Italy Tour

Arriving in Rome

We meet in front of the Turkish Airlines counter in the departures area of the International Terminal at Istanbul Airport. After completing baggage and ticket formalities, we depart for Rome with Turkish Airlines. Following our arrival (local time), we begin our Outlet and Lake District (Castel Gandolfo-Nemi) tour.

Castel Gandolfo grew around a castle and is known for its stone streets, lake and historic buildings. The Papal Palace in the town centre served as a retreat for popes for centuries. The palace gardens have paths lined with flowers.

We then visit Nemi, known for its strawberry fields. The Strawberry Festival takes place here every year, with various celebrations. After visiting Nemi, we have free time in Italy's best-known outlet shopping area. These shopping centres attract locals and tourists alike. Here, you can take a break after exploring Rome's historic and cultural sites and shop for yourself and your loved ones. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel.

Rome's ancient landmarks

After breakfast, we begin our city tour of Rome. In Rome, which has been home to emperors, gladiators and works of art throughout history, we first view Castel Sant’Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned, from the outside. Built as a mausoleum by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant'Angelo was later converted into a castle and used as a prison and papal fortress during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Our tour also includes the Colosseum, where gladiators and wild animals once fought before spectators. After viewing the Colosseum from the outside, we visit the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), surrounded by statues and known for its appearance in the film La Dolce Vita. Other sights on our tour include the Roman Forum, the social, commercial and religious centre of ancient Rome; Piazza Venezia, home to the white marble Vittoria Emanuele monument; the Temple of Hadrian; and the Pantheon. We will also see the Spanish Steps, which consist of 135 steps, with the fountain shaped like a sunken boat at their base.

We then head to St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. On arrival, you have free time to explore the square. An obelisk stands in the centre, with columns surrounding the square. During the visit, you can see the Apostolic Palace and the window where the Pope prays on Sundays. In the evening, we return to our hotel in Rome. You have free time to rest.

Pompeii and Naples

After breakfast, we set off for 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 volcanic eruption suddenly buried the city under layers of lava and ash. This event 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 Historic Centre (Centro Storico) is known for its narrow streets, historic churches, ancient ruins and squares. After the city tour, we have free time. We meet at the time set by our guide and return to our hotel, where we have free time to rest.

Florence's art and history

After breakfast in Rome, we depart for Florence. On arrival, we take a panoramic city tour of Florence. Sights include the Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, with the 3rd highest dome in Italy, the Baptistery, known for its door, and Piazza Della Republica (Republic Square). After the city tour, you have free time.

Our sightseeing programme then includes Dante’s House, the Old Bridge, Uffuzi Palace and Signoria Square. We will also see Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici family ruled Florence; Piazza Della Signoria, home to the statues of Hercules and David, masterpieces of the Renaissance; the Uffizi Art Gallery; Ponte Vecchio, the city’s oldest bridge; and the Medici Corridor. We also visit the House of Dante Alighieri, author of the 13th-century epic poem The Divine Comedy.

At the end of the tour, we transfer you to your hotel in Montecatini. Overnight at your hotel.

Tuscany and the Leaning Tower

After breakfast, we begin our Tuscany tour. In summer, the route covers Portofino and Pisa; in winter, it covers Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa.

Our first stop in summer is Portofino, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera. After a walk around Portofino, known for its colourful houses and small harbour, we head to Pisa. We visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s landmarks, and the adjacent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), then return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel.

Our first stop in winter is Siena. The city has a strong neighbourhood culture, with a total of 17 neighbourhoods. On our city tour, we see Campo Square, which hosts the Palio horse races involving the city’s neighbourhoods, the unfinished Siena Duomo and the city’s narrow streets. We then head to San Gimignano, which retains its medieval character. Here, we see the historic towers built by rival noble families in the 12th and 13th centuries, and Cisterna Square. At our final stop, Pisa, we visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s landmarks, and the adjacent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), then transfer to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel.

Milan's fashion and architecture

After breakfast in Florence, we check out of our rooms and depart for Milan by private coach. Upon 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. The world's fifth-largest church, it is also among 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 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. The arcade houses luxury brand stores, cafés and restaurants. It has four main entrances, the best-known of which faces Piazza del Duomo. The architecture visible from this entrance combines modern engineering with traditional art.

After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Milan. There is free time to rest.

From Lake Garda to Venice

After breakfast, we set off for Lake Garda. Located in the lake district of northern Italy, Lake Garda is known for its natural beauty and thermal waters. Its waters have shades of emerald green and blue. You can take a walk around the lake or relax while enjoying the views.

After visiting Lake Garda, we depart for Venice. Upon arrival at Tronchetto Square in Venice, we take a short ferry ride to San Marco Square to 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) here is where prisoners took their last look at the city as they were led to their cells.

Sights on 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 Venice’s distinctive features is its waterways. Palaces dating from the Renaissance line the Grand Canal (Canal Grande), the city’s main transport route.

At the end of the tour, you are transferred to your hotel in Venice and given free time to rest.

Return to Istanbul

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and have free time until the 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 hope to see you again on another tour.