The Cultural Tour of Italy. Center and Northern Italy in 9 Days

Day 1: ROME

Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport. Star of the ” Cultural Tour of Italy, Center and Northern Italy ” and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: ROME: ANCIENT AND BAROQUE

After breakfast departure to discover the Ancient Rome: The Capitol Hill, which was the political and religious centre of Empire, The Roman Forum, the Arch of Costantine and finally the Colosseum. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon the guided tour proceeds to the Baroque Rome, to admire the famous squares, the baroque building and the magnificent fountains: Navona Square, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 3: ROME AND THE VATICAN CITY

After breakfast, departure to the Vatican City. Guided visit of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica. The tour starts from the Vatican Museum: we’ll enter to the Pinecone Courtyard, we’ll cross the collection of Greek and Roman sculpture, the Galleries of Tapestries and Italy Maps to reach the Raphael Rooms and the amazing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Afterward the tour will lead you inside the highest temple of Christendom: St. Peter’s Basilica. Here we can admire the Pietà by Michelangelo, the Jubilee Gate, Bernini’s main altar, Saint Peter tomb, the tombs of the Popes, Michelangelo’s amazing dome and more other masterpieces. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon time at leisure or bike tour to discover the secret corners of the eternal city . Dinner in a typical restaurant in Trastevere. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: ROME – SIENA – FLORENCE

After breakfast departure to Siena. Guided walking tour to the historical city centre, admiring the major tourist attractions like Piazza del Campo, the true heart of the town, the “Palazzo Comunale”(Town Hall), the Cathedral and the majestic Basilica of San Domenico. Lunch at restaurant. Departure to Florence and guided walking tour of the city centre including the beautiful Cathedral Square, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Croce, The 13th century Franciscan Church with cimabue’s famous crucifix. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 5: FLORENCE – PISA – FLORENCE

After breakfast departure to discover the Uffizi Gallery to admire magnificent paintings of Leonardo, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raffaello. Lunch at restaurant. Departure to Pisa and guided visit of the historical centre with the famous “Campo dei Miracoli” which includes the Cathedral, the  Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the famous Tower. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: FLORENCE – MARANELLO – PADOVA

After breakfast, departure to Padova. On the way stop to Maranello at the Ferrari Museum, to visit the most famous and successful Formula 1 cars, Sport Protype and Grand Turismo category models and the most important road models. After the visit departure to Padua and guided tour of the city and the famous St Antony Basilica, the magnificent Cappella degli Scrovegni, that contains Frescoes of New Testament scenes by Giotto. At 07.00 pm departure to a suggestive nights excursion by boat along Brenta River. During the cruise along the course of the old Venetian burchielli, you will have the possibility to see Venetian Villas such as the superb Villa Giovanelli and Villa Foscarini, the magnificent Villa Pisani and Villa Soranzo. At 08.15 pm arrival in Dolo and buffet dinner and walking tour to the little hamlet. At 09.15 pm come back to Padova with music entertainment. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 6: PADOVA – VENICE

After breakfast, departure to Venice coach station by coach and transfer by boat the city centre. Guided walking tour of this unique city: St. Mark’s square, the Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge’s Palace, the bridge of sighs and the prisons. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon excursion to the island of Murano where you can assist to a demonstration of glass blowing. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7: VENICE – VERONA – MILANO

After breakfast, transfer to Verona and guided tour of one of the most beautiful Italian city, Unesco World Heritage. Guided Walking through the centre admiring the famous Arena, Giulietta balcony, the Arche Scaligere, Piazza Dante, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Brà. Departure to Milan. Guided city tour of Milan, home of an incredible patrimony of art and culture which includes one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s greatest masterpieces: the Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper is housed is inside the Refectory at the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan and has earned a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage List. After the visit, walking tour of Milan that includes a stop at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, a visit at the medieval Sforza Castle and a tour the splendid Duomo, one of the world’s largest, most striking Gothic cathedrals and finally the famous Opera House, the fabulous La Scala theatre. Dinner at restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 8: MILAN

After breakfast, according to the flight departure, possibility to visit San Siro Stadium and its usually inaccessible places such as the changing rooms, the mixed zone, the stands and walking through the tunnel of Champions to get into the legendary pitch of “La Scala del Calcio”. End of the ” Cultural Tour of Italy, Center and Northern Italy “.