. The bus ticket in¬cluded in the deal will be valid for a day. The bus will make eight stops and will provide you with an on-board audio commentary in 12 languages. Enjoy the rest of the night on your own. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.

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Day 2 - Rome – Assisi – Siena – Florence

Departing at 7:15 am from your hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board on the bus to reach Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest. (BD)

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Day 3 - Florence

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance", where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery. Dinner at leisure, overnight stay in Florence. (BL)

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Day 4 - Florence – Bologna – Venice

After a delightful breakfast in Florence, we depart for the elegant city of Bologna. Upon arrival, the charming city center, adorned with its iconic porticos, awaits your free-time exploration. Begin your walking tour at Piazza Malpighi, leading to the heart of the city at Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. Here, you can marvel at the historic Palazzo Podestà as well as the Basilica of San Petronio, the largest Gothic church in the world built with bricks. We will then show you why Bologna is often hailed as Italy's gastronomic capital as you delve into its vibrant street food scene, which is as rich and diverse as its culinary heritage. Meandering through the city's medieval streets, you will encounter a delightful array of food stalls and markets, each offering a mouthwatering selection of both traditional and contemporary treats. As you explore the charming alleys and bustling piazzas, you will immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that goes beyond just a meal. With a street food light lunch experience at a local eatery offered by us, this is your chance to savor the authentic flavors and unique dishes that define Bologna's renowned gastronomic identity. Later in the afternoon, we continue our journey to Venice (Mestre). Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a restful overnight stay. (BL)

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Day 5 - Venice

After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco, and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, a symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs After the walking tour, allow us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco, as a delightful conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, in the company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the famous "cicchetti," a Venetian variation of tapas (light lunch). Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight . (BL)

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Day 6 - Venice - Tuscany Wine Region (Montepulciano) - Rome

After breakfast, departure heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also offers stunning panoramic views and a rich cultural heritage.. Lunch in a typical restaurant included!!! After lunch, quick stop to spend some free time. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel.. (BL)

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Day 7 - Rome..

Between 7:45 - 8:00 am, after breakfast, depart from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. After this incredible masterpiece, the tour ends in St. Peter’s Basilica where you can admire the incredible masterpiece St. Peter’s Basilica: the biggest church in the world! The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your own leisure or get any one of our selected tours for the afternoon or at night! Overnight stay. (B)

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Day 8 - Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento

After breakfast, pick up at your hotel at 7:00 am approximately. Departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour. Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, traveling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You'll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel. (BLD)

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Day 9 - Sorrento – Capri – Sorrento

After breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Afterwards, free time for lunch (lunch not included) and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return for dinner and your last overnight in Sorrento. (BD)

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Day 10 - Sorrento – Rome

Breakfast at your hotel. Time at your leisure going for shopping or tasting some nice Limoncello. As an option, you may go for a short excursion to the Amalfi coast (not included). In the afternoon, at around 4:00 pm, departure back to Rome. Check-in at your hotel and overnight stay. (B)

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Day 11 - Depart Rome

Breakfast at the hotel. End of our services.(B)

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