Italy Tour

ISTANBUL - VENICE We meet at the Istanbul Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and boarding procedures, we take our Turkish Airlines scheduled flight to Venice. Upon arrival, we board our private coaches and set off for the centre of Venice. After reaching Tronchetto Square, we enjoy a short vaporetto (water bus) journey to St. Mark's Square and a panoramic city tour. At the end of St. Mark's Square stands the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica, famous for its golden mosaics and Byzantine-style architecture. The famous Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is also located here – where prisoners took one last look at the city view on their way to their cells. During the city tour, sights to be seen include the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge over it, the Doge's Palace, the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive in Venice is, of course, the waterways. The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is the city's main artery, and along this canal are lined magnificent palaces from the Renaissance period.

VENICE – LAKE GARDA - MILAN After breakfast, we set off to visit Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery. The waters of Lake Garda display the most stunning tones of green and blue. Even a walk along the shores of the lake or simply watching the view is wonderfully relaxing. After our visit to Lake Garda, we continue on to Milan. Upon arrival, we begin our Milan city tour. Milan is a dynamic city in northern Italy, the centre of fashion, design and the business world. Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and a perfect example of Gothic architecture. This cathedral is the fifth-largest church in the world and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Its exterior façade is built of white marble and adorned with intricate carvings. The front of the cathedral features countless statues and reliefs. The most eye-catching of these is the golden Madonnina statue at the very top of the cathedral, which is regarded as the protective patron of the city. Right next to the Duomo stands the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This magnificent shopping gallery is famous for its glass roof and mosaic floors.

MILAN - FLORENCE After breakfast, we depart for Florence. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour of Florence. Florence holds a unique place in the world's cultural heritage as the birthplace and cradle of the Renaissance. The city has been the stage for great advancements in art, science and philosophy. Under the patronage of the Medici family, great artists and thinkers such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Brunelleschi worked here. In Florence, which is like an open-air art gallery, the sights to see include the Arno River, which divides the city in two, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, famous for its jewellers, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, home to the Hercules and David statues – masterpieces of the Renaissance – the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo), which boasts the 3rd tallest dome in Italy, and the Baptistery, famous for its doors. In the evening, we return to our hotel for free time to rest.

FLORENCE – (SIENA – SAN GIMIGNANO – PISA) After breakfast, we set off for our Tuscany (Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa) tour. The first stop of our tour is Pisa, a romantic Italian city steeped in history. Of course, the first thing that comes to everyone's mind is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This world-famous tower, with its tilted stance, stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles. This square dazzles not only with the tower but also with the magnificent Duomo Cathedral and the Baptistery, built from white marble. Each of them showcases the artistic and architectural richness of medieval Italy. After seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Miracoli Square right next to it, we set off for San Gimignano. As you step into the medieval town of San Gimignano, the first thing that will catch your eye will be the towers. Once there were 72 towers, now only 14 remain. These towers were built to show the power and wealth of the old rich families. Piazza del Duomo is the centre of the town's social and religious life. Here stands the San Gimignano Cathedral, built in the 12th century. Inside, you can see magnificent frescoes that reflect the spirit of medieval Italy.

FLORENCE – ROME After breakfast, we set off for Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, we begin our Outlet and Lakes Region (Outlet – Castel Gandolfo – Nemi) tour. In Castel Gandolfo, shaped around an elegant castle reaching up toward the sky, where the past whispers along its stone streets, you will be enchanted at every step by the magic of this peaceful town, where history and nature embrace one another. The lake, resembling the bluest mirror beneath the sky, is like a door opening into a fairy-tale world with its calm and beauty. The Papal Palace, located at the heart of the town, stands as a symbol of fairytale beauty and historical grandeur. For centuries, popes have found peace and rest in this magical place. You will feel as if you are inside a dream, wandering its gardens and paths filled with colorful flowers. Nemi, on the other hand, is famous for its strawberry fields that shine like red jewels. The Strawberry Festival, held every year, is celebrated with colorful festivities. After visiting Nemi, free time at Italy's most famous outlet area. These outlet centers offer attractive shopping opportunities for both locals and tourists.

ROMA After breakfast, we set off to discover Rome. Once shimmering with infinite splendour and shaped by the winds of history, the magical city of Rome has been home to the grandeur of emperors, the courage of gladiators, and the highest forms of art. On this tour, we will see Castel Sant'Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned. Castel Sant'Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum by Roman Emperor Hadrian and later converted into a fortress. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it was used as a prison and a papal fortress. Another place we will see in Rome is the Colosseum (Kolezyum), in the heart of the city, carrying the spirit of ancient times. In this gigantic arena, brave gladiators and wild beasts once engaged in epic struggles to the cheers of the public. After our Colosseum visit, as we approach the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), made famous by the film La Dolce Vita (Tatlı Hayat), the melody of water echoes among the dazzling statues. They say that if you make a wish and toss a coin into the fountain, the magic of Rome will never let you go. Because, as the saying goes, those who come here once are sure to return one day.

ROME – (NAPLES - SORRENTO) After breakfast, we depart for Naples. Naples was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C. and is the capital of the Campania region in southern Italy. The city was an important centre during the Roman Empire and has hosted many cultures and civilizations from the Middle Ages to the present day. The City Centre (Centro Storico) is famous for its narrow streets, historic churches, ancient ruins and magnificent squares. Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral), the castle built in the 13th century Castel Nuovo (New Castle), Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), San Carlo Theatre, Galleria Umberto I and Via Toledo street are the most important structures of the city. After our visit, we depart for Sorrento, the magnificent coastal town on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. Sorrento is surrounded by splendid views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The city sits on cliffs overlooking the sea and is famous for its picturesque beaches, lemon groves and olive groves. Piazza Tasso, the famous square where the heart of the city of Sorrento beats, is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and shops.

ROME - ISTANBUL After breakfast, check-out from the rooms and transfer to Rome airport at the time to be announced by your guide. Scheduled flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services end. We hope to meet again on another tour where we will experience unforgettable experiences.