Italy Adventure Tour

We meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, we fly to Venice on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. On arrival, we board our private buses waiting for us and head to central Venice. A short ferry ride from Tronchetto Square in Venice takes us to San Marco Square, where we begin our panoramic city tour. San Marco Basilica, at the end of San Marco 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. During the tour, we will see the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge spanning it, the Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, and Giorgio Maggiore Church. One of the first things that stands out in Venice is its waterways. Palaces dating from the Renaissance line the Grand Canal (Canal Grande), the city’s main waterway. After the tour, we transfer you to your hotel in Venice. You will have free time to rest.

Our day begins in Venice. After breakfast, we visit Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. We stop at the lake to relax and take in the views of its emerald green and blue waters. You can walk along the lakeside or enjoy the scenery. After our visit to Lake Garda, we depart for Milan and 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 known for its Gothic architecture. The world’s fifth-largest church, it is also one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals. Its white marble exterior features detailed carvings, while its front facade has numerous statues and carvings. The golden Madonnina statue at the cathedral’s highest point is regarded as the city’s patron saint. Right next to the Duomo stands Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a shopping arcade known for its glass roof and mosaic floors. The arcade houses luxury brand stores, cafés and restaurants. It has four main entrances, the best-known of which faces Piazza del Duomo. From this entrance, you can see how the building’s architecture combines modern engineering with traditional art.

The program begins after breakfast with departure from Milan for Florence. Guests who wish may join the optional Renaissance Works tour (45€), arranged by the guide at an extra charge. Florence, where the Renaissance began and developed, holds an important place in the world's cultural heritage. The city saw significant advances in art, science and philosophy. With the support of the Medici family, artists and scientists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Brunelleschi worked here. Sights include the Arno River, which divides Florence in two, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, known for its jewelers, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza Della Signoria Square, home to the Renaissance statues of Hercules and David. Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo), with Italy's 3rd-highest dome, and the Baptistery, known for its door, are also among the sights. In the evening, return to the hotel and enjoy free time to rest.

After breakfast in Florence, enjoy a full day of free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Toscana tour (135€), organised by our guide at an extra charge. The tour includes visits to Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa. Our first stop is Pisa. The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands in Piazza dei Miracoli, meaning Square of Miracles. The square also contains the white marble Duomo Cathedral and Baptistery. These buildings reflect the art and architecture of medieval Italy. After viewing the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the adjoining Miracoli Square, we depart for San Gimignano. The medieval town of San Gimignano is known for its towers. Of the 72 towers that once stood here, only 14 survive today. These towers were built to display the power and wealth of the families of the time. Piazza del Duomo, the centre of the town’s social and religious life, is home to San Gimignano Cathedral, built in the 12th century. Frescoes from medieval Italy can be seen inside the cathedral. Next to it stands the Town Hall (Palazzo del Popolo). Our next stop is Piazza della Cisterna. Surrounded by stone buildings and historic structures, the square takes its name from the old water cistern at its centre.

After breakfast, we depart for Rome. Upon arrival, guests who wish may join the optional Outlet - Lake District Castel Gandolfo-Nemi tour (95 Euro), arranged by our guide at an extra charge. Castel Gandolfo is a town that developed around a castle and is known for its stone streets and lake. The Papal Palace in the town centre is one of the places where popes rested over the centuries. The palace gardens have walking paths lined with flowers. Nemi is known for its strawberry fields and its annual Strawberry Festival. After visiting Nemi, we have free time in Italy's best-known outlet shopping area. These centres, where locals and tourists shop, offer various options for souvenirs and personal necessities. After exploring Rome's historical and cultural sites, you can take a break at these shopping centres. In the evening, we depart for our hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, we have free time to rest.

After breakfast, we depart for Rome. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour of Rome, followed by free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Rome Monuments Tour (55€), arranged by our guide at an extra charge. Rome has been home to emperors, gladiatorial contests and works of art. On our tour, we will see Castel Sant’Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned. Built as a mausoleum by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the structure was later converted into a castle. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it served as a prison and a papal fortress. Our next stop will be the Colosseum in the city centre. Gladiatorial contests and fights involving wild animals were once held in this arena before public audiences. After visiting the Colosseum, we will go to the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), made famous by the film La Dolce Vita. It is believed that those who make a wish and toss a coin into this fountain, surrounded by statues, will return to Rome. We will also see the Temple of Hadrian, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps, which have 135 steps and a fountain shaped like a sunken boat at their base. We then head to St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

After breakfast, you have a full day of free time. We depart for Naples. Guests who wish may join the optional Naples & Sorrento tour (65€), arranged by your guide at an extra charge. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, Naples is the capital of the Campania region in southern Italy. 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. Its main landmarks include Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral), Castel Nuovo (New Castle), built in the 13th century, Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), San Carlo Theatre, Galleria Umberto I and Via Toledo street. After the tour, we depart for Sorrento, a coastal town south of the Bay of Naples. Set on cliffs overlooking the sea, Sorrento offers views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The town is known for its beaches, lemon groves and olive groves. Piazza Tasso, in the centre, is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and shops.

After breakfast, check out of your rooms and transfer to Rome airport at the time specified by your guide. Fly to Istanbul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our tour and services end upon arrival at Istanbul Airport. We hope to see you again on another tour.