Experience a Europe Tour Package to Italy
Upon arrival in Rome the first day of our Europe tour package, we collect our bags and are met by our English-speaking tour escort, who will be with us throughout our entire tour. We drive to Orvieto and visit the Gothic Cathedral, and the Fra Angelico Fresco, located in the Chapel of San Brizio. Within the cathedral we will see the Corporal of Bolsena, preserved in a rich reliquary, which dates to 1328. We also visit the Well of St. Patrick. We start the following day with San Gimignano, called the “Manhattan of Tuscany” for its significant towers creating its unique skyline. We then proceed to the picturesque mini medieval town Monteriggioni. Our Europe tour package’s last visit for the day will be in Sienna, the city of the Palio. Here we visit the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where the Palio takes place twice a year. We also visit the plaza of the medieval cathedral. After breakfast the next day of our Europe tour package, we drive west to Pisa, the former port city of Tuscany. We visit the Piazza dei Miracolithat hosts the cathedral, its baptistery and above all the Leaning Tower, dated to 1173. We proceed east to Florence. From here we start with a view from the Piazzale Michelangelo located on a hill above city. We dedicate the rest of our day to visit the highlights of the city known as birthplace of the Italian Renaissance: the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore, the Campanile tower and the Baptistery nearby, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. We also visit also the leather market of San Lorenzo. Then we enjoy a free afternoon on our own to explore the artistic treasures here, such as Michelangelo’s David, Uffizi gallery, Bargello museum and many more.
Hanging Terraces in Vernazza
We start with Cortona the next morning, mentioned greatly in Frances Mayes’ best-selling memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun. Our Europe tour package proceeds west to the exceptional town of Montepulciano, sitting on a limestone ridge. We then proceed to the Tuscanian gourmet town – Pienza. We enjoy walking along the lovers alleys and visit stores offering an excellent selection of local cheese. The following day we take an unforgettable tour of the Italian Riviera. We first board a local train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, the first stop among the Cinque Terre – five coastal charming colorful villages in this area. We then take the unforgettable path of the Via dell’Amore connecting this city to its sister – Manarola. Our Europe tour package proceeds by train to the next pearl – Vernazza, the only current fishing village among the five. Terraces hung above it provide work and food to the locals. We board the train again and proceed to the resort of Santa Margherita. We take a local minibus to the narrow port of Portofino. We start the next day of our Europe tour package with Assisi, well-known for being the birthplace of its patron – St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order. Our Europe tour package takes us to the cathedral with its ceiling embellished with the frescoes of Giotto. Proceed to Gubbio, that keeps its rich cultural – artistic heritage. Visit its old city, including the Forty Martyrs square and its municipal buildings.
The Italian Capital: Rome
The next morning we depart to the Italian capital – Rome. We have a full day dedicated to the highlights of Rome. We visit the Vatican CIty and see the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the Conclaves for Papal elections. It is one of the most splendid masterpieces in the history of world art and is well known around the world for its magnificent ceiling, beautifully decorated by Michelangelo. We will also visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the greatest of all churches in Christendom and built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. We continue to Ancient Rome to visit the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the world, symbolizing the eternity of the Roman civilization. We also see the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia. In the afternoon we continue our Europe tour package to the Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Fontana dei Trevi, following tradition by tossing a coin into the fountain, promising to return to Rome. We conclude our day at the famous Spanish Steps, one of the most famous scenes in the world, as well as one of the most majestic urban monuments in Roman Baroque style. Dinner is on your own tonight. The final day of our Europe tour package is at leisure to explore Rome on our own with no planned activities. Or take an Optional Excursion to Pompeii ($120 per person, based on a minimum of 15+ travelers). Those taking the excursion to Pompeii will meet your tour escort and drive south for Pompeii to visit the spectacular ruins. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1500 years until excavations began in 1748. These excavations continue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire.