Classic Italy: The Wonders

DAY 1 - MILAN 
After custom clearance at the airport, you will meet your professional Tour Leader and your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Milan. Check-in and time to rest. Holly Tour will welcome you to Italy with a very special dinner in an exclusive restaurant located on the 20th floor of a charming building in Milan. You will enjoy a mouthwatering meal with a great 360 degrees’ view of the city. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 2 - MILAN
You will begin this day with an orientation tour of Milan city center. The first stop will be at the magnificent basilica (called Duomo) and its famous square (Piazza Duomo). You will then continue to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the Opera House and the Sforzesco Castle (only exterior visit). In the afternoon you will visit one of the most important masterpieces in the world: the Da Vinci’s Last Supper. This fresco was painted between 1494 and 1498, and to do so, Leonardo substituted the usual method of the fresco with a new technique called “a secco” (on a dry wall). This is a very popular attraction and viewing is limited. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Milan. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 3 - VERONA, VENICE
Breakfast at your hotel and then board your private coach for a private transfer to Verona, home town of Romeo and Juliet. Our local guide will lead you to a beautiful promenade featuring a view from the outside of the famous Arena (the Roman amphitheater) and the Balcony of Juliet. Then our driver will take you to our final destination: Venice, city of canals and palaces. Once in Venice, enjoy a scenic private taxi-boat ride to your centrally located hotel. Pizza dinner in a nice local joint near by the hotel. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 4 - VENICE
After breakfast, you will start a gorgeous walking tour of Venice. Venice is eternally beautiful and culturally vigorous. You will have a half day walking tour of Venice, including a visit to the Doge’s Palace with its splendid rooms decorated by 16th century artists. You will also visit the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most valuable church in the world with over 4000 feet of mosaic artwork. After lunch some relaxing time on a gondola with a tour through the inner canals. Dinner at the hotel and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 5 - FLORENCE
After breakfast, you will board your water taxi to Venice rail station to catch your high speed train to Florence on board of the comfortable Frecciarossa trains. Enjoy the beautiful landscape on a first class seat. In the late morning you will arrive in Florence and check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, you will meet with your private guide at the hotel lobby for a half day walking guided tour of the city center. You will see the square of the Cathedral with the Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, the church of Santa Maria Novella and finally a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where the original Michelangelo’s David is exhibited. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Florence.(meals: B. D.)

DAY 6 - LUCCA
This morning your private driver will take you to Lucca for a full day excursion. Your local guide will meet you in the city center. Most of the attractions in Lucca today show its ancient history: from the trace of the Roman amphitheater that can be seen in the shape of the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to the archaeological remains under the 12th century church of Saints Giovanni and Reparata (the first city cathedral, located just around the corner from the present-day cathedral of San Martino), to the various towers and villas from the 12th to 16th centuries. Return to Florence in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 7 - SAN GIMIGNANO
Your Italian experience continues as you will drive across Tuscany towards Rome. Our first stop is the medieval town of San Gimignano, an enchanting village with narrow street located on a hilltop. Then we will stop in Cortona, the place that inspired Frances Mayes’s novel “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Here you will visit a ceramic shop where you can learn how the famous ceramics are made and painted. For lunch you will be hosted by a lovely Tuscan family, visit their farm and learn how they make their wine by visiting their winery. You will also taste their home-made olive oil and other local specialties. You will finally proceed to our final destination for the day: Rome. Dinner and overnight. (meals: B. L. D.)

DAY 8 - ROME, VATICAN MUSEUMS
Welcome to the Eternal City! This morning you will experience a very special privateguided tour of the priceless collection of art and treasures found in the Vatican Museums. You will be amazed by the beautiful wall frescoes created by Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli. The unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Christian world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. Then you will proceed to Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum, with a stop at the Colosseum - a testament to the greatness of Rome’s past. Continue your full tour day with visits to the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Castel Saint Angelo. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Rome. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 9 - ROME
Full day at leisure with many interesting things to see and do. You may want to visit some of the famous churches or some of the museums or take the underground to the many sights such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. Tonight our farewell evening will take place in a local restaurant where you will be entertained with Italian singers and their arias. (meals: B. D.)

DAY 10 - DEPARTURE
Transfer by private coach from hotel to airport in Rome.