Premium Rome to Split

Buongiorno! Welcome to Rome. When you arrive, you’ll take a complimentary transfer to your hotel and settle in. If you arrive early, and it’s recommended that you do to soak in all this incredibly historic city has to offer, maybe grab an espresso and hit the streets. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. When the formalities are out of the way, get your first taste of Italy with an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:
-Rome - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
-Complimentary Arrival Transfer ...more ...less

From ancient monuments to romantic restaurants, Rome is a city of great beauty and diversity. Today, join a private guide for a trip to the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona before reaching Campo de Fiori, where a local fresh produce market has been held since 1869. Join your leader for a quick stop at a local bar for a granita (an iced Italian espresso), then visit a local aristocrat in his home close to the Campo de Fiori. Much of the apartment is still in its original state, including the painted ceiling. Chat with the owner before sitting down for an included lunch in the dining room. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe follow in the footsteps of gladiators and Roman emperors with a visit to the iconic Colosseum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Included Activities:
-Rome – Coffee Granita (Coffee semi-frozen dessert)
-Rome – Guided walking tour
-Rome – Nobleman’s home visit and lunch (Exclusive Experience)

Optional Activities:
-Vatican City - Vatican Museum
-Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator
-Rome - Venezia Palace
-Rome - Pantheon
-Rome - Christian Catacombs
-Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House
-Rome – Colosseum
-Rome - Galleria Borghese
-Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo

Today you’ll take a private vehicle to the city of Siena, where your leader will show you the most interesting sights on an orientation walk. At the city’s heart is Piazza del Campo – home to the biannual Palio horse race and nearby the Siena Cathedral. Next, visit Monteriggioni – a medieval walled town with over a dozen towers once used to defend Sienese territory from the Florentines. You’ll have time to explore this tiny hilltop spot before arriving at your Feature Stay accommodation near San Gimignano. This country hotel with views of a tree-studded landscape geatures an outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant. Tonight, indulge in an included gourmet dinner made with local ingredients that pays homage to traditional Tuscan dishes, with a modern twist.

Included Activities:
-Siena - Orientation Walk
-Monteriggioni - Orientation Walk
-Chianti Region - Gourmet Dinner

Start the day with a visit to San Gimignano – the 'Town of Fine Towers'. Explore the medieval Old Town centre and its Gothic and Romanesque architecture with your leader. This region is also renowned for its ancient Vernaccia grapes, which are the basis for one of Tuscany's finest white wines. Your group will visit a local agriturismo, where you’ll explore the vineyards and sample some of their celebrated wine, before enjoying an included lunch featuring regional cheese, fine olive oil and bruschetta. Return to your Feature Stay accommodation for another delicious dinner.

Included Activities:
-San Gimignano - Agriturismo Winery Tour & Tasting

Today you’ll visit Pisa. It’s not always possible to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa due to its precarious state, but as your leader shares the history of this legendary building, you’ll have the opportunity to take a photo from the ground. Your next stop is historic Lucca – one of Italy’s most beautiful but underrated cities – where you’ll take a short walk along the city’s beautifully preserved Renaissance walls. From here you’ll take the short journey to Florence where the evening is yours to walk the cobbled streets, eat gelato and soak up the unmistakenly Tuscan atmosphere.

Included Activities:
-Florence - Orientation Walk
-Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk
-Lucca - City Walls & Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:
-Pisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa

This morning, join a private guided walk of Florence, including a visit to the Galleria dell‘Accademia – an art museum renowned for its collection of sculptures, including the iconic statue of David by Michelangelo. You then have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Visiting the Uffizi is highly recommended as it’s one of the oldest galleries in the world. Maybe head to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of Florence’s timeless skyline and sample some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany, with dishes known for their freshness, simplicity and quality. Olive oil, beans and herbs are a feature here.

Included Activities:
-Florence - Galleria dell ’Accademia admission
-Florence – Highlights of Florence Guided walk

Optional Activities:
-Florence - Bargello Museum
-Florence - Palazzo Vecchio
-Florence - Medici Chapels
-Florence - Brunelleschi 3 Days Pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome
-Florence - Pitti Palace, Gallery of Modern Art & Palatine Gallery
-Florence - Ghiberti 3 days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo and Santa Reparata
-Florence - Giotto 3 days pass - Giotto Bell Tower, Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, and Santa Reparata
-Florence - Uffizi Gallery

In the morning, head to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Venice. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get acquainted with the city’s maze of canals and learn about its unique history. You will make a stop at Palazzo Pisani which was once home to one of the most powerful Venetian dynasties which now houses the Music Conservatory of Venice. You will explore the ornately frescoed halls of this Baroque masterpiece and discover the masonic symbols hidden in the stuccoes. You can also take the stairs to rooftop for a spectacular aerial view of the city. and take in the view of the city from their rooftop. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. The Grand Canal, the shopfronts that line the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco are all worthy sights to visit, or you can simply meander around the tiny, cobbled streets and discover the local markets, cafes, galleries and churches. A Venetian gondola ride down the canals is a must, as is a taste of the region’s dessert speciality – tiramisu. Later in the evening, join your leader for a Venetian dinner.

Included Activities:
-Venice -Traghetto boat ride
-Venice - Farewell Dinner at Local Restaurant
-Venice - Water Taxi
-Venice - Palazzo Pisani
-Venice - Academy of Music Visit

Today is a free day in Venice. You’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your new leader and the travellers joining you. After, you’ll head to dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for seafood and fresh Veneto vegetables, so maybe try some fritto misto (a mix of fried seafood) or risotto with asparagus. Before then, explore Venice at your own pace.

Included Activities:
-Venice - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
-Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:
-Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure
-Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs
-Venice - Gondola Ride
-Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury
-Venice - St Mark's Campanile
-Venice - Traghetto Ride
-Peggy Guggenheim Collection
-Venice - Accademia Gallery

Say farewell to Venice this morning and travel to the Postojna Caves, where you’ll take some time out for lunch before exploring. A network of 20 km of passages, galleries and chambers, Postojna is the largest classic karst cave in Europe. Begin with a 2 km open-top train ride through narrow tunnels into the jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. In the vast chambers the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, and your leader will explain the geology of these natural wonders. Continue to Ljubljana – a city full of style and sophistication. When you arrive, take a guided tour around the Old Town and earn about the city’s history as you visit Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Dragon Bridge. You'll also visit the open market under arcades before continuing to the lake side town of Bled.

Included Activities:
-Postojna - Caves Visit
-Ljubljana - Walking Tour
-Ljubljana - Castle visit & funicular

This morning you’ll drive through the misty Sava Bohinjka Valley to beautiful Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia. Take a cable car to the top of Mt Vogel, where you’ll be greeted by views of evergreen woods sloping down the mountains to blue waters. Take some time to enjoy the area before returning to Bled – renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled and climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Enjoy a free evening where you can seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims that theirs is the best).

Included Activities:
-Bled - Pletna Boat Trip on Lake Bled
-Lake Bohinj - Cable Car to Mt Vogel
-Lake Bohinj - Day Trip

Optional Activities:
-Bled - Castle
-Triglav National Park - Vintgar Gorge

This morning, drive to Motovun – sitting on the top of a cone-shaped hill surrounded by the bountiful Mirna River Valley, whose forests are famous for truffle hunting. The medieval charm of the town is still found in its well-preserved architecture. Today, you’ll have the chance to sample the delectable local product during a truffle tasting combined with fritaja (Croatian omelette), a local speciality, on a visit to a family-owned farm. Your sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines to try, such as the famous Malvazija. Continue to the romantic Croatian town of Rovinj – one of the best-kept towns on the Adriatic Coast. Among Rovinj's qualities is the beautiful, architecturally intact Old Town and its venetian-style St. Euphemia Church. Tonight’s accommodation is set on a private island just a short boat ride from Rovinj. Away from the pressures of the mainland, the hotel makes the most of its scenic setting, with calming views at every turn.

Included Activities:
-Motovun - Truffle & Wine Tasting
-Rovinj - Orientation Walk
-Motovun - Town Walls Walk

Today, make the most of a late morning before heading to the villages of Slunj and Rastoke which are beautifully preserved on the banks of the Korana River. Take a walk through the picturesque villages and admire the traditional wooden houses and water mills. From here you will head on to your hotel just outside Plitvice Lakes National Park. When you arrive, you have the option to head out on a leisurely walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Included Activities:
-Slunj and Rastoke - Villages Walk

Today, you’ll explore one of Croatia's most beautiful sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fairy-tale land of wooded hills, turquoise lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy some time to discover the park’s trails – your leader will recommend the best routes to suit your interests and outline the park's rules. After your memorable visit to the lakes, drive to the walled city of Zadar. Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Learn the ancient history of the Roman Forum built in the first Century and St Donatus' Church. Visit the reconstructed Romanesque St Grisigono's Church, St Mary's bell tower, St Anastasia's Cathedral, and the People's Square. Lastly, you will visit the Three and Five Wells Squares. There is also an opportunity to visit the Gold and Silver Museum. In the late afternoon, top off the day with a sunset drink overlooking the bay.

Included Activities:
-Plitvice Lakes National Park - Entrance & Hike
-Zadar - Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide
-Zadar - Sunset Drink

The day is yours to continue to get to know Zadar. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the Museum of Church Art, the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Don't forget to visit the famous ‘Greeting to the Sun’ and the ‘Sea Organ’, two of the more modern sights of Zadar. The latter is a man-made organ on Zadar's Riva that works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. You could also visit the vibrant fish markets of this port town, take a dip in the clear coastal waters, or explore the cafe culture and do some people watching.

Optional Activities:
-Zadar - Gold and Silver of the city of Zadar Museum
-Zadar - Museum of ancient glass
-Zadar - Archaeological Museum

After breakfast, drive to Split, making a stop in the town of Sibenik. Walk among the stone houses, churches, narrow alleys and lanes where past and present are harmonious. Visit St Jacob's Cathedral, a 15th-century jewel that’s UNESCO-protected, before taking some time for lunch. Continue to your final destination of Split. This is Croatia's second-largest city in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, set on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea against a backdrop of coastal mountains. Check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a boutique hotel with centuries of history (it started its life in the 1700's as the first cafe in Split!), situated on the most beautiful square in the city. This evening you may like to head to one of Split’s restaurants with your group for dinner.

Included Activities:
-Sibenik - Orientation Walk
-Sibenik - St. James Cathedral

Optional Activities:
-Split - Fish Market - Free
-Split – Highlights of Split Urban Adventure
-Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
-Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery
-Split - Archaeological Museum
-Split - Cellars of the Diocletian's Palace
-Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower
-Split - Ethnographic Museum
-Split - Gallery of Fine Arts
-Split - City Museum

Your adventure comes to and end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Split, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.