How grand can you get? Discover Rome, Renaissance Florence, glorious Venice, relax by the Italian lakes, the unique "Cinque Terre" and the spectacular Amalfi Coast. 

Rome - Padova - Venice - Milan - Stresa - Lake Como - Santa Margherita - Portofino - Portovenere - Cinque Terre - Pisa - Florence - Siena - San Gimignano - Pompeii - Positano - Amalfi Coast - Capri - Montecassino

Your Day by Day Itinerary DISCOVER ROME - 3 NIGHTS Hotel Delle Nazioni Day 1 Tue – Arrive Rome On arrival at a Rome airport or Railway Station, you’re met and transferred to our hotel. This evening’s stroll will take in the Trevi Fountain the extraordinary Pantheon and the Piazza Navona before an enjoyable welcome dinner in one of our favourite local restaurants. (D) Day 2 Wed – Rome Sightseeing In Rome we comfortably sightsee ‘door-to-door’ in our private airconditioned mini-coaches We meet our knowledgeable local guide and with our reserved tickets gain entry to view the magnificent works of art in the sumptuous palazzo which is the Borghese Gallery. Next it’s the heart of ancient Rome when we visit the Circus Maximus, Roman Forums and Colosseum along with an in-depth exploration of the multi-levelled San Clemente Church. (B) Day 3 Thu – Rome Sightseeing Today we’ll be guided through the Vatican Museums, the stunning Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. (B)   GLORIOUS VENICE - 2 NIGHTS Hotel Royal San Marco Day 4 Fri – Rome – Padova – Venice This afternoon in Padova we have exclusive reserved admission to the Scrovegni Chapel, home to the renowned Giotto frescoes. Only a small group of people is permitted in the chapel at any one time to preserve these masterpieces of the 14th century. We continue to our hotel in Venice and later we’ll glide through the canals on our enchanting Venetian Gondola Serenade. (B) Day 5 Sat – Venice Sightseeing – Lagoon Excursion Today with our local guide we’ll admire the opulence inside the Palace of the Doges and view the mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica along with the brilliance of its Golden Altar. Later we go on a cruise of the vast Venetian lagoon to the fishermen’s island of Burano and enjoy a delicious meal of local specialities. (BD) RELAX BY THE ITALIAN LAKES - 3 NIGHTS Hotel La Palma Day 6 Sun – Venice – Milan – Stresa In Milan we walk through the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and admire the Duomo before viewing Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Last Supper We then head towards Stresa, our lakeside resort on stunning Lake Maggiore in the beautiful Italian Lakes District. (BD)

Eurovista Exclusive Features Visit the extraordinary villages of Cinque Terre, nestled amongst the terraced vineyards of coastal Liguria. Lunch with our Italian friends during our 3-night stay on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Visit the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova to marvel at the Giotto frescoes. Confirmed reservations to view the matchless collections of art displayed in the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia, in Florence. Visit both the Montecassino Abbey and the Commonwealth Cemetery in Cassino. View Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" in Milan. Visit delightful Portofino. Features and Inclusions Small groups - each group has a maximum of 18 guests A hand-crafted itinerary with sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions Private arrival and departure transfers Fully escorted by a professional EuroVista Tour Director Expert commentary by local guides during tours & visits while in Rome, Padova, Venice, Cenacolo (Last Supper), Borromean Islands, Pisa, Florence, Pompeii and Capri 17 Buffet breakfasts (B) 1 Highlight lunch (L) 5 Evening meals including a welcome dinner in Rome a highlight dinner on the island of Burano, Florentine dinner in the hills of Tuscany, and a dinner in our favourite restaurants in each of Stresa & Portovenere (D) Air-conditioned motor vehicles throughout and the use of private air-conditioned mini coaches while sightseeing in Rome to avoid having to walk in the heat A ‘No Tipping’ policy which takes care of hotel portage, hotel and restaurant service charges and taxes plus gratuities, including gratuities for local guides and the end of tour gratuities traditionally given to the Tour Director and Driver Accommodation in high-quality establishments especially selected for their character, comfort and location Highlight Visits to Unesco World Heritage Sites Historic centres of Rome, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena and Pisa Vatican City Venice and its Lagoon Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria della Grazie with Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" Villages of Cinque Terre and Portovenere Amalfi Coast Ancient Pompeii.

