2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
2020
 TRAVEL
GROUPS
2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
2020
TRAVEL
GROUPS

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
Boscolo offers
                                         culinary
                                         refinement
                                         A true gourmet is your taste
                                         bud’s best friend.

                                         Travelling is a complex balance
                                         between history, culture , traditions.
                                         But to know a place in all aspects
                                         means also to learn about its
                                         culinary traditions. Food and wine
                                         is arguably the best way to know a
                                         country as it highlights the history
                                         and local specialities.
                                         We carefully select restaurants with
                                         originality and local dishes so to
                                         give you the best in each journey.

    Boscolo is always
    there when
    needed
    Your attentive travel
    companion.

    The journey is a moment of relax,
    an itinerary that has to proceed
    without any problem or difficulty.
    But when this unfortunately
    happens, our staff is always
    available to support you and to
    find the best solution.
    Boscolo traveller will never be
    alone. Let the experience of
    Boscolo work for you.

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
Boscolo
                                           hospitality
                                           ingrained by
                                           nature
                                           Homesickness is a feeling you
                                           will never experience with
                                           Boscolo.

                                           We have a history of choosing
                                           hotels with expertise and
                                           painstaking care, balancing quality
                                           with good value, because comfort
                                           and relaxation are essential
                                           elements for an enjoyable, perfect
                                           journey.
                                           The experience of your stay will
                                           live long in the memory of a trip.

Boscolo has the
“know how”
to fulfil your
requirements
We know that each trip and
each traveller are unique.

We know that each trip and each
traveller are unique.
Our staff of experts waits ready to
take on your most unusual requests.
Tireless attention to each individual
and to individuals details is our recipe
for an excellent service. Experience
and proven organizational skills
enable us to deliver tailor made
solutions that best fit the needs of the
travellers. Let us help you to create
your next itinerary, together.

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
Group travels
    Sharing emotional experiences
    through unique itineraries.

    Boscolo Group was born of a
    family’s passion and the art of
    hospitality. It is about a team of
    world experts, connoisseurs of
    culture and lovers of travel.
    Thirty years of know-how are the
    starting point for our exclusive
    itineraries especially created for
    your groups; some of which you
    will find described here.
    For those who love sharing travel
    experiences and travelling in good
    company,and for those who wish to
    make long lasting friendships.

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
The Journey
according to
Boscolo
Field experience,
assistance and transparency.

Our experts are on duty for you.
Entrust yourself to qualified
Boscolo specialists, to the
professionalism of our Tour
Managers and to the expertise of
the local guides. We guarantee
you the best possible vacation
experience, from planning your
trip to your arrival back at home.

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
NOTE

    The current catalogue offers a great variety of unforgettable trips.
    Enjoy an extraordinary range of different journeys that will meet all your expectations!

       All our programs are          The programs can be           Hotel name may change        For any information you may
       available for groups          modified according to         according to availability;     need, please contact the
     starting from 15 people.       your personal requests.          Boscolo will offer a        number +39 049 7620365
                                   We are always at your own       different though similar        or write an email at the
                                            disposal.                     alternative.               following address:
                                                                                                    groups@boscolo.com

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
INDEX
Wonders of Italy                                                       8

Italian lakes, 5 Terre and Venice                                     10

Naples and Apulia                                                     12

Journet to Marche & Umbria                                            14

Italy, from North to South                                            16

Sicily and Aeolian Islands                                            18

Rome and the Amalfi Coast                                             20

Italian Traditional Flavours                                          22

Provence and Camargue                                                 24

Classic Spain                                                         26

Spain and Portugal                                                    28

England and Scotland                                                  30

Grand tour of Britain and Ireland                                     32

Flavors from France                                                   34

France, mystic abbeys and renaissance castles                         36

Budapest and Prague, all inclusive Danube River Cruise                38

Highlights of Germany                                                 40

Discovery Denmark, Norway and Sweden                                  42

France and Spain                                                      44

Belgium and The Netherlands: A Journey Through The Flemish Painting   46

Best of eastern Europe                                                48

Italy, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic                            50

France and Italy                                                      52

European circuit                                                      54

                                                                           7
2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
WONDERS
    OF ITALY
    Cradle of the west civilization and of the
    catholic culture with its sweet climate,
    the beauty of the costs, the richness of
    art and history, love for food, make Italy a
    country to discover. A fascinating journey
    through the most beautiful Italian cities
    and masterpieces…

                                                   OUR SELECTED HOTELS

        MILAN      VENICE

                                                   MILAN, Hotel The Square, 4*
                                                   VENICE, Hotel Splendid, 4*
                   FLORENCE                        FLORENCE, Hotel Santa Maria Novella, 4*
                                                   ROME, Hotel Imperiale, 4*

                        ROME

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2020 TRAVEL GROUPS - Boscolo
lunch some relaxing time on a gondola
MILAN                                    DAY 1    with a tour through the inner canals. Dinner   ROME                                   DAY 8
                                                  at the hotel and overnight. (meals: B. D.)     VATICAN MUSEUMS

After custom clearance at the airport, you
will meet your professional Tour Leader           FLORENCE                               DAY 5   Welcome to the Eternal City! This morning
and your driver for a private transfer to                                                        you will experience a very special private
your hotel in Milan. Check-in and time to                                                        guided tour of the priceless collection
rest. Boscolo will welcome you to Italy           After breakfast, you will board your water     of art and treasures found in the Vatican
with a very special dinner in an exclusive        taxi to Venice rail station to catch your      Museums. You will be amazed by the
restaurant located on the 20th floor of a         high speed train to Florence on board of       beautiful wall frescoes created by
charming building in Milan. You will enjoy        the comfortable Frecciarossa trains. Enjoy     Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli.
a mouthwatering meal with a great 360             the beautiful landscape on a first class       The unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
degrees’ view of the city. (meals: B. D.)         seat. In the late morning you will arrive in   is surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest
                                                  Florence and check in at your hotel. In the    achievements. Continue to St. Peter’s
                                                  afternoon, you will meet with your private     Basilica, the largest church in the Christian
MILAN                                    DAY 2    guide at the hotel lobby for a half day        world, built over the tomb of St. Peter.
                                                  walking guided tour of the city center. You    Then you will proceed to Piazza Venezia
                                                  will see the square of the Cathedral with      and the Roman Forum, with a stop at the
You will begin this day with an orientation       the Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery,    Colosseum - a testament to the greatness
tour of Milan city center. The first stop         the church of Santa Maria Novella and          of Rome’s past. Continue your full tour
will be at the magnificent basilica (called       finally a visit to the Accademia Gallery,      day with visits to the Arch of Constantine,
Duomo) and its famous square (Piazza              where the original Michelangelo’s David is     Circus Maximus, Castel Saint Angelo.
Duomo). You will then continue to Galleria        exhibited. Dinner in a local restaurant and    Dinner at leisure and overnight in Rome.
Vittorio Emanuele, the Opera House and            overnight in Florence. (meals: B. D.)          (meals: B. D.)
the Sforzesco Castle (only exterior visit).
In the afternoon you will visit one of the
most important masterpieces in the world:         LUCCA                                  DAY 6   ROME                                   DAY 9
the Da Vinci’s Last Supper. This fresco was
painted between 1494 and 1498, and to do
so, Leonardo substituted the usual method         This morning your private driver will take     Full day at leisure with many interesting
of the fresco with a new technique called         you to Lucca for a full day excursion.         things to see and do. You may want to visit
“a secco” (on a dry wall). This is a very         Your local guide will meet you in the city     some of the famous churches or some of
popular attraction and viewing is limited.        center. Most of the attractions in Lucca       the museums or take the underground to
Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight        today show its ancient history: from the       the many sights such as the Spanish Steps,
in Milan. (meals: B. D.)                          trace of the Roman amphitheater that           the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona.
                                                  can be seen in the shape of the Piazza         Tonight our farewell evening will take place
                                                  dell’Anfiteatro to the archaeological          in a local restaurant where you will be
VERONA - VENICE                          DAY 3    remains under the 12th century church of       entertained with Italian singers and their
                                                  Saints Giovanni and Reparata (the first city   arias. (meals: B. D.)
                                                  cathedral, located just around the corner
Breakfast at your hotel and then board            from the present-day cathedral of San
your private coach for a private transfer to      Martino), to the various towers and villas     DEPARTURE                             DAY 10
Verona, home town of Romeo and Juliet.            from the 12th to 16th centuries. Return to
Our local guide will lead you to a beautiful      Florence in the afternoon for dinner and
promenade featuring a view from the               overnight. (meals: B. D.)                      Transfer by private coach from hotel to
outside of the famous Arena (the Roman                                                           airport in Rome
amphitheater) and the Balcony of Juliet.
Then our driver will take you to our final        SAN GIMIGNANO                          DAY 7
destination: Venice, city of canals and
palaces. Once in Venice, enjoy a scenic
private taxi-boat ride to your centrally          Your Italian experience continues as you
located hotel. Pizza dinner in a nice local       will drive across Tuscany towards Rome.
joint near by the hotel. (meals: B. D.)           Our first stop is the medieval town of San
                                                  Gimignano,
                                                  an enchanting village with narrow street
VENICE                                   DAY 4    located on a hilltop. Then we will stop in
                                                  Cortona, the place that inspired Frances
                                                  Mayes’s novel “Under the Tuscan Sun”.
After breakfast, you will start a gorgeous        Here you will visit a ceramic shop where
walking tour of Venice. Venice is eternally       you can learn how the famous ceramics
beautiful and culturally vigorous. You will       are made and painted. For lunch you will
have a half day walking tour of Venice,           be hosted by a lovely Tuscan family, visit
including a visit to the Doge’s Palace with       their farm and learn how they make their
its splendid rooms decorated by 16th              wine by visiting their winery. You will also
century artists. You will also visit the Bridge   taste their home-made olive oil and other
of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the      local specialties. You will finally proceed
most valuable church in the world with            to our final destination for the day: Rome.
over 4000 feet of mosaic artwork. After           Dinner and overnight. (meals: B. L. D.)

