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 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.
