DAY 1: UK - Rome.
Fly to Rome where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

DAY 2: Rome - Orvieto - Tuscan Hills - Poggibonsi.
We head to Orvieto, the wine-making town in the province of Umbria, standing high on a rocky hilltop, where we'll visit the impressive black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. Enjoy an introduction to the beautiful Tuscan countryside, and the hillside towns and villages that skirt the Chianti wine-growing region, before continuing to Poggibonsi for four nights. This pretty little town is an ideal base for touring the region. (B, D)

DAY 3: Poggibonsi.
The day is yours to relax and do as you please. Perhaps you'd like to join our optional excursion to picturesque San Gimignano, one of Italy's best preserved medieval towns, set on a hilltop and surrounded by vines and olive trees and to Siena, one of Italy's architectural and historic jewels, with its well-preserved medieval streets converging on the glorious, semi-circular Piazza del Campo. (B)

DAY 4: Florence.
The Tuscan capital simply overflows with wonderful Renaissance art and architecture. Your full day excursion includes a guided walking tour taking in the sightseeing highlights, such as Piazza Santa Croce, the Palazzo Vecchio and Brunelleschi's magnificent Duomo. (B, D)

DAY 5: Pisa.
Take a short drive to Pisa and visit the world famous 'Square of Miracles', home of the amazing Leaning Tower, as well as the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Campo Santo cemetery. There's time to take a stroll down the Via Santa Maria, with its busy shops and restaurants. The afternoon is at leisure. (B, D)

DAY 6: Poggibonsi - Verona - Padua - Venice area.
Head into the flatlands of the Po Valley and across its river to the beautiful 'pink city' of Verona on the banks of the River Adige. Get to know more about this enchanting city on your city sightseeing tour, which will take in various highlights, including, of course, the famous 'Juliet's Balcony'. Next stop is Padua, where the famous university was founded in 1222, before we arrive in the Venice area for two nights. (B)

DAY 7: Venice.
A short drive takes you to Venice for a boat ride to the heart of the city followed by a visit to a typical Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Spend your afternoon at leisure and delight in the maze of criss-crossing canals, gondolas, water buses, arched bridges, palaces and quiet little piazzas. (B, D)

DAY 8: Venice area - Ravenna - San Marino.
First stop is Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region, at one time an imperial city known as the Byzantium of the west. Afterwards, travel into the tiny hilltop republic of San Marino, the third smallest independent state in Europe, for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 9: San Marino - Urbino - Gubbio - Assisi area.
First stop today is Urbino, birthplace of the artist Raphael, with its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. Then it's on to medieval Gubbio, where you'll enjoy a superb view of the rooftops of the town from the Consul's Palace. Next head for the picturesque hilltop town of Assisi, birthplace of St Francis, staying overnight in nearby Foligno. (B, D)

DAY 10: Assisi area - Montecassino - Naples.
Start the day with a visit to Assisi's Basilica with its world famous frescoes by Giotto. Then travel across the Apennines for a stop in Montecassino, doubly famous as a holy place for its Benedictine Abbey, and as a site of a major World War II battle. Later in the day arrive at the shores of the beautiful blue Mediterranean for three nights in one of Italy's most historic and vibrant cities, Naples, spectacularly set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Vesuvius. (B, D)

DAY 11: Capri.
A favourite haunt of the jet set, Capri is a beautiful island with many sightseeng attractions, including some impressive Roman ruins and villas. You'll travel by boat to this legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, landing in Capri Town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques and smart restaurants. There's a chance to join our optional tour around the island. Return to Naples for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 12: Pompeii.
This morning there's a chance to get to know more about lively Naples on our orientation drive. Then it's on to Pompeii, the incredible ancient city which was buried for centuries by lava ashes from the volcano, Vesuvius. You'll enjoy a tour of the site with a local guide, where you can see the well-preserved remains of villas, temples and the forum. Spend the evening in the seaside town of Sorrento before returning to Naples for overnight. (B)

DAY 13: Naples - Rome.
North this morning back to the 'Eternal City' with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions or to spend the rest of the day exploring Rome. There are so many historic and cultural attractions to visit, you'll be spoilt for choice. (B)

DAY 14: Rome.
This city never ceases to amaze and delight, with its rich legacy of history, culture and stylish, vibrant atmosphere. Your sightseeing tour starts in St Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Then some more time to do just as you please or why not join one of the optional excursions such as the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, a drive through the Roman hills with dinner or a visit to Tivoli and its enchanting Villa d'Este gardens. (B)

DAY 15: Rome - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)