Experience Italy & Sicily 16 Days 3 Star Tour

DAY 1: Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence

This tour departs from rome early in the morning. You must be in Rome the night before this tour begins. Italy 4 Real will assist you with pre tour accommodations inside Rome so you are fresh and ready for the start of the tour today. Today you will travel by coach to Assisi where you will explore the town surrounded by walls built in the middle ages. The tour is self guided so you will have the room to explore as you wish; don't forget to see the Basilica of St. Francis. After free time for lunch (not included) you will travel the short distance to the town of Siena. Siena is known for its annual horse race; the Palio. You will explore Piazza del Campo and have plenty of free time to see this great city. In the early afternoon you will travel to Florence. After a long day you will check into your comfortable hotel and relax. Tonight you will have a lovely dinner with the group of the local specialties. .

Day 2 – The City of Art – Florence!

Today’s sightseeing tour is dedicated to exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.

Visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, Campanile Tower, and Santa Croce, the 13th-century Franciscan church with Cimabue’s famous crucifix just to name a few.

Lunch is on your own; perhaps sit at an outdoor café for a typical Italian mid-day meal. Be sure to save room for some exquisite gelato! With your afternoon at leisure, you may want to check out the many shops and stalls at the Ponte Vecchio, where you can browse for Italian leather goods and other souvenirs.

Your afternoon is free or you may join an optional tour to see Pisa. Meet back at your conveniently located hotel for an included dinner tonight.

Day 3 – Florence, Bologna, Padova and Venice (Mestre)

Enjoy your breakfast and prepare for a full day of exploring. It’s on to Bologna for a visit to the city.

Visit the city’s historical center, Neptune Square and Major Square, King Renzo’s Palace , Podesta Palace and The Basilica of San Petronio to name a few. Lunch is at your leisure and the afternoon is yours to explore.

Later we will continue Padova for a visit to the Basilica of Saint Antonio and then on to the city of bridges; Venice, the tour stays in a subburb of Venice called Mestre (easy public transportation into historic venice)  dinner at your hotel. Ask your agent how you can upgrade to the 4 star version of this tour and stay in historic Venice. 

Day 4 – The City of Bridges – Venice!

Good morning! As you rise and shine in Mestre, its off to Venice!; the smell of fresh espresso and pastries fill the air.

Today you get to learn about glorious Venice, with its 177 islands, 150 canals and 400 bridges. Venice is your playground this morning; sightseeing includes the famous St. Mark’s Square (watch out for pigeons!) and the ornate Doge’s Palace (outside), once home to the aristocrats of Venice, Bridge of Sighs and more! Also stop at a glass factory where authentic, hand-blown Murano glass is made. Centuries ago, the glassmakers who lived on the small island of Murano were known the world over for their art, even rising to Venice’s upper-class because of their extraordinary talents.

With the afternoon at leisure, you may want to linger over lunch at a sidewalk café—be sure to try some gelato! Or perhaps take a ride in a traditional, hand-built gondola—after all; an authentic gondola ride on Venice’s canals just may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Don’t forget dinner is included tonight as well.

Day 5 – Tuscan Wine Country - Chianti & Montepulciano, Rome

Enjoy your breakfast and prepare for your departure to the heart of Tuscany’s wine country. First stop of the day is the Chianti region. Chianti is world known for its landscape and wine.

Located between Siena and Florence, Chianti is synonymous to fine Tuscan wines. The town we choose to visit in Chianti is Montepulciano which is widely known for its famous Brunello red. You will have plenty of time to visit the local wine shops for tastings, photos of the wine barrels and rolling Tuscan countryside. Later in the afternoon we continue to the capitol of Italy; Rome!

This tour includes our free TRIP PAK with free maps, sightseeing, dining and regional guides. Your TripPak will show you plenty of things to do during your free time when you arrive to Rome!

Day 6 – All Roads Lead to Rome!

Sip your espresso, take another bit of the fresh fruit and enjoy your breakfast because today you will walk the capital city and learn firsthand the history of Rome. A walking tour of the city will introduce you to Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon , Piazza Navona and end in San Pietro Basilica. Now that you have a basic understanding of the layout of the historical center, the remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore, relax and soak it all in.

Ask your Travel Expert about some of the great optional tours you can experience while in Rome such as renting a Vespa scooter or wine tasting at the International Academy of Wine. Italy4Real has dozens of great things to do! 

TripAdvisor Review: 

"we have used Italy 4 Real two fabulous times and currently working on our third in September. I wouldn’t take a trip to Italy without using Italy 4 Real. We first used them in 2005. This was our first trip to Italy"

Day 7 - Rome

We like to include days of rest in the busy schedule and this is one. Today you can sleep in, order room service or just read a book. The day is yours in Rome to explore the city as you wish. Your Italy 4 Real travel expert can assist you with museum tickets, sightseeing or visiting the Vatican! 

Day 8 – Bay of Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento

Board your coach this morning as it whisks you south along the “sun route” motorway, driving through the regions of Lazio and Campania—you’ll have a great view of the Abbey of Montecassino along the way.

Upon arrival in Naples, take a short panoramic coach tour of this city rich in history. You’ll see the fishing port of Mergellina; Castel dell’Ovo (“Egg Castle”), built in the 1st century; Piazza del Plebiscito, the main square in Naples; the 18th-century Royal Palace; and the Maschio Angioino, also known as the Castel Nuovo (“New Castle”), a 13th-century home for royalty.

