Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! The remainder of your day is at leisure. Later, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Hotel: Grand Hotel Tiberio / Diana (2 nights)
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure
The main highlight of our day is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums followed by a fascinating tour of St. Peter's Basilica brought clearly to life by our local guide using our effective audio system. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, scene of chariot racing, and visit the mighty Colosseum. Then there’s time to sightsee further – 'Roma non basta una vita' – a lifetime is not enough to see all Rome has to offer! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome – Pisa – Florence
Our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us today! But first to Pisa to view the Leaning Tower, then on to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. The balance of the day is free perhaps to take a walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio and across to the Pitti Palace. (Buffet breakfast) 

Hotel: Grand Mediterraneo
Day 5 - Florence sightseeing – Venice (Mestre) (2 nights)
Our guided walking tour, including our special audio system, features a visit to Signoria Square and the Santa Croce Basilica. We will also admire the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, we drive to the floating city of Venice and our hotel for the next two nights. This evening, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: NH Laguna Palace (2 nights)
Day 6 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure
Today we savour the sights and sounds of this serene city on an included canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace before a visit to a glass-blowing factory. Then free time to shop or sightsee. Why not discover the colourful island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Venice (Mestre) – Ravenna – Assisi
Today's morning drive takes us along the Adriatic coast and to the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe near Ravenna, famous for wonderful mosaics. Then we continue to the pink-stoned city of Assisi situated on the slopes of Mount Subasio, where our walking tour with audio system highlights St. Francis' Basilica which dominates the city. There's also time to visit the Church of St. Clare and explore this tranquil magical place and maybe buy some of the colourful ceramic pottery. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel
Day 8 - Assisi – Pompeii – Naples – At Sea
After breakfast this morning we drive through Umbria to Pompeii, the town which was destroyed and completely buried during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius, spanning two days in August 79AD, for a walking tour with audio system of the excavations. From here it's a short journey to nearby Naples where we will board our steamer for the overnight crossing to Palermo, Sicily's capital. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - At Sea – Palermo
After our morning arrival in Palermo we join our coach for a sightseeing tour with a local guide which includes the Piazza Bellini. Then we stop to admire the view of the Conca d'Oro from Monreale and visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Next we visit the village of Mondello before returning to Palermo. (Buffet breakfast) 

Hotel: Astoria Palace
Day 10 - Palermo – Selinunte – Agrigento
Our first stop is at Selinunte to visit the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Then with a local guide, we make our way to Agrigento where we visit the nearby Valley of the Temples. Dating from the 6th century BC, they rival those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur! Later, we continue on to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: Dioscuri Bay Palace
Day 11 - Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Enna – Taormina (Giardini Naxos) (2 nights)
Today we will travel through the vineyards of the Southern Hills to enjoy an included visit to see the colourful mosaics of the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale. Then we are off to the scenic splendour of Piazza Armerina before stopping to view the fortress town of Enna. Soon we arrive in the seaside resort of Taormina, where we spend the next two nights. (Buffet breakfast) 

Hotel: Caesar Palace (2 nights)
Day 12 - Taormina at leisure
A full day to relax in this fun-loving Sicilian resort. Perhaps swim and sunbathe or shop for handmade lace on the Corso. There's also a chance to visit the Church of San Pancrazio or take an excursion to the crater of Sicily's active volcano, Mount Etna, which is regarded as one of the most impressive in the world. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in a family run restaurant where we will taste the local specialities of the region. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be my guest' dinner)
Day 13 - Taormina (Giardini Naxos) – Sorrentine Peninsula (2 nights)
Another Hidden Treasure is revealed today! We take the ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy. Next through rustic Calabria via Salerno – landing place of the Allied Armies in 1943 – to clifftop Sorrento, which is famous for the production of the alcoholic digestive, Limoncello, made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar. Here we see Piazza Tasso, with its many cafés plus the Corso Italia with its shops and boutiques before we head to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: Parco Del Sole / La Medusa (2 nights)
Day 14 - Isle of Capri Excursion
First a morning visit to an inlaid wood workshop to see a demonstration of this local craft. Next we board our ferry for a short cruise to the charming Isle of Capri. On our arrival we enjoy a walking tour with audio equipment in Capri town where we enjoy views across the sea to the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then free time to explore further or perhaps take a chairlift from Anacapri. Later, we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Sorrentine Peninsula – Rome
This morning we enjoy a spectacular drive along the Bay of Naples before we continue on our way north to view the Abbey of Monte Cassino famous for its crucial role in the World War II battle in 1944 when so many thousands of soldiers from several different countries lost their lives. From here we make our way back to the Eternal City, Rome, with the remaining part of the day at leisure to complete your last minute shopping, enjoy one of the many museums or to relax in a café and watch Rome go by! This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and new-found friends to celebrate our Italian vacation together. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner) 

Hotel: Sheraton Golf
Day 16 - Rome – USA
This morning it is time to say ‘buon viaggio’ to our Tour Director and traveling companions as our Italian vacation comes to an end . There are airport transfers available to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Note
Friday departures will visit the Sistine Chapel before the departure to Pisa on Day 4