The Italian Grande Tour 2012

Tour Overview

Imagine… a more leisurely paced tour of Italy with four nights in the magnificent Italian Lakes District, two nights in a dreamy Italian castle, five nights touring Tuscany visiting Florence, the Cinque Terre, Lucca, Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano, two nights in the Umbrian Hills, and as a finale, three nights on the stunning Amalfi Coast visiting Capri, Amalfi and Positano, and a last night in Rome.

Tour Highlights

• Spend 4 nights by Lake Maggiore in the magnificent Italian Lakes District and visit Villa Carlotta and the town of Bellagio on the shores of Lake Como plus cruise on Lake Maggiore to the Borromean Islands
• Drive into the dramatic Swiss Alps to explore Zermatt and see the mighty Matterhorn
• Stay 2 nights in a centuries old Italian castle and visit Lake Garda and the romantic canals of Venice
• Spend 5 nights in Tuscany in the Spa town of Montecatini Terme and visit Florence and the Uffizi Gallery, Pisa, the medieval cities of Lucca and Siena, the fairytale ‘town of towers’ San Gimignano, and taste wine and olive oil with Tuscan farmhouse owner, Dante
• Savour traditional Tuscan cuisine at Fattoria il Poggio
• Explore the scenic villages of the famous Cinque Terre
• Enjoy 2 nights in the Umbrian Hills staying in medieval Spoleto and visit Assisi
• Relax over 3 nights on the stunning Amalfi Coast, cruise around the island of Capri, visit Amalfi and picturesque Positano and sip Limoncello in Maiori 
• Marvel at the ancient ruins of Pompeii and eternal Rome

Tour Inclusions

• All the sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions (as per the itinerary)
• Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
• First class air-conditioned touring coach
• End of tour tips to Tour Manager, driver and local guides
• 17 nights selected accommodation as described
• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
• Buffet breakfasts daily 
• 14 dinners including welcome and farewell dinners,  Tuscan dinner at Fattoria il Poggio and welcome drink in Stresa 
• Local guides – Isola Bella, CastelBrando, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Pompeii and Rome
• Entrances: Borromea Villa and Gardens, Villa Carlotta, Uffizi Gallery, and Pompeii
• Cinque Terre excursion, private boat for tour of Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, private boat for Lake Como cruise to Bellagio, private water transfers in Venice, cog railway ride to Zermatt, return ferry to Capri, Capri island cruise, private boat for Amalfi Coast cruise to Positano and Amalfi,  food, wine and olive oil tasting at ‘I Cipressini’ farmhouse in Tuscany, Limoncello tasting in Maiori
• Personal audio system whilst on tour