Stunning Italy - duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1: Venice – Gondola Ride

Arrive Venezia, La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, city of canals and palaces. For a thousand years, the city was one of the most enduring mercantile sea powers on the face of the earth. On arrival at the San Marco Airport/railway station, a private car will take you to your hotel.

In the evening, take a Gondola ride and enjoy gliding along the canals of Venice. The glamour and elegance of the city and its magnificent palaces and churches facing the Grand Canal will captivate you. Enjoy the serenades of the gondoliers. Evening is free to explore the city on your own. Overnight.

Day 2: Venice - Murano, Burano, Torcello Tour

After breakfast, proceed to Alilaguna's Pier at St. Mark's waterfront, board a motorboat and visit the Island of Murano to see the antique art of making glass. Pick up some magnificent souvenirs. Then proceed to the Island of Burano, with its brightly colored fishermen's houses. The island is renowned for lace making. Finally, stop at the Island of Torcello with its old Cathedral and ambience of a remote Venetian past. Return to St Mark's Square. Rest of day is free. Overnight.

Day 3: Venice - Florence

After breakfast, depart for Florence by coach, one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Italy and the world. It gave birth to many of the men who have more profoundly influenced the course of human history in every field of knowledge, art, literature and philosophy. Arrive and check-in at your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the ancient streets of this overwhelming city of beauty and culture. Overnight.

Day 4: Florence – Full Day Pisa Tour

After your breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a splendid excursion through the fertile and picturesque Tuscan countryside to the historic university city of Pisa, famous for its architectural beauty. Upon arrival in Pisa, enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli, with the celebrated Leaning Tower (exterior), the Baptistery (exterior) and other important monuments. Visit the interior of the Cathedral, an unrivalled masterpiece of Romanesque art constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries. Free time to be on your own or take a pleasant walk with the tour escort and reach Piazza dei Cavalieri, to admire the historic Scuola Normale, one of the most famous universities in the world. Return to Florence. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.

Day 5: Florence - Naples

Enjoy your sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, later check out and proceed for Naples, by train. Arrive in the capital of the Campania Region of Italy on the northern edge of the Bay of Naples, one of the most beautiful bays in Italy. Check in to your hotel. Day is free to relax. Tonight, you'll find lots of great pizza places but be sure you look for one with a wood-burning oven! After all, the birthplace of the pizza is Naples! Overnight.

Day 6: Naples - Capri & Anacapri Excursion

After breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to Capri & Anacapri. From the harbor, board the jet boat for the 45 minutes crossing to Marina Grande, the port of Capri. Then board a motorboat and visit the Blue Grotto (if weather and sea conditions permit). Enjoy a panoramic tour of Capri Island, eventually arriving at Anacapri situated at 280 meters above sea level, from where you will have a wonderful view of the bay of Naples.

After lunch in a local restaurant (on your own), enjoy some free time before returning to Marina Grande to board the boat back to Naples. Entering the port of Naples, admire the splendid Certosa of San Martino and the Royal Palace (a 12th century fortress). Tour ends after disembarkation. Rest of the day is free. Tonight, if you love seafood, relish an excellent meal in one of the restaurants on your own. Overnight.

Day 7: Naples – Rome – Imperial City Tour

After breakfast, check out and proceed for Rome, by coach. On arrival at Rome, check in at your hotel. After a short time to freshen up, proceed for the Imperial City Tour of Rome beginning from Piazza Venezia with its impressive monument dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II and the Unknown Soldier. Then continue on foot to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Continue by the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius before arriving at the Basilica of St. Paul and finally, the imposing Colosseum. The tour will end at the centre of the city where you are free to spend some time on your own. Overnight.

Day 8: Rome – Vatican Museum

After breakfast, visit the Vatican Museum. The tour begins at the Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads and follows the Aurelian walls which once surrounded the ancient city. En route, you will see the famous Villa Borghese Park and the northern gate of the ancient city leading into Piazza del Popolo where you will see an Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II. Finally, on arrival at the Vatican Walls, your guide will lead you into the Vatican Museums, taking the beautiful spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. The tour ends at the centre of the city. Spend some time at leisure. Overnight.

Day 9: Rome

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport/railway station for your flight back home or next destination.