Italy Tour

We meet in the departures area of the International Terminal at Istanbul Airport, in front of the Turkish Airlines counter. After baggage drop and check-in, we depart for Rome with Turkish Airlines. Upon arrival, we begin our Outlet and Lakes District (Castel Gandolfo-Nemi) tour. Built around a castle, Castel Gandolfo is a town known for its stone streets and lake. The Papal Palace in the town centre served for centuries as a retreat for popes. The palace gardens have paths lined with flowers. Nemi is known for its strawberry fields. The Strawberry Festival takes place here every year and is marked by festivities. After visiting Nemi, we have free time in Italy's most famous outlet district. These shopping centres, visited by both locals and tourists, offer a variety of products. After exploring Rome's historical and cultural sites, you can take a break at the shopping centres and shop for yourself and your loved ones. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel.

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, the structure was later converted into a fortress and used as a prison and papal stronghold during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Our tour also includes the Colosseum, where gladiators and wild animals once fought before the public. After viewing the Colosseum from the outside, we visit the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), known for its sculptures and made famous by the film La Dolce Vita. Other sights we will see include the Roman Forum, once the social, commercial and religious centre; Piazza Venezia, home to the white marble Vittoria Emanuele monument; the Temple of Hadrian; the Pantheon; and the Spanish Steps, which consist of 135 steps, with a 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.

After breakfast, we depart for the ancient city of Pompeii, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and buried under ash when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. An important center of trade and culture during the Roman Empire, Pompeii was a wealthy settlement where agriculture, trade and the arts flourished. The city was suddenly buried beneath layers of lava and ash, preserving traces of everyday life from that period to the present day. This has made Pompeii an open-air museum. We then continue to Naples and begin our city tour upon arrival. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, Naples is the capital of the Campania region in southern Italy. An important center during the Roman Empire, the city has been home to many cultures and civilizations from the Middle Ages to the present day. The City Center (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 specified by our guide and return to our hotel, where we have free time to rest.

After breakfast, we depart for Florence. Upon arrival, we begin a panoramic city tour of Florence. Sights include the Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, with Italy’s 3rd-highest dome, the Baptistery, known for its door, and Piazza Della Republica (Republic Square). After the city tour, we have free time. Our next tour includes Dante’s House, the Old Bridge, Uffuzi Palace and Signoria Square. We also visit Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici family ruled Florence, Piazza Della Signoria, home to the Renaissance masterpieces, the statues of Hercules and David, and the Uffizi Art Gallery. We also see the historic Ponte Vecchio, the city’s oldest bridge, the Medici Corridor and the House of Dante Alighieri, author of the 13th-century epic poem The Divine Comedy. At the end of the tour, we transfer to your hotel in Montecatini. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, we depart from Florence for our Tuscany tour. The tour covers Portofino and Pisa in summer, and Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa in winter. Our first stop in summer is Portofino, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera. After a walk through Portofino, known for its colourful houses and small harbour, we continue to Pisa. We see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s landmarks, and the adjacent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli). After the tour, we return to our hotel and stay overnight. Our winter tour begins in Siena. The city has a strong neighbourhood identity, with 17 neighbourhoods in total. During the tour, we see Campo Square, where the neighbourhoods compete in the Palio horse races, the unfinished Siena Duomo and the city’s narrow streets. We then travel 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). We then transfer to our hotel and stay overnight.

After breakfast in Florence, we check out of our rooms and depart for Milan on our private coach. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Located in northern Italy, Milan is a centre for fashion, design and business. Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is one of the city’s well-known buildings and 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, with numerous statues on the front facade. The golden Madonnina statue at the top of the cathedral is regarded as the city’s patron saint. 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. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Milan. There is free time to rest.

After breakfast, we depart for Lake Garda. Located in the lakes region of northern Italy, Lake Garda is known for its natural beauty and thermal waters. Its waters display shades of emerald green and blue. You can walk around the lake or take in the views. After our visit to Lake Garda, we set off for Venice. Upon arrival at 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 on the city 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. Waterways are among Venice’s distinctive features. Renaissance palaces line the Grand Canal (Canal Grande), the city’s main waterway. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Venice and given free time to rest.

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