PRIVATE TOURS IN ITALY 2016

Transcription

1 PRIVATE TOURS IN ITALY 2016 PRIVATE TOURS IN ITALY 2016

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3 Index region/area Truffles, Wine and Cheese Milan-Verbania-Pallanza-Arona-Stresa-Borromean Island -Ghemme-Benevello-Alba-Barolo-Milan Autumn in Italy Milan-Como-Venice-Milan Bella Italia Milan-Como- Verona-Venice-Florence-Pisa-Florence-Rome Marvellous Italy Venice-Florence-Pisa-lorence-Naples-Capri-Naples-Rome Discover Marche Region Bologna-Pesaro-Fiorenzuola-Gradara-Pesaro-Urbino-Pesaro-Ancona-Conero-Ancona-Frasassi-Fabriano-Ancona-Loreto-Recanati-Macerata-Ascoli Piceno-Roma Culinary Tuscany & Rome Florence-Vicchio del Mgello-Montepulciano-Pienza-Montalcino-Chianti area - Rome Italy by train Rome-Florence-Siena-San Gimignano-Montiriggioni-Chianti-Florence-Venice Eat Travel & Love Rome-Naples-Capri-Naples-Florence Italy self drive Rome-Perugia-Florence-Venice Breathtaking Campania Naples-Sorrento-Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento-Naples Amalfi Coast Naples-Sorrento-Pompeii-Naples-Amalfi -Ravello-Sorrento-Salerno-Paestum-Sorrento-Naples Classic Tour of Apulia and Matera Bari-Lecce-Otranto-Gallipoli-Itria Valley-Ostuni-Alberobello-Altamura-Castellana Grotte-Matera-Trani-Castel del Monte- Manfredonia-Monte Sant Angelo-San Giovanni Rotondo Sicily Fly & Drive Catania-Etna-Taormina-Palermo-Erice-Marsala_Selinunte-Agrigento-Ragusa-Noto-Syracuse-Catania Sardinia Fly & Drive Olbia-La Maddalena-Caprera-Bargagia Region-Orgosolo-Cagliari-Nora-Chia Bay-Barumini-Bosa-Alghero-Castelsardo-Aggius-Olbia GENERAL CONDITIONS page rome, trevi fountain

4 Aosta VALLE D AOSTA Cuneo Turin major lake Oropa PIEDMONT Sanremo TRENTINO FRIULI ALTO ADIGE VENEZIA iseo lake GIULIA Trento Como Lovere VENETO Bergamo Iseo garda lake Sirrone Treviso Trieste Milan Vicenza Venice Verona LOMBARDIA Padua Pavia LIGURIA Genoa Chiavari La Spezia Parma Ferrara Modena EMILIA Bologna ROMAGNA Lucca Pisa Elba Bolzano Siena Florence TUSCANY Sansepolcro Arezzo Ravenna Rimini MARCHE Gubbio Torgiano Assisi UMBRIA Orvieto Cascia Spoleto Urbino Pesaro Ancona Loreto adriatic sea Ascoli Piceno Oristano Santa Teresa di Gallura Sassari Alghero Orgosolo SARDINIA Olbia Nuoro tyrrhenian sea Bolsena Lake ROME LAZIO Tivoli L Aquila ABRUZZO Pozzuoli Ischia Capri Lanciano MOLISE Campobasso CAMPANIA Naples Pompeii Salerno Sorrento Amalfi San Giovanni Rotondo Paestum APULIA BASILICATA Potenza Vieste Monte Sant Angelo Foggia Trani Matera Altamura Bari Alberobello Taranto ionian sea Brindisi Lecce Otranto Santa Maria di Leuca Cagliari CALABRIA Cosenza Crotone Marsala Palermo Monreale Agrigento SICILY Cefalù Piazza Armerina Messina Taormina Catania Reggio Calabria Syracuse Gozo Malta

5 T ff s, W e & Cהсe piedmont, lake maggiore, isola bella 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS - Truffles, Wine and Cheese 1 DAY: MILAN LAKE MAGGIORE After your arrival at Milan airport, pick up your car at the rental and drive to Pallanza, a nice locality on Lake Maggiore. Accommodation at Grand Hotel Majestc and dinner in hotel. Overnight. 2 DAY: PALLANZA ARONA STRESA BORROMEAN ISLAND - PALLANZA After breakfast drive to Arona for an artisan cheese lesson: you ll learn how to couple italian cheese with salumi, mustards, breads and wines followed by a cooking class and a good lunch. After that, drive to Stresa for an excursion by private boat to discover the three Borromean Island. Embarkation in Stresa and departure towards Isola Bella. Visit of the 17th century Baroque Palace and the scenic gardens. Next stop to Isola Madre. Its gardens are full of rare plants and exotic flowers, helping to create the charm of a tropical land. Finally Pescatori island (Fishermen s Island), the only steadily inhabitated where you will enjoy a dinner at a picturesque restaurant. Return and overnight at Grand Hotel Majestic. 3 DAY: PALLANZA GHEMME WINE CITY BENEVELLO After breakfast drive to Ghemme, the city of wine, honey and special breads where you could visit wine cellars to taste the typical products of the medival town. Enjoy a guided wine tasting with salumi and cheese and honey with the sweet bread. Drive to Benevello for a welcome dinner and overnight at Hotel Villa D Amelia. 4 DAY: PIEDMONT LANGHE, WINE AND TRUFFLES LAND After breakfast drive to an importat restaurant in the Langhe to take a cooking lesson with an expert chef to discover the traditional regional dishes. You ll follow all the steps that transform natural products into culinary masterpieces. After the course, comfortably seated at the table, you will taste the dishes prepared; also in this second part the comments of the experts who will guide you through the tasting of the dishes and the choice of combinations with the noble wines of the Langhe will not miss. After lunch, in the company of the truffle hunter and his dog you forward through the woods along the Langhe ancient paths, to discover the secrets of truffle hunting, an activity remained unchanged over time, charming in its simplicity. A tasting in the shop of truffles product complete the excursion. A gourmet truffle dinner in a local tavern concludes your day. Overnight at Hotel Villa d Amelia. 5 DAY: BENEVELLO ALBA BAROLO - MILAN After breakfast, departure to Alba for a visit with audio-guide of the Langhe capital. The city is characterized by a suggestive historical centre with a medieval structure rich in towers and Romantic-gothic monuments. At the end of the morning a special tasting of products that come from truffle will be served in a local shop. After a typical lunch, the trip continue inside the Barolo Castle, which hosts the innovative WiMu Wine Museum, where wine will be celebrated in history and arts, in cookery and cinema, in music and literature, in universal myths and local traditions. Of course the itinerary cannot end without a wine tasting in cellar. Drive to Milan overnight at Hotel The Square in Milan. DAY 6: MILAN After breakfast, return your car at airport and board your flight home. Arrivederci! 5

6 Qu, r, a r e chм e, в chм e s н c M r [Stendhal, French writer] SWITZERLAND VALLE D AOSTA lake maggiore borromean Islands Pallanza Stresa Arona lake como lake iseo LOMBARDIA lake garda PIEDMONT Ghemme Milan Turin langhe Alba Barolo Benvello LIGURIA FRANCE 6

7 T ff s, W e & Cהсe piedmont, barolo HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY DAY Accommodation 1-2 Grand Hotel Majestc, 4 stars in Pallanza or similar 3-4 Hotel Villa D amelia, 4 stars, in Benevello or similar 5 Hotel The Square, 4 stars in Milan or similar 1-5 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 PALLANZA Dinner in hotel 2 ARONA STRESA Cheese lesson with cooking class and final lunch and private tour by boat to Borromean Island with dinner at Pescatori Island 3 GHEMME BENEVELLO Tasting in Ghemme village and dinner at Hotel Villa d Amelia 4 LANGHE Cooking lesson with expert chef and final lunch,truffle hunter experience with tasting, dinner with truffle product 5 ALBA BAROLO Visit of Alba with audio-guide, lunch in restaurant, visit of Barolo Castle with wine tasting 1-6 car rental (cat E) Pick up at airport, Unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & taxes 7

8 Qu, r, a r e chм e, в chм e s н c M r [Stendhal, French writer] 8

9 I venice 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS - Lombardia and Veneto 1 DAY: MILAN-LAKE COMO Arrival at Malpensa airport in Milan. Private car transfer to Lake Como. Accommodation at hotel. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the Lake Como. Overnight at hotel. 2 DAY: LAKE COMO Breakfast at hotel. Day is free to explore the enchanting Lake Como. We suggest you to visit Como historical centre with its Cathedral, Broletto, San Fedele square and Church, Medieval Walls & Towers or take a Mini Cruise in first basin of Lake. You can see the most famous Villas on the Lake: Villa Olmo, Villa Erba, Villa d Este etc. Overnight at the hotel. 3 DAY: COMO VENICE After breakfast, private car transfer to Venice, Piazzale Roma. Meet your assistance for a private transfer by water taxi to the hotel (porterage included). Accommodation in your room. Afternoon dedicated to the visit of the city from the water. On board of a Gondola, you will floating along the canals of Venice. Overnight at the hotel. 4 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, morning at disposal for personal visits. We suggest a walking tour of this unique city through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice: St. Marco Square, Ducal Palace (outside), Rialto bridge. In the afternoon private excursion to discover the Murano island, to watch the antique art of making glasses. Then proceeds to the characteristic Island of Burano renowned for lace making and Torcello with its old Cathedral and its atmosphere of remote Venetian past. Return to St Marco s Square. The rest of the day is free and at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 5 DAY: VENICE - MILAN After breakfast, private transfer by water taxi to Piazzale Roma and transfer by car to the Italian Fashion Capital: Milan. This city is all about worldly pleasures. Shopping is of religious significance. Theatre and cinema flourish in this fashionable city. Apart from a few gems, the city is not renowned for its looks; it s lifestyle that counts. Check in to the Hotel the day is free to splurge on Shopping. Overnight at the hotel. 6 DAY - MILAN Breakfast in the Hotel. Check out and transfer to the Airport 9

10 L сt дuξè т s où ch ue u e сt f [Albert Camus, french writer] SWITZERLAND lake como lake garda TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE Como lake iseo LOMBARDIA Milan VENETO Venice LIGURIA EMILIA-ROMAGNA TUSCANY DAY Accommodation HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-3 Grand Hotel Como, 4 stars or Castadiva Resort, 5 stars in Como or similar 3-5 Palazzo Giovanelli, 4 stars or Hotel Ca Sagredo, 5 stars in Venice or similar 5-6 Hotel Sheraton Four Points, 4 stars or Boscolo Exedra 5 stars in Milan or similar 1-6 Accommodation in standard room in bed & brakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 COMO Private transfer from Milan Malpensa airport to Hotel in Como lake 3 VENICE Private transfer by car from Como to Venice Vip private watertaxi transfer from Venice pl.roma to Hotel Private excursion by Gondola to disconver Venice from the water 4 VENICE Private excursion to Murano, Burano,Torcello including guide and boat 5 MILAN Private transfer by watertaxi from Hotel to Pl. Roma Private car transfer from Pl.Roma to Milan 6 MILAN Private car transfer from Hotel in Milan to Malpensa airport lake como milan 10

11 Bla I a florence, duomo 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS - Lombardia, Veneto, Tuscany and Lazio 1 DAY: MILAN - LAKE COMO Arrival at Malpensa airport in Milan. Private car transfer to Lake Como. Accommodation at hotel. Free time at leisure to enjoy the beautiful and romantic lake. Overnight at the hotel. 2 DAY: LAKE COMO Breakfast at hotel. Day is free to explore the enchanting Como Lake. We suggest you to visit Como historical centre with its Cathedral, Broletto, San Fedele square and Church, Medieval Walls & Towers or take a Mini Cruise in first basin of Lake. You can see the most famous Villas on the Lake: Villa Olmo, Villa Erba, Villa d Este etc. Overnight at the hotel. 3 DAY: LAKE COMO- VERONA After breakfast, private car transfer to Verona. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel in the centre of Verona. In the afternoon free time at leisure to be spent for personal visit or shopping in Verona fashion streets. Overnight at the hotel. 4 DAY: VERONA Breakfast in the hotel. Private guided tour of the city, declared Historical Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. You will visit the Medieval Castle with its beautiful bridge, Roman Amphitheatre (Arena), Roman Bridge, St. Pietro Castel from where you can see the whole city, the balcony of Romeo and Juliet. Overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: VERONA - VENICE After breakfast, private car transfer to Venice. Meet your assistance for a private transfer by water taxi to the hotel (porterage included). Accommodation in your room. In the evening it s time for the most beautiful attraction of Venice: a gondola ride. With this excursion you can see Venice from a different perspective, and take part of its magical atmosphere. Gondolas accompanied with local musicians float along the fascinating Gran Canal: the glittering images of the sumptuous palaces in the water will remain forever in your memories. Overnight at hotel. 6 DAY: VENICE Breakfast in the hotel. This day will be free to discover Venice on your own: we suggest a walking tour of this unique city through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice: St. Marco Square, Ducal Palace (outside), Rialto bridge or a ferry to visit the factory Glasses of Murano Island. Overnight at the hotel. 7 DAY: VENICE - FLORENCE After breakfast, private car transfer to Florence. Check-in at hotel. In the afternoon take a guided panoramic tour of Florence. We cruise along the tree-lined roads to reach the beautiful Etruscan-Roman village of Fiesole, with stunning views of Florence and the Arno Valley. Heading back to the city we drive along the famous Lungarno 11

12 Bla I a, ate sp д / r to o a вдr! / T ttoפ e si д / l с l pi р [Vincenzo Monti, Italian poet] lake como TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE Como lake garda Milan LOMBARDIA Verona VENETO Venice LIGURIA EMILIA ROMAGNA ligurian sea Pisa Florence TUSCANY MARCHE adriatic sea UMBRIA ABRUZZO tyrrhenian sea Rome LAZIO MOLISE CAMPANIA (on the Arno riverbank) to reach the Basilica of Santa Croce and its historic Square. After admiring the palaces we walk up to Piazza Signoria, the unique heart of the city s social life, to admire the architecture of Palazzo Vecchio and the famous statues of Loggia de Lanzi. The tour finishes inside the Uffizi Gallery, where you can stand and admire the unique Renaissance masterpieces of the great Italian artists: Leonardo, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael. You can stay inside the museum for as long as you please even after the guided tour is over. Overnight at the hotel. 8 DAY: FLORENCE - PISA - FLORENCE After breakfast, private car transfer to Pisa. While going you can enjoy the picturesque Tuscany Region. Arrival in Pisa. We start our excursion with a walk along side the Medieval walls up to the old entrance gate: Porta Santa Maria. From here an extraordinary view will take your breath away! You will be in front of a unique panorama: Piazza dei Miracoli with its marble architecture and neat grass lawns. Your guide will accompany you on your visit to the precious interiors of the Cathedral, an unchallenged masterpiece of Romanesque art. Once outside you can admire the Baptistery, the Monumental Graveyard and, finally, the world famous leaning Tower. Back to Florence hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 9 DAY: FLORENCE - ROME After breakfast, private car transfer to Rome. Accommodation at the hotel. In the afternoon take a complete tour of ancient Rome s major sights by private car and skip the lines for the archaeological area. Gain your special access to the Colosseum and, once inside, breathe the bloody past of the amphitheatre and its atmosphere lead by passionate and expert guides. Admire the splendid arch of Constantine, climb up Palatine/Capitoline Hill. Overnight at the Hotel. 10 DAY: ROME Breakfast in the hotel. Private transfer from hotel to Rome Airport. Arrivederci! 12

13 Bla I a venice DAY Accommodation HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-3 Grand Hotel di Como, 4 stars or Castadiva Resort, 5 stars in Como 3-5 Hotel Goberti, 4 stars in Verona or similar 5-7 Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli, 4 stars or Hotel Ca Sagredo, 5 stars in Venice or similar 7-9 B4 Astoria Florence, 4 stars or Hotel Golden Tower, 5 stars in Florence or similar 9-10 Hotel Massimo d Azeglio, 4 stars or Hotel Ambasciatori Palace, 5 stars in Rome 1-10 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals 1 MILAN - LAKE COMO Private transfer from Milan to hotel in Como 3 LAKE COMO - VERONA Private transfer from Lake Como to hotel in Verona 4 VERONA Private guided tour in Verona 5 VERONA - VENICE Private transfer from Verona to hotel in Venice; Private gondola tour in Venice 7 VENICE - FLORENCE Private transfer from Venice to hotel in Florence; Private excursion, including private car and guide service in Florence 8 FLORENCE - PISA - FLO- Private excursion to Pisa, including private car and guide service RENCE 9 FLORENCE - ROME Private transfer from Florence to hotel in Rome; Private excursion, including private car and guide service in Rome 10 ROME Private Transfer from hotel to Rome airport 13

14 Bla I a, ate sp д / r to o a вдr! / T ttoפ e si д / l с l pi р [Vincenzo Monti, Italian poet] verona, balcony of romeo and juliet rome, castel sant angelo florence 14

15 M вll s I venice 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS - Veneto, Tuscany, Campania and Lazio 1 DAY: VENICE Arrival at Venice airport, meet your assistance and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in your room. Afternoon dedicated to the visit of the city from the water. On board of a Gondola, you will floating along the canals of Venice. Overnight at the hotel. 2 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, morning at disposal for personal visit. We suggest a walking tour of this unique city through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice: St. Marco Square, Ducal Palace (outside), Rialto bridge. In the afternoon private excursion to discover the Murano island, to watch the antique art of making glasses. Then proceeds to the characteristic Island of Burano renowned for lace making and Torcello with its old Cathedral and its atmosphere of remote Venetian past. Return to St Mark s Square. The rest of the day is free and at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 3 DAY: VENICE - FLORENCE After breakfast, private transfer by water taxi to Piazzale Roma and transfer by car to Florence, the Cradle of Renaissance. Accommodation in hotel. Free time for your personal visit of this enchanting city that gave birth to many of the men who have more profoundly influenced the course of human history in every field of knowledge, art, literature and philosophy or for a shopping tour in the prestigious boutique of the centre. Overnight at the hotel. 4 DAY: FLORENCE PISA After breakfast, departure for an excursion through the fertile and picturesque Tuscan countryside to the historic university city of Pisa. Upon arrival in Pisa take a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli, with the celebrated Leaning Tower (exterior), the Baptistery (exterior) and other important monuments. This is followed by a visit to the interior of the Cathedral, an unrivalled masterpiece of Romanesque art constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries. In the afternoon come back to Florence with a stop at Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet in Barberino di Mugello to have some shopping. Arrival in Florence. Overnight at the hotel. 5 DAY: FLORENCE NAPLES After breakfast, private car transfer to Naples, the Capital of the Campania Region. Its situated on the coast on the northern edge of the Bay of Naples, one of the most beautiful bays in Italy. Accommodation at the hotel. Day is free to personal visit or shopping in Naples fashion streets or the outlet in Naples surrounding or tasting of typical products. Overnight in Naples. 6 DAY: NAPLES CAPRI & ANACAPRI Today after breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to Capri and Anacapri. From 15

16 o i ƣ sp i e e pi i, o i ƣ ν i i e e e i, o a orя e a bell [Edmondo De Amicis, Italian writer] lake garda LOMBARDIA VENETO Venice EMILIA ROMAGNA Pisa Florence TUSCANY UMBRIA MARCHE adriatic sea tyrrhenian sea Rome LAZIO ABRUZZO MOLISE APULIA CAMPANIA Naples Capri the harbour you board the Jet boat (45 minute) crossing to Marina Grande, the port of Capri to board the motorboats and visit the Blue Grotto (if weather and sea conditions permit). Later you proceed for a panoramic tour of Capri Island eventually arriving at Anacapri situated at 280 meters above sea level from where you will have a wonderful view of the bay of Naples. After lunch in a local restaurant (on your own) enter the port of Naples, don t miss this opportunity to admire the splendid Certosa of San Martino & the Royal Palace (a fortress of the 12th century). Tour ends after disembarkation. Tonight, if you are seafood savvy you can indulge your self in Seafood dinner which is abundant and very good in Naples (on your own). Overnight at the hotel. 7 DAY: NAPLES ROME After breakfast, private car transfer from Naples to the Eternal City Rome. Upon arrival, accommodation at the hotel. In the afternoon take a complete tour of ancient Rome s major sights by private car and skip the lines for the archaeological area. Gain your special access to the Colosseum and, once inside, breathe the bloody past of the amphitheatre and its atmosphere lead by passionate and expert guides. Admire the splendid arch of Constantine, climb up Palatine/Capitoline Hill. Overnight at the Hotel. 8 DAY: ROME Breakfast in the Hotel. In the morning take the tour of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel and jump the queue! 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 collection of the world. Admire the beautiful spiral stairway, the gallery of tapestries and geographical maps, before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo and the unforgettable Basilica! Private transfer back to the hotel and overnight. 9 DAY: ROME Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, according to your flight, private transfer from the hotel to Rome Airport. 16

17 M вll s I pisa HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY DAY Accommodation 1-3 Hotel Amadeus, 4 stars or Hotel Ca Sagredo, 5 stars in Venice or similar 3-5 B4 Astoria Florence, 4 stars or Hotel Golden Tower, 5 stars in Florence or similar 5-7 Hotel Royal Continental, 4 stars or Grand Hotel vesuvio, 5 stars in Naples or similar 7-9 Hotel Massimo d Azeglio, 4 stars or Hotel Ambasciatori Palace, 5 stars in Rome or similar 1-9 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals 1 VENICE Private transfer from Venice Airport to Hotel; Private excursion with gondola 2 VENICE Private excursion to Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands 3 VENICE - FLORENCE Private transfer in watertaxi from the hotel to Piazzale Roma; private car transfer from Venice to Florence 4 FLORENCE - PISA - FLORENCE Private excursion to Pisa, including private car and guide service 5 FLORENCE - NAPLES Private car transfer from Florence to Naples 6 NAPLES - CAPRI ISLAND Private excursion to Capri & Anacapri 7 NAPLES - ROME Private car transfer from Naples to Rome; Private excursion, including private car and guide service in Rome 8 ROME Private excursion, including private car and guide service 9 ROME Private car transfer from hotel to Rome Airport 17

18 o i ƣ sp i e e pi i, o i ƣ ν i i e e e i, o a orя e a bell [Edmondo De Amicis, Italian writer] capri venice firenze 18

19 D вr M che R marche region 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Marche Region 1 DAY: BOLOGNA PESARO Arrival in Bologna and departure to discover Marche Region and its first city of the itinerary: Pesaro, a noble seaside town on the Adriatic Sea. Accommodation at Excelsior Hotel, the first 5 stars Boutique Hotel in Marche. Dinner at 59 Restaurant, sea view restaurant, where it s possible to taste gourmet menu inspired by traditional Marche food and wine. Overnight. 2 DAY: PESARO - SAN BARTOLO PARK - FIORENZUOLA GRADARA - PESARO Breakfast. Guided walking tour of Pesaro to discover the city of Gioacchino Rossini composer and of Ceramics. The tour starts from Arnaldo Pomodoro Sphere and Villino Ruggeri, rare example of Art Nouveau style in Italy and continues in the heart of the city with the visit of Rossini House, in which lithographs, paintings, caricatures, manuscripts of the famous composer are exposed, the Cathedral with its mosaics (IV and VI sec), the Museum of ceramics, Rossini Conservatory and Theatre. We would like to inform you that every year during August month in Pesaro will take place the Rossini Opera Festival bringing internationally famous singers and musicians to the city. At the end of the visit, departure to one of the most beautiful landscape on the Adratic Sea. Driving along panoramic street, within San Bartolo Natural park, you ll reach Fiorenzuola di Focara, a little medieval hamlet nestle between the blue of the sea and the lush vegetation especially in spring when everywhere pervade the yellow and the fragrance of the brooms. Even though Fiorenzuola di Focara is a little village overlooking the sea, Dante Alighieri mentioned it in Divina Commedia poem, Inferno cant. Lunch in a typical fisherman tavern to taste the famous Brodetto like a soup made with the Adriatic Sea fishes. In the afternoon departure to Gradara, the small medieval village, famous for the tragedy of the two lovers Paolo e Francesca that was commemorated by Dante Alighieri in his poem Divina Commedia. Guided visit of Gradara Castle and its walled village, representing one of the medieval structures better conserved in Italy and also one of the most imposing, with its long walls of over 800 meters and the high mastio dominating the wonderful valley where the castle rise up. Gradara is a fairy-tale place, where art and legend join together to tell us secrets and histories of the Middle Age, like the most famous of Paolo and Francesca s love, sung by poets of all times such as Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio and D Annunzio. An itinerary that is even more magic and special when the evening comes and the rocca becomes a poetic, natural frame for all the lovers. At the end of the visit come back to Pesaro. Possibility of shopping in the boutique of the city centre. Dinner free. Overnight at hotel. 3 DAY: PESARO - URBINO PESARO Breakfast. Departure to Urbino, Cradle of Renaissance or The Perfect City, a real treasure suspended on a hill. Guided walking tour of the historical centre, World Heritage of Unesco, characterized by its streets called piole that run up and down to the city, surrounded by architectural masterpieces. The visit begins from the historic centre, made up of a tight urban fabric with suggestive spaces which surrounded the ducal residence: the Rampa of Giorgio Martini (helical flight), Renaissance Square, the famous façade of Torricini from where you can enjoy a wonderful sight from the Fortress of Albornoz. The center of town is dominated by the Ducal Palace: an out-and-out city inside the city, expression of the genius Duke Federico of Montefeltro, as well as birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and painters such as Raffaello Sanzio and Piero della Francesca. The itinerary inside the palace will focus on the 19

20 a, ll,, t, e. O R פ н s Bologna EMILIA- ROMAGNA REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO Gradara san bartolo park Pesaro adriatic sea TUSCANY Urbino MARCHE frasassi Macerata Ancona Loreto Recanati UMBRIA Fabriano Cupra Marittima San Benedetto del Tronto monti sibillini national park Ascoli Piceno Rome LAZIO ABRUZZO explanation of the masterpieces of the National Gallery of Marche, passing through various places: the Court of Honour, the Duke s Apartment, Duke s Studio, the Duchess s Apartment, the Basements, ect. The neoclassical cathedral seems to be an extension of the Duke s Palace, from here in 10 minutes you are in the heart of the city, in Repubblica square, the meeting place of many students who attend the University Carlo Bo (one of the older in Italy). Lunch in a characteristic restaurant in S. Francesco square, to taste typical product like Crescia Sfogliata, Cappelletti or Casciotta of Urbino. From the square, going up to the hill you come to the Raphael house, where he was born. Son of the painter and writer Giovanni Santi, gave him the first painting techniques along with the ideals of the Renaissance, learned in the scholarly court of Montefeltro. The interior has been furnished from the Accademia Raffaello that has its headquarters here, including works of art by artists more or less known stands the famous Madonna con il bambino attributed to the young Raphael. The tour continues to Albornoz Fortress to take panoramic pictures to the unforgettable Urbino. Departure to Piero Guidi Outlet, famous brand all over the world for its bags and clothes. Come back to Pesaro. Dinner not included. Overnight at hotel. 4 DAY: PESARO - ANCONA PARK OF CONERO MOUNT AND ITS HAMLETS Breakfast. Departure to visit Ancona and its main remarkable monuments of the town: San Ciriaco Cathedral, the ruins of a roman amphitheatre, the Palace of the Elders, the Church of San Francesco alle Scale, the Church of San Domenico, the Teatro delle Muse, the Palazzo Ferretti, the Government Palace, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Piazza, the Loggia dei Mercanti and the Fountain of the Thirteen Spouts. Departure to Regional Park of Conero Mount, a natural preserved oasis of hectares, where the blue of the sea, the green and yellow of the hills are protagonists. The Conero area is well-know for the production of wine, called Rosso Conero. Visit of an important winery, awarded several times for its wines production by prominent leaders such as Gambero Rosso, Veronelli, Slow Food. Guided tour to the vineyards and the cellars, where the grapes become wine, to relive along the way, the entire history lived for centuries from these places. Lunch in the winery agritourism to taste a km 0 menu, using only their seasonal products or most of them, combined with one or more wines for the different courses. After lunch the Conero Tour continues visiting different hamlets, Portonovo, Numana, Sirolo everyone with its peculiarities. After the visit, return to Ancona. Accommodation at Passetto Grand Hotel, a 4-star hotel overlooking the sea. Dinner in restaurant to taste the typical Stoccafisso all anconetana (stockfish and Adriatic seafood). Overnight. 5 DAY: ANCONA FRASASSI - FABRIANO - ANCONA Breakfast. Departure to Frasassi for visiting the enchanting caves, one of the most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites complex in Europe. A walk of about 1h15 minutes brings you in a fabulous hidden world through different and unique halls. At the end of the visit departure to Fabriano, the paper city and birthplace of the famous painter Gentile da Fabriano. Guided visit of Paper Museum and at the major monuments: Palazzo del Podestà, Teatro Gentile, Portico dei Vasari, Oratorio della Carità. The typical product of Fabriano is Salame : This noble cured meat, under protection of slow food organization, is made with the most prized cut of pork, the thigh, and was even mentioned in a letter signed by 20

21 D вr M che R pesaro, colle san bartolo Giuseppe Garibaldi himself. A few years earlier, Oreste Marcoaldi, an intellectual from the Marche, wrote, The salame is a specialty of Fabriano, like Mortadella in Bologna and Zampone in Modena. Taste of this historical product in a local small shop with other typical area product. Come back to the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight. 6 DAY: LORETO RECANATI MACERATA ASCOLI PICENO Breakfast. Tour to Loreto, one of the major pilgrimage destination in the world for the biggest Marian Shrine in Italy. After the visit of the Basilica, departure to Recanati, one of the most popular town in Marche Region, because the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, one of the most important Italian poets. A walking tour in Recanati means to live place, fragrance and traditions that inspired Leopardi poems. Lunch free. In the afternoon departure to Macerata, elegant and human scale city, named city of lyric and culture for its artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Symbol of the city is the Sferisterio, a neoclassic building desired from the Macerata s nobles, for the game of Pallone a bracciale and at the same time an arena for bullfighting, hunting the bull, which was very popular in the State Papal States. Over the years Sferisterio lost its original sport use to become an arena for opera music. The Giuseppe Verdi s Aida was the first opera staged in In this wonderful location every year the summer lyric season with important operas like Aida, Traviata and Tosca takes place. Guided walking tour of the medieval town to admire the Cathedral, the beautiful baroque Lauro Rosso Theatre and Palazzo Brancorsini Buonaccorsi with coaches museum. After the visit, departure to Ascoli Piceno. Accommodation at 100 Torri Hotel, an authentic noble palace of 16th century, close to the main square of the town. Dinner at hotel restaurant become the object of appreciation from important Italian restaurant guides and recommended by prestigious magazines. Overnight. 7 DAY: ASCOLI PICENO CUPRA MARITTIMA SAN BENEDETTO Breakfast. Guided visit of Ascoli Piceno and its fascinating centre entirely built with the ivory-white colour of the local travertine: from the aristocrat buildings to churches, squares and streets, private homes. Travertine stone is not easy to work, but the skilled artisans have managed it to create beautiful decorations for precious portals, rosettes and mullioned windows. The tour continues to an enchanting place, where the time seems to stand still. Cupra Marittima, a small village on the sea, hides within its countryside street, one of the most important wineries and bio farms in Italy. It produces only one wine, the prestigious Kurnì, cultivated in the vineyards around the producer house. It s a pleasure to speak and listen with the producers about their philosophy. The pace of life is still rural and agricultural. The bread is baked in a wood oven, the work in the vineyard are carried out by 21

22 a, ll,, t, e. O R פ н s frasassi caves all the family, with the necessary calm. The plants of Montepulciano are treated with the utmost respect, avoiding strenuous work in the field and also the simplest treatments are minimized. The plant system is as similar as possible to that which was applied 60 years ago in the area. The mad rush of the wine market is not interested to producers. What is real is the wild beauty of the landscape, the images of small clusters that change colour. For this reasons Kurnì wine has a limited production, only bottle per season but well appreciated by the wine guides and press with the assignments of different awards along the last years (The Excellent Italian wine 2011 by L Espresso guide, 3 glasses from Gambero Rosso guide etc). Lunch in the winery agritourism (Gambero Rosso restaurant selected) with a Bio- Menu based only on products directly cultivated and breed in the farm. Afternoon dedicated to shopping at the popular Coltorti boutique outlet in San Benedetto. Return to Ascoli Piceno and dinner in a typical restaurant to taste the famous fried foods (meat-filled olives, cream and vegetables. After dinner we suggest you a stop at Caffe Meletti, historical cafè in the main square of Ascoli Piceno to taste the Anisetta Meletti, a distillate of aniseed and other aromatic herbs from the area of Ascoli Piceno. It is produced according to the original recipe made by Silvio Meletti in It is a sweet strong drink and a glass of it is a sign of good taste. It is served with coffee, ice and water too and it is very good to make cakes and cocktails. Overnight. 8 DAY: ASCOLI PICENO ROME Breakfast. Departure to Rome. On the way, it s necessary and worthy a stop in Abruzzo, in the small village of Santo Stefano di Sassanio to enjoy the silence and the atmosphere of old times. The village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio is perhaps the most fascinating of all of man s achievements in the entire Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e dei Monti della Laga. It is built entirely out of white limestone, which has become dulled with time. All the houses are covered with clay tiles, providing a harmonious overall view to those gazing down on it from the top of the Medici tower. Walking tour of the hamlet with the possibility to buy Santo Stefano typical products: lentils (organic growned legume) or other regional specialties like Pecorino d Abruzzo (cheese), Montepulciano d Abruzzo, Cesasuolo d Abruzzo, Verdicchio, Pecorino (wines) and saffron (spice). In the afternoon, departure to Rome. Arrivederci! 22

23 D вr M che R ancona, mount conero DAY Accommodation HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-4 Excelsior Hotel, 5 stars or Hotel Nautilus, 4 stars in Pesaro or similar 4-6 Seeport Hotel, 4 stars or NH Ancona, 4 stars in Ancona or similar 7-8 Hotel Villa Pigna, 4 stars in Ascoli Piceno or similar 1-8 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 BOLOGNA - PESARO Dinner at hotel restaurant in Pesaro 2 PESARO SAN BARTOLO Guided walking tour of Pesaro; guided walking tour of Gradara Castle PRAK GRADARA PESARO 3 PESARO URBINO PESARO Full day guided walking tour of Urbino 4 PESARO ANCONA PARK Cellar visit with wine tasting in Conero area; Dinner at restaurant in Ancona OF CONERO MOUNTS 5 ANCONA FRASASSI Guided visit of Frasassi Caves; Salami tasting in Fabriano FABRIANO ANCONA 6 LORETO RECANATI Dinner at hotel restaurant in Ascoli Piceno MACERATA ASCOLI PICENO 7 ASCOLI PICENO CUPRA Guided visit of Ascoli Piceno; lunch in a winery agritourism in Cupra Marittima MARITTIMA SAN BENEDETTO 1-8 Car rental (cat E) Pick up and drop off at airport, unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & taxes 23

24 a, ll,, t, e. O R פ н s loreto san bartolo hill, fiorenzuola di focara ancona 24

25 Cul y T & Rॐe tuscany, chianti area 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Tuscany and Lazio 1 DAY: FLORENCE VICCHIO DEL MUGELLO Pick up your car rental at the Florence airport and make your way to the city centre. Early in the afternoon, you ll take a tour of Florence including the Uffizi Gallery. First you ll discover by bus the beautiful and green hills of Florence, the picturesque Etruscan-Roman village of Fiesole that towers above Florence and the Arno Valley. Heading back to the city, you ll go through the famous Lungarno (way along the Arno River) and reach the Basilica di Santa Croce. Our walking tour will continue to Piazza Signoria, heart of the city social life. Here you will admire the architecture of Palazzo Vecchio and the famous statues of Loggia de Lanzi. Our guide will finish the tour inside the Uffizi Gallery, where we will admire without queuing the impressive and magnificent paintings of Leonardo, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raffaello. Dinner in a delicious restaurant the heart of Florence where you can taste the famous Fiorentina or Tagliata. Overnight at Hotel Villa Campestri. 2 DAY: VICCHIO DEL MUGELLO After breakfast, you could take a cooking class focused on how to use olive oil in preparing different dishes followed by lunch composed of your creations. Your afternoon will start with a visit to the first Italian oleoteca in Villa Campestri to finish with a tasting olive menu dinner. Overnight at hotel. 3 DAY: VICCHIO DEL MUGELLO AIR BALLON EXPERIENCE - MONTEPULCIANO After breakfast, you ll be ready to take your hot air balloon experience over the Tuscany countryside. At the end of this unique experience you could relax yourself with a typical Chianti merenda. Have lunch on your own and transfer to Montepulciano to visit a wine cellar, taste local products and Nobile di Montepulciano wine. Enjoy dinner on your own and overnight at Hotel Villa Cicolina. 4 DAY: MONTEPULCIANO PIENZA MONTALCINO - MONTEPULCIANO After breakfast, departure to discover the two scenic, artistic and culinary jewels of the Val D Orcia: Pienza and Montalcino. Free visit of Pienza to admire the squares and historical buildings that preserve the secrets of the art of Rossellino and traces of the noble papal power. This artistic and natural heritage is joined by taste and fragrance: one typical Pienza s product is the famous cheese Pecorino. Stop in a typical shop to taste some culinary specialities. Transfer to Montalcino, sanctuary of Brunello wine, presently considered the best wine in the world, has its ancestral roots in the passion of the inhabitants of Montalcino and in the ancient winemaking tradition, handed down from one generation to the next. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit one of the best wineries on the territory and taste the prestigious wine, produced from Sangiovese grapes, stands on a charming hill that will let you relish its natural wholesomeness. Overnight at Hotel Villa Cicolina. 5 DAY: MONTEPULCIANO CHIANTI AREA - ROME After breakfast drive to Chianti area to discover the beautiful ruby colour and the characteristic fragrance with hints of violet that are the distinguishing marks of the identity of one of the most famous wines in the world: Chianti. You ll taste this refined product in one of the best wine cellars of the area, accompanying the wine with a selection of bruschettas, typical cheeses and Tuscany salami and sliced cold meat. Enjoy a gourmet lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant. Drive to Florence train station, drop off your car and take high speed train to Rome. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel Massimo D Azeglio. 25

26 G a r дl l che si no, to or che т [Dante Alighieri, Italian poet] EMILA - ROMAGNA adriaticatic sea Vicchio del Mugello REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO Florence chianti TUSCANY Montalcino Montepulciano Pienza UMBRIA MARCHE adriatic sea LAZIO ABRUZZO tyrrhenian sea Rome 6 DAY: ROME After breakfast, start a guided visit to Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters Basilica. The purpose of this tour is the visit of the Vatican Museums and a large part of the Vatican City, one of the European microstates, situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome, whose borders closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. Leaving the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses Fountain the itinerary will continue passing by Via Bissolati, Via Veneto and the Villa Borghese. After this ample panoramic view, we will visit the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Galleries. There you will admire the modern entrance built in occasion of the Jobilee of the year 2000, the Galleries of the Chandeliers, of the Tapestries and of the Geographical Maps, the Sobiesky Hall and the Immaculate Conception Hall. We will then stop to admire the Sistine Chapel, seat of the Conclave, with the famous frescoes of Michelangelo. Passing inside the Vatican Museums we will arrive into the Basilica of Saint Peter, commonly called Saint Peter s Basilica, is one of four major basilicas of Rome. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City and built on the ruins of Old Saint Peter s Basilica. In the afternoon, free time to discover the city and the fabulous shops. At stop for a wine and cheese tasting in a traditional enoteca (Wine Bar) located in theeighteenth century Palazzetto Giangiacomo, in the heart of Rome. Itis a family run wine bar that started as a wine-shop over fifty yearsago and was transformed into its present status by the third generation.the Wine Bar shelves are lined with carefully selected bottlesproduced by prestigious and emerging wineries. Tasting of three wine an typical cheese. Overnight at hotel. 7 DAY: ROME COOKING SCHOOL After breakfast, the chef invites you to live an unforgettable experience out of the beaten tracks. Firstly you ll be taken to a nice visit to the enchanting places where Romans love to go: grocery shopping, a real experience in the heart of the city. Your cooking class will take place few steps from Spanish steps, in a old house, once luxury home of a roman princess. At the end of the lesson you ll taste what you prepared and will cheers with Italian wine from a higher point of view. In the afternoon discover with local guide the secrets of Rome by Vespa! Rome was not built for taxis and buses but for chariots, carriages and... Vespas! Take your place in the passenger seat of the world s most famous scooter for a 4 hour tour of Rome. Travelling no faster than 30 km/h, on the back of a Vespa being ridden by one of our expert riders, you will make your way through narrow alleyways and into immense squares and, of course, this being Italy, there will be stop-off for coffee. Free dinner and overnight at Hotel. 8 DAY: ROME AND COME BACK AT HOME After breakfast, private transfer to airport. Arrivederci! 26

27 Cul y T & Rॐe rome, colosseum DAY Accommodation HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-3 Hotel Villa Campestri, 4 stars, in Vicchio del Mugello 3-5 Hotel Villa Cicolina, 4 stars, in Montepulciano 5-8 Hotel Massimo d Azeglio, 4 stars in Rome 1-8 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 FLORENCE HD Tour in Florence in the afternoon with professional guide and Uffizi Gallery ticket. Dinner in restaurant to taste Fiorentina & Tagliata (3 course menu, drinks not included) 2 VICCHIO Cooking class (2 hours ) in Villa Campestri and lunch. Extra virgin olive oil tasting in Villa Campestri (1h30 ). Dinner in Villa Campestri (oil olive menu) 3 TUSCANY COUNTRYSIDE Air balloon experience with tuscany merenda (1 hour for flight but 3 or 4 hours is necessary to organize the excursion). Visit and taste in wine cellar in Montepulciano 4 PIENZA & MONTALCINO Cheese taste in a typical shop in Pienza. Lunch in restaurant in Montalcino. Visit and taste in winery in Montalcino 5 CHIANTI AND ROME Visit and tasting in wine cellar in Chianti. Gourmet lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant. High speed train from Florence to Rome. Private transfer from Rome train station to Hotel in the city centre 6 ROME Guided visit Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter s Basilica - Skip the line (Includes: transport from the Hotel to the Vatican area, entrance with no line, professional guided tour, headsets to better heat the guide). Wine & cheese tasting 7 ROME COOKING SCHOOL Rome Cooking lesson & Grocery tour. Vespa tour 8 ROME Private Transfer from hotel to Rome airport 1-5 Car rental (cat E) Pick up and drop off at airport, unlimeted mileage, CDW, THW & taxes 27

28 G a r дl l che si no, to or che т [Dante Alighieri, Italian poet] 28

29 I by T 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Lazio, Tuscany and Veneto 1 DAY: ROME Transfer from airport to the hotel, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 2 DAY: ROME After breakfast, departure to the excursion in the Heart of Rome to visit St. Peter s Basilica (visit inside), Navona Square, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. The tour will start from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as dell Esedra as its central area also called Esedra of the Diocletian Bath is hidden now by the Fountain of Naiadi. Reaching the Square of St. Peter we ll admire and visit inside the imposing building. Then we ll start our walk through the centre: the gorgeous Piazza Navona built on the ruins of the Domitian s Circus adorned by the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini realized in 1651, the Pantheon, a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. Then the guided tour will lead you to the worldwide famous Trevi Fountain. Afternoon, free time for your personal visit. For your funny evening: dinner in Trastevere and Rome by night, relaxing panoramic tour of the city by motor coach to discover the magic charm of the most famous monuments illuminated at night. Dine on traditional Italian cuisine in a typical local restaurant. A glass of wine to cheers! Overnight at the hotel. 3 DAY: ROME VATICAN CITY After breakfast, departure to visit the Vatican city. Guided excursion to visit Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter s Basilica without queue. Upon arrival your guide will lead you into the museums where you ll visit one of the most important art collection of the world. Admire the beautiful spiral stairway the gallery of tapestries and geographical maps, before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel and the unforgettable Basilica! Afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 4 DAY: ROME FLORENCE After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Termini railway station. Train to Florence (2nd class ticket, high speed). Arrival in Florence at 12 am. Transfer from Santa Maria Novella railway station to hotel. In the afternoon Florence guided city tour. Crossing the beautiful and green hills of Florence we reach the picturesque Etruscan-Roman village of Fiesole that towers above Florence and the Arno Valley. Heading back to the city by bus, we will ride through the famous Lungarno (way along the Arno River) we will reach the Basilica di Santa Croce. Our walking tour will continue to Piazza Signoria, heart of the city social life. Here we will admire the architecture of Palazzo Vecchio and the famous statues of Loggia de Lanzi. Our guide will finish the tour inside the Uffizi Gallery, where we will admire without queuing the impressive and magnificent paintings of Leonardo, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raffaello. Overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: FLORENCE SIENA - SAN GIMIGNANO - MONTERIGGIONI CHIANTI - FLORENCE After breakfast, departure for an unforgettable excursion to the food and wine lands: Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Chianti. Driving south from Florence and crossing the beautiful 29

30 Il treno, con i suoi agi di tempo e i suoi disagi di spazio, rimette addosso la disusata curiosità per i particolari, affina l attenzione per quel che si ha attorno, per quel che scorre fuori del finestrino. Sugli arei presto s impara a non guardare, a non ascoltare [Tiziano Terzani, Italian writer, from the book Un indovino mi disse ] lake garda VENETO LOMBARDIA Venice EMILIA ROMAGNA Florence San Gimignano Monteriggioni TUSCANY chianti Siena MARCHE adriatic sea UMBRIA LAZIO ABRUZZO tyrrhenian sea Rome MOLISE APULIA CAMPANIA Chianti hills we arrive in San Gimignano, a picturesque, fascinating Medieval jewel (declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO), famous for its white wine, the world renowned Vernaccia, and its skyscrapers! The visit is free for independent sightseeing: you will have time to wind your way through the narrow streets and admire the relaxing rolling landscape. We have a surprise for you: your free time here is enhanced by a delicious and absolutely homemade icecream! This savoury experience will take place in one of the most famous and award winning icecream parlours of San Gimignano. Our day continues to Siena, the Medieval town with the suggestive Piazza del Campo, famous for the Palio horse race and its splendid examples of Gothic civic architecture. Here stands the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico with its Torre del Mangia. Then we will continue in the direction of the Duomo, one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in Italy: you will visit its precious interiors of black and white marble stripes. After leaving Siena we then drive to Monteriggioni, the Medieval hilltop gem with its still intact walls and suggestive square, where you can drink in the history and relive the atmosphere of olden times. After we move into the Chianti area with its picturepostcard landscapes. You have the chance to taste the best Chianti red wine in a rustic wine estate along with home-made snacks, with tour of the wine cellars and sampling of wines, oil and balsamic vinegar. Return to Florence in late afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 6 DAY: FLORENCE - VENICE After breakfast, private transfer from Hotel to Santa Maria Novella Station. Train to Venice (2nd class ticket, high speed) arrival in Venice at 12,30. Private transfer to the hotel: included private water taxi, meet & greet with the assistant or meet & greet and assistance and porterage service to the hotel (depending on the booked hotel). In the afternoon excursion to discover the Murano island, to watch the antique art of making glasses. Then proceeds to the characteristic Island of Burano renowned for lace making and Torcello with its old Cathedral and its atmosphere of remote Venetian past. Return to St Mark s Square. Overnight at hotel. 7 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, walking tour of Venice and Doge s Palace. Have a walk outdoors (no entries) through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice. A qualified and experienced guide will escort you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the past full of charm of this unique city. At the end of the walking tour, visit of the Doge s Palace. The Palazzo Ducale represented for centuries the seat of the Venetian political power. In his splendid rooms, plastered and immersed in hundreds of masterpieces of painting, the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of a thousand-year history republic 8 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Venice airport. Arrivederci! 30

31 I by T florence, ponte vecchio DAY Accommodation 1-3 Hotel Ariston, 4 stars in Rome or similar 4-5 B4 Astoria Firenze, 4 stars in Florence 6-7 Hotel Amadeus, 4 stars in Venice HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-7 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals 1 ROME Private transfer from Rome airport to the Hotel 2 ROME Guided excursion with transportation In the heart of Rome (transport, entrance with no line in Saint Peter, professional guided tour, headsets to better hear the guide); Rome by night excursion (transport, local tour guide - walking tour in trastervere and a short walk in Trevi Area, dinner) 3 ROME Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel & St.Peter s Basilica excursion (Entrance tickets with no line, professional guide, headsets to better hear the guide, transport from hotel to Vatican area ) 4 ROME - FLORENCE Private transfer from Hotel in Rome to train station, Train ticket from Rome to Florence (2nd class ticket, high speed); private transfer from Santa Maria Novella Station to Hotel in Florence; Florence city Tour (professional guide, visit to Fiesole by fully-fitted luxury GTcoach, Uffizi Gallery ticket and reservation, walking tour) 5 SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO, MON- TERIGGIONI AND CHIANTI Full day excursion including journey by fully-fitted luxury GT Coach, expert multilingual escort, free tour of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, tasting of homemade ice cream in a renowned ice cream Parlour in San Gimignano, guided tour of Siena with professional guide, Siena Cathedral tickets. Visit of a rustic wine estate with tour of the wine cellars and sampling of wines, oil and balsamic vinegar, snack based on delicious regional products. 6 FLORENCE VENICE Private transfer from hotel in Florence to Santa Maria Novella train station; train ticket from Florence to Venice (2nd class ticket, high speed); private transfer from Venice P.le Roma to hotel including private water taxi, meet & greet with the assistant or meet & greet and assistance and porterage service to the hotel (depending on the booked hotel), Excursion Murano, Burano and Torcello. 7 VENICE Excursion Walking Tour of Venice and Doge s Palace (guided walking tour of Venice and skip the line entrance ticket to Doge s Palace). 8 VENICE Transfer from hotel to Venice airport 31

32 Il treno, con i suoi agi di tempo e i suoi disagi di spazio, rimette addosso la disusata curiosità per i particolari, affina l attenzione per quel che si ha attorno, per quel che scorre fuori del finestrino. Sugli arei presto s impara a non guardare, a non ascoltare [Tiziano Terzani, Italian writer, from the book Un indovino mi disse ] rome, st. peter s basilica tuscany, siena venice, st. marco s square 32

33 t, T вl L e rome, colosseo 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS - Lazio, Campania and Tuscany 1 DAY: ROME Transfer from Rome airport to the hotel, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 2 DAY: ROME After breakfast, departure for the excursion in the Heart of Rome to visit St. Peter s Basilica (visit inside), Navona Square, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. The tour will start from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as dell Esedra as its central area also called Esedra of the Diocletian Baths is hidden now by the Fountain of Naiadi. Reaching the Square of St. Peter we ll admire and visit inside the imposing building. Then we ll start our walk through the centre: the gorgeous Piazza Navona built on the ruins of the Domitian s Circus adorned by the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini realized in 1651, the Pantheon, a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. Then the guided tour will lead you to the worldwide famous Trevi Fountain. Afternoon, free time for your personal visits. Overnight at the hotel. 3 DAY: ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE After breakfast, departure to the Roman countryside to live the experience of chef for a day. Cooking lesson in the Roman countryside, a full day gourmet experience far from the beaten tracks! A car will pick you up at the steps of your hotel and take you to the ancient village of Mazzano Romano, where you will make your way to a lavish garden and farm abounding with fresh vegetables, spices, and eggs. There, you will pick all of the ingredients necessary to create the menu you ll be preparing in a cooking lesson. So don t wear your best shoes! Once you meet the chef who will guide you through the lesson, he/she will show you step by step how to prepare each menu item, using methods that you will surely be able to duplicate once you return home. From appetizers to the first course, second course, and dessert, the chef will teach you the preparations of a delightful, traditional Italian meal. Once everything is ready, it s time to eat! After you sip your way through the dessert course tasting the best wines that Italy has to offer, you will set off to the nearby village of Calcata. Calcata looks like one giant castle, but as you enter the town, you will see that it is a cluster of small homes. Now, you will find a thriving town, filled with restaurants, galleries, and cafés. Make sure to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece of art priced reasonably and made by a local artist. Then you will be taken back to your hotel, free time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 4 DAY: ROME NAPLES After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Termini railway station. Train to Naples (2nd class ticket, high speed). Arrival in Naples at 11 am. Transfer from Naples railway station to hotel. Afternoon dedicated to the visit of Naples: the excursion is composed by the visit of 3 different areas: Monumental Naples (walking) passing trough Piazza del Plebescito, Umberto I Gallery, the Royal Palace, San Carlo theatre and the New Castle. Then you ll visit the most famous spot of Panoramic Naples (by bus): via Caracciolo, Mergellina and Posillipo. To discover the last part, Historical Naples once again you will walk into the famous street called Spaccanapoli visiting the churches of Gesù Nuovo and Santa Chiara. Overnight at the hotel. 5 DAY: NAPLES - CAPRI ISLAND - NAPLES After breakfast, departure to discover the fascinating Capri Island whose role as a playground for the rich and famous goes far back. So far, in fact, that the first vacation villas or rather palaces built here were for Caesar s heir, Augustus 33

34 M i m i ato e ё т st o! M i, ё т o [Alberto Sordi, Italian Actor, from the movie, An American in Rome ] EMILIA ROMAGNA Florence TUSCANY MARCHE adriatic sea UMBRIA adriatic sea LAZIO roman countryside Rome ABRUZZO MOLISE tyrrhenian sea CAMPANIA Naples Capri Caesar, 2000 years ago. While modern Capri, with its magnificent hotels and villas, pedestrian streets lined with designer boutiques and elegant cafés, and its port full of lavish yachts, can at first glance appear an invitation-only affair, the island offers delight for everyone. Our excursion starts from Starhotel Terminus in Naples Garibaldi square and transfer to the Port to take the hydrofoil, our assistant on the bus. Arrival in Capri and meeting with the tour guide, visit of Anacapri and Axel Mount Belvedere (entrance fees not included), then there will be lunch in a typical restaurant and to Capri centre, including the visit of the famous Piazzetta, the Augustus Gardens, with an amazing view of the Faraglioni, and finally a stroll among the picturesque streets of the island, where you can find many open-air coffee shops and exclusive boutiques. Light lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon return to Naples by hydrofoil. Free time at leisure, overnight at the hotel. 6 DAY: NAPLES FLORENCE After breakfast, private transfer from Hotel in Naples to Garibaldi rail station. Train to Florence (2nd class ticket, high speed) arrival in Florence at and transfer from Santa Maria Novella railway station to hotel. In the afternoon you will explore Florence, a concentration of art and architecture. Despite its international fame and greatness, Florence is also a small city, whose history is interwoven with that of its passionate citizens for almost a thousand years... Let our guide unravel its unconventional side, visit Florence s urban scenery that played a leading role in ancient timeless legends. Get the chance to savour the city s intriguing charm that gave birth to anecdotes whose truth is lost on the border between history and fantasy. We are very pleased to offer to you our original, brand new walking tour: a perfect mix of Florence s classical face and its hot spots, combined with curiosities and unknowns. Discover how the Street of Beautiful Women got its name and how to beat your competitors with poppy seeds! At the end a well-earned refrigerating aperitif will be waiting for you in an exclusive location of an historical square of Florence. But before this you will have to discover two hidden portraits in Piazza Signoria and learn how to win good luck from the Porcellino. This tour has got something for everyone: all ages and interests. Overnight at hotel. 7 DAY: FLORENCE After breakfast, meet our chef and learn how to cook a nice Tuscan meal in the heart of Florence! First step: grocery shopping at the central market! You will go shopping with the chef at the central market picking up the ingredients for your lunch. You will meet the butchers, the bakers, and the farmers selling vegetables from their gardens. You will learn how to distinguish the highest quality ingredients and taste local foods & wines! After this fun experience you will reach our fascinating home-like professional location, just a few steps from the central market, and you will start putting your hands on the ingredients to create your own meal, driven by the expert guidance of our Chef Giovanni and his assistant Andrea. Your meal will be made of bruschetta, fresh home-made pasta from scratch, and a main course, accompanied with a selection of Chianti wines. As you will eat your own food, you d better be an attentive student while the Chef is teaching! And finally get your Graduation Certificate! Afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel 8 DAY: FLORENCE - SIENA - SAN GIMIGNANO - MONTERIGGIONI - CHIANTI - FLORENCE After breakfast, departure for an unforgettable excursion to the food and wine lands: Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Chianti. Driving south from Florence and crossing the beautiful 34

35 t, T вl L e capri island, faraglioni Chianti hills we arrive at San Gimignano, a picturesque, fascinating Medieval jewel (declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO), famous for its white wine, the world renowned Vernaccia, and its skyscrapers! The visit is free for independent sightseeing: you will have time to wind your way through the narrow streets and admire the relaxing rolling landscape. We have a surprise for you: your free time here is enhanced by a delicious and absolutely homemade ice cream! This savoury experience will take place in one of the most famous and award winning Ice cream parlours of San Gimignano. Our day continues to Siena, the Medieval town with the suggestive Piazza del Campo, famous for the Palio horse race and its splendid examples of Gothic civic architecture. Here stands the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico with its Torre del Mangia. Then we will continue in the direction of the Duomo, one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in Italy: you will visit its precious interiors of black and white marble stripes. After leaving Siena we then drive to Monteriggioni, the Medieval hilltop gem with its still intact walls and suggestive square, where you can drink in the history and relive the atmosphere of olden times. After we move into the Chianti area with its picturepostcard landscapes. You have the chance to taste the best Chianti red wine in a rustic wine estate along with home-made snacks, with tour of the wine cellars and sampling of wines, oil and balsamic vinegar. Return to Florence in late afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 9 DAY: FLORENCE After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Florence airport. Arrivederci! amalfi coast 35

36 M i m i ato e ё т st o! M i, ё т o [Alberto Sordi, Italian Actor, from the movie, An American in Rome ] florence, market DAY Accommodation 1-3 Hotel Ariston, 4 stars in Rome or similar HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 4-5 Hotel Royal Continental, 4 stars in Naples or similar 6-8 B4 Asoria Firenze, 4 stars in Florence or similar 1-8 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals 1 ROME Private transfer from Rome airport to the Hotel 2 ROME Guided excursion with transportation In the heart of Rome 3 ROME Guided food & wine excursion Cooking lesson in Roman countryside including transport, cooking lesson, lunch with beverage. 4 ROME - NAPLES Private transfer from Hotel in Rome to train station, Train ticket from Rome to Naples (2nd class ticket, high speed), private transfer from Naples railstation to the hotel; Regular Tour Naples daylight including transport and half day guided tour of Naples 5 CAPRI ISLAND Full day excursion Capri & Anacapri, including transport, Minibus in Capri, tour guide, light lunch and hydrofoil 6 NAPLES - FLORENCE Private transfer from Hotel to Naples railstation; train ticket from Naples to Florence (2nd class ticket, high speed); Half day excursion Walking Tour with aperitif including walking tour of Florence with professional guide and aperitif. 7 FLORENCE Half day Food & Wine excursion Wanna be Italiano including cooking class and lunch with wine tasting 8 SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO, MON- TERIGGIONI AND CHIANTI Full day excursion including journey by fully-fitted luxury GT coach, Expert multilingual escort,free tour of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, tasting of homemade ice cream in a renowned ice cream Parlour in San Gimignano, guided tour of Siena with professional guide, Siena Cathedral tickets. Visit of a rustic wine estate with tour of wine cellars and sampling of wines, oil and balsamic vinegar, snack based on delicious regional products 9 FLORENCE Transfer from hotel to Florence airport 36

37 I D в T r tuscany, pienza 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS - Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany and Veneto 1 DAY: ROME Arrival in Rome and transfer to the hotel. Free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 2 DAY: ROME After breakfast, departure to the excursion in the Heart of Rome to visit St. Peter s Basilica (visit inside), Navona Square, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. The tour will start from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as dell Esedra as its central area also called Esedra of the Diocletian Baths is hidden now by the Fountain of Naiadi. Reaching the Square of St. Peter we ll admire and visit inside the imposing building. Then we ll start our walk through the centre: the gorgeous Piazza Navona built on the ruins of the Domitian s Circus adorned by the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini realized in 1651, the Pantheon, a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. Then the guided tour will lead you to the worldwide famous Trevi Fountain. Afternoon, free time for your personal visit. Overnight at hotel. 3 DAY: ROME After breakfast, departure to the funny Rome open tour, an itinerary on board of an open top double-decker buses, to enjoy a 360 panoramic view. The tour lasts approx. 2 hours with 11 stops near the most important places. A bus every 15/20 minutes at each stop. Hostess or Steward on board. Hop-on and hop-off at each stop, limitless trips for the validity of the ticket. Afternoon, free time for your personal visits. Overnight at hotel. 4 DAY: ROME PERUGIA After breakfast, take your rental car at Termini central station and departure to Perugia. At your arrival in hotel, you will find the Perugia Museum Card that allows to visit the town and its museums. Perugia museum card is valid 48 hrs from the 1st visit and includes entrance at 5 of the following museums: Cappella di San Severo, Galleria nazionale d arte, Ipogeo dei Volumni, Museo archeologico nazionale d umbria, Museo della Rocca Paolina, Museo delle Porte e delle Mura, Museo Capitolare, Nobile Collegio del Cambio, Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia, Palazzo Baldeschi al Corso, Palazzo della Penna, Pozzo Etrusco and finally chocolate or ice cream tasting. Overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: PERUGIA - FLORENCE After breakfast, departure to Florence. Free time for your personal visits. Accommodation in hotel and overnight 6 DAY: FLORENCE After breakfast, departure to the walking guided tour Walk and talk in Florence. A pleasant walk in Florence is just what you need to be introduced to the city and its splendour and secular heritage! Hear tantalizing gossip of Michelangelo, discover what Leonardo had in mind to revolutionize the town, and 37

38 Sì, o che più, a rפ сto д lle e e, г e a n ore, мнт, llн rפ i, n o f нт l ore г e a st i to e to a [Lucio Battisti, Italian singer] VENETO Venice LOMBARDIA EMILIA ROMAGNA adriatic sea Florence TUSCANY MARCHE adriatic sea Perugia UMBRIA ABRUZZO tyrrhenian sea LAZIO Rome MOLISE more astounding events that shocked the Florentines. Get the chance to have a taste of one of the most important and charming cities of the world heritage of the UNESCO. Walk through the centre and discover its unique heritage and breathtaking beauty with an expert and fun tour guide. Our tour explores the historic and architectural evolution factors from the Roman foundation through medieval centuries and its Renaissance glorious period up to modern time Florence. Stop for a surprise tasting. Our guide will take you to some of the most important spots where the greatest artists have stood and been inspired. During this walk, you will see Piazza della Signoria with the town hall Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, the Baptistery, Giotto bell tower, Brunelleschi s Dome, Santa Trinita and the church of San Michele, Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the secret Vasari Corridor. Afternoon, free time for your personal visits. Overnight at hotel. 7 DAY: FLORENCE - VENICE After breakfast, drive to Venice. Drop off the car at Piazzale Roma - Venice within 12:00 p.m. Private transfer to the hotel: included private water taxi, meet & greet with the assistant in Piazzale Roma or meet & greet and assistance and porterage service to the hotel (depending on the booked hotel). Afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 8 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, departure to the guided walking tour of Venice. Have a walk outdoors (no entries) through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice. A qualified and experienced guide will escort you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the past full of charm of this unique city. An essential tour for the understanding of Venice! Route: Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie, Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, The Pantheon of Venice, the Great School of Charity, the Captains of fortune. Marco Polo s House and Malibran Theatre, beautiful corner of Venice. Return to San Marco through the Mercerie, vital connection between Rialto and San Marco and the main street for the city shopping. Afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 9 DAY: VENICE After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Venice Airport. Arrivederci! 38

39 I D в T r rome, trevi fountain DAY Accommodation 1-3 Hotel Ariston, 4 stars in Rome or similar 4 Hotel La Meridiana, 4 stars in Perugia or similar 5-6 B4 Astoria Firenze, 4 stars in Florence or similar 7-8 Hotel Amadeus, 4 stars in Venice or similar HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 1-8 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals 1 ROME Private transfer from Rome airport to the Hotel 2 ROME Guided excursion with transportation In the heart of Rome 3 ROME Ticket Rome open tour 4 ROME - PERUGIA Perugia museum card and chocolate or ice cream tasting 6 FLORENCE Walking guided Tour Walk & Talk in Florence 7 VENICE Private transfer from Venice P.le Roma to hotel including private water taxi, meet & greet with the assistant in P.le Roma or meet & greet and assistance and porterage service to the hotel (depending on the booked hotel) 8 VENICE Walking guided Tour of Venice 9 VENICE Private Transfer from hotel to Venice airport 4-7 Car rental (Cat E) Pick up at Rome Railway station and drop off in Venice, Unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & taxes 39

40 Sì, o che più, a rפ сto д lle e e, г e a n ore, мнт, llн rפ i, n o f нт l ore г e a st i to e to a [Lucio Battisti, Italian singer] venice florence, palazzo vecchio in piazza della signoria assisi, st. francis basilica 40

41 B at C a amalfi coast 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS - Campania 1 DAY: NAPLES Arrival in Naples airport, meet your driver and private transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. 2 DAY: POMPEII - NAPLES After breakfast departure by private car to Pompeii. Guided visit of the excavations of this ancient Roman city which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvio in 79 b.c. At the end of the visit departure to Naples with a stop in a workshop to look at the productive process of Cameos and Corals. In the afternoon guided visit of the Partenopea city and its historical centre to admire the Plebiscito Square, the Royal Palace, the Gallery of Umberto I and the San Carlo Opera House. Overnight at hotel. 3 DAY: NAPLES - SORRENTO After breakfast, free time at leisure for personal visit or shopping in Naples fashion streets or the outlet in Naples surrounding or tasting of typical products. Private transfer to Sorrento. Overnight at hotel. 4 DAY: CAPRI & ANACAPRI After breakfast, departure for an unforgettable private excursion to the Capri Island. After meeting your guide departure by private car to the port to reach the Island by hydrofoil. On arrival at the port of Capri departure to discover Anacapri with Villa San Michele and Capri town with its famous Piazzetta with nice boutique. In the afternoon departure to Sorrento. Overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: AMALFI COAST After breakfast, meet your guide and departure to discover the Amalfi coast along the Amalfi Costal road, one of the most scenic in Europe. enjoying magnificent views of Positano and other picturesque fishing villages. Arrival in Amalfi and walking guided tour through its pretty streets arriving to the 10th century Cathedral with its colourful facade. The panoramic tour proceeds to the small village of Scala and to Ravello to admire the ancient fortified castle, Piazza Vescovado and the Cathedral. This is the place where Wagner was inspired to write part of one of his operas and it is from here that you can enjoy the best views of the Amalfi coastline looking over to Minori, Maiori and beyond. Another option is to visit the Villa Rufolo with its gardens and wonderful views. At the end of the visit come back in Sorrento. Overnight at hotel. 6 DAY: SORRENTO - NAPLES After breakfast, private transfer to Naples airport. sorrento 41

42 Ma n atu / u bello, ƣ. / O o sta e a т! O, o o / sta e a т, sta e a т! [Napolitan folk song] CAMPANIA Naples Pompeii Sorrento Amalfi Capri/Anacapri tyrrhenian sea HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY DAY Accommodation 1-3 Hotel Royal Continental, 4 stars or Grand Hotel Vesuvio, 5 stars in Naples or similar 3-6 Hotel Antiche Mura,4 stars or Hotel Parco dei Principi, 5 stars in Sorrento or similar 1-6 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 NAPLES Private transfer from Naples airport to Hotel 2 NAPLES AND POMPEII Private Excursion including private car and guide service 3 SORRENTO Private transfer from Naples to Sorrento 4 CAPRI & ANACAPRI Private Excursion including private guide, transfer service hotel/port/hotel by private car, hydrofoil, tour of the island by private car 5 AMALFI COAST Private Excursion including private car and guide service from Sorrento to Ravello along Amalfi Road 6 NAPLES Private transfer from Naples airport to Hotel naples 42

43 fi Co t sorrento peninsula 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Campania 1 DAY: NAPLES-SORRENTO Private transfer from Naples airport to Hotel Palazzo Abagnale in Sorrento. Dinner in restaurant. 2 DAY: SORRENTO POMPEII NAPLES - SORRENTO Private transfer to Naples for a full day excursion to Pompei (entrance fee included) and Naples. You ll visit of the ruins of Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and brought back to light nearly intact. The tour will show you a bit of the lifestyle of the ancient inhabitants of the town. Stop in a local fabric to look the productive process of Cameos and Corals. Lunch to taste the typical pizza in one of the best Neapolitan pizzeria. In the afternoon, visit of Naples: Piazza del Plebiscito, Gallery Umberto I, The Royal Palace, San Carlo Theatre, the New Castle, Posillipo (Panoramic area), Spaccanapoli, Piazza Del Gesù Nuovo. Come back to Sorrento, overnight at hotel. 3 DAY: SORRENTO AMALFI COAST RAVELLO - SORRENTO After breakfast, depart: the coach joins the Amalfi coastal road which is one of the most stunning coastal drives in Europe. The scenery is superb, looking out over the Mediterranean and along the coastline as the road twists and turns its way towards the town of Positano (approx. 20 minutes from Sorrento). The town is built on different levels from the main road all the way down to sea level, giving the image of a waterfall of buildings cascading down to the sea. This spectacular journey continues with fabulous views all the way to Amalfi (approximately 1 hour). Arrival in Amalfi around 10am depending on traffic. You ll have 2 hours free time in Amalfi where a guided boat trip along the coast may be possible dependant on availability and weather conditions. You ll also visit the magnificent 9th century Cathedral which proudly dominates the main square of Amalfi, wander through the narrow streets of the town and browse the many shops or enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes around Amalfi. The excursion lunch stop takes place after Amalfi in the small village of Scala from which there are excellent views over Ravello. The excursion carries on to Ravello which is situated on the hillside above Amalfi. This is where Wagner was inspired to write part of one of his operas and it is from here that you can enjoy the best views of the Amalfi coastline looking over to Minori, Maiori and beyond. This quaint little town has a main square where the centerpiece is the bright picturesque eleventh century cathedral. Another option is to visit the Villa Rufolo with its gardens and wonderful views. For the journey back to Sorrento we head over the hills joining the motorway to Castellammare and then back along the coastal road to Sorrento. Please note that there are driving restrictions to return back along the Amalfi drive. Return to resort approx. between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm. Overnight at hotel. 4 DAY: SORRENTO FOOD & WINE TOUR BY TRAIN ON THE HILL (S. Agata and Massa Lubrense) After breakfast, an unforgettable half day excursion on board of a characteristic train in the mythical land of Ulisses. Shuttle bus from Sorrento to Sant Agata, and departure by train through the hills of St. Agata to the historic hamlets of Massa Lubrense, enjoying the splendid panoramic scenery of Capri and the two Bays. You could taste mozzarella, olive oil, limoncello, jams, preserves and other delicacies that the farms of this flourishing land offer. At 43

44 Oј bella, é té e a P o dó ll u chе e táт pò o dá dó vótta o vв e t o tt ch o e ó a n ata ò a lle sta [Napolitan folk song] CAMPANIA Naples Pompeii Salerno Sorrento Ravello Amalfi Paestum 3.00 p.m return to Sorrento. Free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: SORRENTO - COOKING CLASS ON SORRENTO HILL After breakfast, a private transfer take you to a beautiful a farmhouse on Sorrento hill where you will be welcomed in your cooking class. The lesson includes the preparation of a typical Mediterranean full meal that you enjoy for lunch (drinks not included) and finally you will receive, a certificate, your apron and chef hat, to remember this nice experience. After lunch transfer back to Sorrento and free time. Overnight at hotel. 6 DAY: VESUVIUS 4X4 After breakfast departure to Vesuvius volcano. When you reach to the end of the access route for coaches, change onto an ecological bus 4 x 4 which, and drive up the hill of the National Park of Vesuvius. Arrive at the Reserve AltoTirone, disembark the bas and begin the nature trail along the old road Matrone s Road which takes about 25 minutes to reach the top Piazzale Superiore which is at 1050 meters altitude. This path is much quieter than the main route where the coaches stop. Walk along the path that leads to the large crater, with an Alpine guide (required for access to the crater). Here, there are spectacular views spanning the entire Gulf of Naples, the Sorrento Peninsula and the islands of Capri and Ischia. After the exhilarating climb, wind down with a visit to a winefarm Le Cantine del Vesuvio at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Here you ll stroll through the vineyards and learn about the wine making process, then sit down for a leisurely lunch accompanied by a tasting of three of wine farm s own wines: a white, a red and a rosé. Return to Sorrento at approx 3.30 pm/4.00 pm. Overnight at hotel 7 DAY: SORRENTO ICE CREAM SCHOOL After breakfast, get ready for a gelato making class in Sorrento city! More than a fully fledged school, is a tasting demonstration of handmade ice cream. We want to offer you a demonstration on the preparation of craft gelato. The course is organized with lesson of minutes when you learn how to produce a fruit gelato, tasting the gelato made by yourself and chance of eating an ice-cream, you ll select from the icecream window, relaxing on a little table outdoor. After the course you ll have a certificate and a recipe that will allow you to produce the ice-cream or the slush by yourself. Dinner in a typical restaurant with folk show. Overnight at hotel. 8 DAY: SORRENTO NAPLES After breakfast, private transfer from hotel to Naples airport. Arrivederci! 44

45 fi Co t amalfi, st. andrew s cathedral HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY DAY Accommodation 1-7 Hotel Antiche Mura, 4 stars in Sorrento or similar 1-7 Accommodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1 SORRENTO Private transfer from Naples airport to Hotel 2 NAPLES AND POMPEII Private transfer from Sorrento to Naples, FD regular excursion Pompeii and Naples including coach and guide service 3 AMALFI COAST FD regular excursion Amalfi Coast (R/T bus transfer, tour assistance), lunch in restaurant during excursion 4 SORRENTO HILL Food & wine tour by train on Sorrento hill tasting included 5 SORRENTO Mediterranean cooking class and lunch in Sorrento hill (transfer a/r included) 6 VESUVIUS 4X4 Regular excursion Vesuvius 4x4 wine tasting including pick up at hotel, transport, professional guide, light lunch and wine tasting 7 SORRENTO Ice cream lesson, dinner in a typical restaurant with folk show 8 SORRENTO NAPLES Private transfer to Naples 45

46 Oј bella, é té e a P o dó ll u chе e táт pò o dá dó vótta o vв e t o tt ch o e ó a n ata ò a lle sta [Napolitan folk song] naples, castel dell ovo paestum, temple of athena 46

47 C ss T r ulя Matрa basilicata, matera, city of sassi 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Apulia & Matera, European Capital of Culture DAY: ARRIVAL IN BARI Arrival at Bari airport, pick up your car. Accommodation and overnight at hotel. Free time to discover the capital of Apulia Region and the prestigious Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari where his relics are preserved and source if pilgrimage for Catholic and Otodox Christians. 2 DAY: SALENTO, LECCE OTRANTO AND GALLIPOLI After breakfast, departure to Lecce. We suggest to drive on the Costal road. Arrival in Lecce and visit of the historic centre where you will admire the Baroque architecture of Piazza San Oronzo, the churches of San Matteo and the Rosario as well as Piazza Duomo and the church of Santa Croce. After lunch (at leisure), departure to Otranto where you ll discover the easternmost city in Italy. Visit the cathedral with its Chapel dedicated to 800 martyrs, its crypt as well as the mosaic floor (one of the largest in the world) created by the monk Pantaleone. The tour proceeds to Gallipoli, lovely town founded by the Greeks on the Ionic coast of Salento. Short visit of the historic centre, one of the gems of Salento with its artistic, historical and cultural heritage. You will discover numerous churches, such as the Cathedral of Sant Agata, monuments and palaces of excellent architectural value such as the Aragonese Castle (outside). Accommodation at Hotel in Lecce. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight. 3 DAY: ITRIA VALLEY, OSTUNI AND ALBEROBELLO After breakfast, departure to visit the old town of Ostuni, known as the White City. This picturesque town is nestled on a hilltop that overlooks century-old olive groves that weave their way down to the Adriatic Sea. For lovers of good food and good drink, there will be a stop to savour the local specialities at the Ostuni s olive oil cooperative, where you will have the opportunity to taste typical products. Lunch free. In the afternoon departure to Alberobello, one of the Apulia symbol and capital of the Trulli, traditional cone-shaped stone buildings, which are the symbol of Puglia. Visit of Rione Monti (UNESCO World Heritage Site) the Church Trullo, Trullo Siamese and other charming places of this unique town. Accommodation at hotel, dinner in a typical Trullo and overnight. 4 DAY: ALTAMURA E CASTELLANA GROTTE After breakfast, departure to Altamura famous for its prehistoric and Roman ruins and also for its bread and focaccia. Discover this fantastic town full of fascinating sights located within the Nation al Park of the Alta Murgia. Visit of an ancient wood oven to discover the old methods to prepare the typical Altamura bread. In the afternoon departure to the Castellana Grotte, one of the most important attractions of Apulia and natural heritage of inestimable value to Italy. Visit the caves deep in an amazing scenario made of stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, incredible shapes, fossils, canyons and caves with fantastic names. Return to the hotel and overnight. 5 DAY - MATERA After breakfast, departure to discover Matera, in the Basilicata Region. The magnificent city of Sassi, whose ancient stone dwellings are dug into the soft calcareous stone of the 47

48 Ci тפ / ðu è u e ll, Ci è a ss a ll / è a я т [U Santu Paulu, Popular song] San Giovanni Rotondo Monte Sant Angelo Manfredonia APULIA Trani adriatic sea Castel del Monte Matera Altamura NBari Castellana Grotte Alberobello Itria Valley Cisternino BASILICATA Ostuni NBrindisi ionian sea Lecce Gallipoli Otranto canyon or gravina, is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The visit is developed through a complex and unique location within the characteristic districts of Sassi. Starting from the area called the Piano, the last level of urban development on the top of Sassi, you will proceed along paths, alleys and stairs where, descending back over time, you can relive remote sensations. Enjoy your walking tour with a stop in a typical Sasso to taste wine Primitivo di Matera, Lucano Oil and Matera bread. Lunch in restaurant. Return to the Hotel and overnight. 6 DAY - CATHEDRALS & CASTLE: TRANI AND CASTEL DEL MONTE After breakfast, departure to Castel del Monte a geometric design fortress built in an octagonal shape, with each of the eight corners sporting an octagonal tower. The fortress is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Southern Italy and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.In the afternoon departure to Trani a magnificent seaside town north of Bari where you will visit the Cathedral, symbol of Apulian Romanesque style, as well as the castle built by Emperor Frederick II of Svevia to defend the harbour. On the way stop in a wine cellar to taste red wine and Moscato wine wit typical product (taralli, burrata ). The tour continues to the promontory of Gargano that due to its shape, is considered to be Italy s buttress. Arrival at the hotel in the area of Manfredonia. dinner and overnight at hotel. 7 DAY - GARGANO: MANFREDONIA, MONTE SANT ANGELO, SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO After breakfast, visit of Manfredonia, town of medieval origins in the southern part of the Gargano. Visit the area of Borgo Antico, transfer to Monte Sant Angelo and visit of the ancient town and the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, one of the symbols of Christian pilgrims. The basilica is unique in its genre, since it is almost completely built inside the natural cave where the Archangel appeared several times to the Bishop who then decided to found a church there. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, tour of San Giovanni Rotondo. Free time at leisure to visit the site of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Visit the new sanctuary designed by Renzo Piano and the ancient Church of the Convent where the saint was used to pray. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight. 8 DAY - END OF THE TOUR After breakfast, transfer to airport in Bari. Arrivederci! 48

49 C ss T r ulя Matрa apulia, alberobello, trulli DAY Accommodation 1-2 Hotel Bairon, 4 stars in Bari or similar 2-3 President Hotel 4 stars in Lecce or similar HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY 3-6 Masseria Chiancone Torricella, 4 star in Alberobello or similar 6-8 Regiohotel Manfredi, 4 star in Manfredonia or similar DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 2 LECCE Guided visit of Lecce; dinner at restaurant or hotel. 3 OSTUNI AND ALBEROBELLO 4 ALTAMURA AND CASTELLANA CAVES Visit of Olive Oil Cooperative in Ostuni with olive oil tasting; Guided tour of Alberobello and dinner in a typical trullo Guided Visit of an ancient wood oven in Altamura with tasting; Ticket entrance and guided visit of Castallana Caves 5 MATERA Guided visit of Matera with tasting; lunch at restaurant in Matera 6 TRANI Wine tasting in Trani; dinner at hotel 7 GARGANO Dinner at hotel or restaurant 1-8 Car rental (Cat E) Pick up and drop-off at Bari airport, Unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & Taxes 49

50 Ci тפ / ðu è u e ll, Ci è a ss a ll / è a я т [U Santu Paulu, Popular song] apulia, lecce, st. maria assunta cathedral apulia, typical products apulia, andria, castel di monte 50

51 y & D в taormina 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Sicily 1 DAY: CATANIA Arrival at the airport, pick up you car and drive to the Hotel. Free time at leisure to discover the city and its shopping main street Corso Italia /, via Monfalcone, via Etna, Corso Sicilia and via Umberto Or take a guided visit to the historical centre of Catania and the market fish. Accommodation at hotel in Catania or Taormina area, dinner and overnight at Hotel. 2 DAY: ETNA AND TAORMINA After brakfast, departure to discover the beauties of the highest volcano in Europe, with possibility to do excursions by walk, 4x4 and quad. Not to be missed is a stroll on the main street of Taormina for shopping. We do recommend an aperitif inone of the many lounge bars of the town. Return to the hotel and overnight. 3 DAY: TAORMINA - PALERMO After breakfast, departure to Taormina the small medieval village called the pearl of the Ionic Sea, Through a walking in town you will visit the most important monuments and you will live the typical atmosphere of this town. The tour proceeds to Palermo. Along the way we suggest to have a stop in Castelbuono a beautiful mountain village with its castle of Ventimiglia and the famous patisserie Fiasconaro where you could taste tipycal products as Cannolo Siciliano or cassata. Or in alternative you can visit Cefalu, typical fisherman village with a beautiful Cathedral. Arrive in Palermo, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight. 4 DAY: PALERMO After breakfast, visit of Palermo, considered the cultural and economic centre among the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. The route begins with the visit to the market of Ballarò, by definition the market of the town of Palermo. Visit of the Cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni and visit of the Palatina Chapel and its splendid byzantine mosaics. We suggest to visit Monreale at 7 km from Palermo to visit the magnificent Norman cathedral that attracts every year a million visitors. It is one hundred meters long, it has splendid apses decorated to blind arches, the Cathedral of Monreale reveals its sumptuosity in its interior, with it is amazing walls covered by stupendous golden mosaics. Dinner and overnight at hotel. 5 DAY: PALERMO-ERICE - MARSALA OR SELINUNTE - AGRIGENTO After breakfast departure to Erice, settled on the top of Monte San Giuliano, in splendid panoramic position above Trápani and in silence among the clouds. The old city centre is typically medieval, made of small squares, narrow and streets where there are beautiful flourished gardens. You will find a suburb animated by shops of typical craft: ceramics elegantly decorated, carpets, and the traditional sweet with almonds and dried fruito. Here You ll meet the famous Maria Grammatico, thet will show you as she yet prepare its pastries. We suggest to taste the different types of sweets: almond pastry, pistachio pastry,orange pastry. In the afternoon the tour proceeds to Segesta, Archaeological Park, dominated by the mass of the elegant doric temple, settled in splendid position, among sweet ocher and red hills OR to Marsala Area, the biggest centre for wine production in Sicily. Visit and taste a famous wine cellar, settled in a typical buildings called bagli. Arrival in Agrigento, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight. 51

52 «La a дi or,, д дlle e, l à - дl лo l e дl n chi sti a a, ss e rà rפ tta». [J.W.Goethe, Viaggio in Italia, 1817] tyrrhenian sea STROMBOLI ALICUDI SALINA PANAREA LIPARI FILICUDI VULCANO Erice NPalermo Taormina Marsala Selinunte SICILY etna volcano park NCatania ionian sea Agrigento Syracuse mediterranean sea Noto Ragusa 6 DAY: AGRIGENTO - RAGUSA - NOTO After breakfast, visit the Valley of Temples, the most sublime testimony of the Greek civilization in Sicily. At the end of the visit departure to Ragusa and Modica, the first rich in Baroque and the second, famous for the delicious chocolate. Accommodation at Hotel Ragusa or Noto area. Overnight. 7 DAY: NOTO - SYRACUSE - CATANIA After brakfast, departure Noto, one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for the harmony and unity of its Baroque style and today declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Proceed to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological park of the Neapolis, including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek Theatre (its cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks and still in use today for classical representations), the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dyonisyus (an artificial limestone quarry named by the painter Caravaggio). Visit the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa, built by the Aragonians: here you can admire the Cathedral and the Fontana Aretusa, where the papyrus still grows abundantly. Accommodation at hotel Catania area. Overnight. 8 DAY: CATANIA After brakfast, drive to airport, drop off your car and Arrivederci!! agrigento, temples valley 52

53 y & D в volcano etna HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY DAY Accommodation 1-3 NH Bellini, 4 stars in Catania or Hotel villa Esperia 4 stars in Taorimina or similar 3-5 Hotel Porta Felice or Hotel Plaza Opera, 4 stars in Palermo or similar 5-6 Hotel Baia di Ulisse, 4 stars in Agrigento or similar 6-7 Hotel Poggio del Sole, 4 stars in Ragusa or Grand Hotel Sofia, 4 stars in Noto or similar 7-8 NH Bellini, 4 stars in Catania or Hotel villa Esperia 4 stars in Taormina or similar 1-8 Accomodation in standard room in bed & breakfast DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 1-8 Car rental (Cat E) Pick up and drop-off at Catania airport, Unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & taxes 53

54 «La a дi or,, д дlle e, l à - дl лo l e дl n chi sti a a, ss e rà rפ tta». [J.W.Goethe, Viaggio in Italia, 1817] ragusa selinunte, temple of hera 54

55 я y & D в cagliari 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS - Sardinia 1 DAY: OLBIA Arrival in Olbia. Collect the car at airport and drive to the hotel in Olbia area. Accomodation at hotel and overnight. 2 DAY: LA MADDALENA AND CAPRERA After breakfast, we suggest to visit the National Park of La Maddalena with regular excursion by boat departing fom Palau (available from may to september). The itinerary includes Spargi Island, the beautiful Cala Corsara, the Isle of Budelli, Cala del Cavaliere, also called Natural Pools. The tour proceeds to to the island of Santa Maria and finally to the famous island of La Maddalena, where your will can stroll through the picturesque streets of the famous old town full of shops for shopping visiting also the harbor. Return to Palau in the afternoon and drive to Porto Cervo in the Emerald coas. This area is Today the favourite tourist destination of the international Jet Set and Porto Cervo is its emblem. Return to hotel and overnight. 3 DAY: CENTRAL SARDINIA: BARGAGIA REGION AND ORGOSOLO After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive through the Gennargentu mountains in Central Sardinia, an area strewn with the traces of the ancient dwellers of Sardinia: domus de janas, tombs of the giants and the nuraghes of Su Calavriche, Mereu and Gorroppu. Reach Orgosolo, the symbol of the Barbarician culture and known for its murals on the outer walls of the houses and even on some rocks around the town, with social, artistic and political themes. Continue towards the Supramonte of Orgosolo, arriving to pinnettos village, traditional sheperd huts built of stone and covered with boughs of juniper.lunch with shepherds tasting authentic flavors: cold meats, dry ricotta, boiled mutton, roasted pork, typical bread, accompanied by Cannonau, excellent Sardinian intense wine. After lunch, drive to Cagliari, check in at the hotel and overnight. 4 DAY: CAGLIARI, NORA AND THE PANORAMIC ROAD TO CHIA BAY After breakfast, discover Cagliari, the regional capital of Sardinia and the largest city in the island. Visit of the historic centre where you will admire the old district of Castello that, with the small street, recall those of some Spanish villages. Proceed the visit to the Santa Maria Cathedral, a masterpiece of artistic variety resulting from the long succession of different civilizations and to the National Archaeological Museum. Drive to the Bonaria Basilica, a religious complex consisting of a small Catalan Gothic church, and the Basilica, built in the Neoclassic Style. Continue to Monte Urpinu, one of the biggest, beautiful and breezy parks in Cagliari from where, getting up to the top of hill, you ll be gratified by a splendid view of the gulf of Cagliari and of the city. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, depart on the South Western Coastal road and admire the lagoons populated by flamingoes. Visit the Roman Town of Nora, one of the main archaeological areas in Sardinia where you will see the beautiful Roman theatre, unique in Sardinia, the thermal baths, the temples, the paved streets and the precious mosaics of Patrician villas. Drive then on the panoramic road to the Chia Bay that, with its silky sand, up to 30 meter-high white dunes and crystalline, turquoise-hued water, is reminiscent of an idyllic Caribbean beach. The bay is bordered by majestic, age-old junipers and a few stone traces of the Phoenician city of Bithia whose site Chia Bay now occupies. Return to the hotel in Cagliari. Overnight. 55

56 La è ё che uॐo ssa i: в tt ch ॐ ст,, ste e be д n lo che ё р Dё i P o. [Fabrizio De Andrè, Italian singer] La Maddalena Caprera Moon Valley Aggius N Olbia Grotta di Nettuno Alghero tyrrhenian sea Bosa Orgosolo sardinian sea SARDINIA Barumini CagliariN Nora Chia 5 DAY: THE NURAGIC VILLAGE AND CASA ZAPATA MUSEUM IN BARUMINI, THE OLD CITY OF BOSA After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive Barumini to visit the Su Nuraxi Nuragic village, UNESCO world heritage site dating from the Bronze Age. This Nuragic settlement, is the most important in the whole Sardinia and, as seen today with the commanding castleshaped nuragic (just like a real Medieval castle) surrounded by an extensive village, bears witness to the incredible knowledge of architecture and building techniques of the Ancient Sardinians even in those prehistoric times. Visit the museum of Casa Zapata that is actually three museums in one: precisely an archaeological, an historical and an ethnographic museum. Drive to Oristano and have free time for lunch. After lunch, reach the historical centre of Bosa one of the most beautiful old city in all Sardinia, set on the estuary of the river Temo, the only river in Sardinia that is navigable by boat for several kilometres. Bosa has a pretty town centre situated on the banks of the river and crossed by charming bridges. The houses painted different pastel colours are clustered at the bottom of the hill overlooked by the Castle of Serravalle, of Late Medieval origin with 300-metre long surrounding walls and 7 towers. After the visit, drive to Alghero. Along the way stop in a wine cellar to taste the typical wine Malvasia. Accommodation in hotel in Alghero and overnight. 6 DAY: ALGHERO AND NEPTUNE CAVES After breakfast, visit the stunning Neptune Caves on the Capo Caccia Promontory just over 20 Km from Alghero, in a wonderful scenic position. It was discovered by a local fisherman in the 18th century and from that time on became a popular tourist attraction. The Grotto is a total of 4 Km long, but only a few hundred metres can be visited. The chambers contain large stalactites and stalagmites but most importantly a large salt lake 120 m long with incredible reflections. To reach the entrance you must go down a staircase of no fewer than 654 steps cut out of the rock, with a view over the sea. It s also possible to reach the caves by boat. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, return to Alghero and visit of the historical city centre with its fortifications. The city is famous for its inhabitants having continued to use Catalan language: for this reason it is named la Barceloneta, little Barcellona. The small alleys of the old town are full of shops specialised in working red coral, one of the most valuable types of coral in the world. Worthy of note are the church of San Francesco, with its splendid cloister and the church of San Michele with its brightly coloured majolica dome. Return to the hotel in Alghero and overnight. 7 DAY: GALLURA AND THE MOON VALLEY IN AGGIUS After breakfast, drive to Castelsardo, a charming coastal town whose destiny has always been linked to the sea. In ancient times it was both a defence post and a strategic watch point. Visit the old town, perched on a hill beside the sea, that preserves its medieval fortress structure, with soaring bastions, steep stairways and a maze of narrow streets and alleys. On top of the plateau, admire the Doria castle, which houses the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving. With a short walk from the castle, you will reach the cathedral of Sant Antonio Abate, with its tall bell tower topped by a dome in coloured majolica tiles. On the slopes of the Castello, stands the Medieval church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with a wooden crucifix of the Black Christ. Lunch 56

57 я y & D в bosa at leisure. After lunch drive to one of the oldest centres of the Gallura, to the city of Aggius, quaint village with fine old houses built of granite stone, among the most outstanding examples of local folk architecture. The village can be considered the ultimate repository of centuries-old traditions in song, dance, textiles and in the traditional manufacturing of cork, iron and granite. It is this granite which makes the panorama unique, beginning from the churches and houses of the historic centre to the suggestive Moon Valley, where you will find the most important traces of the first settlements in the territory: the shelters under rock used in the Neolithic period for homes, burials and places of worship and the megalithic monuments from the Nuragic Age. Visit at the Oliva Carta Cannas country life museum that displays the original objects and tools tracing the history, culture and traditions of Aggius and the whole of Gallura. After the visit, drive to Olbia, check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight. 8 DAY: OLBIA After breakfast, drive to the airport of Olbia. Delivery of the car. Arrivederci! sardinia, typical products 57

58 La è ё che uॐo ssa i: в tt ch ॐ ст,, ste e be д n lo che ё р Dё i P o. [Fabrizio De Andrè, Italian singer] palau, punta faro DAY Accommodation HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY Olbia: Hotel Mercure, 4 stars; Hotel La Corte di Ambrosio, 3 stars; Arzachena: Tenuta Pilastru Resort; Gallura area: Hotel Majore, 4 stars; Hotel Rena Bjanca, 3 stars 3-4 Cagliari: Thotel, 4 stars; Sardinia Domus, 3 stars; Hotel Santa Lucia, 3 stars in Capoterra 5-6 Alghero: Hotel Catalunya, 4 stars; Hotel Margherita, 3 stars; Locanda il Trovatore in Tuttobella; Bosa area: Hotel Baia Romantica, 3 stars; Hotel Corte Fiorita, 3 stars. DAY Services/Excursions/Experiences/Meals as follow 3 ORGOSOLO Lunch with shepherds 5 BOSA Visit of a wine cellar with Malvasia tasting 1-8 Car rental (Cat E) Pick up and drop-of at Olbia airport, Unlimited mileage, CDW, THW & Taxes [email protected] 58