Rome – Vatican – Florence
5 + 1 days, July – September, from 575 €/person + taxes.
Rich history, monuments of outstanding beauty, great museums, great food, dolce vita in squares and bars. Rome is a city that steals the heart of millions of visitors every year. It is the city that will take you back in time, charm you, inspire you and make you never tire of visiting it again and again.
Schedule:
Day 1: Flight to Rome – City tour
Meeting at Macedonia airport for our flight to the eternal city. Arrival in the capital of the country and meeting with our leader. On the way to the center we will start with the panoramic tour of the symbol city that has never ceased to fascinate every visitor. We will see Villa Borghese, the Aurelian Wall, Barberini Square, Trajan’s Column, the famous Colosseum, the largest surviving ancient Roman building in the world, the Capitoline Hill, where ancient Rome was founded, the ancient marketplace, the Arch of Constantine the Great, the imposing Piazza Venezia with the monument to Victor Emmanuel, the Palatine Hill, a site dotted with ancient temples, statues and ruins – indeed the upper classes of the city and several emperors were based here – and the Tiber River with the island of Tiberina. Late afternoon arrival at the hotel. For the evening we suggest you try handmade pasta in one of the many traditional trattorias in the centre.
Day 2: Rome – Vatican Museums – Saint Peter – Sistine Chapel
Early in the morning and after breakfast, transfer to one of the world’s leading museums & the smallest state in the world, the Vatican, where we will tour the Vatican Museums. You will admire vast collections of priceless art & sculpture, culminating in the famous Sistine Chapel. This is the chapel of the Apostolic Palace, where the decoration is a reference to the Old Testament Temple and is a huge exhibit of masterpieces, as its frescoes, architecture, frescoes, ceilings are all done by the greatest “masters” of the Renaissance. This is followed by a tour of the largest square in the world, that of St. Peter’s Square & a visit to the imposing temple of the same name, the Basilica of St. Peter’s, where inside there are hundreds of statues, culminating in the Pieta of Michelangelo. Afterwards you can head to Via del Corso and enjoy an aperitif.
Day 3: Excursion to Florence (Optional)
Starting with a good breakfast, we suggest a day trip to beautiful Florence, the city synonymous with Renaissance art. We will walk around the historic city that is rightly under the protection of UNESCO. We will see the majestic DUOMO with its famous Giotto’s bell tower, the Baptistery – Romanesque architecture with bronze doors and mosaics – the Church of the Holy Cross Santa Croce, Florence’s most impressive church and burial place of 270 prominent Florentines, among whom Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli; in Piazza de la Signoria we will see the Palazzo Vecchio, seat of the local government for seven hundred years, which today houses remarkable works of sculpture. Then we will admire the Ponte Vecchio bridge, with its houses and shops that seem to float over the river, one of the most characteristic images of Florence, and we will arrive at Piazza San Giovanni, where the third largest cathedral in Europe, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its famous Brunelleschi dome, a trademark of the city, is located. Return to our hotel in the late afternoon. For the evening, don’t miss the opportunity to have an aperol, tasting tiramisu in Navona Square.
Day 4: Excursion to Orvieto
Today’s day is dedicated to visiting a hidden gem of Italy that few people know about. The designation “the green heart of Italy” that has been given to it is not accidental, on the contrary it sums up its essence. Blocked by the sea, its enchanting landscape is made up of endless plains, gentle hills, fertile valleys, vineyards, one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy and impressive waterfalls. One of Umbria’s best known and most impressive towns, charming Orvieto will be unforgettable. Built on a beautiful hill, with its volcanic soils yielding excellent white wines, it is a feast of medieval architecture. Stealing the show among the sights is the themed Duomo, one of the most impressive buildings in all of Italy – and not just because of its size. Before going inside to admire Luca Signorelli’s magnificent Renaissance frescoes in the San Brizio chapel, take some time to admire the stunning exterior of the church. The incredibly detailed façade, in pure Gothic style, is adorned with brilliant colours, carved figures and gold leaf, contrasting with the striped sides. You can admire it by climbing the 236 steps of the 47m-high Torre del Moro tower, built as an observatory in the 13th century and offering panoramic views beyond the city walls and the surrounding hills. Another imposing tower, in an unusual 10-sided design, can be seen in Piazza della Repubblica. This is the bell tower of the Chiesa di Sant’Andrea, with what a peculiar stone window behind the sanctuary. In the late afternoon we return to Rome. Don’t miss to try the traditional Italian bread-sweet Panettone.
Day 5: Rome – McArthur Glen Shopping Centre (Optional)
After breakfast, we recommend heading to one of the larger discount villages McArthur Glen (shopping centre) for shopping therapy where you will have time to spend as you wish, either shopping, strolling, eating and coffee as there are countless shops with branded clothing brands, many restaurants and cafes. In the late afternoon we will return to Rome ,for your last evening in the eternal city to make the most of it as you wish.
Day 6: Rome – Return flight
Waking up in the best of moods from the wonderful images we will have taken, and with some free time left for a last walk around the city, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back home. Arrival in our city with the best impressions…
Note: The 5-day tour does not include the 5th day of the programme.
What is included:
- 1 personal item, 1 carry-on bag of 8 kg (with dimensions of 56x45x20 cm) per person and 1 suitcase of 23 kg per person (on Aegean flights).
- 1 personal item – hand luggage (with dimensions of 40x20x25 cm) and one 10kg hand luggage (with dimensions of 55x40x20 cm) per person, pre-boarding guaranteed (on Ryanair flights).
- Tours according to the programme.
- Breakfast daily.
Not included:
- Total taxes 165€ per person.
- Entrance fees to museums & shows, accommodation taxes and anything optional or suggested.
** Upon request, family rooms are available (2 adults + 2 children under 12 years old).
