Country Roads of Italy, a Women Only Tour

Today is devoted to The Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where the Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pietà,’ and stand beneath the dome completed after his death. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy views of ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the legendary Colosseum. There’s free time to do as the Romans do, or perhaps join a walking tour and toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time in Piazza Navona.

Room 007 Select

Meals: Breakfast

Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasure of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Ride an electric train along the pathways to marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After our visit to the former papal gardens our journey continues south, drinking in the views of the Bay of Naples, to the resort town of Sorrento.

Majestic Palace Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arrive at the Marina Grande by boat and ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento. Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano.

Majestic Palace Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to explore this extraordinary site with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Cap off the day dining at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience.

Hotel Fonte Cesia

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Journey through the undulating splendour of the Umbrian hills where the glossy green vine leaves reflect the warm sunshine of the region. Nestled in this glorious scenery is a family-owned business run by the females of the family. Taste the flavours of the region including Umbrian wine and olive oil. Learn how they have developed their business and produced award-winning wines before tasting the results of their work.

Hotel Fonte Cesia

Meals: Breakfast

Cross the River Tiber to see the church of St. Mary of the Angels. Under the dome is a small medieval chapel and the spot where St. Francis died. In Assisi see St. Clare’s Church and the cathedral. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia - the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.

Sangallo Palace Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning, soak up the waters of a natural thermal spa, renowned through the centuries for the beneficial effects on the body, delighting the Etruscans, Romans and modern-day visitors. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Enjoy a tasting with award-winning master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany and enjoy a delicious exploration of Tuscany's red wines, discovering their robust flavours and absorbing history before arriving at your elegant hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Embark on your journey to renaissance Florence. Join a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Wander the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather. Cap off your day with a tasty cocktail class, learning the art of cocktail-making from a local mixologist.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Pause a while and taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread, said to be a favourite of the ancient Roman army. Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa.

Hotel Villa La Principessa

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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or five villages, which for years were only accessible by foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages, before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). There is plenty of time to explore the old medieval quarter and popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.

Hotel Villa La Principessa

Meals: Breakfast

Journey to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by a glass of wine.

Starhotels Du Parc Parma

Meals: Breakfast

Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces.

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

Meals: Breakfast

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre where you can see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses. Over another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh for a boat ride and art show over a glass of Prosecco. Conclude your women-only tour over a sumptuous celebration dinner with wine, sampling the local specialties.

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Departure Transfer Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30

Meals: Breakfast