Colors of Italy Package

Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy! Relax after your journey and meet your Travel Director and companions this evening for a Welcome Reception to hear details about your exciting holiday. Discover the beauty of this city during an evening orientation drive. Pause to enjoy the atmosphere at the buzzing Piazza Navona where you will indulge in a delicious gelato.

View the Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City and view Michelangelo's Pieta. Consider an excursion inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to see the breath-taking ceiling or spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice.

Drive through Lazio, and the provinces of Umbria and Tuscany to the charming town of Greve. Visit a wine tasting and olive oil outlet and taste excellent Chianti's and extra virgin olive oils! Greve's main square has some of the finest food shops in Europe - don't forget to try the salami. Later, travel through picturesque scenery to your beautiful historic hotel in a characteristic village near San Gimignano. Tonight enjoy a special Be My Guest dinner with wine in a family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills.

Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Visit Piazza della Signoria and later view the coloured marble Duomo. This evening, over a glass of wine, enjoy a short talk from your Travel Director on the basic principles of Italian cuisine and learn a few words of Italian in preparation for your shopping and cooking day tomorrow!

Begin your day at a fruit and vegetable market in Florence, meet a Local Specialist and gain an insight into Italian cuisine from a professional chef. Here you will participate in purchases of the fresh produce for your cooking lesson. Take your produce to the restaurant and spend time together preparing your delicious luncheon with a glass of wine! After enjoying a relaxing and memorable Regional Meal return to your Tuscan town for the night. Your evening is free to do as you please.

This morning stop in Pisa to view the amazing Leaning Tower and the majestic cathedral and baptistery set in the Square of Miracles. Travel to Parma where a memorable Regional Meal of local specialities awaits you.

A short drive will bring you to Bologna. This city is renowned for its culinary tradition and cured meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami. It has also given its name to the well-known meat-based pasta sauce called ragù alla bolognese. Here you will enjoy a walking tour with a Local Specialist who will enlighten you further on local delicacies. Stop to take in views of the famous Kissing Towers. In your free time you could perhaps try a local delicatessen such as Tamburini to taste some regional specialities. This evening is yours to enjoy in Bologna. You may decide to take an optional experience to a hilltop town to sample a delicious local meal.

See the Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace during your private cruise to St. Mark's Square. Stop at Giudecca island to visit a traditional glass blowing workshop for a Cultural Insight into this ancient art form. Spend time exploring the labyrinth of streets and canals on your own or join an optional experience.

Start your day with a cruise to Rialto Bridge. Your Local Specialist brings the city to life during your walking tour. See how the locals shop for food and find out about some of the regional cuisine. Cross the Rialto see a range of curious and beautiful architecture including Marco Polo's house. The rest of the day is free to explore, or perhaps consider an excursion to Burano for some delicious local seafood! Celebrate this evening with your Travel Director and companions at a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

This morning, say ‘arrivederci' to your fellow travellers at the end of your wonderful Flavours of Italy holiday! Transfers are available. Conditions apply.