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17 Day

Rome to Budapest Tour

Rome to Budapest (ITE.1)

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Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Rome (HD)

You will be met at Fiumicino Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel by your Scenic Tours Representative. Our first excursion today is an afternoon walking tour to see many of Rome’s famous sights including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. See the city illuminated by night on the way to our welcome dinner. Please schedule flights to arrive before midday.

Two Night Special Stay: Rome

Day 2: Rome (FB,HD)

We begin today’s Included guided sightseeing at the Vatican City. See centuries of accumulated wealth during our visit to the Vatican Museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. The highlights here are Michelangelo’s Last Judgement and Old Testament Frescoes. We enter the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica and emerge into St. Peter’s Square to marvel at Bernini’s colonnade and Michelangelo’s impressive dome. We continue to the Forum and follow in the footsteps of the ancients to the mighty Colosseum, opened in 80AD.

Day 3: Rome – Sorrento (FB,HD)

This morning we venture to Pompeii, which lay buried under tonnes of ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Our Included tour enables us to appreciate the incredible level of civilisation enjoyed by the Romans. We continue on to Sorrento, perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the famous Francischiello’s family restaurant and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius, while mama makes fresh pasta in the kitchen.

Two Night Special Stay: Sorrento

Day 4: Sorrento (FB,L)

We make the short hydrofoil trip across the gulf of Sorrento to Capri. Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) a funicular ride to Capri town for a journey around the island; or (2) visit the Blue Grotto, followed by a funicular ride to Capri town. Once back, there is time at leisure to explore the town.

Day 5: Sorrento – Perugia (FB,D)

We journey into the green heart of Italy, viewing enchanting hill towns, olive groves and vineyards. We stop at the medieval village of Assisi, home town of St. Francis. On our Included walking tour around the old town, we visit the Basilica of San Francesco, built in the 13th century after the Saints death. It’s only a short drive to Perugia to view the Fontana Maggoire and the monuments around the site of the Roman Forum – the Duomo and the Palazzo dei Priori, Umbria’s finest palace.

Overnight Stay: Perugia

Day 6: Perugia – Florence (FB,HL)

We drive past tranquil Lake Trasimeno to Siena, a delightful medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage site. Our local guide will show us the Torre della Mangia, the large bell tower overlooking the Piazza del Campo – a sloping amphitheatre of a square surrounded by cafés and bars. We continue on to San Gimignano, famous for its 14 towers. SCENIC ENRICH We visit a Tuscan farmhouse where we will be shown the cantina and learn the techniques of wine and oil production used in the area. A typical rustic lunch will feature the local produce and wines. Our Included orientation tour of San Gimignano will feature the main square, dominated by the Communal Palace and the Duomo. There is leisure time to wander the quiet streets before continuing to Florence and our centrally located hotel.

Two Night Special Stay: Florence

Day 7: Florence (FB,HD)

Today we enjoy an Included guided walking tour of Florence, starting at the Academy of Fine Arts, to admire Michelangelo’s David. We then visit the Duomo with its spectacular exterior of marble panels. The immediate vicinity features Giotto’s Belltower, Brunelleschi’s Dome and Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’. A walk onto the stunning Ponte Vecchio and through Piazza della Signoria will take us back to the historic centre. Choose from one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICES: (1) a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery featuring works by the Italian masters; or (2) enjoy an excursion to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower. This evening we enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine in one of Florence’s fine restaurants.

Day 8: Florence – Santa Margherita (FB,D)

SCENIC ENRICH A truly memorable day awaits as we journey to the Cinque Terre. We start from Manarola along the Via dell’Amore (the Lover’s Pathway) to Riomaggiore, then by boat and train to Monterosso, visiting the stunning villages along the way. The views along the cliff walk are spectacular with the five pretty villages clinging to the rocks above rocky harbours filled with tiny fishing boats. We continue on to famous Santa Margherita in the heart of the Italian Riviera.

