Discover Italy: Turin, Venice & Rome

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Discover Italy: Turin, Venice & Rome

9 Days - Signature Tours

Embodying the laid-back Italian lifestyle, on this holiday we take the scenic route to every destination. Enjoy views of the Alps as we cross France into Italy on a high-speed train to Turin. Often overlooked by tourists, Turin has kept its quiet charm. With grand boulevards and historical architecture, it's not hard to see why this city has been called the 'Paris of Italy'. Here, we learn more about its long history with chocolate-making. We continue to Venice, a truly unique city, with a network of charming canals we explore by gondola. Then on to Rome, where we visit many famous sights and uncover the secrets of Ancient Rome at the Colosseum. Here, we also enjoy delicious local cuisine in the Jewish quarter and visit Frascati to learn about traditional artisanal winemaking. This holiday is ideal for the traveller who loves history, culture and scenic rail journeys.

Holiday Highlights

Highlights:
Enjoy a guided walking tours of Venice and Turin, which includes a delicious chocolate tasting
Sightsee in the Eternal City, stopping at Rome's Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Spanish steps, and take a guided tour of the Colosseum
Meander through the iconic canals of Venice, experiencing the romance and charm of the city in a traditional Venetian gondola
Get to know the Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere through its food and wine, including a tasting of local wines and cheeses and best-loved Roman pasta dishes
Enjoy an afternoon in Frascati, away from Rome's city centre, sampling a selection of Frascati wines and local delicacies
Signature Highlights:
Meander through the iconic canals of Venice, experiencing the romance and charm of the city in a traditional Venetian gondola
Get to know the Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere through its food and wine, including a tasting of local wines and cheeses and iconic Roman pasta dishes
Enjoy an afternoon in Frascati, away from Rome's city centre, sampling a selection of Frascati wines and local dishes
Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests

What's Included

The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Return flights
Seven nights’ accommodation
Daily breakfast
All local taxes and transfers
Included excursions are guided tours of Turin, Venice, Rome and the Colosseum, and a timed entry to St Mark's Basilica
The services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager

Itinerary

Day 1

On arrival at Milan airport, a coach will take us to the hotel in the centre of Turin, where we stay for two nights with breakfast.

Day 2

This morning, we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Turin, exploring the history and architecture in the heart of the city. Turin boasts some of the best architecture in Italy in a stunning range of styles, including Renaissance, Rococo, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau. And dominating the skyline is the Mole Antonelliana, with a distinctive aluminium spire that appears on the Italian two-cent coin. Turin is one of Europe’s great chocolate-making cities, home to famous chocolatiers and Italian chocolate brands like Ferrero Rocher. It is known for its patisserie and chocolate shops, many of which haven't changed since the 18th century. While exploring the tree-lined boulevards and fascinating architecture, we'll enjoy some chocolate tastings and learn more about the history of chocolate making. In the afternoon, you can enjoy time exploring Turin at leisure. Boasting the largest pedestrian area in Europe, the city centre is a walker’s paradise: its arcades are beautifully decorated with coffered ceilings and impressive columns, which makes exploring the city an absolute pleasure. Turin is also home to several museums. The Museo Egizio is home to one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities, encompassing sculptures, reconstructed temples and intricate tomb paintings. There are also many scenic parks spread across the city, including Parco del Valentino, with its beautiful botanical garden. Perhaps visit the famous Lingotto, home to Fiat’s former rooftop test track, or enjoy the local food in one of the city’s many pleasant squares. And look out for Bicerin - the city’s traditional hot drink of espresso, chocolate and milk.

Day 3

After breakfast, we travel across Italy's northern regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and the Veneto on the high-speed train. Signature Experience: This afternoon, enjoy an introduction to Venice on a gondola ride taking in the city's style and elegance. Marvel at the architecture as you glide along the iconic canals and under a plethora of bridges.

Day 4

Today, explore Venice on foot with a guided walking tour revealing many famous sights, including Doge’s Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style, and the legendary Bridge of Sighs. On our tour, we'll visit one of the world's most opulent cathedrals, St Mark's, the final resting place of St Mark the Apostle. Walk across the 12th-century marble floors and marvel at the walls and vaulted ceilings, covered with 4,000 square metres of 13th-century, coloured mosaics. This afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish, perhaps take a trip to the island of Murano, famous for its exquisite, coloured glass. For art lovers, visit the Gallerie dell'Accademia with world-class masterpieces or the Guggenheim for modern art. Alternatively, climb the Campanile bell tower for unrivalled views of the city, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance.

Day 5

This morning, we'll leave Venice, taking the high-speed train to Rome. Enjoy the scenery as it transitions from flat terrain to long tunnels cut through the hills and mountains of the mighty Apennines Mountain range, and marvel at the views as we follow the Tiber Valley towards Rome. In Rome, spend the afternoon settling into the four-star hotel, where we'll stay for three nights, and begin exploring the local area at leisure. Signature Experience: Enjoy the gastronomic delights of Trastevere, Rome’s vibrant Jewish quarter filled with exciting nightlife and the locals’ favourite restaurants. Our evening stroll includes a tasting of local wines and cheeses, iconic Roman pasta dishes, modern street food and gelato while listening to lesser-known stories from the Eternal City.

Day 6

After breakfast, we take a sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. The monuments here are legendary, like the Trevi Fountain, built onto the side of a Renaissance palace, where - legend has it - you must toss a coin into it to ensure a return visit to Rome. Next, we visit the picturesque Piazza Navona, Rome's most famous square, lined with cafes and restaurants. We'll stroll down the 18th-century Spanish Steps; once the haunt of artists and models, it is now simply the place to be seen. At the bottom is the Piazza di Spagna, home to the poet Keats and visited by Milton, Byron and Shelley, who all drew inspiration from the unique capital city. This afternoon will be free for you to explore at leisure.

Day 7

Holding sway over much of the ancient world for 500 years, Rome was the greatest empire of its time. Ruled first by a series of consuls, then by Julius Caesar and a series of other emperors. Between them, they created a unique legacy, the remains of which we see today, including one of the most famous centres of entertainment the world has ever seen: the Colosseum. We'll find out more about Ancient Rome on a guided tour of the Colosseum this morning. After free time for lunch, we'll spend the afternoon in Frascati, famous for its wine production. Frascati wines are typically light and dry with a distinctive taste that makes them perfect for pairing with food. Signature Experience: This afternoon, we'll visit one of the most historic wine estates in the area to learn about the artisanal winemaking traditions that have been kept alive in this region. We tour a Frascati vineyard producing a selection of Frascati wines, which we will enjoy along with some delicious local delicacies.

Day 8

We return to the airport at the appropriate time for our flight home after a memorable week in Italy.

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