On your arrival in Rome you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Rome. This is your first introduction to this magical city and this evening is the perfect chance to explore the city on your own. After freshening up take a walk through the ancient cobbled streets, find a traditional pizza down a side street restaurant and start to live your Italian dream.

The first day of your Italian tour starts here. Rise early in the morning for your 7.15 am pick up from your hotel. Here you will be collected by air conditioned coach on the start of your Italian odyssey. The first port of call is the town of Assisi, just to the North of Rome and home to the famous Saint Francis. This tiny town is surrounded by ancient walls dating back to the middle ages. You will have the morning to wander this amazing town. We suggest that you visit the St Francis's Basilica that rests in the centre of the town. The cathedral contains masterpieces painted by Giotto and Cimabue. This is also your opportunity to purchase your lunch and take in a real Italian coffee from a local cafe. Early in the afternoon you will be taken to the medieval town of Siena. This shell shaped town with its tall buildings of red brick lead on to its centre, the Piazza de Campo, famous for the Palio horse race ever year and an array of colourful festivals. Siena provides a very different view to modern and ancient Tuscany. Roaming the streets, buying fruit from one of the many street stalls, taking in the small shops that line the street, Siena is a traveller's paradise. Late in the afternoon you will take the coach for the short trip to Florence / or Firenze / as it is known to the locals. Here you will check into your hotel, have dinner with your fellow travellers and sleep the first of two nights in this jewel of Tuscany.

Florence is a remarkable city, the heart of the Renaissance and a testimony to the beauty of that time. Filled with some of the most beautiful buildings, amazing galleries and cultural icons, you are in for a culturally enriching day. After breakfast you will be collected for your tour. The first stop is the Basilica Santa Maria Del Fiore, also known as the Duomo, the large domed Cathedral that rests in the centre of the city with its walls crafted by Filippo Brunelleschi. Wander this most elegant and beautiful of churches. After the Duomo, we visit the Campanile Tower and the Baptistery with its golden bronze doors, which have were once coined as the Gates of Paradise by Michelangelo. The tour ends in the centre of the city at the Palazzo Vecchio, a large gothic building with its adjoining Piazza della Signorina, the medieval town square and the Santa Croce Basilica. Find your lunch in one of the local cafes, and make sure that you indulge in a gelato, as the ice cream here is some of the best in the world. There are a number of options for the afternoon. You may take a tour to visit Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower and the adjoining Square of Miracles. You also have the option to explore Florence on your own, maybe visit the Statue of David or roam any of the amazing galleries, including the ubiquitous Uffizi Gallery. If you chose the latter option we suggest speaking to your hotel concierge to book your entry tickets as soon as you arrive at your hotel. The evening meal is included in the tour and your evening will be spent at the same Florence hotel.

Today's travelling takes us from Florence, through Bologna and Padova (Padua) to the ethereal city of Venice. Leaving Florence after breakfast and check out the coach takes you to the elegant porticos and arcades of Bologna. There are a total of 38 kilometres of arcades and porticos in this ancient city. Now a university town, Bologna is known for its food and its vibrant appeal. The tour will take you to Neptune Square and Major Square in the heart of the city where you will be shown around this fascinating city. The tour of Bologna will also encompass King Renzo's palace and San Petronio's Basilica , one of the largest in the world. Find your lunch in one of the many bistros and restaurants that line the streets and alleys of the city. In the afternoon we travel to Padova, or Padua as it is known in the English speaking world and the setting of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." Here we will visit the beautiful Sant'Antonio Basilica in the centre of the town. After Padova, the tour will take you the short distance to Venice. Here you will settle into your hotel in which you will be spending the next two nights. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this amazing city built on 114 islands. You can find your dinner at a local ristarante and maybe start to explore the narrow, water lined streets. You may even like to arrange a first gondola ride, the traditional transportation method of Venice. This is a city of romance, culture and beauty. Soak it up.

Today you will see the best that Venice has to offer. After breakfast you will be transferred by vaporetti (water taxi) to St Mark's Square. Here you will be taken to the glory that is St Mark's Cathedral and the Doge's Palace. The latter used to be the residence of the Dukes who ruled Venice as well as the seat of Justice and Government. From here we travel to the Bridge of Sighs, the place where Casanova, among many others, last saw Venice before being incarcerated in the adjoining prison. Your guide will fill you in on the fascinating history of this most famous city. The excursion concludes with a visit to one of the famous Murano glass factories. Lunch is not included. At the end of the tour you will be returned to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. There is so much to see and do in Venice. Whether you ride the Grand Canal on a vaporetto, take in one of the many amazing galleries or churches or just walk the canals soaking up Venice's unique atmosphere. Dinner can be found at any of the amazing restaurants found within the city. This is your time to enjoy.

Today's cultural events start after breakfast, when you will check out of your Venice hotel, board the coach and travel to the Chianti region in Tuscany. This most beautiful region rests between Siena and Florence. Known for the beauty of the region, the sunflowers and the wine, the Chianti region is dotted with medieval castles, gentle hills and some of the most amazing colours in the world. Chianti is also known for its wine made from the white and black grapes that grow in the region. Chianti Classico, found all over the world in Italian restaurants is made here. Your will visit some of the picturesque towns in the region. From Chianti you will travel to Montepulciano, home of Brunello wine. Situated north of Val d'Orcia, the town is also known for its jazz festival. You will visit some of the cellar doors so that you can taste and purchase some of this famous wine. This is also an opportunity to buy some lunch in a local bistro. Once you have finished exploring Montepulciano, you will be taken by coach back to Rome to your hotel where you will be spending the next two nights. As dinner is not included, you can find a meal in any one of the local trattorias or restaurants. The evening is yours to do as you choose.

Today's tour will take you to the major sites of Rome. Departing from your hotel at 8 a.m, the tour will take in the glories of the city including the Piazza di Spagna or Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The tour ends in the Vatican at St Peter's Cathedral, home to the Pope and the Catholic Church for the last two thousand years. At the conclusion of the tour you will be returned to your hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included, but you are free to wander this impressive city on your own for the rest of the day. The shopping in Rome is amazing. For those who like antiquities, a walk through the Roman Forum and the Colosseum is a necessity. There is plenty to see and do in this vibrant, bustling city.

On this last day of your tour all there is to do is check out of your hotel and our driver will transfer you to the hotel for your flight home.