Italian Vistas (Rome to Stresa) (2024)

Discover the city on a locally guided tour of Classical Rome, passing by the Baths of Caracalla and the ancient Circus Maximus. Visit the Colosseum and meander through Rome's Renaissance district for a peek at the mythic Pantheon and the oval-shaped Piazza Navona. Spend the evening at leisure in the medieval Monti neighborhood.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Rome's cultural treasures. Consider an optional trip to Vatican City to tour the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. The evening is yours to explore Rome's bohemian Trastevere district.

Journey to the brilliant Bay of Naples, where charming villages are built into hillsides above the blue sea. In Pompeii, soak in 2,000 years of history at your own pace. Pause in nearby Gragnano for a late lunch and visit to a pasta factory. Continue to the scenic resort town of Sorrento, your home for the next 2 nights.

Today, sail to the enchanting Isle of Capri. Admire the island's iconic scenery on a panoramic cruise, passing by the steep cliffs, endless small caves, and the famous Faraglioni rocks. Spend time in Capri town with its world-famous piazzetta and explore this island paradise of chic boutiques, lush vegetation, and outdoor cafés. Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Head through Tuscany, with its landscape of vineyards and olive groves. Experience Florence, the 'Cradle of the Renaissance.' Home to Italy's best art and architecture, here you'll visit the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's renowned sculpture of David. Tonight, enjoy regional Italian cuisine at a local restaurant.

Embark on a locally guided tour of Florence, highlighting the Piazza del Duomo and the famous Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Wander through the Piazza della Signoria and stand in awe before the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. The rest of the day is yours. Consider an optional excursion to the 14th-century Certosa monastery, featuring an after-hours tour and dinner in a popular Tuscan restaurant.

Visit the ancient maritime Republic of Pisa to discover the Piazza Dei Miracoli and the famous Leaning Tower. A special stop is made at a Tuscan winery and farm to enjoy lunch and sample local wines and specialties. Next, cross the Apennine Mountains en route to Venice, where 117 islands are connected by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges.

Depart Venice for Verona and stroll the streets that were the backdrop for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Arrive in the resort town of Stresa in the breathtaking Italian Lakes District, your home for the next two nights, and admire the beautiful views of Lake Maggiore.

Today, it's your choice! Take a boat across Lake Maggiore to Isola Bella, where you'll join an expert guide and venture into the Borromeo Palace and gardens -OR- cross into Switzerland as your motor coach climbs up the Simplon Pass for a taste of the Swiss Alps. Tonight, travel by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a farewell dinner surrounded by beautiful scenery.