Discover Scotland with a Hand Crafted small group tour

			DISCOVER ITALY


				Fri, Apr 11 Lakes Region. Arrive in Milan, Italy where you will be met by your guide and driven to our hotel on Lake Como. Afternoon free to relax and enjoy the views (D). *Sat, Apr 12* Lakes Region. In the morning we'll visit Villa Carlotta, with free time to wander the villa's huge botanical gardens. In the afternoon we'll explore the village of Bellagio, then the late afternoon and evening is free (B). *Sun, Apr 13* Venice. Today we depart the Lakes Region and head about three hours to Venice. Along the way we'll stop for lunch and some free time to explore the pedestrian heart of Verona. After our arrival in Venice we'll take an orientation walk and learn about the history of this unique city (B, D). *Mon, Apr 14* Venice. Tour St. Mark's Basilca and the Doge's Palace, the two most important buildings in Venice. The afternoon is yours to wander and get as lost as you can (B). *Tue, Apr 15* Florence. From Venice we'll drive about three hours to Florence, in the heart of the Tuscany region. Here we'll take an orientation walk through the pedestrian core of the city, including visits to the cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio (B, D). *Wed, Apr 16* Florence. We'll start the morning with a visit to Florence's central market, a riot of sounds, sights and smells. Afterwards we'll see Michelangelo's David, then you'll have a few hours to shop and sightsee on your own. In the late afternoon we'll tour the Uffizi Gallery, packed with the best in Renaissance art from people like Michelangelo, DaVinci, and Rapahel (B). *Thu, Apr 17* Village Tuscany. Today we leave behind the big cities and plunge into the Tuscany countryside. We'll visit the medieval village of San Gimignano, where we'll peek into the art and thoughts of medieval man. In the late afternoon we'll settle into a little village in the southern part of Tuscany, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside (B, D). *Fri, Apr 18* Village Tuscany. We'll drive through one of the most scenic parts of Tuscany today, with a stop to tour and taste at a local winery, as well as a visit to a 9th-century abbey that echos with the sounds of Gregorian chant. Late afternoon return to our village, where you'll have time for relaxing, shopping, or sitting on the square and watching people (B). *Sat, Apr 19* Sorrento Coast. Our longest drive of the trip today takes us from the green heart of Italy to the sunny southern coast. Along the way we'll stop to visit Pienza, a planned Renaissance community, then continue about four hours to the Sorrento coast and our hotel overlooking the Bay of Naples (B, D). *Sun, Apr 20* Sorrento Coast. It's Italy in the extreme today as we dive into Naples, the most chaotic city in Italy. We'll tour the stunning archaeology museum, which contains most of the finds from Pompeii, and take an eye-opening walk through the heart of the city. Late afternoon return to our quiet village by the sea (B). *Mon, Apr 21* Sorrento Coast. Today we take a leisurely drive along the Amalfi coast road, an engineering marvel with stunning views. Along the way we'll stop in the cliff-hanging villages of Positano and Ravello. Late afternoon return to Sorrento (B). *Tue, Apr 22* Rome. In the morning we'll tour the Roman city of Pompeii, stopped in its tracks nearly 2000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. Afterwards we'll continue on the final leg of our trip, into the capital city of Rome. In the late afternoon we'll walk through the historic heart of the city, with visits to the Campo dei Firori, the Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain (B, D). *Wed, Apr 23* Rome. Today we tackle ancient Rome. We'll spend the day touring the main ancient sights, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Late afternoon and evening free to discover your own slice of the eternal city (B). *Thu, Apr 24* Rome. We'll start the morning with a tour of the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Afterwards we'll visit St. Peter's Basilica, then you have the afternoon free for some last minute sightseeing or shopping (B, D). *Fri, Apr 25* Tour over after breakfast. Transportation to the airport for your return flight to the US, or continue on your own in Italy (B).