Italy and its jewels

DAY 2

Breakfast is served at the hotel.

Start the morning with a visit of Ancient Rome: You shall discover the Roman Forum (which was at the very heart of public and religious life of antique Rome). The site has  beautiful vestiges of the most prestigious monuments of the time. Then, observe the Palatine (one of the seven hills of Rome on which you can discover, in the heart of a beautiful garden, the ruins of the ancient palaces of the Roman emperors), the Circus Maximus (Roman circus and huge enclosure that could accommodate up to 300 000 spectators, this racecourse had a large sand track where the Romans organized chariot races and games every day).

A packed lunch is provided for your midday meal.

The afternoon begins with a guided tour of the Colosseum: This world famous Roman monument is the biggest ever built in the Roman era, allowed daily gladiatorial and animal fighting games. It’s beauty has earned it a place on the prestigious list of The New Wonders of the World. Leaving the Colosseum, you will climb to the Capitol,  the heart of religious  culture of the Roman Empire that later became the seat of the government of the city, by the  Cordonata, a staircase designed by the artist Michelangelo. You will discover Capitol Square and the panaromique view it offers of the Forum and the Palatine.

Followed by a visit of the Capitol’s museums, both art and archeology museums housing marble or bronze statues, paintings, mosaics and inscriptions. These museums are the oldest museums in the world.

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in the suburbs of Rome (50 to 70 km from Rome).

DAY 3

Breakfast served in the hotel.

In the morning, you will visit the Vatican City: its museums (Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s rooms …) present exceptional collection that has been built over the centuries by the Popes, and generous patrons or collectors of art and antiquity objects ; St. Peter’s Square, a large esplanade of Baroque architecture located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, It is here that the crowd stands during the great religious events celebrated by the pope; and St. Peter’s Basilica, the most important buildings of Catholicism and the Pope’s Church,in which he celebrates the most important liturgies.

A packed lunch is provided for your midday meal.

In the afternoon, walk through the Piazza Navona, the Baroque and Renaissance district of  Rome: Located on the site of the Domitian stadium built in the year 86, is the largest square in Rome with its 3 fountains including the famous Fountains of the Four Rivers; Followed by the Pantheon, a veritable architectural feat, covered by the largest reinforced concrete dome over 43m in diameter, the Trevi Fountain is undoubtedly the most beautiful and spectacular fountain of Rome; the Spanish Steps where the fountain of Barcaccia is located, the monumental Scalinata staircase leading to the Trinité des Monts church where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Rome …

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in Chuisi.

DAY 4

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Journey to Florence, the capital of Tuscany, and one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The city is  the source of over one quarter of Italian artistic heritage.

Start with an amusing Pizza class where you shall learn how to prepare traditional Italian pizzas. The class is followed with  some pizza tasting .

Lunch is taken in the pizza class.

Discovery of Piazza del Duomo, the religious and spiritual center of Florence, a World Heritage Site with its trilogy of historical monuments in green, red and white marble: Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and its dome that dominates the city skyline. This cathedral is one of the largest churches of Catholic religion;

Then on to the Baptistery of Saint John with its magnificent bronze doors, adorned with beautifully carved  panels,  Giotto’s Campanile is the slender bell tower of the Cathedral and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Italy thanks to its harmonious colour and proportions. It has 414 steps that lead to the top of the tower from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city; Also visit the Crypt which contains the remains of two earlier churches, one dating from the 5th century and the other from the 10th century.

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in Montecatini Terme.

DAY 5

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Visit the Piazza della Signoria which was the olden heart of the city and the most beautiful square of Florence. Walk on the famous Ponte Vecchio, symbol of the city, located on the river Arno. This bridge that is now a pedestrian street is the oldest and most famous shopping arcade in Florence.

Then, visit of the Uffizi Gallery, that centralises hundreds of masterpieces including a great collection of Renaissance paintings, including works of Botticelli and De Vinci. Its 50 rooms house paintings ranging from the 13th century to the 18th century.

A packed lunch is provided for your midday meal.

Free visit of the Pitti Palace, a huge Renaissance palace which was for a long time the residence of the political noblemen of Florence. Today, the palace houses several collections of sculptures, paintings, costumes and porcelain, and is part of a monumental complex that includes various museums including the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments.

Then, journey to Venice, the city of the Doges, one of the most incredible cities of Italy with its international events such as the carnival of Venice, and its innumerable museums.

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in Lido di Jesolo.

DAY 6

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Discovery of the heart of the City of Venise: Saint Mark’s Square which was the political, administrative and religious center of the city, that was used to organise parties and receptions. It is one of modern times most beautiful squares in the world; St. Mark’s Basilica is the cathedral of the city and the most important religious building in Venice; climb to the top of the Campanile which rises to almost 100 meters above St Marks Square enabling you to discover the roofs of Venice, the canals and the surrounding lagoon. Admire the Bridge of Sighs, one of the most famous and unique covered bridge in Venice that connected the Doges’ palace to the prisons. It owes its name to the prisoners sighs who saw Venice for the last time before being executed or put into one of the underground jails.

A packed lunch is provided for your midday meal.

Walking trip from the station to the Cannaregio, a popular and lively district of Venice that has churches, squares and the Ghetto, the cradle of the Jewish community of the city; Admire the Rialto Bridge, which spans the Grand Canal and connects the districts of San Marco and San Polo; and through the “Mercerie” of Venice which designate the oldest shopping street of the city, it owes its name to the shops that make it up and to their many and varied goods.

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in Lido di Jesolo.

DAY 7

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Visit the Doge’s Palace, the most famous Royal palace of Venice. It used to be the political heart of the city and also housed the courthouse. Residence of the Doges, you will be able to see the very impressive hall of the Grand Council as well as magnificent paintings of Titian and Veronese, and many other artists..

Then, walk to the La Fenice Theater (the main opera house of Venice), the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, known for the remarkable Bovolo spiral staircase,  and Campo San Stefano, one of the largest and most animated squares of Venice, bordered by beautiful palaces and the church of Santo Stefano …

Midday meal is provided in the form of a packed lunch

Visit of a mask making workshop (symbol of Venice). Then, walk in the shopping streets of Venice.

Evening meal and overnight accommodation in a three star (local standards) hotel in Lido di Jesolo.

DAY 8

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Discovery the district of Dorsoduro, the only district of Venice to be built on the mainland. It is a bohemian district that borders the Grand Canaly. Then, visit of the Academy Galleries, an old school of art and restoration of artistic works, it is an important museum centralising various collections of Venetian painters like Bellini, Veronese …

Walk to the Customs of sea which is at the very end of the city that forms the district of Dorsoduro, and the basilica Santa Maria della Salute which is one of the most majestic churches of the city thanks to its unique architecture, its indoor and outdoor decoration and the many paintings it contains.

Midday meal is provided in the form of a packed lunch

According to flight schedules, free time for shopping and transfer to Venice airport.

Depending on your flight schedule, an optional breakfast, lunch or dinner can be organized (quotation upon demand).