Day 1: DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2: ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Then there is time to relax and begin to enjoy La Dolce Vita (the sweet life). Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.(Welcome Reception)

Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING
With your local guide, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Next door, tour St Peter’s Basilica, seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta. Cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. There is time in the afternoon to relax or explore.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: ROME - POMPEII - SORRENTO
Visit the formidable mountain top Abbey of Monte Cassino, rebuilt after the epic battle of 1944. Stop at the Commonwealth War Cemetery before continuing to ill-fated Pompeii for a guided tour through the cobbled streets. A scenic cliff-top drive leads you to Sorrento. Tonight, choose from a selection of local restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 5: AMALFI COASTAL DRIVE
Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano before boarding minibuses to explore the heart of the town. There’s time to be tempted by the boutiques before returning to your hotel. Why not work up an appetite by joining the traditional ritual of passeggiata, a pre-dinner promenade, to ‘see and be seen’.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6: ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri Town by open top taxi. Browse in the elegant shops and enjoy the sea views before returning to Sorrento.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7: SORRENTO - ORVIETO
Travel north to the celebrated wine town of Frascati and then see the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Continue to Orvieto, which looks down from its cliff-edged balcony over a vineyard covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation tour and admire the richly decorated façade of the Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8: ORVIETO - ASSISI - PERUGIA
Cross the River Tiber to arrive at St Mary of the Angels Basilica, erected where St Francis died. Continue on to hill-top Assisi to visit the huge Basilica. Stroll down the Via San Francesco to St Clare’s church, then see the Cathedral with its baptismal font where St Francis was christened. Move on to beautiful Perugia, the jewel of Umbria.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 9: PERUGIA SIGHTSEEING
Your sightseeing begins on foot in the main street of Perugia’s Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors’ Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain. Later there is time at leisure in this beautiful, historic town.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10: PERUGIA - SIENA - FLORENCE
Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of Siena with a local guide to the vast Campo Square. See Della Quercia’s ‘Fonte Gaia’, then continue to the zebra striped cathedral. Follow the Tuscan country roads to San Gimignano to admire the Salucci Towers, Chigi Towers and Cathedral. A delightful drive through cypresses and olive groves brings you to the Renaissance city of Florence.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, admire the original statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Continue to see the marble clad Cathedral, bell tower and see the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Walk on to Signoria Square, an open air gallery of sculpture and fountains. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, to see Michelangelo’s tomb and finish with a Florentine leather-work demonstration.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12: FLORENCE - BOLOGNA - VENICE
Through the Appenine mountains to stop in Bologna - gastronomic capital of Italy. Here your guided tour includes Giambologna’s Neptune Fountain in Piazza Nettuno and the Old Town. Savour some of the local specialties and a glass of wine during your superb highlight lunch in one of the fine trattorias. Continue across the fertile plains to Venice. Of the two featured hotels, one stands on the banks of the Grand Canal, a mere stroll from St Mark’s Square, while the other enjoys one of the most famous views in the world, across the water from the Doges’ Palace.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 13: VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Only minutes away by private launch is St Mark’s Square. See Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doges’ Palace to the Prisons, before admiring the Byzantine Basilica and belltower. A glass-blowing demonstration is followed by a gondola serenade. Enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the canals. The rest of the day is at leisure in this remarkable city.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 14: VENICE - CLASSE - CHIANCIANO TERME
Stop on the outskirts of Ravenna this morning to visit the church of St Apollinaris in Classe which houses some of the finest mosaics in Europe. Continue into the Apennines to the spa town of Chianciano Terme.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 15: MONTEPULCIANO EXCURSION
Embark on an excursion to beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns, its fortifications offering broad views over Umbria and Southern Tuscany. Explore the streets brimming with Reniassance palazzi before returning to your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 16: CHIANCIANO TERME - TIVOLI - ROME
Climb up to the pleasant hilltop town of Tivoli where you visit the amazing 16th century water gardens of the Villa d’Este - an oasis of cool tranquillity amid the bustle of modern life! Continue past the sulphurous medicinal springs at Bagni di Tivoli to return to the ‘eternal city’ of Rome. This evening enjoy a last night Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 17: RETURN TO USA
Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.(Buffet Breakfast)