ITALY: Mountains, Coastline and cities of the north

October 14 to 31, 2010

Price $3899 per person, double occupancy

Closed for 2010. Let us know if you're interested in next year's trip: travel@patandmikestravel.com

This custom-designed trip to Northern and Central Italy has an excellent combination of guided and free time so you have plenty of time to explore the splendors of Italy! You'll spend nights in Venice, the Lake Como area, Cinque Terre, Florence, San Gimignano, Perugia, and Rome, with stops in Siena, Pisa, and Assisi (among others). Andiamo!

Explore the itinerary by moving through our interactive presentation!

Click on the arrow to begin.  Then, use the arrow buttons to move through the destinations. 

Day 1: Leave the US for Venice.

Day 2: Arrive Venice. We'll be met and transferred to our hotel in the city.

Day 3: Half-day walking tour of Venice, with the afternoon free for exploration. Tonight, we'll regroup and have our Welcome Dinner, including a half-liter of wine per person.

Day 4: Venice: Full free day to explore all that Venice has to offer.

Day 5: Today we'll depart Venice and head for Lake Como. We'll take some time to enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring local products and wine in a small village en route.

Day 6: We'll drive along Lake Como today and then take the ferry to Bellaggio. After some free time, we'll head to Monterosso, one of the five towns of the beautiful Cinque Terre area. You're going to love it here!

Days 7 and 8: Two full free days to explore Cinque Terre. Maybe hike through the little villages, stopping for cappuccino and people-watching along the way? Or perhaps take the train to the picturesque harbor of Portofino?

Day 9: Today we'll head to the heart of Tuscany. We'll stop in Pisa so you can take some pictures, and then drive to beautiful, historic Florence. There is so much to see and do!

Day 10: Florence. Half-day walking tour in the morning, and then a free afternoon to explore the city.

Day 11: We'll see more of the lovely Tuscan countryside today, and visit a famous butchery to taste the local products. Then it's off to a wine tasting of Chianti Classico before heading to the small medieval town of San Gimignano.

Day 12: Free day to explore San Gimignano, which is famous for its medieval architecture.

Day 13: A great day where we'll see Siena, including a walking tour, and then Perugia.

Day 14: Perugia. Today we'll take a day trip through Umbria to Assisi, another gorgeous medieval town with panoramic views over the valley.

Day 15: After a short drive, we'll visit Torgiano for a wine tasting and light lunch, and then head to Tivoli, where we'll visit the famous World Heritage site of Villa d'Esta -- a masterpiece garden and villa. Then all roads lead to Rome!

Day 16: Rome. Today you'll enjoy a city tour of Rome, with the afternoon free for further exploration. A great city to wander, sit and drink coffee or wine, sightsee, and so much more.

Day 17: Rome. A full day to explore -- return to old favorites or find some new ones.

Day 18: Head back to the US or extend elsewhere in Europe. 

INCLUDES:

• Land only, per person, double occupancy
• 16 nights in Italy (3 in Venice, 1 in Lake Como, 3 in Cinque Terre, 2 in Florence, 2 in San Gimignano, 2 in Perugia, 3 in Rome)
• 21 meals
• All sightseeing and entrance fees included
• Headsets for city tours in Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome
• 3- and 4-star hotels, including private bathroom
• Fantastic, English-speaking tour manager/guide
• Small group

Want to know more about this custom-designed, small-group tour to Northern and Central Italy? Email us for the detailed flyer. Contact: travel@patandmikestravel.com