Day 1

You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Rome. On arrival, a coach will take us north to Chianciano, a lovely spa town since Roman times and an ideal base for our series of visits during the next few days. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards, undulating biscuit coloured countryside and studded with terracotta roofed farmhouses so typical of this region of Italy we stay for three nights on a dinner half-board basis.

Our hotel is the four-star rated Grand Hotel Boston and is located just off the main square, which has been the centre of Chianciano for centuries, or the four-star rated Hotel Raffaello, set in its own gardens with outdoor pool, open summer months weather permitting. Transfer time from Rome airport to your hotel is approximately two and a half hours.

Day 2

After breakfast the coach will take us to the lovely medieval city of Siena which was, during the 12th and 13th centuries, one of the largest and richest in the world, in fact at the time a similar size to Paris! An unrivalled period of building took place and the range of palaces, grandiose townhouses and piazzas were built. Without doubt the main square, the Campo is one of the most beautiful you will ever see. Unusually half-moon shaped and surrounded by tall, centuries old buildings, they are all different embracing an overall harmonious and beautiful style. Just to sit here, enjoy a drink and reflect on lives gone by is a real pleasure. Perhaps the most impressive thing to see in Siena though is the outstanding cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest. Built from black and white marble with the most intricate carvings imaginable some of which are by the great master himself, Michelangelo. The floor is a revelation with countless thousands of pieces of stone creating a unique inlaid pavement. It is impressive enough now but had a planned new nave been completed during the 14th century, it would have created the largest church in Christendom. You can study the façade for hours, so fine are the carvings. The city fell into rapid decline after the Black Death, during which two thirds of the population perished, accounting for the city’s astonishing preservation. Little was built and even less demolished making it a delight for us to explore.

During the journey to and from Siena we shall see some of the famous Tuscan countryside, rolling hills punctuated by tall cypress trees shading isolated farmhouses and surrounded by vineyards. Together with hillsides crowned with tiny villages perched like eagles nests make this truly a wonderful scenic area.

Day 3

Today we visit Florence, ‘Pearl of the Renaissance’, a superb and beautiful city and deservedly on the map of the traveller since the days of the Grand Tour. We will have a guided tour of the city during which you will see the principle monuments such as the Cathedral - which can house a congregation of 10,000, and the Baptistry - the oldest building in the city. After lunch there will be some free time before we enjoy a reserved visit to the Uffizi gallery. Quite simply this is one of the world’s most monumental art collections - without doubt the best in Italy. It contains work by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Michelangelo - the list is endless. Florence is not just about art though, it is a delightful place in its own right. Full of shops and colourful markets which delightfully complement the city’s artistic treasures. It also boasts some of the best food in the country but at the end of this day, there is so much to see you should have sore feet! We then return to our hotel in Chianciano
early evening.

Day 4

Today we leave Tuscany after breakfast and drive firstly to Assisi. This delightful medieval town, with its flower hung streets, lovely views over the Umbrian countryside and fountain splashed piazzas is famous for a single event - the birth of Francis - the most revered saint in Italy. The man himself was one of the most extraordinary figures the Italian church has ever produced. His story is well publicised, he had a privileged upbringing and led a very un-Christian lifestyle in his youth and early manhood. Whilst imprisoned, God appeared to him and, after release he lived the life of a beggar, renounced his inheritance, mixed with lepers and the poor finding his vocation in founding the order of monks which bears his name, the Franciscans. Two years after his death, building of the basilica commenced, financed by donations which poured in from all over Europe creating one of the most beautiful shrines in the Christian world adorned by arguably the greatest art collection in the world, outside an actual gallery. The building today is actually two churches, one on top of the other with St. Francis himself lying under the floor in the crypt. The mood inside is most respectful, being in tune with Franciscan principles - silence being the rule, quite plain around the tomb itself and accompanied by brown robed monks. We have ample time to visit the basilica together with the town before driving south, arriving in Rome early evening.

Our hotel is the modern Hotel Oly, four-star rated, very nicely designed, where we stay on a bed and breakfast basis for the next three nights. It is situated only three miles from the Colosseum (Circo Massimo is nearer) and near a metro station allowing you to explore the city with ease. (The metro is four stops from the Colosseum and takes only ten minutes). Set in a quiet residential area, approximately ten minutes walk from the Basilica St. Paolo (the alleged site of St. Paul’s Tomb), fully air conditioned, the Oly is ideal for a comfortable stay.

Day 5

Rome is, without doubt, one of the most captivating cities in the world, where ancient and modern blend perfectly. This morning the coach will take us on a sightseeing tour during which you will see many of the principle sights and monuments such as St. Peter’s, the Colosseum, Circo Massimo, Victor Emmanuel memorial, the Vatican, Palatine Hill, River Tiber, the list is endless. Probably nowhere else on earth can you take account of so much history in such a small area. It owes its grandeur obviously to the Roman Empire which held sway over much of the globe for nearly 500 years and then to the Papacy which for a large part of its existence, held as much political influence as religious. Wealth flooded in and continued to arrive during the Renaissance and beyond. The result is the abundance of places of interest you see today. But it’s more than buildings and galleries, there are quiet areas, tiny little piazzas, lovely bars, cosy restaurants where the waiters will talk all day if you let them. All this combined gives the uniqueness which is Rome.

After the sightseeing tour you are free to explore as you desire although you may wish to visit the Vatican Museums (entrance not included), the only part of the Palace you can visit independently. Quite simply the largest, richest and most compelling such complex on earth which contains, because of the Papacy, so many artefacts from the city’s history. Many of the finest artists of the Renaissance worked for a variety of Popes but there are other displays too: Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture, silverware and of course, Michelangelo’s wondrous masterpiece of the Sistine Chapel which really has to be seen to be believed.

Day 6

Today you have a free day to explore this amazingly interesting city as you wish, so what is it to be? Perhaps some of the ancient ruins: the atmosphere of history is inescapable as you view the magnificence of the heart of the Roman Empire. Looking at the Forum, Colosseum, the Pantheon to name but a few, it is easy to let your mind wander and imagine who has preceded you: Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, St. Paul, Nero, St. Peter and when you see how compact everything is the atmosphere is quite eerie. Take a stroll around the Piazza Navona, Rome’s most picturesque square, lined with luxurious cafés, where the present day Romans come to see and be seen with the superb baroque fountains lending a cooling sensation to the whole scene. Walk down the Spanish steps like countless visitors before you since the 18th century. Take a coffee in the famous Caffe Greco, once the haunt of Keats, Byron and Wagner. You could window shop along the Via Condotti for some of the finest clothes you will find anywhere - fashion straight from the catwalk. Perhaps the most satisfying activity though is simply to wander where your feet take you and explore this wonderful city at your leisure stopping off where you wish - its serenity will captivate you.

Day 7

Today the coach will take you to Rome airport, at the appropriate time, to take your return flight home, after a really memorable tour.