Highlight’s of Italy by high-speed train

HIGHLIGHT’S OF ITALY by high-speed train – 10 nights

Day 1: Venice – 20min boat ride
Arrival at international airport Marco Polo.  Welcome by your tour escort.
Transfer by private water taxi to the hotel located on the Grand Canal. Orientation tour nearby your hotel given by your tour escort. Rest of day free.
Dinner in a traditional local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 2: Venice
After breakfast, meet your tour guide and take a cruise to the Island of Murano. You will enjoy a nice cruise along the Venetian Lagoon. Visit to a Murano glass blowing factory including a demonstration work where you will see how they make unique glass objects. Continue by boat to Venice, meet you local guide for a walking tour of the city. Visit Piazza San Marco, the St. Mark Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace. Conclude the tour with a gondola serenade if you wish. (Optional to be paid on the spot). Rest of day free. (B)

Day 3: Venice – Florence (2hours) by high-speed train
Departure transfer to your Hotel in Florence. Meet your assistant and move to Venice the train station. Board Frecciarossa train to Florence. Meet your local guide at your hotel to start your tour of Florence. Visit at the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The David. Continue to the Duomo, than reach Piazza della Signoria, the most elegant square of Florence embellished with statues, where you will admire Palazzo Vecchio. Stop to see Ponte Vecchio, filled with artisan jewelry shops and finish your tour at Santa Croce Square, where you can shop for leather manufactures. Free time for lunch. (B, D)

Day 4:  Florence – San Gimignano and Chianti Classico winery
Meet your driver at your hotel and drive on the “Strada del Vino” (road of the wine) through the hills of Tuscany to San Gimignano, Italy’s most beautiful medieval city. Once inside the city walls make your way to the stunning 12th-century Duomo and continue though the winding streets to Piazza della Cisterna. San Gimignano is known for its medieval walls, towers and smart boutiques. Spend your afternoon exploring the charming center with extraordinary views of the surrounding countryside.
Return to Florence and free time for shopping. (B)

*** Wine tasting with snacks and tour of the historical cellar at famous Chianti Winery
(55€ per person included)

Day 5: Florence -> Naples (3hours) by high-speed train – Sorrento
Transfer to the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. Board the bullet train FrecciaRossa to Naples. Meet your driver at the end of platform at Naples train Station. Private transfer to your hotel in Sorrento. Drive along the spectacular coast road of the Bay of Naples to Sorrento. Check in at your hotel. Dinner at traditional Neapolitan restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6: Sorrento – Amalfi Coast
Full day on the Amalfi coast, a natural Unesco Site, known worldwide for its breathtaking road on high cliffs overlooking the sea. Stop 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.
Lunch suggested in Ravello at Ristorante “Da Salvatore”. (B)

Day 7: Sorrento-Capri Island
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, having the chance to cherish the view of Li Galli islands.
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. (B)

Day 8: Sorrento – Pompei – Rome – (280km-3h15) with confort stops in between
Meet your driver at your hotel and be ready for your transfer to Rome. Stop on route to visit the ancient roman city of Pompei. Visit the highlights of this unique archeological UNESCO site. Enjoy the hidden secrets of of Rome on your own. Walk to Spanish Square, enjoy Shopping and la “Dolce Vita”. (B)

Day 9:  Rome – Ancient Rome
In the morning meet driver at your hotel for your transfer to the site of Ancient Rome for a guided visit of the Roman Forum, the Coliseum and the Capitoline Hill. Dinner suggested at local restaurant in Trastevere. (B)

Day 10: Rome & Vatican City
Morning on your own, so you can spend time to enjoy the atmosphere of the Roman lifestyle. After lunch, 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 with family and friends in one of the most beautiful square of Rome (B,D)

Day 11: Rome airport – (28km-30min)
This morning transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Ciao Ciao Italia!

Venice
Doge Palace
St Mark Evangelist
golden Basilica
Rialto bridge
Canareggio Jewish ghetto
Muranoisland and its blooming glass factory

Parma
Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese
cured Prosciutto di Parma
Modena the capital of balsamic Vinegar
Lambrusco wine

Bologna
the oldest Universities of Europe
visit the faculty of Medicine
the Torre degli Asinelli
Piazza Maggiore with the Neptune fountain

Cinque Terre
Vernazza
Manarola and route of love
the fisherman’s village of Rio Maggiore
Ca’ da Posa e Ca’ da Sera local white wine from Corniglia slopes
local fresh “pesto alla genovese” from Monterosso al Mare

Florence
Academia museum and Michelangelo’s original “David” statue
Santa Maria del Fiore and the “Gates of Paradise” door
Signoria and Santa Croce square
panoramic view from Michelangelo square
wine tasting at famous prestigious winery of Chianti Classic
San Gimignano

Rome
Spanish square and famous “Scalinata di Trinita’ dei Monti”
Trevi Fountain
the Pantheon
the baroque square of PiazzaNavona
guided tour of the Vatican Museums
the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Peter

Ancient Rome:
the Roman Forum
the Coliseum
the Campidoglio

Sorrento
limoncello tasting
inlaid wood handcrafts

Capri
boat tour
funicolar
exclusive boutique for shopping
unique landscape of the Bay of Naples

Positano
exclusive pottery
linen cloths

Ravello / Amalfi coast
breathtaking road
St Andrew Church
Villa Cimbrione
Villa Rufolo