Italian Heartland

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Rome

Meals included: 1 dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Columbia or similar, Rome

Activities:

• Your trip starts today with your arrival in Rome, Italy’s capital and one of the great cities of the world. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transport’s minimal carbon emissions. There is so much to see and do in Rome, so we recommend arriving a few days early to really make the most of this great city. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where we will be given a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour.
• This evening we will enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant in Rome.

Day 2: Rome

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Columbia or similar, Rome

Activities:

• Rome is a truly unique city like no other. Once the capital of the worldwide empire, traces of bygone empires and eras are still very much present today. It is an intoxicating mix of piazzas, churches, grand monuments, heaving crowds of modern-day Romans going about their daily lives and pockets of tranquillity in hidden-away squares and city gardens.
• We explore the treasures of Rome on a guided walking tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum, one of the most outstanding buildings of the Roman Empire. Built in 72 AD and completed in 80 AD, the ancient stadium could fit an audience of 50,000 and was used for public events such as gladiator fights, executions, animal hunts and spectacles re-enacting battles and plays. We also discover the Roman Forum, built in the valley between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill; it was once an important centre of social and political activity, trading and government.
• After our wander through Rome, the remainder of the day is at leisure to make your own discoveries.

Day 3: Blera - Tarquinia - Tuscania

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Tuscania or similar, Tuscania

Activities:

• We farewell Rome today and drive further north into the Lazio region to discover Italy’s Etruscan heritage with visits to the towns of Blera, Tarquinia and Tuscania.
• In Blera, we encounter a natural landscape scattered with ancient Etruscan ruins and in Tarquinia, the capital of Lazio’s Etruscan civilisation, we discover its beautifully painted tombs and an evocative medieval town centre.
• Our final destination for the day and our evening stop is the small fortified town of Tuscania, another important Etruscan town because of its strategic position. The town’s relatively intact ancient city walls were built during the medieval ages and San Pietro Church, originally built in the 8th century, is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Lazio region.

Day 4: Montalcino - San Quirico d’Orcia

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Palazzuolo or similar, San Quirico

Activities:

• Today we drive into iconic Tuscany - one of the most beautiful and loved regions of Italy. Our focus is the Val d’Orcia; a distinctive and harmonious landscape of green rolling hills, isolated hilltop villages, old farmhouse, expansive olive grove and vineyards, rows of cypress trees and medieval towns.
• We visit the delightful town of Montalcino, famous for its Brunello red wine production. The dominating feature of the fortified old town centre is the ‘rocca’ (fortress), which was built in 1361. On foot we wander through the labyrinth of stone streets and soak up the medieval atmosphere of the town. The hilltop location provides us with stunning views over the rich green valley below - this is best enjoyed in one of the town’s cafes, restaurants or wine bars whilst sampling a local glass of Brunello.
• After our visit of Montalcino, we drive to the charming town of San Quirico d’Orcia, our base for the next two nights. One of the most interesting towns of the Val d’Orcia, an impressive medieval wall has protected the town for centuries and today four gateways into the town remain. The beautiful old town is home to a wonderfully-restored Romanesque church and the 15th century Palazzo degli Amergihi.

Day 5: Pienza – Montepulciano – San Quirico d’Orcia

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Palazzuolo or similar, San Quirico

Activities:

• Today we get out and amongst the beautiful landscapes of the Val d’Orcia on a morning walk to the charming village of Pienza. The views from Pienza’s city walls are quite simply spellbinding. This town has an interesting history as a place where the first concepts of Renaissance town planning where put into practice when Pope Pius II decided to transform the look of his birth town through the help of architect Bernaddo Rossellio. The beautiful Piazza Pio II and its surrounding structures is a perfect example of their vision.
• Our next stop, Montepulciano, is one of Tuscany's most attractive hill towns. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town’s labyrinthine maze of alleyways and laneways and imposing defensive walls.
• In the afternoon we travel back to San Quiricio, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Siena – San Gimignano - Florence

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Accommodation: Hotel La Fortezza or similar, Florence

Activities:

• This morning we visit the celebrated medieval town of Siena. Its heart, in every sense, is the famed 'Piazza del Campo', a grand fan-shaped piazza built on the site of the old Roman forum. Bordering the southern flank of the square is the 14th century Palazzo Pubblico, with some fine early Renaissance frescoes. Also of interest is the fine main church, the Duomo, a wonderful mixture of Gothic and Romanesque architecture with a particularly splendid façade. Our guide shows us the most interesting monuments as well as the hidden corners of this 'red city'.
• Next we travel to travel to San Gimignano. We take an afternoon walk to explore this romantic old town with towers that remain from medieval times. The town once had 52 of these towers (today there are now less than a dozen). Wealthy, prominent families would use the height of these towers to distinguish themselves and the towers also served to alert the inhabitants of this walled town of approaching friends and foes.
• After our day of exploration we transfer to beautiful Renaissance city of Florence, our base for the next two nights. Tonight we go we go out for a group dinner together.

Day 7: Florence

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel La Fortezza or similar, Florence

Activities:

• After breakfast, we head out to explore the treasures of Florence, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. From our hotel we walk into the heart of Florence with our tour leader and take some time to explore the outstanding works of art preserved over the centuries in this captivating city. Florence is considered the birthplace of Renaissance, as well as the cradle of the Italian language. We stroll along its fascinating streets and enjoy the essence of Italian history and culture. We pass along the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), visit Piazza della Signoria and gaze up at the landmark of Florence - the Duomo.
• The rest of the day is free to make your own discoveries.

Day 8: Perugia – Assisi – Spoleto

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Charleston or similar, Spoleto

Activities:

• We farewell Tuscany today and drive into the neighbouring region of Umbria. Known as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’, it is one of the smallest regions in the country and the only one that doesn’t reach the sea. While it lacks a coastline, it more than makes up for it in its stunning countryside, marvellous architecture and first-class cuisine. The first place we stop and explore is Umbria’s capital, the lively university town of Perugia - one of the best preserved cities of its kind in all of Italy.
• Our next stop is Assisi - a tranquil town, but one of important religious pilgrimage. It is here that St Francis was born and preached. We visit to the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi with its wonderful frescos by Giotto - a World Heritage site.
• This afternoon we transfer to the town of Spoleto, our base for the next two nights.

Day 9: Monteluco - Spoleto

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Charleston or similar, Spoleto

Activities:

• This morning we explore the historical town centre of Spoleto and its fortress. We then walk across the impressive Ponte delle Torri (Tower Bridge) to the other side of the valley and on to the hill of Monteluco. From here we take a pleasant round walk through the forested hills, enjoying wonderful views on Spoleto and its surroundings. The hill of Monteluco is known to be a holy mountain and many of the trails are linked to the spiritual history of the area. Here we discover the holy forest, with its many grottoes, and wander along medieval chapels through a pleasant wooded landscape. We then descend back into the valley of Spoleto and stop by the medieval chapel of San Pietro before returning to the old town.
• This evening we can revisit the impressive Ponte delle Torri, which is most impressive when illuminated at night.

Day 10: Spoleto

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Activities:

• Our journey ends this morning after breakfast in Amalfi. From here it is easy to arrange transport by rail back to Rome or any other major centre in Italy. Your tour leader may be able to assist you with arranging any ongoing travel.
• Arrivederci!

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Your Trip

Extend your holiday

Many of our trips have extensions which can easily be added to the end of your existing itinerary:

PEWI - Wonders of Italy

What's Included

Not Included

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About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

20 September 2012

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