London Gatwick & Manchester Departures

Dates Available April to November 2020 - Prices From £1699 to £2308 Per Person

(Prices are based on 2 adults sharing)

Call 01226 345381 to Book 

• Return flights from Manchester or Gatwick
• 14 nights half-board in 3 and 4-star hotels
• 25 meals: 14 breakfasts, 11 dinners
• ​Tour Manager and Local Guide
• Overseas transfers and other transportation
• Porterage
• Audio Guide​

DAY 1 UK/VENICE: After flying to Venice, we'll transfer you to your hotel in Lido di Jesolo on the Adriatic Coast.

DAY 2 VENICE: Today's the day you'll get to explore Venice, with famous highlights including St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge.

DAY 3 BOLOGNA: This morning we'll head off into northern Italy and Tuscany's glorious countryside. Our journey takes us through Bologna, where we'll stretch our legs on a sightseeing tour.

DAY 4 PISA: From our base in Montecatini Terme, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is within reach. After your visit, the rest of the day is all yours.

DAY 5 FLORENCE: During a free day you can explore the spa town of Montecatini Terme at your own pace. Alternatively, add to your discoveries of Italy on an optional tour of Florence. Its centre is compact so it's easy to soak up its magnificent architecture on foot, which we'll do in part with a Local Guide.

DAY 6 ORVIETO: We're heading south today, to the region of Lazio and Rome. The impressive fortress town of Orvieto is ours to explore on the way to our hotel in the spa resort of Fiuggi. The waters here are said to have restorative powers – with a three-night stay you've time to put that to the test.

DAY 7 ROME: Spend time at leisure in Fiuggi or marvel at the treasures of Rome on an optional excursion. Part of our day is accompanied by a Local Guide, who will share with us the stories behind the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and more.

DAY 8 FIUGGI: You've the chance today to join an optional trip to the pretty hill-top villages of Castelli Romani, an area that is home to the Pope's summer palace. The locally produced wine is frascati, and as a treat, we'll have a glass in the town of Frascati itself.

DAY 9 MONTECASSINO ABBEY & POMPEII: A full day of exploration begins with a visit to Montecassino Abbey before we arrive at the ruins of Pompeii for a guided walking tour. Later, we'll arrive in the scenic Sorrento Peninsula.

DAY 10 AMALFI: You've a difficult choice today – you can explore the delights of Sorrento at leisure, or join an optional excursion and discover the beauty of the Amalfi Coast.

DAY 11 CAPRI: It's just a short boat journey across the Bay of Naples to Capri. So if you want to add this glamorous island to your sightseeing list, today's optional excursion is a must.

DAY 12 JOURNEY TO SICILY: We're leaving mainland Italy now, and heading to Sicily. A short ferry ride takes us to Messina, with an onward drive to Taormina.

DAY 13 TAORMINA: Taormina sits on a sheer cliff, perched above beautiful beaches and close to Mount Etna, so just imagine the views you'll see on today's tour. There's plenty of free time too, so spend the afternoon making your own discoveries.

DAY 14 MOUNT ETNA: You've seen Mount Etna from afar, so maybe now's the time to see Europe's highest volcano up close on our optional excursion. Once here, there's a further option to head off on a 16-seater Jeep adventure with an Alpine Guide for amazing views of this majestic mountain. 
Back at your hotel tonight, we'll get together to enjoy a farewell drink in the bar.

DAY 15 SICILY/UK: Today you'll transfer to Sicily's Catania Airport for your return flight to the UK.​​

Please note: The optional Montecatini Opera festival is not available for our July 15 departure. The opera doesn’t operate during July.

MONTECATINI OPERA FESTIVAL - PREBOOKABLE ONLY FROM £34: Through the passing of time music and culture have remained vital aspects of the town, confirming the strict link between past and present and making Montecatini an ideal place for art and emotions. We offer an optional excursion to the evening music festival which presents the great tradition of opera and the cultural heritage of this region. The Festival is well merged with the town itself and its inhabitants and it is recognized as one of the great musical festivals to take place in Italy. Your ticket price includes a guaranteed seat and refreshment. 2 to 3 hours - Minimal Walking - Cultural ambience

MOUNT ETNA - EUROPE'S HIGHEST VOLCANO FROM £48: Don’t miss the opportunity to see at close hand Sicily’s most famous landmark and Europe’s tallest active volcano. Enjoy stunning views as you journey up Mount Etna in a cable car, where you’ll be surrounded by a unique lunar landscape. The mountain itself has pockmarked surfaces created by past lava flows and impressive craters. Feeling adventurous? Once you’ve reached the Piccolo Rifugio area (2500m), why not take a journey further up the volcano (in a jeep at extra cost) for an even more thrilling experience. 