Two Night Special Stay: Santa Margherita

Day 9: Santa Margherita (FB)

This morning we board our boat for a breathtaking cruise along the Ligurian coastline. We stop at the stunning inlet of San Fruttuoso with its elegant architecture and see its 13th century Abbey. Our Included excursion continues on to Portofino, a gorgeous fishing village and playground of the rich and famous. Admire the super yachts and elegant villas in and around the bay or people-watch in an elegant café before boarding the motor launch for our return to Santa Margherita.

Day 10: Santa Margherita – Venice (FB,HD)

We pass Palladian villas and pine trees as we approach Verona, famous as the home of the tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet. With our local guide on our Included walking tour we visit the amazingly intact Roman arena, built in the first century AD and still in use as a home to the summer Opera festival. We will also see Juliet’s balcony, the Piazza Bra and the ornate tombs of the Scaligeri family. Then on to magnificent Venice – the most unique city in the world! We cruise up the Grand Canal by private motor launch past ornate and gilded Palazzos and Palladian churches to our superbly located hotel. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight we enjoy a romantic gondola serenade as we enjoy this iconic Venetian experience whilst gliding under ancient bridges amongst the breathtaking canals towards Antico Pignolo, a traditional Italian restaurant.

Two Night Special Stay: Venice

Day 11: Venice (FB)

Today we will appreciate the beauty of historic Venice during our Included walking tour of the city. We soak up the atmosphere of the bustling cafés in the square, see the clock tower “dei Mori” and the Campanile and visit both the stunning Basilica of San Marco and the spectacular Doge’s Palace. Choose from one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICES: (1) a lagoon cruise visiting some of the many islands; or (2) a guided tour of Guggenheim Museum.

Day 12: Venice – Ljubljana (FB,D)

After breakfast we drive along the Adriatic coast to the seaport of Trieste. We cross the Slovenian border en-route to Lipica stud farm and see the beautiful white Lipizzaner horses that perform dressage at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. We then visit Slovenia’s greatest tourist site – the Karst Caves at Postojna. A mini-train will take us underground through a series of beautiful halls adorned with stalagmites and stalactites. Later this afternoon we arrive in the capital Ljubljana, where we enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Two Night Stay: Ljubljana

Day 13: Ljubljana (FB)

Ljubljana means ‘much loved’ – you will see why as we appreciate the attractive architecture of this city, set under its ancient fortress. Our sightseeing tour includes the Opera House, National Museum, Franciscan Church and St Nicholas Cathedral. A highlight awaits as we journey to one of Europe’s most picturesque settings today – Lake Bled. SCENIC ENRICH We step back in time and take a traditional wooden ‘Pletna’ boat to the stunningly beautiful island in the lake and visit the historic Church of St Mary with its wishing well. We enjoy coffee and cake at the famous lakeside Villa Bled, former residence of President Tito, where he hosted global statesmen in the post-war years. Later, there is time to stroll along the lake shores before returning to Ljubljana for the night.

Day 14: Ljubljana – Zagreb (FB,D)

This morning we travel into nearby Croatia to visit its lively capital Zagreb. On arrival, we take in the sights of the city, whose most noteworthy buildings arose during the 19th century. Enjoy the architecture of the Archbishop’s Palace, Opera House, Cathedral and St Mark’s Church. This afternoon allows time to explore the city at your leisure. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight Special Stay: Zagreb

Day 15: Zagreb – Budapest (FB,HD)

We head north and cross the Hungarian border, past a landscape of picturesque thatched houses as we arrive at central Europe’s largest lake – Balaton. We stop by its shores before journeying to today’s destination, majestic Budapest. On arrival we check into our Danube view rooms before getting ready for our farewell dinner. Tonight, we immerse ourselves in the rich Hungarian culture at a lively folklore show including dinner.

Two Night Stay: Budapest

Day 16: Budapest (FB)

Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient yet cosmopolitan cities. Our morning tour will visit both towns of Buda and Pest, linked by the famous Chain Bridge. Enjoy visiting such sites as the Royal Palace of Buda, Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill. In the afternoon enjoy free time to explore more on your own, or shop for local crafts including Hungary’s legendary peasant embroidery.

Day 17: Budapest (FB)

After breakfast transfer* to Budapest airport for your onward or homebound flight.

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Departure Dates: