Italian Intermezzo

Days 1-2  Milan to Venice      
Meet your travel director on arrival in Milan and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers for a welcome reception. Head to the glorious city of Venice on day 2.

Day 3  Venice            
Travel to Giudecca Island to witness the art of glassblowing before a pleasant boat ride past Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore to St. Mark's Square. Learn about the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima' and the riches of St. Mark's Basilica with time to see the Doge's Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Spend the afternoon at leisure before a romantic gondola serenade gliding along the atmospheric canals.

Day 4  Venice to Florence  
Follow the fertile River Po into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, continuing to Pisa and the world famous Leaning Tower in the 'Meadow of Miracles'. Later, continue to beautiful Florence - a treasure trove of the Renaissance and choose between a tour of the Accademia Museum with a local expert or to browse the ancient market.

Day 5  Florence        
Learn the secret of Florentine leather making before an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit Michelangelo's masterpiece the ‘Statue of David' and the Signoria Square, filled with Renaissance sculptures.

Day 6  Florence to Rome      
Journey to Umbrian Orvieto, a hilltop village overlooking a vineyard covered plain and explore the town. Travel through the vineyards of the Chianti Hills, en route to the ‘Eternal City' of Rome.

Day 7  Rome      
Enjoy fast-track VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of history. With an expert historian, admire the vast collections of Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages, before visits to the sublime Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Later, enjoy time at leisure to explore.

Day 8  Rome        
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy and transfer to the airport for your flight home.