1. VANCOUVER TO ROME

2. ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS) Welcome to Rome. Evening Welcome Reception. Orientation drive through the city to see St. Peter's Basilica and other sights - a perfect introduction to this beautiful city. Meal(s) Welcome Reception Hotel Best Western Villafranca

3. ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME Included sightseeing tour, Vatican Museums, admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica to see his famous Pietà, ancient Rome, Circus Maximus & the impressive Colosseum. Free time to explore the city on your own, or relax Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast

4. ROME – PISA – FLORENCE Travel to Pisa, visit the Square of Miracles a UNESCO World Heritage site. Leaning Tower and see the medieval Cathedral and Romanesque Baptistery.
Later arrive in the Renaissance city of Florence. Meal(s) BB Hotel Grand Hotel Mediterraneo

5. FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME – VENICE (2 NIGHTS) Walking tour with Local Guide. View the magnificent Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce Basilica,visit Piazza della Signoria. Free time, drive to Venice. Meal(s) B B/D Hotel Le Boulevard

6. VENICE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME Private cruise to St. Mark's Square. View Bridge of Sighs and Doge's Palace. See Venetian craftsmen glassblowing workshop on Giudecca Island. Free time shopping/relaxing or take a boat trip to Burano. BB

7. VENICE – ASSISI Drive south from Venice to Umbria, the green heart of Italy, to the spiritual city of Assisi in Mount Subasio, visit St. Francis' Basilica on your walking tour with a Local Specialist. Meal(s) B B/D with wine HotelGrand Hotel dei Congressi

8. ASSISI – POMPEII – NAPLES – AT SEA City of Pompeii, buried beneath volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Join aLocal Specialist for a walking tour. Short journey to Naples for overnight cruise to Palermo, Sicily's capital. Meal(s) BB

9. AT SEA – PALERMO Arrive this morning in the Sicilian capital, Palermo. Guided sightseeing tour, honey coloured cathedral and Piazza Bellini. Travel to Monreale, visit 12th century Norman Cathedral. Admire views of the Conca d'Oro. Continue to visit the fishing village of Mondello. Return to Palermo this afternoon. Meal(s) B B Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro

10. PALERMO – AGRIGENTO In Agrigento, Local Specialist takes you on a tour of the Valley of the Temples, UNESCO World Heritage site is home to 5 ancient Greek temples. Dine at hotel. Meal(s) B B/D wine Hotel Best Western Dioscuri Bay Palace

11. AGRIGENTO – TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) (2 NIGHTS)
Travel through the vineyards to the seaside resort of Taormina. Free time. Meal(s) B B Hotel Sant Alphio Garden

12. TAORMINA FREE TIME Relaxing in this fun Sicilian resort. Swim, sunbathe or shop for handmade lace on the Corso. Consider joining an Optional Experience to Savoca, the village made famous by ‘The Godfather', and the crater of Sicily's active volcano, Mount Etna. This evening enjoy a special Be My Guest dinner in vineyard near mount Etna. Meal(s) B B Be My Guest

13. TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) – SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS) Cross the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy by ferry, drive north through Calabria via Salerno to Sorrento. Tonight, relax at your hotel Meal(s) BB/D Hotel Grand Cesare Augusto

14. ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION Visit an inlaid-wood workshop. Take short cruise to the Isle of Capri, guided walking tour. Free time. Return to Sorrento – famous for the alcoholic digestive Limoncello. Visit Piazza Tasso, on the Corso Italia. Meal(s) BB

15. SORRENTO – MONTE CASSINO – ROME Drive the spectacular coastline, to Monte Cassino, visit Commonwealth War Cemetery, view the Benedictine Abbey. Farewell Dinner. Meal(s) BB Farewell Dinner Hotel Sheraton Parco De Medici

16. DEPART ROME Say ‘arrivederci Roma' as you prepare for your journey home with wonderful memories of your holiday. Flight Rome to Vancouver