Rome. A city of history, like walking through layers of time. From the floor of the Colosseum where gladiators fought, to the genteel halls of the Vatican where you will find the world's oldest book, Rome is at once a city of chic and glamour and at the same time firmly rooted in tradition and faith. Explore from the Colosseum through the Forum, past the "Wedding Cake" monument, flip a coin in the Trevi Fountain, sip a coffee in Piazza Navona, and finish in the cradle of the great open square of Vatican City.

Take the train to the hilltop town of Orvieto. The site of the city is among the most dramatic in Europe, rising above the almost-vertical faces of tuff cliffs that are completed by defensive walls built of the same stone. The ancient city has been populated since Etruscan times and features and impressive Duomo (cathedral) dating back to 1290. Continue by train to Montepulciano, a medieval and Renaissance hill town in southern Tuscany, sitting on a high limestone ridge. Wine connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best. The main street stretches for 1.5 kilometers from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill and is pedestrian only. Continue by train to Siena. This Tuscan city is one of the most lovely in Italy. Abundant with Renaissance palazzi, churches and museums, with the famous Piazza del Campo square as its focal point. Finish in Florence, one of Italy's most beautiful cities, where one can find oneself returning to time and time again. A walking tour gives you an insiders view of the city, and an afternoon guided tour of the Uffizi gallery reveals the superb art on display.

Day 1
Rome
Enjoy a private Airport (Fiumicino/Ciampino) transfer with a private vehicle and driver. A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy one of the most delightful and fascinating walks in the world! Monumental Rome is a mix of piazzas (squares), Rennaissance architectural masterpieces, and thousands of years of history -all interwoven with cafes, shopping, and great gelato! Your walk through the historical centre starts at the Spanish Steps, famously leading down to the historic center of the city and surrounded with fabulous shopping, from bargain to the top brands. Continue to the Trevi Fountain where legend says if you flip a coin into the water you are sure to return to Rome. The Piazza Colona's great buildings are hemmed in by rushing traffic, so continue on a few blocks to the massive Pantheon, which was built in the First Century B.C. and for millenia was the highest arched building in the world. Its a short walk to Piazza Navona, with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, Bernini's masterpiece. This square is packed with artists, cafes, and a swirl of faces - its a great place to enjoy the view. You can explore this part of the city for days! Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). No other Roman hotel near the Spanish Steps offers the same atmosphere and a relaxing internal garden like the Modigliani. Situated in a tranquil, ancient street near exclusive Via Veneto, this boutique hotel is an ideal and charming base for you to enjoy a pleasant holiday in Rome. The Modigliani's owners are an artistic couple, and the young and friendly staff reflect their particular philosophy of life: professionalism, elegance and kindness. You can easily get around on foot or by metro; Barberini Metro Station is at the end of the road. After a day exploring Rome you can relax in the garden with a drink from the bar. Rome, the 'Eternal City', is the capital of Italy. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to explore the sites of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. A few blocks away, Old Rome is the center of the medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Fountains of Trevi, Campo de' Fiori, Spanish Steps, and plenty of shopping and dining. Just across the river is the Vatican, the Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighborhood, Vaticano. Via Veneto leads north into modern Rome to the train station and is lined with glitzy shops and hotels for every budget.

Day 2
Rome - Orvieto
Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). Enjoy a 1.5 hour train ride to Orvieto. This is a regular train service on the Florence line, with 4-5 departures daily. Depart earlier or later depending on your preference. Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Ideally situated next to Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo Palace to the Cathedral and the main Medieval monuments of Orvieto city centre, Grand Hotel Italia offers a comfortable and elegant setting with its large terraces and hanging gardens overlooking the city cliff. This welcoming four star hotel offers a bar, a reading room with a fireplace, two meeting rooms, an Internet Point and a Wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. Includes train station shuttle service. Orvieto is a city in southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large volcanic butte. The site of the city is among the most dramatic in Europe, rising above the almost-vertical faces of tuff cliffs that are completed by defensive walls built of the same stone. The ancient city has been populated since Etruscan times and features many artefacts. The impressive Duomo (cathedral) dates back to 1290, and the city was a regular home for the Pope from the 11th century onward. There is a superb old city with shops and restaurants, and an excellent walking tour. Be sure to take an underground tour! Centuries of digging have yielded tunnels, galleries, wells, stairs, quarries, cellars, unexpected passageways, cisterns, and homes. Many of the noble families had an escape tunnel during times of siege that would emerge a distance away from city walls.

