Italy Adventure Tour

We meet in front of the Türk Hava Yolları counter in the departures area of Istanbul Airport’s International Terminal. After completing baggage and ticket procedures, we fly to Rome with Türk Hava Yolları. Upon arrival (local time), we begin our Outlet - Lake District (Castel Gandolfo-Nemi) tour. Castel Gandolfo is a town built around a castle, known for its stone streets and lake. The Papal Palace in the town centre served as a retreat for popes for centuries. Its gardens have paths lined with flowers. We then visit Nemi, known for its strawberry fields. The Strawberry Festival takes place here every year, accompanied by celebrations. After visiting Nemi, we allow free time in Italy’s best-known outlet shopping area. These shopping centres attract both locals and tourists. Here, you can take a break after exploring Rome’s historical and cultural sites and shop for yourself and your loved ones. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Rome. Guests who wish to join the optional Rome Monuments Tour (55 Euro) set off with us. Rome was once home to emperors, gladiatorial contests and works of art. During the tour, we see the exterior of Castel Sant’Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned. Built as a mausoleum by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo was later converted into a fortress and used as a prison and papal fortress during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Colosseum in the city centre is among the other places we will see. Gladiatorial contests and fights involving wild animals were once held in this arena before public audiences. After viewing the Colosseum from the outside, we visit the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), made famous by the film La Dolce Vita, and see its sculptures. Other sights include the Roman Forum, the social, commercial and religious centre of its time; Piazza Venezia, home to the white marble Vittoria Emanuele Monument; the Temple of Hadrian; the Pantheon; and the Spanish Steps, with 135 steps and a fountain shaped like a sunken boat. We then head to St Peter’s Square in the Vatican. On arrival, you have free time to visit the square.

After breakfast, you have free time throughout the day. Guests who wish to join can take the optional Naples-Pompeii tour (135 Euro). First, we visit the ancient city of Pompeii at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, which was buried under ash when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. An important centre of trade and culture during the Roman Empire, Pompeii was a wealthy settlement where agriculture, trade and art flourished. The eruption quickly buried the city beneath a layer of lava and ash. This layer preserved traces of daily life from that period to the present day, turning Pompeii into an open-air museum. We then continue to Naples for our city tour. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, Naples is in southern Italy and is the capital of the Campania region. An important centre during the Roman Empire, the city has been home to many cultures and civilisations from the Middle Ages to the present day. The City Centre (Centro Storico) is known for its narrow streets, historic churches, ancient ruins and squares. After the city tour, you have free time. We meet at the time set by our guide and return to our hotel. The rest of the day is free time to relax.

After breakfast, we depart from Rome for Florence. Upon arrival, we begin a panoramic city tour of Florence. Sights include the Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, which has Italy’s 3rd-highest dome, the Baptistery, known for its door, and Piazza Della Republica (Republic Square). After the city tour, you have free time. We then continue our sightseeing programme, which includes Dante’s House, the Old Bridge, Uffizi Palace and Signoria Square. Other sights include Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici family ruled Florence; Piazza Della Signoria, home to the Renaissance statues of Hercules and David; Uffizi Art Gallery; Ponte Vecchio, the city’s oldest bridge; and the Medici Corridor. We also see the house of Dante Alighieri, author of the 13th-century epic poem The Divine Comedy. At the end of the tour, you are transferred to your hotel in Montecatini. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will have free time throughout the day. Guests who wish may join the optional Toscana tour (135 €), arranged by our guide at an extra charge. The tour covers Portofino and Pisa in summer, and Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa in winter. The first stop on the summer tour will be Portofino, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera. After a walk around Portofino, known for its colourful houses and small harbour, we will head to Pisa. Here, we will see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which has become a symbol of Italy, and the adjacent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli). After the tour, we will return to our hotel for an overnight stay. Our winter tour will begin in Siena. The city has a strong neighbourhood culture, with 17 neighbourhoods in total. On the city tour, we will see Campo Square, where the neighbourhoods compete in the Palio horse races, the unfinished Siena Duomo and the city's narrow streets. We will then head to San Gimignano, which retains its medieval character. Here, we will visit the historic towers built by rival noble families in the 12th and 13th centuries and Cisterna Square.

After breakfast in Florence, we check out of our rooms and depart for Milan by private coach. On arrival, we begin our city tour. Located in northern Italy, Milan is a centre for fashion, design and business. One of the city’s landmarks, Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), is an example of Gothic architecture. It is the world’s fifth-largest church and one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals. Its white marble exterior is decorated with detailed carvings. The front facade features numerous statues and carvings. The golden Madonnina statue at the top of the cathedral is regarded as the city’s patron saint. Located right next to the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping arcade known for its glass roof and mosaic floors. It houses luxury brand stores, cafés and restaurants. Of the arcade’s four main entrances, the best known opens onto Piazza del Duomo. The building’s architecture brings together modern engineering and traditional art. At the end of the tour, we head to our hotel in Milan. Afterwards, there is free time to rest.

After breakfast in Milan, we depart for Lake Garda. Located in the lake district of northern Italy, Lake Garda is known for its natural beauty and thermal waters. The lake’s waters display shades of emerald green and blue. You can walk around the lake or relax while taking in the view. After visiting Lake Garda, we set off for Venice. Upon reaching Tronchetto Square in Venice, we take a short ferry ride to San Marco Square and begin our panoramic city tour. San Marco Basilica, at the end of the square, is known for its gold mosaics and Byzantine architecture. The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is where prisoners took a final look at the city as they were led to their cells. Sights seen during the tour include the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge spanning the canal, the Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, and Giorgio Maggiore Church. One of the first things that catches the eye in Venice is its waterways. Guests who wish can join the optional Grand Canal Tour (55 €), arranged by our guide at an extra charge. Palaces dating from the Renaissance line this canal, one of the city’s main transport routes.

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and have free time until our transfer. We meet at the time announced by our guide and travel by private coach to Venice Airport. We fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Our tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul. We look forward to seeing you again on another tour.