Itinerary

Day 1 Rome

Rome, the 'Eternal City', is the capital of Italy. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to explore the sites of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. A few blocks away, Old Rome is the center of the medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Fountains of Trevi, Campo de' Fiori, Spanish Steps, and plenty of shopping and dining. Just across the river is the Vatican, the Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighborhood, Vaticano. Via Veneto leads north into modern Rome to the train station and is lined with glitzy shops and hotels for every budget.

Enjoy a private Airport (Fiumicino/Ciampino) transfer with a private vehicle and driver.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Enjoy one of the most delightful and fascinating walks in the world! Monumental Rome is a mix of piazzas (squares), Rennaissance architectural masterpieces, and thousands of years of history -all interwoven with cafes, shopping, and great gelato! Your walk through the historical centre starts at the Spanish Steps, famously leading down to the historic center of the city and surrounded with fabulous shopping, from bargain to the top brands. Continue to the Trevi Fountain where legend says if you flip a coin into the water you are sure to return to Rome. The Piazza Colona's great buildings are hemmed in by rushing traffic, so continue on a few blocks to the massive Pantheon, which was built in the First Century B.C. and for millenia was the highest arched building in the world. Its a short walk to Piazza Navona, with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, Bernini's masterpiece. This square is packed with artists, cafes, and a swirl of faces - its a great place to enjoy the view. You can explore this part of the city for days!

Hotel Trevi (3*) is two steps away from its namesake the Trevi Fountain.  It offers a refined atmosphere equipped with the best facilities within a historical 16th century palace.  It is located in the proximity of the famous “Via Veneto”, and the magnificent Spanish Steps.  Breakfast is served on a splendid, yet peaceful, rooftop garden where guests can enjoy the view of a typical urban skyline of the Eternal City. Comfort, tradition and efficiency is the principle for making  each stay unforgettable. Under new Roman law, hotels charge a small amount per traveller per day as a “tourist tax”, which needs to be paid locally through your hotel in Rome. Amounts may vary, but currently the cost is 2EUR per person for 2* & 3* hotels and 3EUR for 4* & 5* hotels. The charges will be added to your bill upon check out and are non-negotiable.

Overnight at Hotel Trevi (3*).

Day 2 Rome

Spend the day on a shared tour in Rome. After being picked up from your centrally located hotel, you will pass by the Villa Borghese park, Porta Flaminia and cross over the Tiber river before reaching the Vatican Museum. During the visit you can admire the Hall of the Greek Cross, the Statue Gallery, the interesting cartographic study in the Geographical Maps Gallery, the Raphael Rooms, entirely frescoed by the Master and, above all, the Sistine Chapel. This is where Popes are elected and where you will find the Genesis and Last Judgement works by Michelangelo which have been recently restored. Please note that during high season there may be queues to enter the museums. Enjoy lunch (drinks included) before spending the afternoon exploring some of the most fascinating sights of the city in the company of an English speaking guide on board an air-conditioned coach. Crossing Piazza della Repubblica with the Najadi’s Fountain, you will continue along Via Nazionale till Piazza Venezia, heart of the city with the Monument to Victor Emanuel II also called "Vittoriano" – Continue by bus to the Colosseum and the surrounding Arches of Costantine and Tirus and have a walk into the Roman Forum, the most important archeological area in the world, and possibly the Capitol Square. Proceed to Theatre Marcello to reach St. Paul’s Outside the walls by coach where you will enjoy a visit. At the end of the shared tour you will be brought back to your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Trevi (3*).

Day 3 Rome

Rome is a great place for shopping. There are five main shopping areas: Spanish Steps & Via dei Condotti - This street is one of the richest streets in Italy and one of the best streets for shopping in Rome. The Via Dei Condotti is home to Italy's top designer stores. Via del Corso – This busy pedestrianised street runs from Piazza del Popolo down to Piazza Venezia. It is home to the famous shops like the Ferrari flagship store and Swarowski Crystal. Trastevere – This rather bohemian area of the city with its many winding streets is great for shopping and getting lost in. Be sure to check out the outdoor food market in Piazza San Cosimato where locals bargain with the vendors. (7am -2pm.) - Viale Marconi and Porta Portese- Viale Marconi is very good for shopping and is particulary popular with young trendy Romans. A bit out from the city centre, it can be reached by talking the Metro Line B to Marconi. It is about 15 minutes away from the Colosseum. Porta Portese is the famous Roman flea market which takes place every Sunday from 8am until about 2pm. Another place of interest for food and market lovers is the Piazza Vittorio where a mesmerizing array of fresh foods, fruits, fish and meat, run by people from all over the world is displayed. Piazza Navona & Via del Governo Vecchio – The well known Piazza Navona is a great place for art lovers, as the surrounding streets contain lots of art galleries and antique shops.