Day 7 Mon – Stresa – Borromean Islands Excursion

Our cruise takes us first to Isola Bella and a guided tour of Count Vitaliano Borromeo’s baroque Palace and Gardens. Then it’s on to Isola Madre to visit the residential home of the Borromean family before returning to Stresa for a relaxing afternoon. (B)

Day 8 Tue – Stresa – Lake Como Excursion

The beauty of the Italian Lakes District has captivated an untold number of hearts. This morning we drive to the dazzling Lake Como where we take a leisurely boat trip to visit the towns of Como and Bellagio, where we’ll have time for lunch before our unhurried drive back to Stresa. (B)

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THE UNIQUE ‘CINQUE TERRE’- 2 NIGHTS

Grand Hotel Portovenere

Day 9 Wed – Stresa – Santa Margherita – Portofino – Portovenere

Today we cross into the coastal area of Liguria and stop in the holiday resort of Santa Margherita. From here we take a short boat ride to the picturesque and ever popular seaside village of Portofino. Time to rub shoulders with the jet-set! Later we check into our hotel in the medieval town of Portovenere. (BD)

Day 10 Thu – Cinque Terre Excursion
Cinque Terre is a collection of five picture book fishing villages perched on the rugged coast of the Riviera di Levante. Today we’ll spend the whole day in this dramatic region. We’ll mingle with the locals before returning to Portovenere in time for you to dine in one of the many restaurants or trattoria found close to our hotel. (B)

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RENAISSANCE FLORENCE- 3 NIGHTS

Hotel Pierre

Day 11 Fri – Portovenere – Pisa – Florence

After a short drive we arrive in Pisa where, with our guide and our reserved admission, we climb the Leaning Tower and visit the Duomo and Baptistery. Then to the centre of Renaissance Florence. Tonight we enjoy a wonderful Florentine dinner. (BD)

Day 12 Sat – Florence Sightseeing

Today, with our historian guide and reserved entrance, we visit two of Italy’s greatest art galleries, the Uffizi and the Galleria dell’ Accademia. The Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery with its exquisite Gate of Paradise and the Ponte Vecchio are also on our agenda. This afternoon why not browse among
Florence’s markets and fashionable boutiques? (B)

Day 13 Sun – Florence – Tuscan Excursion

First we discover Siena’s shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo and then admire its unique Cathedral. Next we drive to the almost unchanged medieval town of San Gimignano to stroll through the Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo. On route back to Florence we’ll visit a Chianti vineyard to taste some of the region’s renowned produce.(B)

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SPECTACULAR AMALFI COAST - 3 NIGHTS

Hotel Savoia

Day 14 Mon – Florence – Pompeii – Positano

The ‘Motorway of the Sun’ leads us today around the Bay of Naples. We stop at ancient Pompeii where our guide will show us the ruins of what was once a thriving city. Then we’ll enjoy stunning views as we drive along the Sorrento Peninsula and the fabled Amalfi Coast to the seaside jewel that is Positano. (B)

 

Day 15 Tue – Positano – Isle of Capri

Today we join our guide and cruise to the Isle of Capri. From Marina Grande we ride the Funicular Railway up to Capri Town, stroll past the stylish boutiques and admire spectacular views of Marina Piccolo. If weather permits we’ll enter the enchanting Blue Grotto before cruising back to Positano. (B)

Day 16 Wed – Positano – Amalfi Drive

Photo opportunities abound as we drive the enchanting Amalfi Coast. Our first stop is to stroll in Amalfi town with its lovely 10th century Duomo, followed by a visit to the Gardens of Villa Rufolo. Then, it’s a special occasion today because we lunch with some of our Italian friends - a unique opportunity to experience real local hospitality! (BL)

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THE ROAD TO ROME - 1 NIGHT

Hotel Delle Nazioni

Day 17 Thu – Positano – Cassino – Rome

This morning we make our way to the town of Cassino where a narrow winding road takes us up to visit the stunningly situated Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino. Later we stop in the plains below to pay our respects to the fallen in the Commonwealth Cemetery. This afternoon we head back to Rome where there’s time at leisure before we meet for a farewell drink and bid arrividerci to our travelling companions. Salute! (B)

Day 18 Fri – Rome

Our tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to a Rome airport or Rome Railway Station. Guests who remain in
Rome and stay at the EuroVista hotel will receive their complimentary transfer on the day of departure. (B)

 

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ROOM UPGRADES We always reserve Classic or Superior rooms for our guests. However higher grade rooms and suites are available on request at most hotels. Please ask us for details at the time of booking. EARLY PAYMENT REWARD SAVE $400 PER COUPLE Book this tour early and PAY FOR IT IN FULL by FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2012 and we’ll reward you with a $200 saving per person. EXTRA ACCOMMODATION Prices Per Person Per Night in NZ$ Hotel Delle Nazioni - Rome Twin $310 Single $465

ADD A MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE It’s easy to combine this tour with a wonderful 7-night Mediterranean cruise and there are 2 exciting  itineraries to choose from: 1. From Venice on MSC Musica to Bari, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus (Athens), Corfu, Dubrovnik and back to Venice. 2. From Genoa on the MSC Fantasia to Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma, Barcelona, Marseille and back to  Genoa. Please ask us about cruise options

18 days with so much included.  Exclusive inclusions, 17 buffet breakfasts, lunch on the Amalfi Coast and 5 evening meals.  So many highlights on this stunning tour and what value at NZ$10,280pp (Single Supplement NZ$2590pp)