Itinerary
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Day 1
Rome 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. 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 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! Mascagni is a 4 star hotel, located within a prestigious and central position. It offers all modern comforts, with elegant turn of the century furniture, adorned with genuine antiques. Combined with personalised service, Mascagni is one of the most intriguing hotels in Rome. Under new Roman law, hotels charge a small amount per traveller per day as a “tourist tax”, which needs to be paid locally through your hotel in Rome. Amounts may vary, but currently the cost is 2EUR per person for 2* & 3* hotels and 3EUR for 4* & 5* hotels. The charges will be added to your bill upon check out and are non-negotiable. Overnight at Mascagni (4*). |
 Rome |
 Trevi Fountain |
 Mascagni |
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Day 2
Rome Enjoy a 3 hour private tour of Rome exploring the rich past of the Roman era taking in the most famous sites of Imperial Rome. The Capitolium square owes its splendid layout to Michelangelo. The Roman Forum, the centre of Imperial Rome, lies just down the valley between the Palatine, Quirinale and Capitolium hills. Several Temples, Triumphal Arches, Ancient Basilicas, Rostra, the Curia House and many other ancient monuments, make this valley a sort of open-air museum. See all of these sights, including the Colosseum, with your Private Guide as you discover the wonders of Rome. Master the basics of hand-to-hand combat at a genuine gladiator school on the ancient Appian Way! You'll discover the secrets of Imperial Rome's gladiator games, get hands-on with ancient Roman history and have the best fun you can imagine! During your two-hour lesson, your gladiator instructor will teach you how to fight with authentic weapons used by the gladiators of ancient Rome. Dressed in a traditional gladiator tunic, belt, leather protective glove and rudis (training sword), you can let your imagination run wild as you play like Spartacus for a day, fighting off ferocious lions and sword-wielding warriors! Next, learn the basic techniques of gladiatorial sword fighting and take part in an optional gladiatorial tournament, with the winner receiving a victory prize. All participants receive a certificate of accomplishment. if you are not feeling so brave, you can always watch the activity from the great viewing platform. Are you up to the challenge of this truly Roman experience combining culture, sport and ancient legends?? (Your tour includes a Two-hour gladiator lesson led by members of the Historic Group of Rome, Hire of gladiator clothing and weapons, complimentary drink & entrance to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum). Overnight at Mascagni (4*). |
 The Colosseum |
 Gladiators in combat |
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Day 3
Rome Enjoy a 4 hour private tour of the Vatican city - the centre of Christianity, to discover the artistic and spiritual heritage, which is testimony of 2000 years of faith and culture. The visit will include the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica. Inside the Basilica it is not allowed to speak at high tone; for this reason your guide will whisper in a microphone and you will be provided with a radio headset to clearly hear the description of one of the biggest wonders of Christianity. (Entrance included). Our Rome Segway Tour is different from anything you can imagine in the ancient city of rome.
This tour will take you to Borgo Pio, Castel Sant’angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Fontana Di Trevi,Piazza Di Spagna, Via Margutta, Piazza Del Popolo, Pincio,Via Condotti, San Pietro Celio, Circo Massimo, Aventino, Bocca Della Verita’,Ghetto,Trastevere, Piazza Farnese,Campo Dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, Pantheon and the Colosseo. Overnight at Mascagni (4*). |
 St. Peter's Basilica |
 Fontana Di Trevi |
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Day 4
Florence Even among Italy's finest 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 the Florentine 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. You will be met by a private driver and escorted from the train station to your accommodation. Enjoy the train ride from Rome to Florence. Train duration is approximately 1 hour 30 mins. Take a private train station transfer in Florence. Please note that a surcharge may be post billed to you if you require a transfer after 8pm or before 7am. Santa Maria Novella Hotel (4*) is located steps away from Florence central train station. The Santa Maria Novella Hotel opens its windows onto the piazza with the same name. The view offers exclusive glances of Santa Maria Novella Cathedral. This hotel is a marvellous painting of history, art and culture dating back to the nineteenth century with the name of Hotel Nazionale, a stop for businessmen and artists from all over the world.The restoration, entrusted to Mrs. Marianna Gagliardi, architect, aims to an extreme detail care in the lacquered boiseries, the textiles, the drapes, the curtains, the French furnishings and the antiques. Today, the Santa Maria Novella Hotel is with no doubt the most chic address in Florence to visit the city from a privileged point of view. Overnight at Santa Maria Novella (4*). |
 Florence |
 Hotel Santa Maria Novella |
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Day 5
Florence Enjoy a half day walking tour with your private English speaking local guide in Florence, taking in a visit to the Uffizi gallery. You will be met at your hotel and proceed on foot to view the Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. This personalized tour will give you local insight into the real history and hidden gems. A visit to Florence is not complete without visiting one of the most important art galleries in the world, the Uffizi. Enjoy a private guided 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). When imagining Italian cuisine the first few pictures that arrive in your head are pizza, gelato, and pastries. This fun course will teach you the techniques used by Italian chefs for creating these delicious meals. Learn to prepare a real Neapolitan pizza using dough leavened in the traditional method. Create homemade gelato using natural ingredients, as well as a delectable dessert made from best Tuscan chocolate. To conclude your culinary adventure, your dinner will consist of the dishes that you have produced along with a regional Tuscan wine. This tour departs from The Piazza Santa Trinita, at the Column. (Runs 6.15pm to 9.30pm) Overnight at Santa Maria Novella (4*). |
 Uffizi Gallery |
 Pizza |
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Day 6
Florence Enjoy a private transfer between Florence and Pisa. Spend some time exploring the world of chocolate! The DeBondt chocolate factory is an award winning chocolate maker who produces high quaity choclates in an artisinal environment. Get an insight into what goes into making great chocolate on a private tour of the facilities. There are three different visits to choose from (refer to the grid above to confirm wich tour has been chosen for you); 1 - 1.5hr tour; On your private tour, you will be privy to a fun and interesteing chocolate lesson with various tastings from the seed to the finest chocolate. 2 - 2.5hr tour; Get a more indepth tour including the above and a visit to the laboratory where all the magic happens. 3 - 3.5hr tour; After an introduction to the facility and enjoying a tasting, you'll get to participate in a hands-on workshop. Under the supervision of one of the chocolate makers, you'll be shown the secrets of how to make quality chocolate as you make your own creations! 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. Overnight at Santa Maria Novella (4*). |
 Shopping in Florence |
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Day 7
Venice In the rich cultures of Europe and celebrated cities of Italy, few places capture the imagination as much as Venice. Its fabled canalled thoroughfares and gilded palaces possess a beguiling beauty unsurpassed by anywhere else on Earth. Everywhere you go you'll find works of art - in the architecture itself or within the walls of the palaces and basilicas that are liberally sprinkled in every area of the city. Venice is an ever-changing, living canvas. No other place has such a mutable geography where you can discover delightfully peaceful piazzas and deserted canals seemingly unmarked on any map. Quite simply, there is nowhere else in the world quite like it. Take a private train station transfer in Florence. Please note that a surcharge may be post billed to you if you require a transfer after 8pm or before 7am. Enjoy the train journey from Florence to Venice by fast speed train. Travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 mins. The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station is the main station travelers arrive and depart from in Venice. It’s a modern building in the main city and is connected to the Grand Canal. The station is a great entrance to the ancient city of Venice and is very easily accessible by public transport and local water taxis. Upon your arrival, please follow the signs and make your way to the exit. Walk down the steps and veer left towards the LOCAL WATER TAXI stand, between the bridge and the vaporetto station. Join the queue and instruct the driver to take you to your specific hotel. Please be aware that not all hotels have a private boat launch so you may be dropped off at the nearest water taxi stand. It is a short walk to your hotel from there. When departing, please ask your hotel to arrange a water taxi for you. Please note that a private boat transfer can easily be arranged for you and by local Venetian Law, the price is approximately 120-300 Euro. Enjoy a 2 hour private walking tour of Venice with an English speaking local guide. Visit St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries, and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. And you'll see Marco Polo's House, a Merchants’ Warehouse, explore the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans of Venice that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. This walking tour of Venice finishes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Market. (Entrances not included) Located in the heart of Venice, the Hotel Bonvecchiati (4*) has the most privileged position of any 4-star hotel in Venice: the hotel is in Calle Goldoni, just a 3-minute walk from Saint Mark's Square and 5 minutes from the Rialto Bridge. The hotel has 124 refined rooms that are perfect for a romantic weekend or an unforgettable vacation in a romantic hotel in Venice. Overnight at Bonvecchiati (4*). |
 Venice |
 Venice Lagoon Facade |
 Bonvecchiati Hotel |
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Day 8
Venice Meet your english speaking guide for a 4 hour guided private tour to Murano and Burano on your own private boat. After being picked up by your guide at your hotel, take in the sights as you sail past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the famous Arsenal of the Venetian Republic. The first stop on your tour is Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here we stop to visit to one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where you can enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a Maestro Glass Maker. The second stop is at the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Relax and enjoy a coffee before your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel or to Venice centre. Sit back and relax on a marvellous and enchanting half an hour evening gondola ride through the Grand Canal and inner canals of Venice. You will breathe the atmosphere of this ancient city built on water. Start your journey at the 'Stazio Gondole Santa Maria del Giglio". Close to Saint Mark, right on the Grand Canal, in front of Guggenheim Collection palace and Santa Maria della Salute church; this gondola station is one of the oldest Gondola stops in Venice. Overnight at Bonvecchiati (4*). |
 San Giorgio Maggiore from the main island. |
 Gondola's in Venice |
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Day 9
Venice Take a water taxi from your hotel to the airport. Your hotel concierge should be able to help you with the arrangements on site. The fare to the Venice Airport is dependent on the location of your hotel and how many people are traveling with you. Alternatively, if you would like to have a private transfer arranged for you in advance, please speak to your Sales Advisor. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport). |
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