GRAND TOUR OF ITALY - THE 5 SENSES 2026-27 "PRESTIGE"

DAY 1: ROME – TRIESTE km.670
Departure from Rome for Trieste - lunch on your own along the way – in the evening accommodation at the hotel in Trieste – dinner at the hotel - after dinner Trieste by night, walking tour with tour leader in the historic centre – overnight stay.

DAY 2: SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI “the homeland of prosciutto” & UDINE km.190
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit to San Daniele del Friuli (former Church of S. Antonio Abate called the little “Sistine Chapel of Friuli” for its remarkable Renaissance frescoes, panoramic visit of the historic centre) – visit to a prosciutto producer with lunch – in the afternoon visit to Udine (city tour in the footsteps of Tiepolo to enjoy his splendid frescoes in the Oratory of Purità and in the Cathedral – walking tour through Piazza Libertà, “the most beautiful square in Venetian style on the mainland”, Via Mercatovecchio and Piazza Matteotti - the ancient Piazza delle Erbe of Udine; visit to the city’s oldest church, S. Maria del Castello, and to the Castle – external visit-) – in the evening return to the hotel - dinner at the hotel - after dinner walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 3: CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI “Italia Langobardorum, UNESCO World Heritage Site” & GORIZIA km.150
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit to Cividale del Friuli (UNESCO World Heritage Site and leading town of the “Italia Langobardorum” Project; Cividale allows visitors to approach the Longobard world of the 8th century, with the Longobard Temple and the Christian Museum, but also of the previous centuries through the extremely rich collections of the National Archaeological Museum; visit to the Cathedral and walking tour in the historic centre until the famous Devil’s Bridge) – lunch in a typical osteria - in the afternoon visit to Gorizia and Nova Gorica (panoramic bus tour of the Isonzo provincial capital touching the border at “Casa Rossa” and continuing to the half Italian and half Slovenian Piazza Transalpina, the Austro-Hungarian era railway station building, Borgo Castello with the Medieval Castle) - continuation along the panoramic Wine Road through the world-famous Collio wine-growing area, known for its excellent wines - visit to a winery and DOC wine tasting - in the evening return to the hotel in Trieste – dinner at the hotel - free evening - tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 4: TRIESTE “Mitteleuropean charm” - AQUILEIA “the ancient Roman colony, UNESCO World Heritage Site” - PADUA km.280
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit to Trieste (extensive tour of Borgo Teresiano, the Rive waterfront, Piazza Unità d'Italia, Porto Nuovo, the Risiera di San Sabba, one of the emblematic places of the Second World War – external visit -, San Giusto Hill with the Cathedral, walking tour in the historic centre and the Jewish ghetto area) – lunch in a typical beer hall – in the afternoon guided visit to Aquileia (UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient Roman colony unveils the glories of the past through the archaeological excavations of the Forum, the former River Port and the residential quarters dating back to 2,000 years ago) - in the evening accommodation at the hotel in Padua – dinner at the hotel - after dinner Padua by night, panoramic tour by private coach and walking tour with tour leader in the historic centre – overnight stay.

DAY 5: VENICE “La Serenissima”
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day excursion – transfer by coach to Padua railway station – departure by train for Venice Santa Lucia - full day dedicated to visiting the UNESCO World Heritage city - in the morning guided visit of classical Venice (St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace – external visit -, by crossing the narrow streets in the Castello district you will reach Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo up to the famous Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal) – lunch on your own – free afternoon for shopping and/or excursions to the Lagoon Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Murano, Burano, Torcello) or for a romantic gondola ride - in the evening return to the hotel in Padua – dinner at the hotel – free evening - tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 6: PADUA – VERONA “the city of love and music” km.90
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit to Padua (S. Antonio Basilica, historic centre, Palazzo della Ragione, Scrovegni Chapel, Palazzo del Bo with the University Anatomical Theatre) –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon guided visit to Verona (UNESCO World Heritage city, panoramic tour of the hills by coach, walking tour in the historic centre to visit the Scaliger residences, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Erbe, houses of Juliet and Romeo – external visit -, the Arena – external visit -) – dinner at the hotel - after dinner Verona by night, walking tour with tour leader in the historic centre – overnight stay.

DAY 7: VERONA - MANTUA “the city of Virgil” & SABBIONETA “the Gonzagas’ ideal city” – PARMA km.110
Breakfast at the hotel – visit to the two UNESCO World Heritage cities - in the morning guided visit to Mantua (Palazzo Te by Giulio Romano – internal visit -, Ducal Palace or Gonzaga Palace – external visit -) – visit to a rice paddy by walking through the paddy and visiting the historic rice mill – tasting lunch at the rice-producing company – in the afternoon guided visit to Sabbioneta (an intact star with six bastions at its points, this is the urban spectacle offered by Sabbioneta, Ducal Palace, Palazzo Giardini with the Galleria degli Antichi, Teatro all’Antica) – in the evening arrival in Parma - dinner at the hotel – after dinner Parma by night, tour by private coach and with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 8: PARMA “Italian Capital of Culture 2021” – LANGHIRANO “Parma Ham” – FONTANELLATO “The Masone Labyrinth” km.100
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit to Parma (historic centre, Monumental Complex of the Pilotta, with the Farnese Theatre, the National Gallery and the Archaeological Museum, Cathedral, Baptistery) - visit in Langhirano to a Parma ham production company - tasting lunch – in the afternoon visit in Fontanellato to the world’s largest Labyrinth of the Franco Maria Ricci Foundation – in the evening return to the hotel in Parma - dinner at the hotel – free evening - tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 9: PARMA - MILAN “the capital of fashion and new trends” – LAKE MAGGIORE km.220
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day excursion to Milan – full day dedicated to guided visit of the city (Duomo - Sforza Castle with the Rondanini Pietà - Brera Art Gallery with the Marriage of the Virgin and Bramante’s Christ at the Column - Museum of Science and Technology - Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore “the Sistine Chapel of Milan” - Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio) - lunch in a typical restaurant - in the evening return to the hotel on Lake Maggiore in Baveno or Stresa - dinner at the hotel - free evening – tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 10: LAKE MAGGIORE & VILLA TARANTO “the most beautiful garden in Italy” km.30
Breakfast at the hotel - in the morning guided visit to the Borromean Islands by private speedboat (Isola Bella with the splendid Borromeo Palace and the marvel of its Italian garden, laid out on ten terraces sloping down towards the lake - Isola dei Pescatori with its ancient alleys and evocative views) – lunch at the hotel - in the afternoon guided visit to Villa Taranto (splendid botanical garden, considered the most beautiful garden in Italy and in the world) – in the evening return to the hotel - dinner at the hotel - overnight stay.

DAY 11: LAKE MAGGIORE – TURIN “the Egyptian Museum & Venaria Reale” km.150
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Turin - full day dedicated to the guided visit of the city (visit to the historic centre with Piazza San Carlo, Via Roma, Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama and the Royal Palace – external visits - UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Church of S. Lorenzo, Cathedral, Piazza Carignano, the Egyptian Museum – internal visit -, Palace and Park of Venaria Reale, UNESCO World Heritage Site) - lunch in a typical restaurant - dinner at the hotel - after dinner Turin by night, walking tour with tour leader in the historic centre – overnight stay.

DAY 12: TURIN – THE LANGHE “UNESCO Heritage Sites” GENOA - km.250
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion to the Langhe with its wine-growing landscape, UNESCO World Heritage Site – visit to La Morra, Barolo (historic centre, Piazza Falletti, Falletti Communal Castle of Barolo), Serralunga, Alba (the heart of the Langhe, Piazza Risorgimento, Town Hall, the Cathedral, Church of San Domenico) –lunch in a typical restaurant – during the day visit to a winery and DOC wine tasting - in the evening arrival in Genoa - dinner at the hotel - after dinner Genoa by night, walking tour with tour leader in the area of Nervi – overnight stay.

DAY 13: GENOA “a jewel set between sea and mountains”
Breakfast at the hotel - full day dedicated to guided visit of the city - historic centre and noble residences, the Strade Nuove with the Palazzi dei Rolli UNESCO World Heritage Sites (panoramic tour, Via Garibaldi, Piazza Caricamento, Palazzo San Giorgio, Piazza Bianchi, Piazza San Matteo, Piazza de Ferrari, Porta Soprana, Christopher Columbus’ House, Royal Palace and Palazzo Spinola - internal visits -), Aquarium (free visit) and Old Port area with possibility to go up on the Bigo (40 metre-high panoramic lift with view over the city) – street food lunch on your own - free time for shopping - dinner at the hotel - after dinner Genoa by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 14: GENOA - FLORENCE “the historic centre, UNESCO World Heritage Site” km.220
Breakfast at the hotel - departure for Florence - full day dedicated to a walking guided visit of the historic centre of Florence, UNESCO World Heritage Site (Basilica of Santa Croce and Pazzi Chapel, Piazza della Signoria, Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto’s Bell Tower, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Museum of San Marco with the frescoes by Beato Angelico) –lunch in a typical restaurant – dinner in a typical restaurant – after dinner Florence by night, panoramic tour by minibus and with tour leader (Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato al Monte, Scandicci, the Certosa, Fiesole) – overnight stay.

DAY 15: FLORENCE “the Uffizi Gallery” - ROME km.280
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of the Uffizi Gallery, UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Gallery entirely occupies the first and second floors of the great building built between 1560 and 1580  based on a project by Giorgio Vasari: it is one of the most famous museums in the world for its extraordinary collections of ancient sculpture and paintings from the Middle Ages to the modern age. The collections of 14th-century and Renaissance paintings contain some of the absolute art masterpieces of all times: suffice it to recall the names of Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, as well as masterpieces of the European painting tradition, especially German, Dutch and Flemish) – lunch on your own – free time for shopping – in the afternoon continuation for return journey – arrival in Rome in the evening – dinner on your own - tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 16: ROME - NAPLES km.230
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Naples – street food lunch on your own – in the afternoon guided tour of Naples (panoramic tour along the main roads of the city, Piazza Municipio with Maschio Angioino, San Carlo theatre and the Galleria Umberto I, Piazza del Plebiscito with the Royal Palace and the monumental Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, the Santa Lucia district – ancient fishermen’s village –, Via Caracciolo, the Posillipo hill district with stunning views over the entire Gulf, National Archaeological Museum –internal visit– and historic center UNESCO World Heritage Site) – in the evening accommodation at the hotel – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Naples by night, panoramic tour by private coach with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 17: NAPLES - POMPEII “the most visited archaeological site in the world” – MORANO CALABRO “the heart of Pollino national park” – VIBO VALENTIA km.420
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Pompeii, the most visited archaeological site in the world, UNESCO World Heritage Site – continuation to Morano Calabro in the heart of the Pollino National Park – lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon guided visit of Morano Calabro, one of the most charming villages of the Pollino National Park (historic center, monastic complex of San Bernardino da Siena, Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maddalena) – in the evening arrival in Vibo Valentia – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Pizzo Calabro by night, with private coach and tour leader – tasting of the famous artisan “tartufo” ice cream – overnight stay.

DAY 18: VIBO VALENTIA – MESSINA – CEFALÙ – PALERMO km.330
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Messina – tour of the city (Cathedral and Piazza Duomo) –street food lunch on your own– in the late afternoon guided visit of Cefalù (historic center, Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site) – in the evening arrival in Palermo – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Palermo by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 19: PALERMO & MONREALE “UNESCO World Heritage Sites”
Breakfast at the hotel – full day dedicated to the guided visit of Palermo and Monreale with their UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Palazzo dei Normanni with Palatine Chapel –internal visit–, San Giovanni degli Eremiti –internal visit–, Cathedral –internal visit–, followed by panoramic tour with external visits of Teatro Massimo, Piazza Pretoria, Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio known as La Martorana, Monreale Cathedral and Cloister) –street food lunch on your own– we suggest taking the opportunity to taste Palermo’s typical street food: panelle, crocchè (or cazzilli), boiled octopus, pani ca’ meusa, rice arancini, sfincione – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Palermo by night, panoramic tour by private coach and walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 20: PALERMO - AGRIGENTO – MODICA km.270
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Agrigento – guided visit of the Valley of the Temples UNESCO World Heritage Site – the largest archaeological area in Italy (Temple of Concordia, Temple of Juno, Temple of Jupiter, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Hercules) –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the evening arrival in Modica or Ragusa – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 21: RAGUSA IBLA “the other Sicily” - MODICA “an incomparable land” - SCICLI 
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Ragusa (ancient historic center preserving its late 19th-century urban structure) –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon guided visit of Modica UNESCO World Heritage Site (birthplace of poet Salvatore Quasimodo, visit of refined Baroque buildings, Church of San Giorgio) and Scicli UNESCO World Heritage Site (panoramic tour of the Baroque town, Via Mormino Penna, the visionary Palazzo Beneventano) – stop at a famous pastry shop for tasting the renowned Modica chocolate – return to hotel in the evening – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Modica by night, panoramic tour by private coach with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 22: MODICA - NOTO “Baroque is the protagonist” – SYRACUSE “the Greek city” – CATANIA km.150
Breakfast at the hotel – transfer to Noto – in the morning guided visit of this splendid UNESCO World Heritage town (capital of European Baroque, with its magnificent cathedral, churches, monasteries and noble palaces, Porta Nazionale, Town Hall) –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon guided visit of Syracuse UNESCO World Heritage Site, archaeological area (Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius), Ortigia Island, Cathedral – in the evening arrival in Catania – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Catania by night, panoramic tour by private coach with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 23: ETNA & TAORMINA “myth and passion” km.100
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided excursion to Mount Etna, UNESCO World Heritage Site – we will ascent up to 1,900 metres to discover the wonders and lunar landscape of Europe’s highest volcano – we will walk around the Silvestri Craters, small extinct craters - Please note: those who do not wish to go up Mount Etna for health reasons may wait in the charming village of Zafferana Etnea where lunch will be served – lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon guided visit of Taormina (Greek theatre, public gardens, historic center, Palazzo Corvaja, Corso Umberto) – free time for shopping – return to hotel – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guests’ disposal – overnight stay.