Please note: Even on a sunny day it can be cold and windy at the summit. You will need to wear shoes with a good grip and a warm jacket, however it is possible to hire these at Etna.

Half Day – Spectacular Views/Must See – Choice of strenuous walking at the higher level (9000ft a.s.l.) or moderate walking at the coach park level (6000ft a.s.l.)

CASTELLI ROMANI AND FRASCATI FROM £56: Take a scenic journey to the wine-producing villages of the Castelli Romani, which are scattered over the wooded slopes of the Alban Hills. You’ll see the great medieval villas and palaces built by the area’s richest and most powerful families and make a stop at the summer residence of the Pope, Castel Gandolfo, poised above Lake Albano among extensive gardens. You’ll also visit Frascati, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample the area’s namesake white wine and purchase bottles to enjoy back at home.

Do not be misled by the name, which has nothing to do with Scottish castles perched on top of the misty Highlands, but more with the more tortuous Colli Albani (Alban Hills) which are studded with 13 towns referred to precisely as the Castelli Romani.

A favourite holiday resort or simply a retreat for the nobility and wealthy ever since the days of the Roman Empire, today’s Romans still head straight here during the sweltering summer heat.

An absolute “must” is a visit to Frascati, dominated by the imposing sixteenth century Villa Aldobrandini, whose splendid façade, with its Italian gardens, aristocratically stands out above the entire village.

However the Castelli are also renowned for the small towns nestling around its volcanic lakes such as Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence overlooking Lake Albano. Weather permitting, it is well worth going for a refreshing swim or relaxing in one of the many lake-side cafés.

Moving further on, we come across even more fascinating ruins and breathtaking views. However the Castelli Romani zone is also well-known for its cuisine and locally-produced white wine. Where better though to relax and enjoy all this than in one of the local vineyards where you will enjoy a light lunch along with wine. Three-quarter day – Minimal to Moderate Walking - Beautiful scenery/ Historic Interest

FLORENCE - THE CITY OF ART FROM £54: Spend a full day exploring Italy’s ‘Art City’ Florence, whose museums, palaces and churches house some of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. A Local Guide will introduce you to many of its highlights such as the vast Gothic cathedral. Stroll through beautiful piazzas and across the Ponte Vecchio, or climb the hill to the Church of San Miniato al Monte for wonderful city views. Full Day - Moderate Walking - Best Seller

ROME AND ITS HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM £54: There’s no better way to see Rome than in the company of a Local Guide. Yours will introduce you to all the famous landmarks and maybe some less well known sights. You will see the exterior of the Colosseum and admire the wonderful Trevi Fountain then descend the Spanish Steps and head to the Piazza di Spagna where you’ll find fabulous designer shops and inviting cafes. Full day – Moderate walking - Historical Interest

THE GLAMOROUS ISLE OF CAPRI FROM £70: You’ll sail to the enchanting island of Capri, which has been the haunt of the international jet set for many decades. It’s also charmed a Roman emperor or two in its time, and you can still see the ruins of Tiberius’ magnificent Villa Jovis and admire the views from the cliffs over which he is said to have thrown his enemies! On our guided tour you’ll get to see the Faraglioni Rocks and visit the wonderful Gardens of Augustus, where you’ll find colourful terraces filled with flowers. You may also have time to take the chairlift (at extra cost) from Anacapri to the highest point of the island. Full Day – Moderate Walking - Not to be missed

STUNNING VIEWS OF THE GLORIOUS AMALFI COAST FROM £48: This journey by road takes you on one of the most iconic drives in the world along the stunning Amalfi Coast. Widely considered to be Italy’s most scenic stretch of coastline make sure you keep watch out of the window to see pastel-shaded villages cut into hillsides and panoramic views over turquoise waters and verdant mountains. Upon reaching your destination, the pretty town of Amalfi, there’s plenty of time to explore. Head to the Piazza del Duomo to see its impressive 9th century cathedral then maybe relax in a café or enjoy a spot of shopping. Full day – Beautiful scenery - Minimal walking!

PREBOOKABLE PACKAGE FROM £148: You can save money and enhance your holiday with this Prebookable excursion package...

Florence - The City of Art / Rome and its Historical Highlights / Mount Etna - Europe's Highest Volcano