Stop for lunch on your way to Pompeii to visit the excavations of the Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It was covered in ash for hundreds of years until the ancient city was uncovered in 1748. Because the city was so well preserved, it gives archeologists—and visitors—an unusual peek into the daily life of Romans in the 1st century.

Leave Pompeii and drive along the coast to arrive in Sorrento in time for dinner. Once you arrive to Sorrento you have made it to the crown jewel of the Amalfi Coast. Take a stroll to Piazza Tasso and have a cocktail!

Day 9 – The Amalfi Island - Capri

After you enjoy a wonderful breakfast, board a ferryboat to the lovely resort island of Capri, where, weather and sea conditions permitting, you’ll visit the Blue Grotto in small rowing boats.

This sea cave appears to be lit from the bottom of the ocean, and gives off a mystical fluorescent-blue hue. Eat lunch with the group, and then it’s time to explore Capri on your own.

You may want to visit San Michele’s gardens, for a bird’s-eye-view of the island. In the late afternoon, return to your lovely hotel in Sorrento. The evening is yours in Sorrento.

Day 10 – To Sicily by Sea

Enjoy your breakfast at leisure because today you take to the seas for a wonderful journey across the ocean to Sicily.

You will have the morning to explore Sorrento, take that last photo or send another postcard before you transfer to Naples harbor to board the ferry to Palermo.

The ferry will travel through the night to arrive in Palermo the next morning. You will enjoy standard seating for the journey and the boat has full dining and bar service for dinner at your leisure during the journey.

Day 11 – The Capital of Sicily - Palermo

As the sun rises over the sea and the island of Sicily your ferry docks at Palermo’s port where you will be transferred to your hotel.

It’s time to check in, relax and prepare to explore the vibrant city of Palermo. Today is yours to do as you wish but tonight don’t forget to return for your dinner of the specialties of Sicily.

DAY 12 - Palermo's Ancient Past

Experience the best Italian espresso as you fuel your body for the days adventure. In the morning visit of the historical past of Palermo & Monreale that includes: the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Palermo.

In Monreale visit the Cathedral and its Cloister. Return to Palermo for lunch and the afternoon, on your own to enjoy the Sicilian capital.

The outdoor markets are an amazing place to people watch and see the vendors sell their items the same way they did hundreds of years ago.

Arrive back to your hotel in the afternoon to refresh and relax. Tonight a lovely dinner will be served at your hotel.

Day 13 - Sicilian Cites of the Ancient Past

After a relaxing night's sleep and a hearty breakfast you will depart for the ancient town of Erice.

This town is frozen in time and still looks as it did in the 11th century. Explore the town's narrow streets and admire the amazing views of the sea. Later you will visit the fishing port Mazara del Vallo which has more astonishing views of the sea.

Then on to Marsala which is just off the African continent. Plenty of free time to explore this ancient seaside village. Make sure to grab a bite during your free time because there is more to see.

Next you will continue on to Agrigento and the amazing Valley of the Temples. Concorde, Hercules, Jupiter and Juno are just a few of the temples you will see. After a full day you will be taken to your hotel in the city of Agrigento where you can unpack and relax.

A lovely Dinner and free time for a night cap later.

Day 14 – Sicilian & Greek Art and History

After a breakfast at leisure you will be taken to the island of Modica. Modica is a magical place of buildings in the baroque style and done in rich dark brown colors. A special treat will be visiting the Church of St. George.

After time for photos and postcards you will continue towards Siracusa and the island of Ortigia. A stop in Siracusa for a visit to the main church or Duomo.

Photos of the Greek Amphitheatre will amaze you. The views of the sea from the ruins of the Amphitheatre will be what you remember for long after the tour has ended. Visits to the Roman Theatre are also included in today’s adventure.

In the afternoon you will be taken to Taormina for check into your hotel and a relaxing dinner.

Day 15 – Sleeping Volcanoes

Get your fill at breakfast because today you journey to the peak of Mt. Etna. Etna is still an active volcano and the largest in all of Europe.

If weather permits you will hike to the summit area for amazing photos and vistas of the island. In the afternoon you return to Taormina for dinner at the hotel and a relaxing evening to reflect on the amazing sights of the last nine days.

Day 16 – Taormina Farewell

The end must arrive and the memories of the journey must carry you through your next visit with us in Italy. The tour ends after breakfast. Your Italy 4 Real Travel Expert can assist you with optional transportation back to Rome or on to other European destinations. Note: This tour ends in Taormina

Departure Dates 2012: 

• May  07  21  28 
• June 08  25  
• july 09
• august 20 
• september 03  17 
• october 2013  01  15 

The price of the tour includes:

• 3 Star hotels for 15 nights
• Transport by modern European coaches
• All breakfasts are included
• Porterage Service for 1 bag per person
• 11 Dinners
• 2 Lunches
• All taxes included!
• Tour host for duration of tour
• Fantastic Sightseeing
• Tours are guaranteed in English but may also include other languages to accommodate passengers of other nationalities.
• Group Size: Med-Lg.
• Minimum: 2 Average: 25
• The tour does not include: airfare, tips
• Tour price is based on the EURO Dollar and subject to change.
• Guarenteed in English. Other languages may be offered to help other passengers. 

Only from Italy 4 Real!

• Local assistance where available
• TripPak -  Free travel maps, guide books and information
• CRS System - 24 Hr Travel Support Hotline During Your Trip

All tours are governed by the Terms & Conditions

More Questions?

• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - This page will answer many common quesiotns about booking, planning and more! 
• Live Chat - Ask us a quesiton now
• Email: info@italy4real.com