DAY 24: CATANIA – REGGIO CALABRIA - TROPEA “overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea” – COSENZA km.330
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Reggio Calabria – guided visit of the National Archaeological Museum with the famous Riace Bronzes – continuation to Tropea –lunch in a typical restaurant – guided visit of the town (Cathedral, historic center with stop at the “Affaccio” – stunning balcony over the Tyrrhenian Sea) – tasting of local onion-based products at a local company – in the afternoon arrival in Cosenza – guided city tour (Old Town with Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site) – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Cosenza by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 25: COSENZA – MATERA “the City of Stones” km.210
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Matera – full day dedicated to the guided visit of Matera – the “City of Stones”, ancient settlements now UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cathedral, walking tour through the Sassi districts: Sasso Caveoso, Santa Lucia alle Malve and Madonna de Idris – visit to contrada Petrapenta, 14 km from Matera, of the Crypt of Original Sin, called the “Sistine Chapel” of rock painting) –lunch in a typical restaurant – free time for shopping – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Matera by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 26: MATERA – TARANTO “the city of two seas” – LECCE “the Florence of the South” km.180
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Taranto – guided visit of the city of two seas (historic center with Aragonese Castle –external visit–, Cathedral of San Cataldo, panoramic tour) – continuation to Lecce – street food lunch on your own – we recommend trying the savory “rustico leccese” and the sweet “pasticciotto leccese” – in the afternoon guided visit of Lecce (Basilica of Santa Croce, Church of Gesù, San Matteo, Cathedral, Sant'Irene, as well as numerous noble palaces – also remains from Roman times including Theatre and Amphitheatre) – visit to a traditional papier-mâché workshop – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Lecce by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 27: SALENTO TOUR - OTRANTO – SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA – GALLIPOLI km.190
Breakfast at the hotel – full day guided excursion– visit of Otranto (historic center and Cathedral with the precious mosaic from 1163 covering the floor), Santa Maria di Leuca “de finibus terrae” and Gallipoli (from the Greek, “beautiful city”, with its characteristic old town) –lunch in a typical restaurant – return to hotel in the evening – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guest’s disposal– overnight stay.

DAY 28: LECCE – OSTUNI “the white city” - VALLE D’ITRIA - ALBEROBELLO “the trulli” – BARI km.170
Breakfast at the hotel – full day guided excursion – visit of Ostuni, the “white city” and olive oil tasting in a mill – the Itria Valley – Alberobello with its famous “trulli” UNESCO World Heritage Site –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the evening arrival in Bari – dinner at the hotel – after dinner Bari by night, panoramic tour by private coach with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 29: BARI – TRANI - CASTEL DEL MONTE “UNESCO World Heritage Site” – CAMPOBASSO km.280
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Bari (historic center with the Basilica of San Nicola) followed by guided visit of Trani (Romanesque Cathedral “rising from the sea” dedicated to San Nicola Pellegrino, tasting of Moscato di Trani in a wine bar) and Castel del Monte (castle of Frederick II built on the model of the Palatine Chapel of Aachen, UNESCO World Heritage Site) – street food lunch on your own – we recommend focaccia barese, sgagliozze, octopus sandwich – in the evening arrival in Campobasso – dinner at the hotel/restaurant – after dinner Campobasso by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.

DAY 30: CAMPOBASSO “Samnite Museum” - AGNONE “Marinelli Foundry” - ISERNIA “Paleolithic Museum” - ROME km.290
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Campobasso (historic center, Samnite Museum) – continuation to Agnone – light lunch with tasting of cheeses and dairy products, visit to a historic winery and a tuff cave for cheese aging – visit of the Pontifical Marinelli Bell Foundry in Agnone – continuation to Isernia – guided visit of the Paleolithic Museum – arrival in Rome in the evening.

Please Note: The planned visits may be rearranged on different days depending on museum opening hours or for technical reasons, but the itinerary remains unchanged.