Day 1

An early morning departure as we make our way to Dover for the morning ferry to Calais and on to our overnight hotel in the Metz area.

Day 2

Today you'll be driven into stunning West coast of Lake Maggiore, passing by Locarno and Lugano. Along the day, you'll see the beautiful promenade, Villa Ciani park and the lovely Lugano city centre, with its arbour and St Maria degli Angeli church, richly decorated by frescos. Then you'll proceed until reaching Como, "city of the silk", with its majestic cathedral and the nice streets. The fascinating lakes invite you to stop and the journey becomes an experience through the different landscapes.

Day 3

Borromean Islands and Stresa
Today we take a boat ride to the Borromean Islands and our fist stop is on Isola Bella, dominated by its sumptuous Baroque palace and luxuriant Italian-style garden whch is decorated with ponds, fountains and a plethora of statues dating from the second half of the 17th century. The white peacocks that wander over the manicured lawns add their grace to this enchanting spot. After our visit we continue by boat to Isola dei Pescatori, once a fisherman's island and Hemingway's favourite Borromean Island. We have time on our own to explore the island with its narrow alleyways and romantic churches before returning to the mainland. In the afternoon we journey to our hotel in the Marina of Pietrasanta.

Day 4

Pisa and Lucca
This morning we set off to Pisa to admire the UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli with the world's most iconic leaning tower (entrance charge applies). We have a 2-hour walking tour in Pisa with local English-speaking licensed guide.
In the afternoon we travel to Lucca, famous for its Opera House (Puccini was a native), well preserved Renaissance walls, and circular bread, called buccellatto, which allows the locals to go about their daily lives as they carry the bread home as a kind of a delicious bracelet. With a 2-hour walking tour in Lucca with local English-speaking licensed guide Lucca is a place that will appeal to all of your senses, for its sights, sounds, scents and flavours.

Day 5

Day at leisure
Today we have a day at leisure to spend at the hotel or for you to venture independently into the beautiful beach town of Marina di Pietrasanta. It is connected to the municipality of Pietrasanta, a pleasant old town founded in the 1200s, which has been an important centre of marble extraction and working for centuries.
Marina di Pietrasanta has enormous expanses of beach that stretch out for five kilometers along the coast. The wide beach means it never feels overcrowded, even in the height of the summer. The town itself is strung along the coast, with plenty of shops, restaurants, pizzerias, cafes and gelaterias to keep everyone happy.

Day 6

Today we make our way to Roma towards our next hotel the 4-star Hotel San Giovanni in Roma.

Day 7

Ancient and Classic Rome
Today the tour of the Ancient Rome will lead you back to the glory days of the Roman Empire. Travel back to the time of the gladiators and wander through the ruins of Rome. You will begin your 'journey through antiquity' on Capitoline Hill. After an in-depth explanation, you will see the remains of the great Roman era up close, before you climb onto Palatine Hill, to admire the ruins of the imperial palace complex. Next comes the visit to the Colosseum, then you will go back to the Piazza Venezia at the foot of Capitoline Hill.

In the afternoon, you will experience 'classic Rome' first-hand. First you will walk to the Trevi Fountain. It is said that whoever throws in a coin backwards over their left shoulder, will soon return to Rome. The tour continues to the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon, the famous antique temple, that was converted into a church by Emperor Hadrian and later served as a tomb for the Italian royal house. The tour ends at the Piazza Novona. The palaces and churches are still standing around the edges of the square, which Emperor Domitian had constructed as an elongated stadium.

Day 8

Today we head along to the 4* Hotel Gigli, situated in a picturesque park near Nola's historic Paleo-Christian Basilica.

Day 9

Pompeii
This morning we visit the incredible Roman city of Pompeii, buried by volcanic ash in AD79. Our guide really brings this town back to life, describing its time as a vibrant and bustling trading centre.

Day 10

Day at leisure
Today we have a day at leisure to spend at the hotel or for you to venture independently around the local area.

Day 11

We make our way to the 4* Grand Hotel Excelsior located on the main square of Chianciano Terme Piazza Italia.

Day 12

San Gimignano and Siena
This morning its on to San Gimignano, known as "Medieval Manhattan", with its many towers and wonderful views across the rolling hills.
In Siena, the tour guide will take you on a tour of this important art city. The highlight is the Piazza del Campo, the seashell-shaped square, on which the famous horserace the 'Palio' takes place each year. The imposing cathedral embodies a first-class sight. Before getting back on the bus we enjoy a refreshing wine tasting with some local snacks.

Day 13

Assisi
Today we join our guide in Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, whose art and religious sites have charmed visitors from all over the world. We take a 3 hour walking tour before a visit to the St. Francis Basilica with its wonderful frescoes by Giotto.

Day 14

Ferrari factory
We say goodbye to the Grand Hotel Excelsior and make our way to Orzihotel in the small tourn of Orzivecchi, but not without a pit stop first and today it's at the Ferrari factory in Maranello. We tour the museum to discover the history behind the brand and its F1 glories.

Day 15

Day at leisure
Today we have a day at leisure to spend at the hotel or for you to venture independently around the local area.

Day 16

We make our way to our overnight hotel in the Mulhouse area.

Day 17

We make our journey across the Channel and back to the local area.

Hotels

3* Intra Hotel, Verbania 

A small hotel that brings the best of Verbania to your doorstep.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, writing desk. 

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, Wi-Fi.

Mobility Information: There is no lift at this hotel.

4* Hotel Suisse

Hotel Suisse overlooks the splendid sea of Marina di Pietrasanta, the pearl of Versilia. The hotel is just a few steps from the center and the pedestrian area and is located near the Pineta, a green oasis.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries.

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, reading room, free Wi-Fi, outdoor swimming pool, solarium, private beach.

Mobility Information: There is a lift at this hotel.

4* Hotel San Giovanni, Roma

The Hotel San Giovanni in Rome is located in the heart of in one of the most authentic and appealing districts of the city. Once a building that housed a historic monastery, it has now been completely renovated and converted into a high standard hotel.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries.

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi.

Mobility Information: There is no lift at this hotel.

4* Hotel I Gigli, Nola

Hotel I Gigli is situated in a picturesque park near Nola's historic Paleo-Christian Basilica.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries.

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace.

Mobility Information: There is a lift at this hotel.

4* Grand Hotel Excelsior, Chianciano Terme

Grand Hotel Excelsior is a 4-star superior hotel located on the main square of Chianciano Terme: Piazza Italia. Its privileged location, in the green heart of Tuscany, enjoys a breath-taking panoramic view that stretches to the valleys of nearby Umbria.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, writing desk.

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, rooftop swimming pool, sauna.

Mobility Information: There is a lift at this hotel.

3* Orzihotel, Orzivecchi

The hotel is located in a quiet and private area of Orzivecchi, in the Province of Brescia, and is the ideal place to pass a relaxing and tranquil stay.

Bedooms: Telephone, TV, safe, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, writing desk.

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi.

Mobility Information: There is a lift at this hotel.