New Year in an Italian Villa & Tuscany

Your tour commences this evening in Milan. A welcome drink and dinner are included in a local restaurant tonight. This is an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.  

Boarding our coach we drive east and stop to explore Verona, the city where tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet, avowed a love that spanned the centuries.  A local guide will bring to life this beautiful city, where these tragic lovers avowed a love that spanned the centuries.   We have included a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre, Verona Arena. Built in the first half of the 1st century A.D and renowned as one of the largest amphitheatres in Italy. It is extraordinarily well-preserved and its elliptical shape produces perfect acoustics. In 1913 the staging of a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida gave it a new purpose as an opera theatre. With a seating area made up of 44 levels and a capacity of around 15,000 spectators, every summer, the Roman amphitheatre is transformed into the world's largest open-air opera house.
Later we arrive at our charming Villa hotel near Vicenza, where we stay for three nights.

We will spend this morning in the ancient university town of Padua. With our local guide, we will explore this historical city. We have included entrance to the Cappella degli Scrovegni (Scrovengi Chapel) with its magnificent Giotto frescoes. Lunchtime is at leisure in the old town.  You may like to take a stroll through the nearby UNESCO Heritage listed Orto Botanico – the centuries old Botanical Gardens.
Dinner this evening is back in ‘our’ magnificent Villa.  

Our first stop is in beautiful Vicenza. Rich in history and culture, Vicenza was awarded UNESCO World heritage status principally due to the legacy left by the famous local architect Andrea Palladio. Considered one of the greatest architects of all time, you will find more than 16 of his palaces and villas scattered through the old town. In the glorious Piazza dei Signori, you will find the most beautiful of all the Basilica Palladiana.
A local guide will join us for a walking tour of the medieval and renaissance town centre, and later you will have free time to explore and enjoy the excellent shopping down the central Corso.
This afternoon we return to our Villa for time to relax before enjoying a grand evening celebrating the New Year in the hotel’s restaurant, 'Italian style'.

A very leisurely start today before boarding our coach to drive south into Tuscany. We stay the next three nights in the typically ‘Tuscan’ town of Lucca – a medieval walled city, filled with palaces, churches and ancient houses. On arrival we will enjoy a guided walking tour of this beautiful city. This evening we have included dinner in a local restaurant.  

This morning we visit nearby Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery in the magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli. As a highlight we drive into the picturesque Tuscan countryside to visit a local Olive Farmhouse Estate, and enjoy an olive oil tasting accompanied by Tuscan wines and a selection of antipasto including local meats, cheese and bread – all specialities of this region, followed by a light lunch. Returning to Lucca, the remainder of your afternoon has been left entirely free to explore delightful Lucca. Perhaps visit the former home of Puccini, where he wrote Turandot, walk, or hire a bike and ride, around the entire town on top of the broad city walls. Delightful!  

Today is dedicated to nearby ‘Firenze’ (Florence). We are joined by a local guide who will bring to life this truly beautiful city, which is otherwise known as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’. We see the Duomo and take in the magnificent statues in the Piazza della Signoria. At the conclusion of your walking tour, we have included a guided visit to the famous Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and numerous other extraordinary Italian, Florentine and Renaissance works of art. Your afternoon is entirely free to enjoy Florence at your own pace.

This morning we drive across the Tuscan Hills to enjoy lunchtime in the fairytale ‘town of towers’ San Gimignano, famous for its 13th and 14th century Tuscan towers. Exploring the pedestrian walkways of this hilltop town is an absolute delight.  
Tonight, in the eternal city of Rome, we will enjoy a farewell dinner.

Your New Year tour ends after breakfast and it is time to say farewell.