Welcome to Rome! Upon arriving at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. In the evening we will transfer you to Trastevere area (this neighbourhood will be a great introduction to Rome). Take a stroll in the narrow cobbled streets of the Trastevere district and find its hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches and small shops with interesting souvenirs. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) filled with the Italian spirit, will be ready to serve you local dishes. Other restaurants serving international cuisines can be found in this area. After dinner we return to the hotel.
In the morning, we will have a tour of the city, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal city”. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We will also enter the Roman Coliseum (admission price included), the principal symbol of Rome. This impressive construction dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in time so that we can learn about ancient society in the Roman Empire. In the evening we will transfer you to the Via Cavour area, where you will find many international restaurants to enjoy your dinner at. After dinner return to the hotel.
We will leave Rome for northern Italy. In PISA, we include a little train from the tourist car park to the monumental Square of Miracles, where the popular Leaning Tower is located. Lunch included. We continue amidst beautiful scenery with the Mediterranean. SESTRI LEVANTE, a short stop to enjoy this small tourist town by the sea. We continue to the French Riviera; NICE, arrival at the end of the afternoon.
Today we see the Côte d’Azur and the Mediterranean in France. We spend a short time in NICE to enjoy the Walkway of the English. We travel through stunning countryside to the Principality of MONACO; on the way we see the techniques of traditional perfume manufacturing. In the second smallest country in the world (after the Vatican), we can walk through ¨Le Rocher¨ old town, wherethe Prince’s Palace is located. Continuation to SAINT TROPEZ, in its old fishing port we can see some of the most luxurious yachts in the world. Time to stroll and have lunch. We continue to MARSEILLE, France’s second city, to see its vibrant “Vieux port” (old port).
Villages, landscapes, history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. ARLES, a world heritage city, shows us its legacy of the Roman and medieval times and reminds us of Van Gogh. In LES BEAUX, we have the chance to visit this small medieval village and we will include admission to the CARRIERES DE LUMIERE, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some former quarries. Time for lunch and stroll in AVIGNON, with its immense Palais des Papes. We continue to LYON, where we can walk through the World Heritage Site old town and we will include the cable car to climb Notre Dame de Fourviere, a huge basilica from where we have a great view over the city.
We will leave Lyon for Burgundy. We stop at TOURNUS, a nice little town with its huge stone door and large abbey. After this, on small roads we travel through beautiful vineyards and countryside to LA ROCHEPOT, we include admission to its powerful medieval castle. BEAUNE, time for lunch and stroll in the wine capital of Burgundy; you can visit the wine museum or see the historic hospice. In the early afternoon, arrival in DIJON, the capital of Burgundy, with its lively streets, magnificent urban complex and many medieval and Renaissance buildings, particularly the Ducal Palace.
We leave Dijon for FONTENAY ABBEY, a world heritage site, where we include admission to this Cistercian centre. After this, a stop in SEMUR EN AUXOIS, a medieval city surrounded by impressive walls. Still in Burgundy, we will have time for lunch and a stroll in VEZELAY, one of France’s most beautiful villages, where its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James. In the afternoon we continue our route to PARIS. Arrival mid-afternoon. End of our services. Check the time of your flight in case you need an additional night.