Italy Circle: Italy In Depth 7-day Circular Tour

【Tuesdays】Milan (156 km) → Verona (121 km) → Venice

This morning we’ll head to Venice, and have our first stop at Verona, an UNESCO listed historic city known for it’s well-preserved historic architecture. Also the famous backdrop to Shakespeare’s legendary love story, Romeo and Juliet. Remember to check out the famous Juliet’s Balcony, one of the most instagrammable places in town! Next we’ll arrive one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit. Venice, the City of Water. Start with a water bus ride to San Marco Island, we’ll visit Piazza San Macro, Basilica di San Marco, and Bridge of Sighs that connects the Doge’s Palace to the historic prison across the canal; Then explore the Grand Canal and diverse range of shops along the narrow alleys. You can take an optional gondola ride to fully enjoy the canals of Venice. Next we’ll see some traditional Venetian craftwork and a demonstration by Murano glassblowers.

【Wednesdays】Venice (271 km) → Florence

This morning we’ll depart for Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. It was originally founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar, who set it up as a town for Roman veterans on the Arno River. In the Middle Ages, the Medici family ruled Florence and their patronage of arts and humanities made Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance. Florence became the cultural, trade and financial centre of Europe. Florence was once the capital of the Kingdom of Italy after Italian unification. We’ll start our tour with the stunning panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Follow by visiting iconic sights includes: Duomo di Firenze (Florence Cathedral), the third largest church in the world; Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River, and Basilica di Santa Croce, the resting place of many illustrious Italian including Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo Galilei etc; Florence is renowned all over the world for the superb tradition of leather processing. We’ll visit a local leather workshop for a traditional leather craftsmanship demo, which is also a perfect opportunity to purchase high-quality leather products.

【Thursdays】Florence (275 km) → Rome → Vatican

This morning we’ll head to Rome, the capital city of Italy. Also known as “the Eternal City”, the ancient origins of the Roman Empire. We’ll visit the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City and see St Peter’s Basilica, built during the Renaissance period; The exquisitely beautiful Basilica is nearly 1,700 years old and contains a bewildering collection of paintings, frescoes and design crafted by some of humanity’s most famous artists. Next, visit more Roman relics including: the iconic Colosseum that was built in AD 72., the Arch of Constantine, Il Vittoriano, and Trevi Fountain;

(Please note: Due to tour bus entry restrictions to Rome city centre, we’ll get around Rome on foot. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and footwear.)

【Fridays】Rome (242 km) → Pompeii → Mount Vesuvius Volcano (26 km) → Naples

This morning we’ll head south and arrive Pompeii, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius volcano. The city was buried in volcanic ash in AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted. This massive archeological site is the best place to glimpse the daily life of ancient Romans. Next, we’ll visit Naples, the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan. Discover the historic centre of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 2700 years history, also the biggest historical town in Europe. Walk down the streets to admire the buildings, open air staircase, you’ll see the Roman and Spanish influences meet. Naples is also a perfect city for foodies. Delight your palate in the birthplace of pizza with real Neopolitan pizza, a wide varieties of pasta and desserts, and high-quality Neapolitan coffee brew.

(Optional excursion: Discover the wonder of Mt. Vesuvius, an active volcano in Europe that destroyed the ancient Pompeii; You’ll visit the crater, enjoy the breathtaking landscape and the inside of the crater. Peer down into the crater and see plumes of steam issuing from the sleeping, but still active, volcano!)

【Saturdays】Naples (373 km) → Assisi (28 km) → Perugia

This morning we’ll depart for Assisi. Best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of Franciscan religious order, it’s an important UNESCO listed World Heritage site. Assisi is a popular destination for pilgrims. The current Pope Francis chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Yet you don't have to be religious to appreciate the town's spiritual treasures and works of art. Inside the Basilica of San Francesco, you can find frescoes by the great works of medieval masters in Italy art history such as Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto. Assisi, located on the green slopes of Monte Subiaco in Umbria, the city represents a mixture of culture of well-preserved medieval streets and architecture, and its wonderful landscape. In the afternoon we’ll head to Perugia, a walled medieval hilltop town in Italy. It’s one of the main cultural capitals of Italy. You’ll see the ancient Cathedral, piazza, fountain and medieval aqueduct etc. Stroll through the winding streets in the centre of the old city surrounded by medieval gates, see Porta Sole (Gate of the Sun), Arco Etrusco, Porta Eburnea (the Arch of the Almond), Porta Trasimena. Perugia is also a chocolate town, the birthplace of the legendary blue-foil-wrapped Baci chocolate. Perugia hosts annual chocolate festival which attracts almost one million visitors every year. Perugia’s geographic location is right in the center of the peninsula, bordering Tuscany. After a fun-filled day, we’ll head towards Tuscany region for hotel check in.

【Sundays】Perugia (86 km) → Val d’ Orcia → Pienza (53 km) → Siena (43 km) → San Gimignano (80 km) → Pisa

Today we’ll discover Tuscany, one of the most best known region of Italy. Begin with enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of Val D’Orcia, comprises rolling green hills, rows of vineyards or cypress trees dotted with small medieval villages. Then arrive Pienza, a charming village declared a UNESCO heritage site. From here, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the romantic Val d’Orcia. Next, head to Vitaleta Chapel, an iconic photo spot for its quintessential Tuscan landscape. Then to Siena, Tuscany's most famous hill top medieval city with a UNESCO-listed historic center. Our next stop, Piazza del Campo, is the main square and heart of Siena. Its unique shell shape, Gothic and medieval Italian Medieval architectural integrity, makes it one of Europe's greatest medieval squares and the symbol of this Tuscan city. Continue to San Gimignano, a medieval walled village that was an important relay point for pilgrims travelling to or from Rome. It is known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” for its ancient skyline formed by numerous medieval towers that were built as a sign of power and economic prosperity. And of course you can’t miss the unique white wine from the region, Vernaccia. As well as the award-winning artisan gelato from Ice Cream World Champion. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Pisa and visit the 900 year-old Cathedral of Pisa, along with its Baptistry and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was a mistake that the foundations were made too shallow and the tower begins to lean. Interestingly, as years and centuries goes by, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is still standing and becomes the most famous tourist backdrop in Pisa. Overnight in city near Pisa.

【Mondays】Pisa (78 km) → Cinque Terre (233 km) → Milan

Arriving in Cinque Terre, the five towns. They are five charming fishing villages with colorful houses clinging onto stunning sea cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Located on the coastline of Italian Riviera in Northern Italy. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Italy. The narrow, twisting cliff-edge roads in Cinque Terre makes it almost impossible to get around by car. We will take a train to get to Cinque Terre as a group. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Milan, visiting the iconic Gothic cathedral Duomo di Milan, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, the enchanting oldest shopping centre in the world with exquisite mosaics and glass vaults.

(Note: In case of bad weather or other unforeseeable circumstances like train strike. As an alternative, we may change the itinerary to visit Bologna, known as the culinary capital of Italy.)