After your lunch, enjoy an afternoon tour as you discover imperial and early Christian Rome by peeling back layers and millennia of history as you descend into the Eternal city's underground burial chambers, its long winding catacombs and its crypts. Your guide will explain the secrets of the Domitilla Catacombs, an ancient Christian burial ground, and the Church of San Clemente, built over an ancient fourth century church which was built over an even older Roman house containing Christian artifacts and a pagan temple almost 20 metres below ground level. You'll also visit Santa Maria Maggiore, the Holy Stairs, Old Appian Way and Domine Quo Vadis Chapel. (Includes Tour guide, tickets to Domitilla Catacombs and the church of San Clemente and air-conditioned transportation). Includes pick up and drop-off at hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Trevi (3*).

Day 4 Florence

Even among Italy's finest cities, Florence is something special, rising from the beautiful landscape of Tuscany as a living piece of history. Everywhere you turn you'll see works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi and any number of Masters of Italy's Golden Age. It is in the museums and galleries of the city that most of Florence's treasures are concentrated. The piazzas are full of fashionable boutiques and ever more fashionable people, and the café is still central to the Florentine social life. In the evening the city lights up and its squares and streets are thronged with visitors and locals taking their "passeggiata" as the denizens of the city have done for thousands of years.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy the train ride from Rome to Florence. Train duration is approximately 2 hours 30 mins.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

The Hotel Brunelleschi (4*) is located in the historical centre of Florence, a stone’s throw from the Uffizi Gallery, the “Piazza della Signoria” and one of the world’s most famous  shopping streets. The Brunelleschi has 96 rooms and suites, spectacular views of the “Duomo”, a restaurant, and a gym. The hotel has been created within a circular Byzantine tower and a medieval church, entirely reconstructed, but keeping the original characteristics of the buildings. Inside you can find a private museum in which is conserved the architectural ruins discovered during the restoration of the buildings.  This hotel is also featured at the end of Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”.

Overnight at Brunelleschi (4*).

Day 5 Florence

This exciting guided walking tour starts from the peculiar Central Market zone, characterised by its workshops and multicolored stands. Located in this area are the Medici Chapels, and the Basilica di S. Lorenzo, which is the church of the famous Medici family. A short stroll from the market-place is the Piazza del Duomo, where you can admire the picturesque Cathedral from both the interior and exterior. This Cathedral is known for its dome created by Brunelleschi, its bell tower designed by Giotta, and its Paradise Door on the Saint John Baptistery. The tour continues by visiting the medieval quarters where Dante Alighieri and Beatrice once lived. Moving further through the city you will find the Palazzo del Bargello. Not to far from there you will arrive at the Piazza della Signoria, a great "open-air sculpture museum", which overlooks the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. Within the Palazzo Vecchio you will find one of the world most important museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery. You would then proceed to the Mercato della Paglia (straw market), where the famous Piglet Fountain is located. Moivng along, you will travel along the street that leads you to Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "jewel-bridge." After snapping some photos along this famous bridge, you will arrive at the wonderful Pitti Palace where this tour ends.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Brunelleschi (4*).

Day 6 Florence

Enjoy a full day shared tour which gives you the opportunity of discovering the Chianti region. A coach with an English speaking Guide will first take you through the countryside of the Chianti area with ever-changing scenery of vineyards and olive trees. Enjoy a visit to San Gimignano, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries. The city is situated on top of a hill and is famous for its numerous towers, frescos and other art treasures. On arrival in Siena there is some free time for lunch (not included). Your guide will than bring you on a escorted visit through this magnificent city. You will see the Cathedral situated in the Piazza dal Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Located near this famous Piazza is the Town Hall, and San Domenico, which is known for it's numerous treasures of Italian painting. During the return journey you will see the old medieval village of Monteriggioni enclosed by its famous walls which are still standing strong.

Overnight at Brunelleschi (4*).

Day 7 Florence

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (Extra surcharge will be applied if after 8pm or before 7am).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .

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