The Best of Italy plus Sorrento

Upon arrival at the Venice Airport, you’ll be met by your tour director for a transfer to your Venetian manor where you will be staying just outside of Venice. Take some time to settle in and rest up before enjoying a visit to a local Prosecco vineyard and winery. You'll enjoy appetizers and sample a variety of local wines during the tasting. Then, join us for a welcome reception at the hotel before experiencing a delicious, full course Venetian dinner in the hotel restaurant with plenty of wine to culminate your very busy day. Rest up for another big day tomorrow.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart for a cruise on the lagoon of Venice. The first stop is the island of Torcello, where the infamous wants Attila the Hun invaded and conquered Venice, and where his throne still stands today. Visit the first basilica of the first Venetian community. Then with our private boat, cruise to the colorful island of Burano, where we will learn how to make Aperol spritz and Risotto. Afterwards, savor a delicious Venetian meal with superb regional wines, especially the Prosecco.

After breakfast, depart for Modena, most famous for the production of the Ferrari race cars. Our day begins with a fascinating tour the Ferrari museum. Then, visit a local farm known for its Balsamic vinegar. Enjoy a facinating demonstration of how it's produced and savor the unique flavor of the best Balsamic you've ever tasted. Modena is also famous for being the home of the great Luciano Pavarotti which is now a museum in his honor. Tonight's special dining experience will be at world famous Ristorante Europa 92, next door to the Museo Casa Pavarotti. So often did he frequent this restaurant, that it became affectionately known as Ristorante Pavarotti.

After breakfast, depart for Modena, most famous for the production of the Ferrari race cars. Our day begins with a fascinating tour the Ferrari museum. Then, visit a local farm known for its Balsamic vinegar. Enjoy a facinating demonstration of how it's produced and savor the unique flavor of the best Balsamic you've ever tasted. Modena is also famous for being the home of the great Luciano Pavarotti which is now a museum in his honor. Tonight's special dining experience will be at world famous Ristorante Europa 92, next door to the Museo Casa Pavarotti. So often did he frequent this restaurant, that it became affectionately known as Ristorante Pavarotti.

Today, journey to the capital of Tuscany and the "Birthplace of the Renaissance", Florence. A local expert leads the group on a sensational walking tour through the area, renowned for its art and museums. Visit the Cathedral, Town Hall Square, The Old Bridge, the Holy Cross Church and the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Joaquin Rossini, and Nicholas Machiavelli. The tour is highlighted with a visit to The Academy of the Fine Arts featuring Michelangelo's Statue of David. Enjoy a demonstration at a local leather factory. Take some free time to shop and explore. Afterwards, head to Montecatini and hotel check in. Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant, with plenty of good wine.

This morning, take a short drive to the Italian Riviera and La Spezia. In La Spezia, board a ferry boat and cruise to one of the beautiful Cinque Terre cliffside villages. Take plenty of time to shop and explore. Stroll along the pristine shores of the Mediterranean. Board a classic train back to La Spezia while taking in breathtaking views of the seascape. Back at the hotel, take some time to freshen up before taking a short trip to Lucca. Take a brief, but interesting tour of a local vineyard and then enjoy a festive Tuscan dinner, with wine and music.

This is the last full day in Tuscany and "we've saved the best for last!" ... A visit to San Gimignano, a splendidly preserved, medieval town known for its towering structures. In fact it is known as Town of Fine Towers. There will be plenty of shopping and exploring opportunities in this gorgeous town, including. Likewise, there will be countless vantage points to photograph the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Just outside the town, enjoy lunch and wine at a famous Tuscan winery. Siena is the last visit of the day before returning to the hotel. Dinner is at your leisure.

After breakfast and hotel checkout, depart for Rome, but not before visiting one of the most iconic structures in all of Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tour director will lead the group to Miracle Square where you will admire the tower. Make sure to take dozens of corny photos of friends holding up the tower, preventing it from collapse. Pisa is poised along the Aurelian Way, an ancient trade route that leads to Rome and, our Rome hotel. After comfortably settling into the hotel, enjoy a pizza party at a nearby Roman restaurant.

In the morning, a local historian takes you to Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world. First enter the Vatican Museums to witness some of the great art treasures of the Church. Then proceed into the Sistine Chapel and gaze in awe at the most famous and most painstaking masterpiece of Michelangelo. Upon entering the majestic St. Peter's Basilica, look to the right to admire another masterpiece of Michelangelo, the Pieta. This afternoon, take a guided tour inside the Roman Colosseum and visit the Roman Forum.

Today, join our tour guide to see some of the most beautiful sights of Rome, such as the Pantheon, the beautiful Navona Square, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and other treasures of Rome. Take the rest of the day to explore on your own, or take advantage of an Optional visit of one of the Catacombs around the Eternal City. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at Lucky’s restaurant which includes a cooking exhibition, music and plenty of choice wine. Before returning to the hotel, enjoy an illumination tour of the Eternal City…a great way to accentuate your stay in Rome.

Today marks the end of the Best of Italy tour for some of the guests. Those departing this day will be transferred to the Rome Airport for their return flights home. Thank you for traveling with Wherever Tours. We hope you had a wonderful time in Italy, and please keep us in mind for your future travel plans. For the others, the adventure continues onward to Sorrento.
Refer to the next sections to learn more about the amazing, extended itinerary to Sorrento.

After checkout of the Rome hotel, board the motorcoach for Sorrento. Along the way, visit Pompeii, a perfectly preserved archeological site that was completely buried in ash by the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our private expert will guide you through this incredible city, frozen in time for nearly 2000 years. Then we take a short drive to the slopes of Vesuvius for a unique lunch and winetasting experience. Savor the famous Lacryma Christi (Tears of Christ) wines, produced for centuries only on this fertile volcanic soil. Later, arrive for check-in to our villa hotel in Sorrento.

After a leisurely breakfast, head out for an excursion to the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have cameras ready for a spectacular view of Positano where there will be free time to shop and explore this beautiful seaside town, featured in many famous movies and magazines. Spend some time on the beautiful beach before returning back to the Villa Giovanna. The evening is at your leisure. Maybe take some time to stroll the streets of Sorrento.

Today, transfer by boat to the famous and beautiful island of Capri. A Wherever Tours representative at the hotel is available to offer any suggestions prior to your transfer so you can make the most out of your day. This tiny island which was once the playground of the ancient emperors will leave you breathless due to it’s limitless charm and historical sights. Take some time to shop and explore, and most of all, enjoy the spectacular views from above. Tonight, enjoy our “ultima cena” (last dinner) in Sorrento. An outdoor barbecue with music and dancing will complete this unforgettable stay in Sorrento, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Sadly, today is time to say “arrivederci” to Sorrento and our amazing adventure through Italy. After breakfast, transfer to Naples airport for your onward journey. Thank you for traveling with Wherever Tours. We hope you had a wonderful time in Italy. Please keep us in mind for your future travel plans.