Day 1: Following your home taxi collection, you will join our platinum tour coach as we head to Kent for our short sea crossing to France. Upon our arrival, we continue our journey through the French countryside as we head to Metz, and our overnight hotel , the Novotel Metz Amneville, on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: This morning we continue our journey through the French countryside, passing the Vosges Mountains on our right and the German Swartz Wald to our left, as we cross the Border into Switzerland. We travel through the fantastic scenery of the Swiss Alps, before arriving in Italy and the town of Manerba on the South West side of Lake Garda. Our hotel tonight is the Splendid Sole on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 3: Today our journey continues through Italy, passing through the Apennine Mountains before arriving at the Grand Hotel Duca D’Este in Tivoli Terme for the next 3 nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 4: This morning we have a day of leisure in Tivoli Terme. One of the main reasons to visit Tivoli is to explore its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Hadrian’s Villa and the gardens of the Villa d’Este. However, the town has several other reminders of its long history, including Roman ruins, a medieval castle, and several interesting churches. There are also viewpoints and walking paths for those who want to explore the surrounding countryside. Or you could just relax at the hotel and enjoy the spa facilities.
Day 5: We start this morning with a short walk to Bagni di Tivoli railway station where we board the local train to Rome (you will be accompanied by one of our drivers). Known as the 'Eternal City' of the Roman Empire, Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its fascinating historical centre. Packed with attractions, there really is something for everyone. You will have free time to explore the city, including St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel or Trevi Fountain, the choice is yours.
Day 6: Today we visit Pompeii. Engulfed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79, the inhabitants of this small town were literally frozen in time. Painstaking excavations, which are still ongoing, began in the 18th century and have uncovered a remarkable hidden city. To make the most of your visit, we have included a guided walking tour so you can see the remarkable excavation site and outdoor museum of this ancient Roman settlement. You will accompany your expert guide around the town, walking along roads with indents from the passing of chariot wheels and discovering the remains of homes, shops and public baths. This thought provoking tour will provide you with an unprecedented opportunity to see how people lived two thousand years ago.
Later, we continue to our next hotel, the Hotel Minerva for a 3 night stay on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis. The Hotel Minerva is located in the town of Sorrento, an attractive seaside resort.
Day 7: Todays excursion takes us along one of the most spectacular roads in Europe, the ‘Amalfi Drive’. The winding cliff top road offers breath-taking panoramic views at every bend, so make sure you’ve got your camera ready!
We make a stop at Amalfi, which gives its name to this whole beautiful coast. The hillside is dominated by the cathedral, which stands regally at the top of a great flight of steps leading up from the main square. As with most towns of the Amalfi Coast, this compact town is simple to stroll around and soak up the marvellous architecture. Whilst here, don’t miss your chance to experience the sweet Italian favourite, limoncello liqueur!
From Amalfi we visit Ravello. Perched on a hilltop more than 1200 feet above the Mediterranean and far removed from the crowds that flock to the sea towns of Amalfi, Ravello is the hidden treasure of the Amalfi Coast. Its villas and vistas have enchanted visitors for centuries, and famous actors, authors, composers, and artists have come here for refuge and inspiration. One of the best ways to experience the beauty and charm of Ravello is simply to wander around its quiet cobbled streets and lose yourself in the beauty of the town’s Romand and Medieval roots. The winding alleys will surprise you with cute shops and cosy cafes to venture into and every now and then you’ll find yourself coming out on to viewpoints of captivating scenery, sure to take your breath away. Of course the best way to explore and get a true taste of Ravello is to do so with an ice-cream (or, more specifically, an Italian gelato) in hand! Hands down, the best gelato in town can be found at Baffone Gelateria Artigianale.
Day 8: Today we have a free day to relax and enjoy the resort of Sorrento. The town features beautiful architecture, many cafés, restaurants and lots of shops for you to explore. A popular souvenir from the area is Limoncello, the signature lemon liqueur. Spend time exploring the narrow streets and harbour area, browse the shops for souvenirs or sit back and relax with a traditional Italian pastry and a cappuccino – the choice is yours.
Day 9: This morning, we begin our journey North. Our journey takes us around the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe, directly in front of us. We continue around the city of Naples as we head to Montecatini Terme and our hotel for the next 2 nights, the Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale, on a dinner bed & breakfast.
Day 10: Our first destination today is Lucca. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, the town still follows the layout set by the former Roman colony founded in 180 BC. You will have free time in Lucca to explore at your leisure. See the Duomo of San Martino, which dates back to the 6th Century or relax in one of the cafés in Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. For a bird’s eye view of the town, climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower, one of the few towers left standing in the city (entrance at extra cost – approximately €5). The tower's most unusual feature is the enormous Holm oak that stands on top of it.
After free time, we make our way to Pisa. Here you can see the Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles, where you can admire the splendid buildings that rise from the emerald-green lawns. The piazza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the city’s most famous sights. The Leaning Tower or Torre Pendente has to be the most legendary of them all. The structure was originally conceived as the Cathedral’s bell tower and construction began in 1173. The tower started leaning soon afterwards due to subsidence of the ground beneath its base. A project to keep the tower from toppling over was successfully concluded in 2001. Unknown to some, all the buildings of the Campo dei Miracoli lean because of their shallow foundations – but none so much as the Leaning Tower! Perhaps spend time in the central shopping area, which is centred around the Corso Italia, between the railway station and Ponte di Mezzo (the central bridge). The area around the Leaning Tower is geared more towards tourists, so you will find lots of small souvenir kiosks selling all kinds of merchandise with the Leaning Tower motif. Pisa is also famous for its biscotti biscuits and bakeries all through the town sell different varieties.
Day 11: This morning we reboard our coach and continue north, making a stop in the town of Riva del Garda. This historic town can be found on the northern tip of the lake and boasts a medieval centre (which is presided over by the 13th-century stone Apponale clock tower), a fortress (Rocca), and postcard worthy views of the lake itself. The town is also famed for its special Riva del Garda lemons, which were brought from the Liguria Riviera to Lake Garda by monks in the 13th-century and have been cultivated in the surrounding countryside ever since.
Later we make our way over the Brenner Pass as we cross into Austria and our hotel for tonight, the Hotel Reschenhof in the town of Mil.
Day 12: This morning we depart our hotel and make our way through Austria and the Arlberg Valley before crossing the border into Switzerland. We eventually cross back into France where we retrace our steps to the Novotel Metz for our final night.
Day 13: We depart our hotel after breakfast and head back to Calais for our short sea crossing to Kent. Upon our arrival we make our way back to Norfolk where we rejoin our door to door taxi service who will return you safely home.
Holiday Information:
12 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Price: £2765pp
Single Supplement: £529
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: EUR1867
This tour will be undertaken in one of our Platinum luxury executive coaches. You will have extended leg room, airline style seats with adjustable headrests and USB charging points, along with all the facilities present on our executive touring vehicles.
Deposit Required: £300pp (Deposits Are Non Transferable/Refundable Unless Cancelled By Eastons)
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure