Italy 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 Türk Hava Yolları flight. On arrival, we board the private buses waiting for us and head to central Venice. After reaching Tronchetto Square in Venice, we take a short ferry ride to San Marco Square and begin our panoramic city tour. San Marco Basilica, located 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 on their way to their cells. During the tour, we will see the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge spanning the canal, the Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, and Giorgio Maggiore Church. Palaces dating from the Renaissance line the Grand Canal (Canal Grande), the main waterway of Venice, a city known for its waterways. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Venice. There is free time to rest.

After breakfast, we visit Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, to relax and enjoy the scenery. The lake’s waters display shades of emerald green and blue. You can walk around the lake or relax while taking in the views. 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 well-known buildings, 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. Numerous statues and carvings adorn the front facade. The golden Madonnina statue at the very 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 is the entrance on the Piazza del Duomo side. The building’s architecture brings together modern engineering and traditional art.

After breakfast, we depart from Milan for Florence. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour of Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence holds an important place in the world’s cultural heritage. Artists and scientists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Brunelleschi worked with the support of the Medici family in this city, where art, science and philosophy flourished. Sights on the tour include the Arno River, which divides the city in two, Ponte Vecchio bridge, known for its jewellers, and Palazzo Vecchio. The itinerary also includes Piazza Della Signoria square, home to the Renaissance masterpieces Hercules and David, Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo), with Italy’s 3rd-highest dome, and the Baptistery, known for its door. In the evening, we return to our hotel and have free time to rest.

After breakfast, we begin our Toscana tour. In summer, our route includes Portofino and Pisa, while in winter it includes Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa. Our first stop in summer is Portofino, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera. Here, we explore the town with its colourful houses and small harbour. We then head to Pisa. After visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s landmarks, and the adjacent Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli), we 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 17 neighbourhoods in total. During our city 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, along with 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), before heading to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Rome. On arrival, we begin our Outlet and Lake District tour (Outlet - Castel Gandolfo - Nemi). Built around a castle, Castel Gandolfo is a town 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 walking paths lined with flowers. We then visit Nemi, known for its strawberry fields. The Strawberry Festival is held here every year. After visiting Nemi, we have free time for shopping in Italy's best-known outlet area. These shopping centres, used by locals and tourists, offer souvenirs and a variety of everyday items. 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. On arrival at the hotel, we have free time to rest.

After breakfast, we begin our tour of Rome. In this city that has been home to emperors, gladiators and works of art throughout history, we will see Castel Sant’Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned. Built as a mausoleum by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the building was later converted into a castle and used as a prison and papal fortress during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Our next stop will be the Colosseum in the city centre. Gladiator fights and contests involving wild animals were once held in this arena before public audiences. After visiting the Colosseum, we will head 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 throw a coin into the fountain, which is surrounded by statues, will one day 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. On arrival, you will have free time to explore the square.

After breakfast, we depart for Naples. 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. Notable sights 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. After our tour, we set off for Rome, the capital of Italy. On arrival in Rome, we transfer to the hotel where we will be staying. In the evening, we return to our hotel and have free time to rest.

After breakfast, check out of your rooms. Free time is provided depending on the flight time. Meet at the transfer time announced by the guide and travel by private bus to Rome Airport. Depart for Istanbul with Türk Havayolları. The tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul. We hope to see you again on another tour.