Day 3
Orvieto
Enjoy a two and a hlaf hour walking tour of Orvieto with an expert English speaking guide. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, the black and white striped building in mixed Romanesque and Gothic styles, is one of the world's greatest cathedrals. Inside, the frescoes of Luca Signorelli on the theme of the Last Judgment inside the Capella di San Brizio are superb. Also visit the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Fortezza dell'Albornoz, and main shopping street. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Grand Hotel Italia (4*).

Day 4
Orvieto - Montepulciano
Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). Enjoy the train ride through Italian countryside to Chiusi. The journey will take just 20-30 minutes. Includes private transfer with car and driver. Montepulciano is pedestrian-only in the old city. Explore its charms on foot, starting with the Piazza Grande, a pleasant piazza surrounded by great architecture like the medieval Palazzo Comunale, Contucci Palace, and Palazzo de' Nobili-Tarugi. Climb up the clock tower of the Palazzo Comunale for a great town view (€1.60). Wine tasting can be done in the Cantinas along Via Ricci and Via di Gracciano nel Corso. The Civic Museum features the della Robbia ceramic alterpieces and Etruscan artifacts. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Albergo Il Rondo, Montepulciano - sat amidst olive groves and vineyards, this Montepulciano hotel is close to the historic centre of this stunning medieval Tuscan town. And yet, in its own big garden, just 500 metres from the defensive walls of Montepulciano, the accommodation is an oasis of peace and quiet. From here you can stroll into Montepulciano and the hotel also has a private car park exclusive to guests.

Montepulciano, a medieval and Renaissance hill town in southern Tuscany, sits on a high limestone ridge. It is 124 km southeast of Florence, and 186 km north of Rome. Montepulciano is a major producer of food and drink. Wine connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best. The main street stretches for 1.5 kilometers from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill and is pedestrian only. Main sights include the Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Tarugi, The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio. A day tour to the nearby Brunello vineyards of Montalcino is a highlight.

Day 5
Montepulciano
Enjoy a half day walking tour with your private local guide. You will be met at your hotel and proceed on foot to view the top sights. Your knowledgeable English-speaking guide is officially licensed. This personalized tour will give you local insight into the real history and hidden gems. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy this splendid Tuscan village or book one of the many local tour options at your hotel, including; day tour of Montalcino and Brunello vineyards, day tour of local vineyards with lunch, visit the house and property of La Foce a short drive from town. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Albergo Il Rondò (3*).

Day 6
Montepulciano - Siena
Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). Includes private car and driver. Enjoy the train ride to Siena (direct). Journey will take approximately 1h 15m. Enjoy a half day walking tour with your private local guide. You will be met at your hotel and proceed on foot to view the top sights. Discover the most unusual and unforgettable aspects of Siena, including the Cathedral Crypt. See the city's monuments and hidden alleyways, which all give a true insight into Sienese Life. The tour starts from the Campo Square, following the pilgrims, wayfarers, artists, merchants and saint's and the traces they left behind in courtyards, fine old churches and forgotten frescoes. The tour will end with the 13th century frescoes in the Cathedral Crypt. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). The Hotel Italia is a new 3 star hotel located in the beautiful and typically Mediterranean Siena in Tuscany. This new Hotel is situated only a short distance from the porta Camollia, the traditional entrance to the medieval town which preserves the ancient traditions such as the famous Palio race. The hotel's building dates back to 1600 and is another jewel in the crown of this beautiful area of Italy. The building has been recently renovated and currently shows a modern structure with the charm of old times but the conveniences and luxuries of the modern age.

The Tuscan city of Siena is one of the most lovely in Italy. Though abundant with Renaissance palazzi, churches and museums, the city is compact by any standards. The focal point of the town is the Piazza del Campo. Surrounded by elegant public buildings, it's the perfect starting point for seeing the city's myriad attractions. Nearby, the cathedral sits in its own square, the elaborate façade just a teaser for the grandiose interior. When you need a rest from pacing the streets, you'll find plenty of restaurants serving delicious Tuscan fare and numerous pavement cafés where you could spend hours sipping cappuccinos and watching the world go by.

Day 7
Siena
Enjoy a full day (shared) tour which gives you the opportunity of discovering San Gimigamo, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries. The city is situated on top of a hill and is famous for its numerous towers, frescos and other art treasures. Take the opportunity to explore the city and there is some free time for lunch (not included). Continue on through the countryside of Chianti, known all over the world for its wine and its countryside of unequalled beauty. Woods with vines and olive trees, romanesque churches, farmhouses, villas and castles of rare beauty are to be found. This tour includes a visit to a place of particular historic and artistic interest in an old village, and to one of the most renowned castle farms with a snack and tasting of its prestigious wines. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Hotel Italia (3*).

Day 8
Siena - Florence
Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). Enjoy a 1.5 hour train ride to Florence. This is a regular train service with 4-5 departures daily. Depart earlier or later depending on your preference. Disembark at the central station, Santa Maria Novella (FI.SMN) Transfer using a local taxi (easily available and economical). A visit to Florence is not complete without visiting one of the most important art galleries in the world, the Uffizi. Enjoy a guided (shared) tour of the Uffizi Gallery to have an unforgettable journey through the masterpieces of famous artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio. At the end of the tour, you are free to remain in the museum to explore further at your leisure. (The tour includes a prebooked entrance and guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in English). Meet your guide at the entrance to the Museum at 16.20. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Experience a beautiful Florentine holiday, enjoying comfortable accommodation in a renovated property right in the heart of the city, close to the major landmarks. Hotel Centrale is a short distance from the central train station S. Maria Novella, the Fortezza Da Basso, home of the most important trade shows in the area, and the Palazzo Dei Congressi. Enjoy a quiet, comfortable retreat in the hotels rooms, complemented by reproduced frescoes and paintings by famous artists, and many also offering views of the nearby monuments. Even among Italy's cities Florence is something special, rising from the beautiful landscape of Tuscany as a living piece of history. Everywhere you turn you'll see works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi and any number of Masters of Italy's Golden Age. It is in the museums and galleries of the city that most of Florence's treasures are concentrated. The piazzas are full of fashionable boutiques and ever more fashionable people, and the café is still central to Florence social life. In the evening the city lights up and its squares and streets are thronged with visitors and locals taking their "passeggiata" as the denizens of the city have done for thousands of years.

Day 9
Florence
This exciting guided walking tour starts from the peculiar Central Market zone, characterised by its workshops and multicolured stands. Located in this area are the Medici Chapels, and the Basilica di S. Lorenzo, which is the church of the famous Medici family. A short stroll from the market-place is the Piazza del Duomo, where you can admire the picturesque Cathedral from both the interior and exterior. This Cathedral is known for its dome created by Brunelleschi, its bell tower designed by Giotta, and its Paradise Door on the Saint John Baptistery. The tour continues by visiting the medieval quarters where Dante Alighieri and Beatrice once lived. Moving further through the city you will find the Palazzo del Bargello. Not to far from there you will arrive at the Piazza della Signoria, a great "open-air sculpture museum", which overlooks the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. Within the Palazzo Vecchio you will find one of the world most important museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery. You would then proceed to the Mercato della Paglia (straw market), where the famous Piglet Fountain is located. Moivng along, you will travel along the street that leads you to Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "jewel-bridge." After snapping some photos along this famous bridge, you will arrive at the wonderful Pitti Palace where this tour ends. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Florence is a great city for browsing and shopping. The street for antiques is Via Maggio: some of the furnishings and objets d'art here are from the 16th century. Florence's Fifth Avenue is Via dei Tornabuoni, the place to head for the best quality leather goods, for the best clothing boutiques, and for stylish but costly shoes. Here you'll find everyone from Armani, Gucci, Versace, Coveri, to Ferragamo. Besides shops, Florence is rich in open-air markets. The Market of San Lorenzo, situated in the center of the city, is worth checking out. The New Market, where one can acquire leather goods and souvenirs, is sheltered under the sixteenth-century Loggia del Porcellino. At the Flea Market, near Piazza Santa Croce, where you may able to make good deals on small antique items. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Centrale (3*).

Day 10
Florence
Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (Extra surcharge will be applied if after 8pm or before 7am). Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from Florence Peretola airport - end of itinerary.