Italy's Iconic Coasts & Cities
13 day tour

Day 1

• See the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino tower over its surroundings
• Discover the ancient history and legends of Benevento

You leave the hustle and bustle of Rome and head south towards peaceful Cassino.

Sitting atop of the mountain, the Montecassino Abbey is a sight to behold. A working monastery and a pilgrimage site, this place was a centre of art, culture, and learning. It was also the scene for a decisive battle near the end of World War II. You have your entrance ticket included and get time to stroll through the cloisters of the monastery and contemplate the turbulent history of war.

Then, you visit the overgrown ruins of San Pietro Infine, before you travel past hilltop villages and mountains to Benevento.

Built on a hill with a stunning background of mountains, this timeworn city has a special aura. It’s filled with memories of the ancient Samnites, Romans, and Longobards. Legends also say witches gather from all over the world by an ancient walnut tree by the local river.

After a day of soaking up the history, legends, and stunning views; you travel south-east to Ariano Irpino your home for the night.

 

Included Activities

• Entrance to Montecassino Abbey

 

Accommodation

Hotel Incontro or similar, Ariano Irpino

Day 2

• Explore the sun-soaked coast of Apulia
• Stare in awe at Alberobello’s unique cylindrical, whitewashed buildings called trulli

You wake up in the stunning region of Campania and head south to Trani.

Known as the ‘Pearl of Apulia’, this historic stone-built port and fishing village exudes sophistication. Walk along the promenade in the marina or stroll through the historic centre and admire the medieval churches, cathedral, and historic Jewish quarter.

You travel to Polignano a Mare, a small, idyllic seaside town perched on the edge of cliffs. Enjoy your lunch surrounded by sun-bleached stone buildings and enjoy the Adriatic breeze. You should also try to catch sight of the brave cliff divers disappearing into a small inlet of water.

Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, your adventure takes you to Alberobello. With over 1,500 small and rounded white houses, this town looks like it was inhabited by gnomes. These beehive-shaped buildings are called trulli and are so unique to Apulia that they were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Take your time to meander around the narrow streets and marvel at the impossibly photogenic nooks.

Feeling that La Vita è Bella, you leave Alberobello and ramble south towards the heel of Italy to Lecce, your base for two nights.

 

Accommodation

Hotel Eos or similar, Lecce

Day 3

• Marvel at the Baroque architecture of Lecce, ‘the Florence of the South’
• Enjoy the stunning vistas of the southernmost part of Italy’s heel

Buongiorno! Wake up and start the day with some pasticciotto, the gorgeous breakfast pastry. Enjoy your free time in the morning by strolling through Lecce’s old town and admiring its unique architecture. The city’s Baroque style is so unique it got the name of its own, ‘Lecce Baroque’.

Next, contrast the splendour of Lecce with the laid-back seaside towns of the Salento Peninsula. You leave at noon and travel through the ochre-coloured fields and olive groves to Otranto. Enjoy your time here strolling around the fortifications or harbourside promenade and try some local dishes.

You continue your adventure to the “beautiful city” – that’s what Gallipoli means. And you won’t be disappointed by this gorgeous beachside town. Take a stroll around the old town, with crystal blue water surrounding you on all sides.

Cast your eyes for the last time at the magnificent vistas of the coast before journeying inland to Lecce for the evening.

 

Accommodation

Hotel Eos or similar, Lecce

Day 4

• Step back in time as you explore the ancient cave dwellings in Matera
• Travel off the beaten track to the remote village of Castelmezzano

You leave Lecce and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera. This city is so perfectly adapted to the terrain that it blends in with its rocky surroundings on a cliff edge. It’s a higgledy-piggledy jumble of sassi, the ancient cave dwellings, houses and churches.

Spend your time uncovering the rich history of this place and visit ancient churches with paintings on stone cave walls. You can also check out what the 18th-century dwellings were like and stumble upon locations used in Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ and James Bond's No Time to Die (2021).

Your adventure takes you off the beaten track again as you journey into the heart of the Lucanian Dolomites and the village of Castelmezzano. One of the highest villages in the Basilicata region, it’s located on a narrow ledge that drops away into a dramatic gorge. But Castelmezzano wasn’t built here just for the stunning vistas. Find out about its rich history as you explore the village or go for a hike to see the ruins of the castle which gave the village its name.

After a busy day, you travel through the hills and mountains of Basilicata towards the west coast of Italy, where you spend two nights in Salerno.

 

Accommodation

Hotel Plaza or similar, Salerno

Day 5

• Fall madly in love with the colours and scents of the glamorous Amalfi Coast
• Explore the Amalfi Coast by ferry

Today is all about the glamourous Amalfi Coast.

Pastel-coloured houses and villas, chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants; this is La Dolce Vita at its finest.

You start the day by exploring the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento. This town of lemons and plunging cliffs allured literary geniuses from Byron and Goethe to Dickens and Tolstoy. Wander through the sun-drenched piazzas and savour a glass of cold limoncello before you continue your journey. 

You head to Positano, which looks like a colourful multi-tiered cake clinging to a sea-cliff. Find a restaurant to enjoy your lunch and drink in the magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Then, peruse the local boutiques and take photos as you meander through the streets. Alternatively, walk down the steps to the beach for a swim and some sun.

Reinvigorated after your visit to Positano, its time to jump on the ferry and drift along the dazzling Amalfi Coast, visit another quaint town, and stop for photos on the way back.

Jumping back on the ferry, you arrive in Salerno late in the afternoon where you can watch the sunset with a drink in your hand.

 

Included Activities

• Ferry tickets

Accommodation

Hotel Plaza or similar, Salerno

Day 6

• Feel the thrill of walking along the crater of the infamous Mount Vesuvius
• Explore the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient city frozen in time

Today it’s time for something more dramatic.

In the morning, you travel north to face Mount Vesuvius. In ancient times, this mountain was considered to be divine and had connections to Jupiter – god of sky and lightning. Legends say that the giants used to inhabit the volcano, which explained the loud noises and rumbling.

Scary as this sounds, the titan is dormant now. So, put on your sturdy boots and get ready for an unforgettable experience because you can hike up to its crater.

After the exciting start of the day, you go to Pompeii, which fell victim to the eruption of Vesuvius. There was no time to flee, so people and buildings were buried and preserved in volcanic ash. Get a glimpse of the world of the Ancient Romans as you take your time to explore this archaeological site.

Then you leave the past behind and take a road that leads to Rome. Enjoy your leisurely ramble north through Campania and Lazio before you arrive in the Eternal City early in the evening.

*Please note: This Italy's Iconic Coasts & Cities tour is a combination of two tours: Pompeii, The Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy, and Venice, Garda & Romantic Northern Italy. Today you finish the first part.  

 

Included Activities

• Entrance to Vesuvio Volcano Crater
• Entrance to Pompeii Archaeological Site

 

Accommodation

Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome

Day 7

• Ponder over the past glory of Ancient Rome in the Colosseum
• Enjoy a gelato by the lavish Trevi Fountain

Haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art, and vibrant street life. This is Rome, the Eternal City.

You have a free day to discover the delights of the city. Why not make the most of your time here and jump on the hop-on hop-off bus?

You can also get a map and follow the trail of the icons of Rome’s heyday. There’s the huge Colosseum; the architecture of the Pantheon; and the Roman Forum, the centre of the religious, political, and social activities.

Once you’ve had a glimpse into the past, focus on the current culinary scene and grab an alfresco table on one of many elegant piazzas. Sit down, relax, and get your taste buds ready for the local delicacies.

Then, you can soak up the atmosphere of this fascinating city. Stroll along the Tiber River and snap photos of the beautiful Castle Saint Angelo, count the legendary Spanish Steps, and unwind with a tasty gelato by the dazzling Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the water to make sure you’ll return here and start getting excited for the next part of your tour.

*Please note: This is a free day for you to explore the city at your own pace and there will not be a guide on hand. The second part of the tour begins tomorrow (day 8) - please see tomorrow for more details.

 

Optional Activities

• Ticket for a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus

 

Accommodation

Hotel American Palace or similar, Rome

Day 8

• Admire the sculptures, tunnels, and culture of Orvieto
• Inspire your creativity at the landscape da Vinci loved, Le Balze Natural Park

*Please note: This Italy's Iconic Coasts & Cities tour is a combination of two tours: Pompeii, The Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy, and Venice, Garda & Romantic Northern Italy. Meet your new guide and group in the hotel lobby at 8:15am today, to begin the second part of the tour.

You leave the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City and travel to Orvieto. Virtually traffic-free, perfectly preserved, and awash with delicious wine: it’s the idyllic Italian village. You can choose to visit the colourful cathedral here and explore at your own pace.

Your journey leads you through the Parco Naturale Le Balze, a landscape studded with balze rock peaks, sulphite streams, and gorgeous vistas that inspired Leonardo da Vinci.

Your lunch stop is in the tiny hamlet of Piantravigne, the perfect spot to sample some truly authentic Italian cuisine.

With your belly full and your senses satisfied, you travel to beautiful Bologna, your overnight destination.

 

Accommodation

Zanhotel Tre Vecchi, or similar, Bologna

 

Day 9

• Stroll through the endless porticos of Bologna
• Gaze into the detailed mosaics of Ravenna

Today, you can join a half day trip to Ravenna in the morning. Ravenna is a maze of mosaic masterpieces, a unique blend of early Christian and Byzantine architecture with eight sites on the UNESCO list. This unforgettable North Italian destination is also the town where Dante Alighieri is buried.

After lunch, you return from your half-day trip and have the rest of the day to explore Bologna your way. During the Renaissance, this fascinating city was blooming with art and was a centre for intellectual innovation. Its famous university is the oldest in the western world and saw great minds like Petrarch, Dante Alighieri, and Copernicus.

There’s plenty to do here. You can stroll through the beautiful, kilometres-long UNESCO porticos, unravel the mysteries of the university, or tantalise your taste buds with Ragu alla Bolognese.

 

Accommodation

Zanhotel Tre Vecchi, or similar, Bologna

 

Day 10

• Discover the wonderful wildlife of the Po Delta
• Take in the Gothic and Baroque architecture of Este

It’s time to slap on some sunscreen, charge up your camera, and head deep into nature. Your first stop is Porto Tolle, where you can join an optional boat trip along the Po Delta. This is the longest river in Italy, and its wetlands give you a chance to spot rare migratory birds. 

Once you’re back on dry land, you travel to Este, a picture-perfect town with a history that spans over 3000 years. Here you have free time to amble along the city walls or visit the town’s moated Medieval castle.

You then venture to the floating city of Venice, one of the most striking destinations in Italy and your home for the next two nights. There's something unique about Venice at night. The island clears, the hubbub settles, and Venice's ghost stories whisper along the canal's streets.

 

Optional Activities

• Boat trip along the Po Delta

 

Accommodation

Hotel La Fenice et Des Artistes 3* - Venice

 

Day 11

• Lose yourself in the canal-lined vistas of Venice

177 canals, 350 gondoliers, and the most idiosyncratic cityscapes in the world: Venice, ‘the Floating City', is your destination today.

With its wealth, trade, and power; Venice has always been bold.

It’s been built on over 118 islands, hosts one of the most famous festivals in the world. And its unique painting style and architecture classifies Venice as one of the great centres of the Renaissance, equal to Rome and Florence.

In the morning, you enjoy an included two-hour guided walking tour of the city and then the rest of the day is for you to enjoy. From people-watching in Piazza San Marco to frequenting the famous galleries, it’s up to you how you spend the rest of your day and second night in Venice.

 

Included Activities

• Two hour guided walking tour of Venice

 

Optional Activities:

• Gondola ride

 

Accommodation

Hotel La Fenice et Des Artistes 3* - Venice

 

Day 12

• Explore Villa Pisani, an exuberant 18th-century palazzo
• Sip on Prosecco and Grappa at the foothills of the Dolomites

Say goodbye to Venice because the traditional flavours of Italy are yours to explore today.

First, you go to Villa Pisani. This included attraction boasts awesome art exhibitions and is the epitome of late baroque architecture. Napoleon once owned this huge holiday home and presented it to his stepson as a gift.

You say bye to the excesses of the aristocracy and venture to Valdobbiadene for a chance to indulge in something a little sweeter. This rolling landscape is home to the best prosecco, and you have the option to enjoy an exclusive tasting. We promise it’ll be the freshest prosecco you’ve ever tasted.

The indulgence continues as you travel to Bassano del Grappa, where you have the chance to sample sweet and intoxicating Grappa. If you’ve had enough tipple for the day, you can spend your time admiring the castle and the town’s famous old bridge instead.

You then venture to Padua, allegedly the oldest city in Italy and your home for tonight. This fascinating place sits at the crossroads of science and religion. This is where venerated St Anthony is buried, and where the ground-breaking scientific discoveries were made at the height of the Renaissance.

 

Included Activities

• Entrance to Villa Pisani

Optional Activities

• Prosecco tasting at Valdobbiadene
• Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa

Accommodation

Hotel Al Prato or similar – Padua

 

Day 13

• Weep for the romance of Romeo and Juliet in the play’s setting, Verona
• Get inspired by the fresh views of Lake Garda

Say ‘ciao!’ to the romance of Italy, because your first stop today is the setting of Romeo and Juliet, Verona. You have time here to reminisce about past lovers at the famous balcony, admire a grand Roman Colosseum, and amble through the ancient piazzas at your own pace.

You then travel to Lake Garda. This lake’s crystal-clear waters and views of the Dolomites have made the place a favourite destination for artists, poets, and travellers since the Roman ages. You'll adore exploring the stunning town of Peschiera del Garda.

You arrive in Milan in the evening.