Grand Italy Tour

We meet at Istanbul Airport’s international departures terminal, in front of the Turkish Airlines counter, 3 hours before departure. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Naples at 07.05 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1453. Upon arrival at 08.25 local time, we board our waiting vehicle and begin a panoramic city tour. Located in southern Italy, on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, this port city is known for its history and culture, lively markets, traditional pizza and ancient ruins. After the tour, guests who wish may join the optional Pompeii Tour at an extra cost. (70 Euro) At the archaeological site of this ancient Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BC and unearthed thousands of years later, you can see well-preserved remains of homes and everyday life. We then transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Sorrento tour at an extra charge. (50 Euro) Sorrento is a coastal town on the Bay of Naples in southern Italy. Known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, the town is noted for its sea views, historic buildings and lemon groves. Its narrow stone streets, traditional Italian architecture and small boutique shops are also distinctive features. After the tour, we depart for Rome. Once the centre of one of the largest civilisations, the city has been a centre of power, culture and religion throughout its approximately 2500 years of history. The city's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its palaces, thousand-year-old churches and basilicas, romantic ruins, monuments, statues and fountains, Rome has an extensive historical heritage and a cosmopolitan character. Among the places we will see are the Vatican (San Pietro Cathedral), the administrative centre of Catholic Christianity; the Collosseum, where gladiator fights took place; and the Roman Forum, located in the centre of Ancient Rome, which once hosted religious, political and social activities.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional Castel Gondolfo & Nemi & Outlet & Vatican Tour at an extra charge. (85 Euro) Our first stop will be Castel Gondolfo, home to the Papal Summer Palace, known as the summer residence of the popes. The historic palace and its surroundings are known for their views and gardens. From here, we head to Nemi Village. Set around Lake Nemi, which formed in a volcanic crater, the village is also known as the strawberry village because of the strawberries grown in the area. Its historic ruins, narrow stone streets and lake views attract tourists and nature lovers. We allow free time to explore the village and shop. We then head to Italy’s best-known outlet shopping area. During free time here, you can shop at affordable prices. Afterwards, we head to San Pietro Square in the Vatican, regarded as the centre of Christianity. On arrival, we allow free time to visit the basilica and the square. As you walk around the square, you can see the obelisk at its centre and the columns surrounding it. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, we begin a panoramic city tour. The tour includes Duomo Church (Santa Maria Del Fiore), the Baptistery, the Old Palace, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Signoria. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. We spend the night at our hotel in Montecatini.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Tuscan Towns (Pisa & Siena & San Gimignano) Tour at an extra charge. (110 Euro) The first stop on the tour will be the Leaning Tower of Pisa, known for its tilt and as one of the country's symbols. After taking photos here, we continue to Siena, a city on the UNESCO World Heritage List. With its narrow medieval streets, stone buildings, historic Piazza del Campo and cathedral, Siena retains traces of traditional Italian city life. Our final stop will be San Gimignano. Located in the heart of Tuscany, the town is known for its medieval stone towers. Often called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages, San Gimignano is known for its 14 tall towers, which emerged from the competition for wealth and prestige between city-states in the 14th century. Its narrow, interconnected streets and historic buildings reflect the town's past. The town offers panoramic views, and its artistic and cultural heritage includes Gothic and Romanesque buildings, the historic Piazza della Cisterna square and frescoes. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Venice. On the way, we take a tour of Bologna. The Bologna tour is included in the tour price. Located among the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy, Bologna is a historic city known for its cultural heritage. Sights on the city tour include Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio Basilica, Podesta Palace and the City Hall. After the Bologna tour, we continue to Venice. On our tour of this historic city known for its canals and gondolas, sights include San Marco Cathedral and Square, the Doge’s Palace, Canale Grande, the Bridge of Sighs and Rialto Bridge. After the tour, guests may join the optional Gondola Tour on the Canals of Venice at an extra charge. (40 Euro) On this tour, we explore the city’s canals in traditional gondolas, one of the symbols of Venice. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel for free time. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Milan. On the way, we take a tour of Verona. The Verona tour is included in the tour price. Located in northern Italy on the banks of the Adige River, Verona is known for its cultural heritage dating back to Roman times. Noted for its history, architecture and literary connections, the city is known for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The building known as Juliet’s house and its balcony attract visitors. The city has examples of medieval architecture, and Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheatre dating from the 1st century, still hosts concerts today. Narrow stone streets and the squares of Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra reflect the city’s history and cultural diversity. After the Verona tour, we continue towards Milan. On arrival, we begin a panoramic city tour. Sights on the tour include Duomo Cathedral, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals; La Scala, one of the world’s longest-established opera houses; Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a 19th-century arcaded shopping gallery; and Castello Sforzesco (Milan Castle). After the city tour, guests who wish can join the optional Lakes (Como & Lugano) Tour for 75 Euro.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time until the time set by our guide. You will then be transferred to Milan Airport. After baggage, ticket and passport procedures are completed, you will depart for Istanbul at 19.45 on Türk Hava Yolları flight TK1876. Our tour will end upon arrival at 23.40 local time.