                                                                                                                                                 9
ITALIAN LAKES,
     5 TERRE AND
     VENICE
     The magnificent scenery of the
     Italy Lake District together with the
     picturesque beauty of the Cinque Terre
     have enchanted artists and travelers for
     centuries. Breathtaking gardens and villas,
     overhanging coasts over the sea with bays
     and small beaches, this is an unfailing
     itinerary for aesthetes.

                                                   OUR SELECTED HOTELS
                                                                                         MILAN - COMO                          DAY 1
        COMO               VENICE
               SIRMIONE

               LA SPEZIA
                                                   COMO, Hotel Palace, 4*                Arrival at Milan airport. After clearing
                                                   SIRMIONE, Hotel Olivi Therme, 4*      customs, you will meet your private tour
                    FLORENCE
                                                   LA SPEZIA, Hotel NH La Spezia, 4*     escort. You will board a coach for a private
                                                   FLORENCE, Boscolo Hotel Astoria, 4*   transfer from Milan airport to the hotel in
                                                   VENEZIA, Hotel Splendid, 4*           Como. Check-in and time to rest.
                                                                                         Welcome to Lake Como one of the most
                                                                                         beautiful corners of Italy.
                                                                                         Overnight in Como. (meals: B. D.)

                                                                                         COMO - BELLAGIO                       DAY 2

                                                                                         After breakfast you will take a walking
                                                                                         tour of the city center, Piazza Cavour, a
                                                                                         magnificent square that overlooks the
                                                                                         lake, and the monumental Piazza Duomo,

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built in 1927. Then you will proceed to the       the buildings that dominate the square,           Martino), to the various towers and villas from
Broletto, home of the town hall, and the          the Duomo, the adjoining Campanile                the 12th to 16th centuries. Return to Florence
majestic Cathedral, the interiors are worth       (bell tower) and the striking Battistero          in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
a visit thanks to the paintings, the altars and   (baptistery). Parma is famous all around          (meals: B. D.)
the decorated tapestries.                         the world for its fine cheese (parmigiano
In the afternoon enjoy a two-hour                 or parmesan) and prosciutto and you will
panoramic cruise of Lake Como to the              have a great opportunity to taste these           BOLOGNA - VENICE                        DAY 9
enchanting village of Bellagio. On your           extraordinary culinary traditions. Your
cruise, admire the lakeside villas set in         driver will then take you to your hotel in
tropical gardens. The mild Mediterranean          La Spezia. Check in, dinner and overnight.        After breakfast, you will check-out from
climate ensures an abundance of exotic            (meals: B. D.)                                    your hotel in Florence and board your
and rare plants to thrive year round.                                                               private coach for a comfortable transfer
Docking at the town of Bellagio, one of the                                                         to the city of Venice. Along the way you
most famous towns on the lake, you can            5 TERRE                                  DAY 6    will stop in Bologna, the capital of the
follow the steep alleys running up from the                                                         prosperous Emilia Romagna region. A stroll
lake and stop for a coffee or gelato at one                                                         in the city to enjoy its medieval streets
of the lively cafes housed in grand historic      After breakfast, you will be transferred          and the beautiful porticos. After lunch we
buildings. Return by boat to Como for             to the embarkation point where you will           will proceed to the unique town of Venice,
dinner and overnight.                             meet your private guide for an excursion          where your private water taxi will take you
(meals: B. D.)                                    of the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre means           to the centrally located hotel. Dinner will
                                                  ‘five lands’, and Italy’s famous Cinque Terre     be served in a local restaurant.
                                                  are five perilously-perched villages strung       (meals: B. D.)
SIRMIONE                                DAY 3     along a short stretch of cliffs of the Region:
                                                  Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza
                                                  and Monterosso al Mare. You will have             VENICE                                 DAY 10
After breakfast, you will check out your          lunch in a local restaurant in Monterosso.
room and board the coach for a private            In the afternoon your guide will take you to
transfer from Lake Como to Lake Garda,            Portovenere, a very picturesque village set       Venice is eternally beautiful and culturally
the largest lake in Italy. You will arrive at     on a slope behind a traditional harbor. Time      vigorous. This morning we will have a half
your hotel in Sirmione, the so called “Pearl      at disposal to explore the old town. Return       day walking tour of the city. We also see
of the Lake”, set along a narrow peninsula        to the hotel in La Spezia for dinner and          from outside the Bridge of Sights and St.
on the southern part of the lake. After           overnight. (meals: B. D.)                         Mark’s Basilica, one of the most valuable
check in, you will enjoy strolling around the                                                       churches in the world with over 4000 feet
town, with its narrow medieval streets, the                                                         of mosaic artwork. After lunch you can
old Scaliger Fortress, the striking Roman         FLORENCE                                 DAY 7    relax on a gondola with a tour through the
Villas and the Catullo Caves, known as                                                              inner canals. Back to the hotel and dinner
the most imposing archaeological area in                                                            in a local restaurant. (meals: B. D.)
Northern Italy. Dinner and overnight at the       After breakfast, you will check out your
hotel. (meals: B. D.)                             room and board your private coach
                                                  to Florence. A city-size shrine to the            VENICE                                 DAY 11
                                                  Renaissance, Florence offers frescoes,
BARDOLINO                               DAY 4     sculptures, churches, palaces and other
TORRI DEL BENACO                                  monuments from the richest cultural               Today you visit Rialto Fish Market (not open
                                                  flowering the world has known. Meet your          on Sundays) and experience a unique lunch
                                                  guide for a half day walking guided tour of       inside a private Palazzo overlooking the Gran
Lake Garda offers many off-the-beaten             the city center. You will see the square of       Canal. You will meet our English speaking
path gems, such as Torri del Benaco               the Cathedral with the Giotto’s Bell Tower        guide near the Rialto Bridge and start your
and Bardolino. You will enjoy a full day          and the Baptistery, the church of Santa Maria     culinary adventure as locals do – at the
excursion on these Lake shores. The               Novella and finally a visit to the Accademia      Rialto Fish Market. This is where the seafood
mild climate makes Bardolino ideal for            Gallery, where the original Michelangelo’s        restaurants in Venice buy their fish daily.
vineyards—so it’s no surprise that its hilly      David is exhibited. The rest of the afternoon     For lunch you will be hosted by a Venetian
and picturesque landscape produces the            is free. Hotel check in, dinner and overnight     countess in her Palazzo, a memorable
famous Bardolino red wine. Then you               in Florence. (meals: B. D.)                       aperitif overlooking the Gran Canal
will continue to Torri del Benaco, one                                                              followed by a tasty buffet lunch. Free
of the lake’s smaller towns, with a lovely                                                          afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight
harbor filled with colorful fishing boats         LUCCA                                    DAY 8    at the hotel. (meals: B. D.)
and an imposing Scaliger Castle. Return to
Sirmione for dinner and overnight. (meals:
B. D.)                                            This morning we will take you to Lucca for a      DEPARTURE                              DAY 12
                                                  full day excursion. Your local guide will meet
                                                  you in the city center. Most of the attractions
PARMA - LA SPEZIA                       DAY 5     in Lucca today show its ancient history:          Transfer by private coach from hotel to
                                                  from the trace of the Roman amphitheater          airport in Venice.
                                                  that can be seen in the shape of the
After breakfast and hotel check-out you           Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to the archaeological
will be transferred, by private coach, to the     remains under the 12th century church of
city of Parma. Whatever your interests may        Saints Giovanni and Reparata (the first city
be, Parma won’t let you down. The heart           cathedral, located just around the corner
of Parma is its square, Piazza Duomo. See         from the present-day cathedral of San

                                                                                                                                                      11
NAPLES AND
     APULIA
     Explore the beauty of the Sorrento
     peninsula, the “heel” of Italy’s boot, which
     looks onto two seas, the Adriatic and the
     Ionian. An extraordinary journey through
     two of southern Italy’s regions; sometimes
     green and lush with large vineyards and
     olive groves, sometimes rocky and rough
     with ravines, caves and gorges where
     ancient civilisations settled.
                                                                                           ROME - NAPLES                          DAY 1

                                                                                           Arrival at Rome airport. After clearing
                                                                                           customs, you will meet your tour manager
                                                                                           for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in
                                                                                           Naples. Check-in and time to rest. Naples
                                                                                           is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy;
                                                                                           a walking tour through Spaccanapoli (a
                                                                                           long straight street that splits Naples in
                                                                                           two) and its colourful streets will be the
                                                                                           perfect opportunity to discover Naples’
                                                                                           most magical and genuine locations. You
                                                                                           will then proceed to the Royal Palace, the
                                                                                           Maschio Angioino, the Capuano Castle and
                                                                                           the lungomare, and take a walk along the
                                                                                           beach from where you will enjoy stunning
                                                                                           views. Dinner and overnight stay in Naples.
                                                                                           (Meals: B. D.)

                                                                                           VESUVIO AND POMPEI                    DAY 2

                                                                                           After breakfast, you will take a tour of the
                                                                                           “sleeping giant”, Mount Vesuvius (weather
                                                                                           permitting). After the tour, we stop at a
                                                                                           famous farm that produces amazing olive
                                                                                           oil and a delicious wine called Lacrima
                                                                                           Christi. Along with a wine expert, you will
                                                                                           visit the winery, walk through the vineyard
                                                                                           and taste some fine wine. In the afternoon
                                                     OUR SELECTED HOTELS                   we drive to Pompeii, “the metropolis of
                                                                                           ancient times,” for a private guided tour of
                                                                                           this incredible archaeological site. We then
                                                                                           return to the hotel for a succulent dinner
                                                     NAPLES, Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, 4*   and a traditional show.
                                                     SORRENTO, Hotel Antiche Mura, 4*      Dinner and overnight stay in Naples.
                                                     MATERA, Hilton Garden Inn, 4*         (Meals: B. D.)
                                                     LECCE, Hotel Risorgimento, 4*
                                                     BARI, Hotel Nicolaus, 4*
                                                                                           AMALFI COAST - CAPRI                  DAY 3
                                      BARI
                             NAPLES
                               SORRENTO      LECCE
                                 MATERA                                                    After breakfast and check out from the
                                                                                           hotel, we drive to the town of Sorrento.
                                                                                           Here you will be transferred by ferry to
                                                                                           the island of Capri for a full day private
                                                                                           excursion. Along with a panoramic tour of
                                                                                           the island, which includes the villages of
                                                                                           Capri and Anacapri, your expert guide will
                                                                                           give you an introduction to Axel Munthe
                                                                                           the man, and his famous memoirs, written

