Ferrara, Bologna, Parma, Florence, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Siena, Cortona, Spoleto, Norcia, Rome, Roman Castles
DAY 1
Arrival at the airport in the morning. Transfer to Ferrara and accomodation in our gorgeous Monastery-hotel Villa Ferrara. In the afternoon, you can discover the Estense capital, a modern city full of ancient traditions. With its rich cultural life it preserves a wonderful historical heritage. The historical centre is perfectly preserved and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as an excellent example of Renaissance urban planning. Overnight stay in Ferrara.
DAY 2
Breakfast. In the morning, departure on your own for Bologna where you can visit the city, the regional capital and a prestigious city of art, culture and commerce. The medieval town centre is amongst the best-preserved in Europe and boasts a number of towers scattered among the rows of porticoes and luxurious historical homes. Or you can reach Parma where you can enjoy a nice visit to the town where the worldwide famous Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmesan cheese is made. Enjoy the local dishes with a glass of the good and famous Lambrusco, typical wine of the region. Return to our Monastery-hotel in Ferrara. Overnight stay.
DAY 3
After breakfast, this fantastic trip continues to Tuscany (transfer on your own), one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, not only for its art and culture, but also for the tastes and flavours of its genuine cuisine and wines. Arrival in Florence, built on the banks of the river Arno, in a harmonious settings of hills covered in houses and villas. The main city of Tuscany has a universal reputation for its wonderful richness and the exquisite quality of its monuments and art treasures. Florence is considered the Queen of Renaissance and you will have the opportunity to see its world famous art treasures. Arrival and check-in at our Monastery-hotel. Half day guided visit of Florence. Return to the Villa in the evening and overnight stay.
DAY 4
Breakfast. The day is dedicated to discover exclusive places of Tuscany. We can suggest you to reach Sant'Antimo (South of Montalcino). You can have the possibility of listening to the monks singing during the Mass. The Abbazia is very famous, still not known to everyone, for the genuine Gregorian Chant without music, only human voice. It is known as the The singing stone for its particular travertine marble its nave is build in. Then visit (on your own) Montalcino, an island in the heart of Tuscany, it offers to those who ascend from the valleys surrounding it, the feeling of a gradual conquest, the sense of arriving in a snug harbour. Certainly the best image of Montalcino is revealed primarily by its wine, Brunello, the most precious gift of a land that is at the same time hard and generous. Wine tasting of the famous Brunello wine at the Fattoria de Barbi, an exclusive wine cellar of the 14th century open only for you. Driving along the Chianti area, continuation to San Gimignano, the town of 100 towers, famous for La Vernaccia wine, where you can enjoy a stroll through its medieval streets. Return to the Monastery-Hotel of Florence. Overnight stay.
DAY 5
Breakfast. Full day guided excursion to Siena, the town with the best quality in life. This is the town where any single stone has remained unchanged over the centuries, the atmosphere is unique for everything bears witness to ancient past which is still alive in the celebrations for Palio taking place every year with renewed enthusiasm. Return to Florence. Overnight stay.
DAY 6
Breakfast. In the morning, departure on your own for Cortona, wonderful Tuscan medieval city surrounded by Etruscan walls. Its narrow streets, cafeterias and typical Italian shops are little jewels for painters, photographers and Italian lovers. You will enjoy a wonderful stroll through the town ending in an elegant, peaceful and finely restored Monastery-Hotel built in the 13th century and located in a superb position from which you can admire the Chiana valley. Plunged into olives and Cyprus trees, it still holds a 12th century wine cellar where we have arranged a special wine tasting, followed by lunch in the Renaissance Restaurant. In the afternoon, continuation to Umbria, the green heart of Italy, admiring along the route also one of the most famous natural Italian lake: Lake Trasimeno. Accommodation will be in a splendid Monastery-hotel located in the downtown of Spoleto. Overnight stay.
DAY 7
After breakfast, departure for Rome, recommending a stop in one of the most famous enogastronomical town in Umbria: Norcia. It is located in an area particularly suited to the production of salamis and cured meats and it is from here that the most famous and best known Umbrian cured meat comes: Prosciutto di Norcia (Norcia Ham), which has recently received from the European Union the Protected Geographical Indication. Free time to stroll through the town and taste a typical Italian sandwich. In the afternoon, continuation to Rome, the Eternal city. Everybody arrives in Rome with a wealth of knowledge, images and stories accumulated in the course of a lifetime. Anybody is able to mention, maybe with a slight effort, its most famous monuments and the protagonists of its history. This is perhaps the key to the charm of a city that seems to invite every visitor to feel part of its complex reality and its millennial history. Overnight stay in our wonderful Monastery-Hotel.
DAY 8
Breakfast. Half day guided tour of Rome, the Italian Capital City. In the morning guided visit of the Ancient Roman Empire: the Colosseum, the Roman and Imperial Forum, the Palatine Hill. Afternoon at disposal to walk in the city. Time for shopping. Return to the Villa. Overnight stay.
DAY 9
Breakfast. Today you will discover the enchanting area surrounding Rome, called Roman Castles. The area to the Southeast of the Eternal City has long been the playground of Rome's rich and famous jet set. As far back as the emperors, then medieval barons, then Renaissance princes and modern captains of industry have all appreciated the many deep blue lakes, dense forests, mild winters and cool summers of this region whose slightly higher altitude has always allowed idle vacationers to keep an eye on their palaces in the city, laid out in the valley below as far as the eye can see. Frascati, Grottaferrata, Rocca di Papa are all great places from which to see the sites of Rome. But there are loads of fascinating things to see right in this area too. Start with the world-renowned Tusculum Villas, all built and rebuilt by the famed architects and artists whose work you admire in every piazza romana. (On request guided tour of the Roman Castles). In the evening, return to Rome. Overnight stay.
DAY 10
Breakfast. In the morning visit the Vatican City: the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon free time for shopping. This evening, you can greet Italy enjoying a wonderful Farewell Dinner in one of the most typical restaurant of Rome that we'll be glad to suggest. Overnight stay in the Monastery-hotel.
DAY 11
Breakfast. In the morning transfer on your own to Rome airport for your flight home. End of our services.
02 nights accommodation in a wonderful Villa/monastery in Ferrara daily breakfast and overnight 03 nights accommodation in a wonderful Villa/monastery in Florence daily breakfast and overnight 01 night accommodation in a wonderful Villa/monastery in Spoleto daily breakfast and overnight 04 nights accommodation in a wonderful Villa/monastery in Rome daily breakfast and overnight Wine Tasting in Fattoria dei Barbi Excursions (regular sightseeing tours by Luxury bus): 01 half day guided tour of Florence 01 full day excursion to Siena - San Gimignano 01 half day guided tour of Rome (Ancient Rome) 01 half day guided tour of Rome (Vatican tour-Vatican Museums) 24 hour ZefiroWorld telephone assistance
Transfer and transportation from a city to another Beverages and lunches Entrance fees Extras, tips and everything not mentioned in "Included in the price"
Euro 30,00 ZefiroWorld fee (total and not refundable) Low Season: from Euro 749,00 per person in double room from Euro 104,00 supplement for single room
