from Sicily to Lake Como

from SICILY to LAKE COMO – 5 stars

Day 1: Palermo – 2 nights
After morning arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, check-in and store your luggage at the Hotel reception ( check-in start usually at 2.00pm).
Meet your tour tour guide in the Lobby. Our tour begins moving to Monreale, for a visit of the famous Benedictine Abbey, dating from the twelfth century, which houses beautiful mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testament, and the Cloister. Continue than to the Hotel for registration. Move than to Mondello for dinner at beautiful restaurant by the promenade.

*Mondello Dinner Suggestion: Ristorante Il Gabbiano

** Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from Airport Arrival until after dinner (9.00pm)

Day 2: Palermo [B]
This day will be dedicated to a guided tour of the capital of Sicily, Palermo. A cosmopolitan city, where they live in harmony a mosaic of cultures which make the town a mystical and exotic at the same time. Visit to the Cathedral, Quattro Canti, the churches of San Cataldo and La Martonara, the famous local flea-market “Mercato del Capo” ending at the Massimo Opera House, considered the 3rd largest theatre in Europe.

*Palermo Dinner Suggestion: Ristorante The Cucci Bistrorante or Ristorante Lo Scudiero

** Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 3: Palermo – Cefalù – Taormina [B] 2 nights
This morning transfer to the est coast of Sicily. On route stop to the untouched and chromatic fisherman’s village of Cefalù. An enjoyable and relaxing lunch wait you by the corniche of this beautiful medieval town. Visit the Norman cathedral and the historical center including the famous “lavatoio”, still active in the 1950’s.
Continue to Taormina, the pearl of Sicily. Arrival and check-in at your Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the charming historical center.

*Taormina Dinner Suggestion: Ristorante La Grotta Azzurra

** Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 4: Taormina (wine tasting dine on Mt. Etna Volcano) [BL]
Explore the slopes of Mt. Etna with our tour that also includes an interesting honeytasting session in Zafferana. There are 2 stages, our first stop is Refuge Sapienza, 6000ft, this is included! Here is a beautiful spot to experience the Volcano, with shops and restaurants, volcanic soil and ancient craters; eruptions if any usually they are on the north-east bank, they are not affecting our tour! From this point Refuge Sapienza if you wish to reach the 9600ft you need to move by cable car, than from this point up to 10400ft by Four-wheel bus truck ( there is an extra charge of 45€/50€ to do that round trip – it takes 2 hours for a round trip – you spend 45 min at the summit and there is a short tour provided by the Alpine local guide). On the way back to Taormina, stop at famous winery Gambino for a wine tasting followed by lunch on the terrace of this incredible location, facing the Ionian sea and Calabria, surrounded by chestnuts trees and vineyards of Nerello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola grapes. Return to Taormina early afternoon, for a walking tour of Taormina (1h30min). Taormina is one of the best Mediterranean attractions, considered the pearl of the Sicily for its beautiful views, surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation, such as colorful bougainvillea, surrounded by medieval palaces of great value and by the imposing of the Greek-Roman Theatre. Evening at leisure. (B)

*Taormina Dinner Suggestion: Ristorante Gran Duca

** Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 5: Catania to Naples [B] Naples to Sorrento – 3 nights
Pompei on route
Morning transfer to Catania Airport (CTA) for your flight to Naples Capodichino (NAP). Alitalia – Flight: AZ1708 Departure: 12:30pm – Arrival: 1:30pm

Transfer to your hotel in Sorrento. Drive along the spectacular coast road of the Bay of Naples to Sorrento. Reached Pompeii you will visit and explore with our local guide the archeological park. Pompeii was partially destroyed and buried in up to 20 ft of ash and pumice from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was rediscovered in 1749. Since then its excavation has uncovered an extraordinarily preserved insight to life in a city at the height of the Roman Empire. The balance of the day is at leisure. The center of Sorrento’s life is focused at the Piazza Tasso, where you’ll find restaurants, pizzerias, cafes, and shops that will satisfy every person’s search for La Dolce Vita.

*Sorrento Dinner suggestion at Ristorante Tasso or Ristorante Circolo dei Forestieri

** Vehicle at disposal for Pompei tour and In/Out Transfers in Taormina and in Naples

Day 6: Sorrento – Capri Island [B]
9.00am Meet your guide in the lobby Transfer to the harbor and board hydrofoil to Capri. The island of Capri is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, rich of natural beauty and breathtaking panoramic views. You will sail across the Tyrrhenian sea by hydrofoil and approaching the pier of Capri you will surround and admire the massive cliffs from the bottom and appreciate the crystalline water of the island.
You will dock at Marina Grande, than take the funicular to the famous Piazzetta, center of town. Walking along the narrow streets you will reach the Caesar Augustus Gardens. Get your Kodak moment of “i Faraglioni”. Free time for lunch and shopping before returning to the pier by funicular to board the hydrofoil back to Sorrento.

*Capri Lunch suggestion at Ristorante La Capannina or Ristorante L’altro Vissani

**Vehicle: Transfer from Hotel to the Sorrento harbor – round trip

*** Hydrofoil tickets to Capri, Funicolare tickets included

Day 7: Sorrento – Positano, Ravello, Amalfi [B]
9.30am Meet your driver in the lobby. Full day on the Amalfi coast, a natural Unesco Site, known worldwide for its breathtaking road on high cliffs overlooking the sea.
Stop in Positano, most charming village of the Amalfi Coast, enjoy 2 hours of free time. Than in Amalfi, visit St Andrew’s Church and the maritime Museum of Ancient Republic of Amalfi. Do not miss the chance to get the famous Amalfi paper as souvenir. Taste some “Limoncello” at one of local small factory.
Continue to the village of Ravello, famous for the music festival. Suggested visit to the wonderful gardens of Villa Cimbrone and its amazing view of the coastline. Return to Sorrento.

*Ravello Lunch suggestion at Ristorante “Da Salvatore” or Ristorante “Garden”.

** Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 8: Sorrento to Rome – Ancient Rome [B] – 2 nights
2 nights Hotel Quirinale or Hotel De la Minerve or similar
In the morning meet driver at your hotel for your transfer to Rome. Arrival to the site of Ancient Rome, meet your local guide for a guided visit of the Roman Forum, the Coliseum and the Capitoline Hill.
Afternoon at leisure for a walk of Rome’s famous piazzas. You might want to start at the world-famous Trevi Fountain for your coin toss into its waters to ensure a return to Rome, according to traditional legend. From the Trevi, it’s a short walk to one of Rome’s loveliest piazzas highlighted by the city’s best-preserved ancient building, the Pantheon. Finish your walk at Piazza Navona, a chariot racetrack during ancient times, now a large oval piazza showcasing some of artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s greatest works. (B)

*Rome Lunch suggestion at Ristorante Ba Ghetto or Nonna Betta by the old Jews neighbor

**Rome Dinner suggestion at Ristorante Tre Scalini in Navona square

***Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 9: Rome – Vatican City [B]
Morning guided tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Peter. Rest of the day at leisure (time to explore the fashion avenues of Rome!).
Enjoy dinner out in one of the most beautiful square of Rome as Piazza Navona. (B)

*Rome Dinner suggestion at Ristorante Ambasciata d’Abbruzzo at the exclusive Parioli neighbor or at Trattoria La Scala in Trastevere

Day 10: Rome – Montalcino – Siena – Florence [B] 2 nights
Meet your driver at your hotel and be ready for your transfer to Florence. En route stop in the Valley d’Orcia nearby the town of Montalcino where you will attend a visit of a famous wine estate including wine tasting of the world famous Brunello wine and a light lunch of local Tuscan products.
Continue to the ancient town of Siena after lunch. It is set high above the valley with extraordinary views from every direction and crowned by the Duomo with its beautiful façade, a charming town filled of picturesque boutique, wine bistrot and good restaurants. Stroll through the center to Piazza del Campo. Free time in Siena. Continue than to Florence.  Check-in at your Hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

*Montalcino lunch at the Wine Estate Poggio Rubino or Poggio Antico or similar

**Florence Dinner suggestion at Ristorante “Golden View”.

***Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 11: Florence
After breakfast depart to Florence. Meet your local guide and start your tour of Florence’s glorious history. Start your tour at the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The David. Stroll through the center with a discussion on the medieval settlement as you arrive at Piazza della Signoria, the secular square filled with Renaissance Palazzi including the masterful Palazzo Vecchio. Don’t miss a stroll to the Ponte Vecchio, filled with artisan jewelry shops and onto the elegant shopping avenue, Via Tornabuoni.  Afternoon at leisure in Florence. (B)

Day 12: Firenze – Parma – Modena – Como [B,L] – 3 nights
Meet your driver at your hotel and move to Parma, the home of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma, explore the “food valley” and taste and learn about all the techniques & traditions of making Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese. Than continue to Modena, the capital of balsamic Vinegar and Lambrusco wine. Experience a tasting session at one of the oldest balsamic vinegar cellars followed by a gourmet lunch at local restaurant included. Arrival in Como and check-in. Rest of the day at leisure.

*Como Dinner suggestion at Ristorante Sant’Anna 1907

**Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 13:  Milan – Lake Como [B]
Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Como. Move to Milan for a walking tour of the city. Visit to the Castello Sforzesco, then walk to Piazza Duomo. Conclude your tour with a visit to La Scala Opera House, the majestic Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy shopping at the famous “Quadrilatero della Moda,” considered a must for all visitors since Milan has been called the Fashion Capital of Italy. Rest of the day at leisure.

*Milan Lunch suggestion at Ristorante Piazza Repubblica or at Ristorante Al Mercante (an opportunity to try the very best risotto alla Milanese with ossobuco, and other gourmet dishes of haute-cuisine)

**Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 14: Lake Como – Bellagio [B]
After breakfast at the hotel you’ll experience one of the highlights of your vacation, Bellagio, on Lake Como. Meet your driver and take a ride to the magnificent lake with its memorable views, you will visit the charming resort of Bellagio with its graceful lakeside promenades where you’ll have free time for lunch or just wandering. Return to your Hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight. (B)

*Como Dinner suggestion at Ristorante I Tigli in Theoria

**Vehicle at disposal 8 hours – from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Day 15: Milan Airport
Breakfast at the hotel and than transfer to Milano Malpensa airport. Ciao ciao Italia!

**Vehicle for private transfer to the Airport

Venice

Visit the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark square with its Basilica.

Enjoy a gondola serenade along the nerrow canals.

Shop at one of the local Murano blooming Glass factory-showroom.

Verona

the city of the ywo famous lovers, Juliet’s House.

Amarone wine tasting.

Arena di verona Amphiteatre.

Milan

Visit of Castello Sforzesco, La Scala Opera House, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the Duomo. Milanese aperitivo – Happy Hour.

Parma

the home of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma

Explore the “food valley”, taste and learn about all the techniques & traditions

Cinque Terre

Vernazza and the Belforte traditional restaurant, a gourmet experience with our Chef Alessandro.

Manarola and route of love

The fisherman’s village of Rio Maggiore with Ca’ da Posa e Ca’ da Sera local white wine from Corniglia slopes

Local fresh “pesto alla genovese” from Monterosso al Mare and squid ink linguine pasta

Portofino

Walk along the harbor and continue up to the Medieval Castle and the promontory, here admire the beautiful corniche of the Tigullio bay and the luxury yachts

Luxury shopping & gourmet restaurants for lunch

Pisa

visit at the famous leaning tower on Piazza Campodei Miracoli (Miracles Field)

Continue to Piazza dei Cavalieri and the medieval city wall

Florence

The visit of the Italian Capital of Renaissance will start with a guided tour of the Academia museum to admire Michelangelo’s original “David” statue

Santa Maria del Fiore and the “Gates of Paradise” doors

Signoria and Santa Croce square where you will experience a leather demonstration at authentic “made in Italy” florentine retailer

Ponte Vecchio, the goldsmith and their jewelleries

Panoramic view from Michelangelo square

Enjoy the night atmosphere at one of the local centuries Cafe’

Chianti Wine Region

Vineyards and hills of Chianti

Wine tasting at famous prestigious winery of Chianti Classic – tour of the castle and the old wine cellars

*** OPTIONAL – Cooking demonstration class followed by lunch in Chianti

San Gimignano

famous medieval Towers

Pottery shopping – best italian gelato – local extra virgin olive oil – wild-boar prosciutto and pecorino cheese