12
in 1929. This unique experience will             will visit this ancient Medieval town with its   than one floor. You are free to explore
offer an insight into this unique Swedish        Cathedral of San Cataldo and Aragonese           Alberobello on your own, with time for
character who lived here in Capri for over       Castle, also known as Castel Sant’Angelo.        shopping and lunch before we continue
50 years. You will also visit a very special     After lunch we move on to Grottaglie. The        with our itinerary and head for Bari. We
place in Capri; Villa San Michele, Munthe’s      surrounding area is very rich in clay and it     arrive in Bari in the afternoon. Bari is a
home and its beautiful garden. At the end        is therefore perfect for the production of       sparkling resort town with a lovely historic
of the day we return to Sorrento and check       pottery crafts. The origin of pottery crafts     centre. We will stop for well deserved
in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at    in this town dates back to the Middle            refreshing lemonade or iced coffee at one
the hotel. (Meals: B. D.)                        Ages. You will visit a ceramics workshop         of the many sidewalk cafes. (Meals: B. D.)
                                                 to experience this ancient art. At the end
                                                 of the day we depart to one of the most
AMALFI COAST                            DAY 4    beautiful towns in Apulia: Lecce. You will       BARI,                 DAY 9
                                                 check in, relax and have some great food         GROTTE DI CASTELLANA,
                                                 at the hotel. (Meals: B. D.)                     POLIGNANOA MARE
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion
on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. We will
make a short stop in Positano to take in the     LECCE                                   DAY 7    This morning is dedicated to a visit to the
stunning views, ideal for taking pictures that                                                    “città vecchia” the old town. Together
will be the envy of your friends. Then we                                                         with our guide you will see the Basilica
proceed to the town of Amalfi that was one       Lecce is the capital of a stunning region        of St. Nicholas one of the most beautiful
of Italy’s four Marine Republics along with      in Apulia called Salento. Lecce is also          examples of Romanesque architecture
Venice, Pisa and Genoa. In the afternoon         called the Florence of the South, thanks         in Apulia, the Swabian castle, Piazza del
we visit the charming little village of          to its fabulous architecture. Your visit to      Ferrarese, Piazza Mercantile and the old
Ravello, a mix of history and legend. During     Lecce will begin in the main square (Piazza      port. Experience Arco Alto and Arco Basso
the day there will be a Limoncello tasting,      Duomo), considered the most elegant              where women make and sell “orecchiette”
after which, we drive back to the hotel in       part of the town. Not far from the square,       the typical Apulia homemade pasta. In
Sorrento. After dinner, we take an evening       you will find the evidence of Roman              the afternoon, we tour the Castellana
walking tour in Sorrento and maybe some          colonisation with the ruins of a traditional     Caves and spend time in Polignano a
well deserved gelato. Dinner and overnight       Roman amphitheatre. You will also visit the      Mare. “Grotte di Castellana” is a wonderful
stay in Sorrento.                                renaissance palace, Palazzo del Seggio,          experience; within its 70-metre deep caves
(Meals: B. D.)                                   also known as the “Seat,” the Church of          witness an amazing scenario made up of
                                                 Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Castle of       stalactites, stalagmites, fossils, and cavities.
                                                 Charles V. Not to be missed is the Basilica      In Polignano a Mare we will enjoy the lively
MATERA                                  DAY 5    of Santa Croce with its monumental façade        and picturesque city centre, the terraces
                                                 and beautiful interiors, a harmonious            offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic
                                                 balance between the sobriety of classical        sea and the jagged coastline. This is also
After breakfast and check out from the           style and the splendour of Lecce’s Baroque.      the birthplace of Domenico Modugno the
hotel, board your private coach that will        In the afternoon you will take part in an        author of “Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare
take you to Matera, where you will spend         authentic cooking course, a special “hands       oh oh!). Return to Bari. We say farewell
the night.                                       on” experience, where you will learn not         tonight with a typical dinner, giving you the
Matera is famous, in the main, for an            only regional recipes but of the culture of      opportunity to savour traditional Apulian
area of the town called “I Sassi” (ancient       this part of Apulia. Dinner and overnight        cuisine, simple ingredients and rustic
buildings carved into the rock). Visiting this   stay in Lecce.                                   flavours together with a large variety of
area transports you through time along           (Meals: B. L. D.)                                seafood from the Adriatic Sea. (Meals: B. D.)
the human journey from the Palaeolithic
age to the present day. You will also
admire the rock churches built by religious      ALBEROBELLO - BARI                      DAY 8    DEPARTURE                              DAY 10
communities, who were always looking
for the soul’s purification, and the elegant
streets of the Piano, rich in seventeenth        This morning we drive to Alberobello             Transfer by private coach from the hotel to
century monasteries and palaces. Matera is       where we spend a relaxing day at leisure.        the airport in Bari.
also known for its bread and baked goods         Alberobello has been a UNESCO World
and that is why your next stop will be a         Heritage site since 1996 and is world
local bakery for a tasty treat of Matera’s       famous for its characteristic cone shaped
bread, Focaccia bread and traditional            buildings known as “trulli”. The trulli are
biscuits. Dinner and overnight stay in           built entirely without the use of mortar
Matera. (Meals: B. D.)                           and are whitewashed inside and out. The
                                                 trullo originated in the late 1500s when
                                                 the Count of Conversano authorised
TARANTO - LECCE                         DAY 6    the peasants to build dwellings without
                                                 using mortar so that they could be easily
                                                 dismantled in the case of inspection, in
This morning we leave Matera for the             order to avoid paying building taxes. In the
town of Taranto, called the city of two seas     historic centre you will see Aia Piccola and
because of its location on a strip of land       Rione Monti, both national monuments.
that sits between two seas. The artificial       Here we walk through the incredible
channel that connects them is surmounted         alleyways and pay a visit to the Siamese
by the famous Swing Bridge, beyond               Trulli and the Master Trullo, built around
which lies the heart of old Taranto. You         1700, which is the only dwelling with more

                                                                                                                                                     13
JOURNEY
     TO MARCHE
     & UMBRIA
     Welcome to the green heart of Italy!
     Experience with us the best part of
     Marche and Umbria..a slow journey, quiet
     and sweet that allows you to experience
     these amazing lands, get in touch again
     with genuine people, enjoy the rhythm
     of nature but at the same time discover
     an incredible architecture of the ancient
     villages. This is a journey with a perfect
     combination between art, history and
     nature.

                                                  OUR SELECTED HOTELS
                                                                                         URBINO                                   DAY 1

                                                  URBINO, Hotel San Domenico, 4*         Arrival at the airport of Florence. You will
                                                  ASCOLI PICENO, Hotel Villa Pigna, 4*   be welcomed by our Tour Manager that
                  URBINO                          SPOLETO, Hotel San Luca, 4*            will assist you during the whole journey.
                              ANCONA                                                     Departure by private coach to your
                  PERUGIA
                   SPOLETO                                                               Hotel in Urbino. According to the arrival
                                                                                         time, lunch is at leisure. Arrival in Urbino.
                                                                                         Accommodation at your Hotel and free
                                                                                         time at leisure.
                                                                                         Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

                                                                                         URBINO                                   DAY 2

                                                                                         After breakfast, meet your private guide
                                                                                         and start a walking tour of the town:

14
Urbino holds an important place in the          a port in between the two rivers Potenza        della Staffa. Piazza Michelotti is the highest
artistic history of Italy. Duke Federico da     e Aspio; the castle was completed in the        point of Perugia and just a little further is
Montefeltro (1422-1482), military leader,       XV cent. (then destroyed and rebuilt many       Piazza Raffaello whose San Severo Church
ruler and humanist patron of the arts,          times), while the big port remained always      contains frescoes by Raphael and Pietro
built a palace and maintained a famed           a utopia. In the XVI cent.                      Perugino.
court here; one of the most important           In the afternoon, departure to Ascoli           Back to your Hotel in Spoleto
in Renaissance Italy. The principal tourist     Piceno, a beautiful Medieval town               Overnight at the Hotel
sight today is his palace, which houses         considered one of the most majestic cities
the National Gallery of Le Marche               in the centre of Italy. With towers, bell
(Galleria Nazionale delle Marche). Urbino       towers, ancient palaces and Renaissance
has UNESCO World Heritage status for            squares, and a beautiful historical centre,     SPELLO AND GUBBIO                       DAY 7
representing ‘a pinnacle of Renaissance art     Ascoli Piceno is very peculiar since it is
and architecture, harmoniously adapted          surrounded by water on three sides .
to its physical site and to its medieval        Accommodation at your Hotel in Ascoli           After breakfast, departure to Spello. Spello
precursor in an exceptional manner. Urbino      Piceno.                                         is a pleasure for those who love walking.
is the home town of the Renaissance             Overnight                                       Three well-preserved Roman stone arches
painter Raphael, one of the most                                                                form the entry points to the town, Porta
representative painters of the XVIth century.                                                   Venere, with its towers, Porta Urbica
Back to the Hotel                               SPOLETO                               DAY 5     and Porta Consolare. Once inside, the
Overnight at the Hotel                                                                          cobblestone streets meander in and out of
                                                                                                mysterious alleyways that lead to simple,
                                                After breakfast, we will leave the Marche       yet elegant stone houses.
CONERO AND ANCONA                     DAY 3     region so to reach another italian jewel        At the end of our visit, we will enjoy an
                                                which is the Umbria region.                     amazing wine tasting in one of the oldest
                                                Through a nice road, we reach the town          wine cellars.
After breakfast, transfer to Monte Conero       of Spoleto. After some free time to relax,      Our journey continues to Gubbio, which
nature reserve with a walk through the          we will meet our private guide so to            is rich in monuments and architectural
woods accompanied by a specialized              discover this amazing town. Spoleto is          masterpieces that evoke the power of this
guide who will explain the complexity of        an important and popular historical town        town. Narrow streets, historic buildings,
this singular ecosystem and help to better      dating back to Roman times that is located      squares, theaters and churches with
understand such environment and the             in the southern part of the Umbria region.      seventeenth-century frescoes. In short, a
history of the area.                            The town contains numerous important            real open-air museum.
In the afternoon, we will reach the town        monuments including a Roman theatre, an         Back to your Hotel in Spoleto
of Ancona for a private guided tour: the        imposing fortress, a cathedral and several      Overnight at the Hotel
historic center is crowned by the hilltop       important churches. The visit starts from
cathedral dedicated to San Ceriaco, a           the Piazza del Duomo, in the upper part
Byzantine-Gothic blend of styles with           of town and surrounded by Renaissance           ARRIVEDERCI….                           DAY 8
sweeping views, built over the remains of       buildings, the Cathedral and Fortress.
a pagan temple. Greek settlers founded          Arrival at the Hotel
Ancona and Roman remains are scattered          Overnight                                       Breakfast at hotel and departure towards
about, too. Piazza Anfiteatro is a good                                                         your airport. End of all services.
place to see the footprint of the old Roman
amphitheater that once served the city. The     PERUGIA                               DAY 6
Archeological Museum is housed in a 16th
century palazzo graced with frescoes, with
neolithic, Etruscan and Roman artifacts to      After breakfast, departure to Perugia. The
trace the area’s history.                       walking tour takes in a series of fascinating
                                                narrow streets and corners before
Return to the hotel                             arriving at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Overnight at the Hotel                          For example, the 15th century gothic
                                                Palazzetto dei Notari. The facade of the
                                                building contains the coat of arms of the
                                                Notaries Guild bearing a gryphon above
RECANATI –                            DAY 4     an ink well and the symbol of Perugia.
ASCOLI PICENO                                   Nearby is Via Volte della Pace, one of the
                                                best preserved vaulted medieval streets, as
                                                well as the terrace of the covered market
After breakfast, departure to Recanati,         through the archways of the Logge dei
home of its famous poet, Giacomo                Lunari. The San Bevignate Church contains
Leopardi. It is a very famous bathing           a fresco of immense importance to the
resort where you will enjoy a nice walking.     Knights Templar while Via Cialdini boasts
The southern part of Porto Recanati still       the remains of several medieval workshops.
preserves the remains of Potentia, a roman      Piazza Rossi Scotti is located near the
maritime colony founded in 184 a.C. and         ruin of the Porta Sole fortress and is one
abandoned in V cent. d.C.; the nearby           of Perugia’s most scenic viewpoints from
abbey of S.Maria was instead founded            where you can even see the Appennines.
in the XII cent. The history of the actual      Three sides of the square are bordered by
city begins in the 1299, when Frederik II       the Church of Sant’Angelo della Pace, the
ordered the construction of a castle and of     Palazzi Rossi Scotti and the Conestabile

                                                                                                                                                 15
ITALY,
     FROM NORTH
     TO SOUTH
     Listen to an aria echoing from a gondola
     on a Venetian canal, relax at a trattoria
     sipping a glass of ruby red wine in
     the Chianti region, taste a refreshing
     Limoncello in Capri and smell the aroma
     of fresh herbs in Campo dei Fiori. There’s
     no better Country than Italy to satisfy
     your senses. A journey from North to                                              VENICE                                     DAY 1
     South: Venice, Florence, Sorrento and
     Rome, where art, food and culture reach
     their pinnacle. Italy is a country as varied                                      Meet your English speaking tour manager
     and colourful as the palette of its great                                         who will assist your private transfer from the
     Renaissance artists, and thanks to Boscolo                                        airport to your hotel in Venice. To reach your
     Tours you will experience the best of                                             centrally located Hotel, you will take a water
     everything it has to offer.                                                       taxi. Then, time to leisurely familiarise yourself
                                                                                       with the hotel surroundings. Welcome dinner
                                                                                       at your hotel. (Meals: B. D.)

                                                                                       VENICE                                     DAY 2

                                                                                       After breakfast, meet your English speaking
                                                                                       guide in the hotel foyer. We begin with a
                                                                                       tour of the highlights of Venice; starting
                                                                                       with a walk through the St Mark’s square,
                                                                                       highlighting its most celebrated monuments
                                                                                       such as the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful
                                                                                       architecture of the Doge’s Palace and the
                                                                                       Renaissance Marciana Library. We will then
                                                                                       visit the golden Basilica of St. Mark to admire
                                                                                       some of its most precious treasuries: about
                                                                                       90,000 square feet of golden mosaics,
                                                                                       the four famous bronze horses and the
                                                                                       astonishing Golden Screen, decorated
                                                                                       with 1,927 precious gems. Late afternoon,
                                                                                       our tour guide will take you through the
                                                                                       backstreets “far from the madding crowd,”
                                                                                       to discover some of the more tranquil
                                                    OUR SELECTED HOTELS                corners of the city. You will see where
                                                                                       Marco Polo’s house used to be, and venture
                       VENICE                                                          to Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, one of
                                                                                       the most interesting monumental areas of
                                                    VENICE, Starhotel Splendid, 4*     the city; here you have the chance to taste
                                                    FLORENCE, Grand Hotel Cavour, 4*   the “Cicchetti” (Venetian tapas) and a good
                   FLORENCE                         SORRENTO, Hotel Antiche Mura, 4*   glass of wine. Dinner tonight is at leisure.
                                                    ROME, Hotel Imperiale, 4*          Overnight stay in Venice. (Meals: B.)

                         ROME

                                                                                       FLORENCE                                   DAY 3
                                   SORRENTO

                                                                                       After breakfast at your hotel, you will leave
                                                                                       Venice by private water taxi for the city
                                                                                       coach terminal, board the deluxe motor
                                                                                       coach and then on to your next Italian
                                                                                       destination, Florence. Check in at your hotel
                                                                                       in the centre of Florence. The rest of the day
                                                                                       is set aside for leisure. Dinner and overnight
                                                                                       stay. (Meals: B. D.)

16
hotel in Sorrento. Along the way we will stop    your hotel and take some time for a stroll or
FLORENCE                                DAY 4     in the Castelli Romani region for a succulent    simply to relax. Dinner and overnight stay.
                                                  lunch. After check in at the hotel the rest of
                                                  the day can be spent at leisure under the sun
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a            of the Amalfi Coast. Dinner and overnight stay   ROME                                   DAY 11
wonderfully full day excursion to the             in Sorrento. (Meals: B. L. D.)
medieval towns of Siena, San Gimignano
and to the beautiful countryside of Chianti                                                        Today is dedicated to a visit to Vatican City.
to visit a charming winery and taste some         SORRENTO                               DAY 8     In the morning we will depart for St.
of the best wines in the world. First stop                                                         Peter’s Square, where each Wednesday it
in Siena, where you will visit the city’s                                                          is possible to attend the Papal Audience,
famous basilica and the very centre of            After breakfast at the hotel, you will board     when Pope Francis blesses the attending
the city to admire its narrow streets and         your private motor coach for a full day          crowd. In the afternoon we will visit the
its beautiful square (Piazza del Campo), a        excursion to the Amalfi Coast to visit gems      Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and
UNESCO World Heritage site. After Siena           such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The        St Peter’s Basilica. In the Vatican Museums
and a good lunch, we will proceed to San          founding of Amalfi can be traced back to         you will be shown a fine collection of
Gimignano, another fine example of well           the Romans; we visit the most famous             antiques. The visit includes: the Sculpture
preserved medieval architecture, with its         monument the cathedral (Duomo) built in          Museum, the fascinating Tapestry Gallery,
towers overlooking the whole town. On             an Arabo-Norman style. The natural beauty        the Gallery of Maps and the world famous
the return to Florence we will traverse the       of this location is why the city of Amalfi       Sistine Chapel decorated by Michelangelo.
Chianti region with its villages, hills and       has been classified as a world heritage site     The tour will then proceed to St. Peter’s
vineyards. We will stop in the heart of Chianti   by UNESCO since 1997. We continue to             Basilica where you will view the artistic
at Rocca delle Macie for some wine tasting        Positano; a curious note is that in the latter   treasures of the largest Roman Catholic
and relaxation. Back to the hotel and time        half of the 19th century, more than half the     Church in the world, which includes
for a hearty dinner and perhaps a mouth           population emigrated, due to the city falling    Michelangelo’s Pietà. Our final stop is the
watering gelato. Dinner and overnight stay in     on hard times, and the majority chose the        Grand Piazza Navone, one of the most
Florence. (Meals: B. D.)                          United States. Our last stop will be Ravello,    beautiful piazzas in Rome, where you may
                                                  a terrace jutting out into the sea. From this    wish to remain, explore and have a meal
                                                  vantage point the Amalfi Coast becomes a         in one of the many restaurants in the area.
FLORENCE                                DAY 5     vision of rare beauty. Dinner and overnight      Overnight stay Rome. (B.)
                                                  stay in Sorrento. (Meals: B. D.)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet                                                        ROME                                   DAY 12
your private English speaking guide for a half    SORRENTO                               DAY 9
day tour of Florence and the Accademia
Gallery. You will visit the heart of the city                                                      After breakfast at your hotel, you will
experiencing amazing locations such as            After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day       be taken by private motor coach to the
Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria,        tour of the beautiful island of Capri; known     Coliseum. Here you will meet your private
Santa Maria Novella, Santa Maria del Fiore        for its dramatic views, striking Faraglioni      English speaking guide for a stroll back in
Cathedral with Giotto’s masterpiece, the bell     rocks and sheer beauty. We will visit Villa      time, visiting the Coliseum, Roman Forum
tower and Baptistery of San Giovanni. You         San Michele, built in the early 20th century     and Palatine Hill. In the Coliseum you will
will then visit the Accademia gallery where       by Axel Munthe, a Swedish physician; it is       be surrounded by impressive monuments
David’s Michelangelo is waiting for you! The      home to an enchanting and serene garden          and the ruins of the Arch of Constantine
rest of the day is spent at leisure. Dinner is    that is billed as one of the top 10 gardens      the Great. The tour will then proceed to
also at leisure tonight. Overnight stay in        in Italy. We will take a stroll through the      the Roman Forum, the old centre of the
Florence. (Meals: B. D.)                          historic centre of Anacapri, less crowded        Imperial City where the Senate House, the
                                                  than Capri, the atmosphere here is also          Basilicas and the Temples of the major gods
                                                  more laid-back, with a more authentic            are located. You will walk the Via Sacra and
FLORENCE                                DAY 6     character. (Meals: B. D.)                        pass by the Arch of Titus. Then, your English
                                                                                                   speaking guide will take you to Palatine Hill,
                                                                                                   the location where brothers Remus and
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board      ROME                                  DAY 10     Romulus battled over who would found the
your private motor coach for a full day                                                            first empire, and where Romulus founded
excursion to the Cinque Terre area. You will                                                       the city that would become Rome.
arrive in the town of La Spezia and board a       After breakfast at your hotel, you will check    The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
public boat to visit some of the five towns of    out and board your private motor coach           Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at the
this charming area: Manarola, Vernazza, and       as we head for the city of Rome. Along           beautiful Trastevere, the place where
Monterosso. After your private boat excursion     the way we will stop in Pompeii for a two        Romans go to eat, people watch and enjoy
and a local lunch, you will be taken to the       hour private tour of the excavations. This       ice cream. Overnight stay in Rome (B.D.)
town of Pisa (or Lucca if you prefer) for a two   fascinating archaeological site was buried
hour private, guided tour of the town. Back       by lava and ash following the eruption of
to Florence in the late afternoon. Dinner and     Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our guide will take you       DEPARTURE                              DAY 13
overnight stay in Florence. (Meals: B. D.)        on a compelling walk through the ancient
                                                  streets of Pompeii where you can see baths,
                                                  forums and villas built by the prosperous        Transfer by private coach from the hotel to
SORRENTO                                DAY 7     Romans in the year 80 BC. Admire the             the airport in Rome.
                                                  fabulously preserved Frescos that decorate
After breakfast at your hotel, you will board     the walls and floors of the villas. After the
your private motor coach for a transfer to your   visit, we will proceed to Rome, check in at

                                                                                                                                                    17
SICILY AND
     AEOLIAN
     ISLANDS
     Sicily, the largest Italian island which
     is separated from the continent by the
     straits of Messina, is reached by the Ionian,
     Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Sea. This
     beautiful treasure awaits you. Discover the
     unbelievable archaeological monuments
     that will take you back to a glorious past…

                                                     OUR SELECTED HOTELS

                                                     PALERMO, Piazza Borsa Grand Hotel, 4*
                                                     AGRIGENTO, Hotel della Valle, 4*
                                                     TAORMINA, Excelsior Palace, 4*
                                                     LIPARI, Hotel Tritone, 4*

                                    LIPARI
                          PALERMO

                                         TAORMINA
                      AGRIGENTO

18
PALERMO                                 DAY 1     PIAZZA ARMERINA                        DAY 4     LIPARI, STROMBOLI               A N D DAY 7
                                                  TAORMINA                                         SALINA

After clearing customs, you will meet your
private Tour Manager and your driver for          After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to    After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave
a comfortable transfer to your hotel in           Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the         Taormina and head towards Milazzo.
Palermo. Palermo is the regional capital of       Villa Romana del Casale, built between the       From here a ferry transfer takes us to the
Sicily with its own distinct atmosphere. The      late 3rd and early 4th century B.C. Because      Lipari. Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian
grandeur of Palermo’s wonderful palaces           of the floors decorated with some of             Archipelago islands and perfectly balances
and churches gives way to popular areas           the finest surviving mosaics from Roman          leisure, amusement and natural beauties.
with a very particular life. This is about        antiquity, it considered one of the most         The center is brimming with shops, where
the markets, whose Arabic origins are still       important archaeological sites of Sicily.        one can enjoy pleasant afternoons of
evident today thanks to their noise, smells,      Today lunch is included in Piazza Armerina.      shopping, and delightful evenings in the
colours, narrow labyrinthine streets, the         After lunch we then continue our journey         most renowned restaurants celebrated for
splendid array of food and other goods on         to Taormina where we will overnight.             their food and wine specialties. Today you
display and the general ‘souk’ atmosphere.        Taormina is a wonderful medieval town            will also enjoy an excursion to Vulcano, the
According to the arrival time, you will           located on the slopes of Mount Tauro, an         nearest island for a relaxing promenade.
enjoy an orientation tour of the city centre.     attractive and permanently-fashionable           Lunch is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at
Tonight a welcome dinner at the hotel is          destination. Our suggestion is visit of the      the hotel. (meals: B. D.)
included. (meals: B. D.)                          Greek-roman theatre (optional) followed by
                                                  a walk along the Corso Umberto. Dinner
                                                  tonight is at leisure. (meals: B.L.)             PANAREA - STROMBOLI                    DAY 8
PALERMO - MONREALE                      DAY 2

                                                  MOUNT ETNA                             DAY 5     Morning and lunch at leisure. In the
Breakfast at the hotel and morning                                                                 afternoon we will join an excursion to the
departure for a full day excursion to                                                              islands of Panarea and Stromboli, reaching
Palermo and Monreale. Our English                 After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy     the two islands by boat. First stop will
speaking guide will accompany you to              an adventurous exploration of Mount Etna         be Panarea where we will discover the
discover the capital of Sicily with its unique    which is the highest volcano in Europa.          beautiful bays and the colorful “streets” of
history, monuments, markets, people and           It is also called the “Mongibello” from the      its marina. We later transfer to Stromboli
churches. You will enter the Royal Palace         Arabic “gebel” meaning mount, source of          with time to visit the little village and for
with the 12th century Palatine Chapel. The        fertility and destruction. You will go up the    swimming. We tour the islands and stop
nearby Cathedral built by the Normans             Volcano to a height of 1800m and have            to see the “Sciara del Fuoco”, hopefully
and decorated at various times in many            the opportunity to reach the crater by           we get the chance to see the wonderful
different styles. After lunch we drive to         jeep. Today lunch is included. Return to         fireworks of the eruption. Dinner is served
Monreale. Monreale is a historic hill-town,       Taormina for dinner at leisure and overnight     on board on our return by boat to Lipari.
a picturesque place most famous for the           stay. (meals: B.L.)                              (meals: B. D.)
fine mosaics that can be found inside the
great Cathedral. Return in the afternoon to
Palermo and dinner at leisure. Overnight in       SIRACUSA                               DAY 6     SALINA                                 DAY 9
Palermo. (meals: B.)

                                                  After breakfast at the hotel we travel to        Breakfast at Hotel and visit the island of
MARSALA - AGRIGENTO                     DAY 3     Siracusa, “The most beautiful Greek city”        Salina. You can easily identify Salina thanks
                                                  where you can admire the fusion of               to the contours of its two mountains,
                                                  different architectural styles. In the morning   that’s the reason why the Greeks called
Breakfast and hotel check out. Morning            we will visit the famous Archaeological          it Didyme (twins), it is also the greenest
departure to Marsala. Today we will explore       Park. Inside the Park are situated most of       island of the Aeolian archipelago. Besides
the Marsala region, best known for its wine.      the classical monuments of the Greek and         its natural beauty the island is renowned for
We will visit a wine cellar and finish the tour   Roman Siracusa, most importantly the             the production of “capers” and “Malvasia”, a
with a delicious tasting and a typical lunch.     Greek Theatre (fifth century B.C.), which        distinctive wine with a very sweet flavor and
After lunch the tour continues to Agrigento.      is the largest theatre in Sicily and one of      aroma derived from raisins. We will have a
The history of Agrigento began in 581             the largest of the entire Greek world. In        tasting with lunch on the island. Tonight we
B.C. and the city reached the height of its       this park there is the famous “Latomia           say farewell to Sicily and its beauty with a
splendour in the 5th century B.C. During          of Paradise” where we find the mythical          typical dinner in Lipari. Overnight in Lipari
this period, art and culture were intensely       cave Ear of Dionysius. Our day continues         (meals: B.L.D.)
pursued, the temple of Olympian Zeus was          to Ortigia where you will enjoy lunch at
constructed as well as most of the other          leisure and free time. Return to the hotel in
temples, rendering Agrigento, according           Taormina for dinner and overnight.               DEPARTURE                             DAY 10
to the Greek poet Pindaro, “The most              (meals: B.D.)
beautiful among the dwellings of mortals.”
The Valley of the Temples is the most                                                              Transfer by private coach from hotel to
renowned attraction, a large archaeological                                                        airport in Catania.
site containing the remains of various Doric
temples. Dinner and overnight stay at the
hotel. (meals: B.L.D.)

                                                                                                                                                   19
ROME AND
     THE AMALFI
     COAST
     From Rome, the Eternal Town, with its
     antique monuments to the Sorrentine
     peninsula, a wild country rich in different
     landscapes, lemon and olive trees with a
     spectacular view on the sea.

                                                   OUR SELECTED HOTELS

                                                   ROME, Hotel Imperiale, 4*
                                                   NAPLES, Grand Hotel Oriente, 4*
                                                   SORRENTO, Grand Hotel Flora, 4*

                         ROME

                                 NAPLES
                                   SORRENTO

20
Capri and Anacapri. We will enjoy a walk
ROME                                     DAY 1    through the narrow streets and admire             SORRENTO                               DAY 7
                                                  the lovely terraces, piazza and the
                                                  breathtaking landscapes. Lunch included           After breakfast, enjoy a full free day to
Arrival in Rome and transfer to the hotel.        in a local restaurant. In the late afternoon      explore the city at your leisure. Overnight
Depending on flight arrival times, take time      we will take the hydrofoil back to Naples.        in Sorrento.
to relax or explore the city at your leisure.     Overnight in Naples.
Overnight in Rome.
                                                                                                    SORRENTO                               DAY 8
                                                  NAPLES                                   DAY 5    CASERTA - ROME
ROME                                     DAY 2    (MOUNT VESUVIUS
                                                  AND POMPEI) - NAPLES
                                                                                                    After breakfast in the hotel we will depart
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin                                                         to Caserta to visit the Royal palace. Created
our guided tour to St. Peter’s Square,            Following breakfast we will take a guided         by the Bourbon king Charles III in the
whose basilica is the biggest in the world        tour of the “sleeping giant”, Mount               mid-18th century to rival Versailles and
and is considered the spiritual centre of the     Vesuvius. We will stop at an agricultural         the Royal Palace in Madrid, is exceptional
Catholic Church. We will then go to the           business producing olive oil and the wine         for the way in which it brings together
Vatican Museums and take a guided tour of         called Lacryma Christi, visiting its cellar and   a magnificent palace with its park and
its collection of masterpieces; we visit the      vineyard with a wine expert with a chance         gardens, as well as natural woodland,
Sistine Chapel, the greatest masterpiece in       to taste fine wine. In the afternoon we will      hunting lodges and a silk factory. It is an
Western art planned and executed by one           head to Pompei “the metropolis of ancient         eloquent expression of the enlightenment
man, Michelangelo. In the afternoon, enjoy        times” where we will visit the ancient            in material form, integrated into, rather than
a guided tour of Ancient Rome by visiting         Roman city considered as one of the most          imposed on, its natural setting. In 1996, the
Piazza Venezia, the Campidoglio, heart            important archaeological sites in the world.      Palace of Caserta was listed among the
of political life, the Via dei Fori Imperiali,    Overnight in Naples.                              world heritage sites on the ground that it
ancient heart of political, commercial and                                                          was ‘the swan song of the spectacular art
legal life, the exterior of the Colosseum,                                                          of the baroque from which it adopted all
arena of the gladiators and Arch of               NAPLES                                   DAY 6    the features needed to create the illusions
Constantine, dedicated by the Senate and          COSTIERA AMALFITANA                               of multidirectional space’. We will visit the
the people of Rome to Constantine in              SORRENTO                                          apartments richly decorated with gold,
315. You will also see the Palatine, ancient                                                        stucco and marble and contain empire
dwelling of emperors and influential                                                                style furnishings and fine pavements and
people, the exterior of the massive Circus        After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to the        the park covering an area of some hundred
Maximus, the ancient city’s main venue for        Amalfi Coast where you will see magical           hectares and its beautiful fountains. After
chariot races. We will return to the hotel in     and breathtaking views. We will make a            the visit we will head to Rome for the last
the late afternoon. Overnight in Rome.            short stop at the Positano viewpoint and          overnight. Overnight in Rome.
                                                  visit Amalfi, the first of the Sea Republics.
                                                  In the afternoon we will head for Ravello,
ROME - NAPLES                            DAY 3    cross-point of history and legend. Drive          DEPARTURE                              DAY 9
                                                  back to the hotel in the late afternoon in
                                                  Sorrento. After dinner, enjoy a traditional
After breakfast we will head for Naples,          Tarantella show. Overnight in Sorrento.           Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then
one of the most beautiful cities in Italy:                                                          depending on the flight departure time,
a walking tour through “Spaccanapoli”                                                               transfer from the hotel to the airport and
and its colourful streets will be the                                                               return to your original departure city.
perfect opportunity to discover the most
magical and genuine parts of Naples. In
the afternoon we will visit the exterior
of Palazzo Reale, Castel Novo known as
Maschio Angioino, the San Carlo theatre,
Capuano Castle and the lungomare, from
which you will enjoy a stunning view.
Overnight in Naples.

