Pick up your hired car and GPS device directly at Florence airport and enjoy the freedom and flexibility for the next 7 days of your adventure, taking things at your own pace. Explore the scenic Cinqueterre and the gastronomic city of Bologna before making your way to the pedestrian-friendly town of Ferrara. Take a side trip to the city of Ravenna, formerly the capital of the Roman Empire and home to some of the best mosaics (dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries) in Western Art . Once in the heart of the Cinque Terre, either explore with your hired car, on the local train which services all of the towns or hike from one town to the next on a well marked hiking trail. Take a scenic drive to Bologna, through a number of mountain passes, before arriving at the red city where you can enjoy a number of private, organized sight seeing tours. Explore by yourself in your hired car with our points of interest highlighting the top sites and recommended side trips, all the while staying in comfortable to luxury style accomodations.

Add the 7 Day Umbria and Tuscany Self Drive and/or the 7 Day Italian Alps to Lake Como Self Drive for a well rounded trip covering the most beautiful parts of central and northern Italy, all with the help of a GPS device. These trips include a mix of public and private tours in major towns, for a more rewarding day of exploring local sights and history.For those who want to get off the beaten path but need minimum hassle, our GPS tours offer worry free hotel bookings, public and private guided tours, local 24/7 emergency support, and a dedicated team of experts ready to customize to suit your needs. All our tours can be modified with value, premium, or luxury hotels and services. Please note that the GPS is not included in the price of the tour and must be paid locally for a small fee. Please let us know if you would like us to reserve a GPS unit for you. Child car seats and additional insurance is also available.

Consider adding our 3 Day Rome, Florence and/or Venice Discovery tour to you trip.

Monterosso al Mare is a town in the province of La Spezia, part of the region of Liguria (northern Italy). It is one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. The town is divided into two distinct parts: the old town and the new town. The two areas are divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and the very few cars in the town. The beach at Monterosso runs along most of the coast line and is well used by tourists and locals. The beach is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre. Monterosso is a small town that in the summer months is busy and lively.

Includes car rental.

Enjoy the drive from Florence to Monterosso al Mare on the coast. The drive is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Highlights along the way include the thermal resort town of Montecatini Terme where you can soak in waters that are reputed to have restorative properties. A break in the picturesque fortress town of Lucca is highly recommended. The town centre with its Duomo, many churches and piazza del Mercato, as well as the small, winding shopping streets, make it a delightful place to explore. There are also many great little trattorias if you feel like something to eat. Continue towards the coast and the Cinque Terre as far as Monterosso al Mare.

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.

Villa Steno, Hotel Pasquale (3*), is a small family-run hotel with 16 rooms, standing in the heart of the old town at 300 meters from the sea and the beach. Surrounded by a vast garden of lemon, orange, and olive trees, at Hotel Villa Steno guests can bask in the peace and quiet of the Cinque Terre and the colours of its landscape, enjoying a gorgeous view of the sea and the ancient village of Monterosso. The hotel has its own small parking lot.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Steno (3*).

Includes car rental.

Take your car or simply use the local train that services all of the villages and explore the Cinque Terre; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore. Each town has its own charm and offers unique and spectacular coastal views as well as great opportunities to meander and window shop. All of the villages are linked by a well sign posted walking trail, so hiking is also an option today.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Steno (3*).

Untouched by mass tourism, Bologna is the capital of the prosperous Emilia Romagna region. The city is finally taking its rightful place on many people's travel itineraries. Home to the oldest university in Europe, and arguably the gastronomic capital of the country, Bologna also boasts a myriad of splendid architecture of brick and tile, along with impressive porticoes (all 40km of them). No surprise then that Bologna is famed for its restaurants - and there are hundreds of them.

Includes car rental.

Enjoy the drive from Monterosso al Mare to Florence in your hired car. The drive is approximately 2.5 - 3 hours and is 200 kms. En route perhaps stop at Viareggio, Lucca or Montecatini-Terme.

Enjoy a private 3 hour waking tour of Bologna with your own English speaking Guide. See some of the most important buildings in the city such as Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, The Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo and the famous Fountain of Neptune which dates back to the 16th century. Additionally, you'll view the Medieval Market and Loggia Dei Mercanti, the Anatomy Theater (closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday), Basilica of San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Two Towers and the Complex of Santo Stefano. Please note that the tour excludes entrance fees, optional gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop off, food and drink).

The 4 Viale Masini(4*) hotel is a central, luxury hotel in the heart of Bologna. The bright and polyhedral lobby is characterised by a design which is welcoming and stimulating, and the hotel facilities include a Turkish bath, colour therapy treatments, emotional shower and a fitness suite. The rooms are furnished in a sophisticated harmony of colours and forms, and offer a wide range of services. There is a bar/bistro on site which offers brunch during the afternoon, and serves as a bar at night. 

Overnight at 4 Viale Masini (4*).

Includes car rental.

Take a 2 hour private guided walking tour through the medieval market and explore the history, art and traditions of Bologna with an English speaking Guide. Visit a traditional bakery, followed by a visit to a pasta connoisseur's where you'll learn about the production of Tortellini and Tagliatelle. Continue to Beccari's salsamenteria to discover the history of mortadella, from the third century BC right up until modern times. The highlight of the tour for many is the visit to a traditional chocolate maker where solid chocolate was invented! Your tour will also include a visit to a typical Bolognese Osteria, the fun-loving side of the Italy's oldest university. (Includes tasting on tour).

Embark on a private 3 hour shopping tour with your English speaking guide, through fashion outlets across Bologna and surrounding areas and shop up a storm! Bruno Magli, Pancaldi 1888, Redwall, Mariella Burani, Sergio Rossi, Furla, Valleverde and Pollini are just some of the names to conjure. This is your shopping day, so the stores visited are entirely your choice. Shoes, bags, clothes etc. This in-depth, hassle-free private tour is hosted by an English-speaking guide. Please advise any special interests you have at the time of confirming your Kensington tour so we can alert your guide, that he or she can prepare for your private tour. If you would like to have a vehicle on standby to carry any of your purchases this can be arranged - please speak to your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if this is of interest.

Overnight at 4 Viale Masini (4*).

Designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, Ferrara is a city of turrets and towers, with a mighty castle which is protected by a deep moat, as well as numerous grandoise histroical sites.

Includes car rental.

Leave Bologna for Ferrara in yor hired car at leisure. The drive is approximately 36 kms by highway and estimated driving time is 1 hour.

Enjoy a walk in Ferrara along the historical city walls which span over an almost uninterrupted 9 kilometres. Constituting one of the oldest and most impressive defensive systems of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and formerly boasting city gates, bastions, large towers, gun slots and embrasures, the walls have been transformed into a place for meeting friends, practicing sport and recreation, with paths for cycling and walking. Stroll around the city on the old defensive walls and enjoy the views of the city within.

The Annunziata Hotel (4*) lies in front of the Este Castle in the heart of Ferrara. With only 24 rooms and 6 suites, you’ll feel completely at home. Facilities include internet access point iMac, Wi-Fi inside the whole building, elegant courtesy bicycles (“California” model), and IPod in-house music. Access by car is problem free and a special rate is offered for guests in nearby car parks sites. For those who prefer a garage: there is a valet service available.

Overnight at Alberga Annunziata (4*).

Includes car rental.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Alberga Annunziata (4*).

Includes car rental.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).