NAPLES - CAPRI ISLAND                    DAY 4
NAPLES

Breakfast at the hotel will be followed
by a full day excursion to the island of
Capri, one of the loveliest resorts in Italy, a
dramatic island soaring upward from the
sea with sweeping views, whitewashed
homes and villas, lemon trees, narrow
winding lanes, and flower-filled courtyards.
We reach the island by hydrofoil and
enjoy a guided tour of its main towns:

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ITALIAN
     TRADITIONAL
     FLAVOURS
     Whether it’s the hearty flavors of Tuscany
     or the countryside flavors of Emilia
     Romagna, our cookery holiday allows
     you to taste the authentic flavors of Italy’s
     regional cuisine. There are many regional
     dishes to enchant during your journey.

                                                     OUR SELECTED HOTELS

         MILAN
                  MODENA
                                                     ROME, Hotel Imperiale, 4*
                   BOLOGNA                           ASSISI, Castello Di Petrata, 4*
                    FLORENCE                         FLORENCE, Grand Hotel Minerva, 4*
                                                     BOLOGNA, Zahn Hotel Tre Vecchi, 4*
                           ASSISI
                                                     MODENA, Hotel Maranello Palace, 4*
                           ROME
                                                     MILAN, Hotel Dei Cavalieri, 4*

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ROME                                     DAY 1     ASSISI                                   DAY 4     BOLOGNA                                    DAY 7

Arrival at the airport in Rome and meet with       Breakfast at your hotel and departure to           After breakfast at your hotel, departure
your tour manager. A private coach will take       the city of Perugia. Arrival at the amazing        to the World’s largest agri-food park in
you to your hotel in Rome where you will           house of chocolate where we will take              Bologna. FICO Eataly World shall be a
spend the first two nights. Time at disposal       part to a cooking lesson. A school to              huge (over 850.000 square feet) and joyful
for relaxing. Departure to the city centre         discover the secrets of chocolate-making,          place, where the wonders of the Italian
for tasting pizza in a legendary, authentic        learn the techniques to create impressive          agri-food industry and its food and wines
pizzeria near Piazza Navona. Back to the           masterpieces, taught by the passion                is presented and narrated from their birth
Hotel Overnight stay in hotel in Rome              and creativity of our Perugina School of           inside mother earth to their final destination
                                                   Chocolate Masters. Meals are not included          on a dish and in a glass. Live a unique, new
                                                   today. Afternoon at free disposal. Return to       food experience. Accommodation at your
ROME                                     DAY 2     Assisi and overnight                               hotel in Bologna. Dinner out at a restaurant
                                                                                                      of your own choice. Your tour manager will
                                                                                                      gladly assist you with table reservations.
After breakfast at your hotel, we will leave       FLORENCE                                 DAY 5     Overnight stay in hotel in Bologna
for a panoramic and orientation tour of
Rome. At the end, we will reach a local farm.
You will be able to see closely, through a         This morning after breakfast we head to            MODENA                                     DAY 8
glass window, the processing of milk and           to Siena. We start our guided tour with
its subsequent transformation into dairy           a visit to San Domenico, a church much
products. The visit also includes a tasting        frequented for its venerated relics of Saint       After breakfast we depart to Modena where
of the delicious cheese. Afternoon at              Catherine, patron saint of Italy and Europe.       we will attend to a balsamic vinegar tasting.
free leisure. Before dinner, enjoy a typical       Then we head for the magnificent palace            Discover the secrets of “black gold”, one of
aperitivo. In Italy the drink before the evening   of Monte dei Paschi bank, founded in               the symbol of Made in Italy in the world
meal, is absolutely a must and an enjoyed          1472 - the oldest bank in Europe. From             Continue your journey to Parma, better
tradition of many people. Dinner on your           there we reach nearby Piazza del Campo,            known as “ham cradle”. We will have lunch
own at a restaurant of your choice , your          the unrivalled center of vivid city life. After,   in a special place savoring typical local
tour manager will gladly assist you with table     we drive straight to the little village of         dishes, an experience you will never forget.
reservations. Overnight stay in hotel in Rome      Vinci where a particular wine and olive oil        This evening dinner at your own choice.
                                                   tasting wait for us. We will be surprised          Overnight stay in hotel in Modena
                                                   by the elegance and richness of the
ASSISI SURROUNDINGS                      DAY 3     landscape and we will be enchanted by the
                                                   marvellous savors. As we arrive in Florence        MILAN                                      DAY 9
                                                   this evening another culinary experience in
After breakfast at your hotel, departure to        a typical “Trattoria” waits for you for dinner.
Assisi and walking tour. The town with its         Overnight stay in hotel in Florence.               After breakfast departure to one of the
Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and                                                             world’s most important fashion capitals,
sacred shrines, has been a major Catholic                                                             but not only. Milan is rich in amazing
pilgrimage destination for centuries and           FLORENCE                                 DAY 6     restaurants where your culinary experience
is today one of the most popular tourist                                                              will be highly satisfied. You will tour its
destinations in Italy. Time for lunch on                                                              centre occupied by the most important
your own and arrival and accommodation             After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local     Gothic monument in Italy: Duomo
at the hotel. For the evening get ready for        guide for an orientation sightseeing tour          Cathedral. You will see the Galleria Vittorio
a delicious dinner. The cuisine of Umbria          of Florence. At the end, relax with a typical      Emanuele II. This place that was built in
originates from its Etruscan roots, and is         aperitivo served with salami and cheese.           the second half of the nineteenth century
characteristically simple, relying on seasonal     Afternoon at free disposal Dinner is at leisure    it is a bit like the symbol of the industrial
ingredients that can be found growing in           and at your choice, your tour manager will         bourgeoisie that was the city’s most
its rich soil, swimming in the region’s lakes,     gladly assist you with table reservations.         important social class at that time. It’s time
raised on local farms, or discovered in the        Overnight stay in hotel in Florence                for lunch on your own. The afternoon is
lush forests that cover much of the region.                                                           at leisure. In the evening we reach “the
Overnight stay in hotel in Assisi.                                                                    Navigli” area, a canal system which was
                                                                                                      becoming increasingly pivotal for the
                                                                                                      economic development of the city. A
                                                                                                      special and particular dinner in a fancy
                                                                                                      restaurant will end our Italian Traditional
                                                                                                      Flavours tour. Overnight stay in hotel Milan

                                                                                                      DEPARTURE                                 DAY 10

                                                                                                      It is time to leave Italy, after breakfast we will
                                                                                                      transfer you to Milan airport for departure.

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