Day 1 ISTANBUL – ROME – CASTEL GANDOLFO – NEMI – OUTLET - ROME
We will meet at Istanbul Airport, the international departing terminal, three hours before departure. After baggage, ticket, and check-in procedures, we will take our scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Rome and transfer to our private buses. We then depart for Castel Gandolfo. Castel Gandolfo is a tranquil town shaped around an elegant castle reaching towards the sky, with stone streets seeming to whisper tales of the past. Every step immerses you in a fairy-tale landscape where history and nature intertwine. The sky-reflecting lake, reminiscent of the clearest mirror, exudes calmness and beauty, like an entry to a fairy-tale world. In the town's center, the Papal Palace stands as a symbol of beauty and historical grandeur. For centuries, popes have found peace and rested here. The gardens and colorful pathways make you feel like you’re inside a dream. Nemi is famous for its strawberry fields, which glow like red jewels. The annual Strawberry Festival is celebrated with vibrant festivities. After visiting Nemi, free time in Italy’s most famous outlet region, which offers attractive shopping opportunities for both locals and tourists. You can discover Rome’s historical and cultural riches here and enjoy a pleasant break, finding souvenirs and special items for yourself and loved ones. Afterward, we move to our hotel and have leisure time to rest.
Day 2 ROME
After breakfast, we start our tour of Rome. Once, a city shining with endless splendor and shaped by the winds of history, Rome has hosted great achievements in emperordom, gladiator courage, and the finest forms of art. On this tour, from the outside, we will see Castel Sant’Angelo, where Cem Sultan was imprisoned. Castel Sant’Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian and later transformed into a fortress. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was used as a prison and papal fortress. Another site we will see in the city is the Colosseum, the heart of ancient times, where brave gladiators and wild animals fought epic battles amid the cheers of the crowd. After viewing the Colosseum from the outside, we will approach the Trevi Fountain, famous from the film "La Dolce Vita", where magnificent sculptures and the melody of water enchant visitors.
The Roman Forum was the social, commercial, and religious hub of ancient times. We will see the towering Vittorio Emanuele II Monument at Piazza Venezia, Hadrian's Temple, Pantheon, and the 135-step Spanish Steps. Afterwards, we will head to the famous St. Peter's Square at Vatican. Upon arrival, there will be free time for sightseeing. The square, with its obelisk and surrounding columns, will impress you. While exploring, you will see the Papal Apostolic Palace and the window where the Pope prays on Sundays. In the evening, we return to our hotel in Rome for rest and leisure.
Day 3 ROME – SIENA – SAN GIMIGNANO – FLORENCE
After breakfast, we will depart for Siena. Upon arrival, the first place we will see is the vibrant heart of the city, Piazza del Campo. This wide, sloping square is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. In the center of the square stands the marble fountain called Fonte Gaia. Siena hosts the famous twice-yearly horse race Palio di Siena, which involves 17 different districts. This exhilarating event showcases the competition among the districts in a lively race. We will also see the Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), an inspiring Gothic structure covered with white and green marble. As you stroll through Siena’s narrow, winding streets, history comes alive around every corner with frescoed walls and ancient stone buildings. Afterward, we will go to San Gimignano. Upon entering this medieval town, the first thing you'll notice are its towers, which historically symbolized crucial power and wealth. Once, there were 72 towers; now only 14 remain. These towers were built by wealthy families to show their influence. The Piazza del Duomo is the social and religious center, where the San Gimignano Cathedral from the 12th century stands. Inside, you’ll see magnificent frescoes representing the spirit of medieval Italy. Next to it is the Palazzo del Popolo. Our next stop is the Cisterna Square, named after an ancient water reservoir in its center, with cobblestone buildings and structures that evoke a journey back in time. Here, you can browse small shops selling local products and handmade souvenirs. After the tour, we return to our hotel and have free time to relax.
Day 4 FLORENCE – PISA – FLORENCE
After breakfast, we depart for Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a place of unparalleled cultural significance. This city has played a key role in art, science, and philosophy, nurturing great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Brunelleschi. Florence is like an open-air art gallery, with the Arno River dividing the city. We will see the famous Ponte Vecchio, known for its jewelers, the Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) with its towering dome, the third highest in Italy, and the Baptistery from the outside. After sightseeing in Florence, we head to Pisa. The most famous landmark here is the Pisa Tower, with its iconic tilt, located in Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles. The square also features the magnificent Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery, both constructed from white marble, showcasing the artistic and architectural richness of medieval Italy. After seeing the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli, we return to our hotel and have free time to relax.
Day 5 FLORENCE – PORTOFINO – GENOA – MILAN
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and set out for our journey. Our first stop is Portofino. Located on Italy’s Mediterranean coast, Portofino offers breathtaking natural scenery, historical riches, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for a relaxing escape. Despite its small size, it provides unforgettable experiences. After a boat tour, we move to Genoa. The Old Port (Porto Antico), Genoa’s historic harbor, was once a significant trading hub. Today, it hosts many tourist attractions, including the Genoa Aquarium (Acquario di Genova) and the Maritime Museum (Galata Museo del Mare). The Ducal Palace in the city center is a venue for cultural events. Genoa’s main square, Piazza De Ferrari, is known for its elegant buildings, statues, and fountain. The San Lorenzo Cathedral reflects both Romanesque and Gothic styles and is an important symbol of the city’s history. After exploring Genoa, we proceed to our hotel for rest and leisure.
Day 6 MILAN – COMO LAKE – GARDEN LAKE – VENICE
After breakfast, we depart for Milan. Milan, in northern Italy, is a vibrant city known for fashion, design, and business. The Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is one of the most iconic structures, exemplifying Gothic architecture. Its white marble facade is intricately adorned, and the golden Madonnina statue atop is considered the city's protector. Next to the cathedral, there's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, renowned for its glass ceiling and mosaic floors, with luxury shops, cafes, and restaurants. From Milan, we move to Lake Como, famous for its stunning scenery and aristocratic heritage. Surrounded by the Alps, Como is Italy’s third-largest lake, a centuries-old retreat for the wealthy and celebrities. After visiting Como, we proceed to Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, known for its emerald-green waters and breathtaking vistas. You can enjoy walking along its shores or simply taking in the scenery. After the lakes, we head to Venice, where we check into our hotel and have leisure time to rest.
Day 7 VENICE
After breakfast, we depart for Venice. Arriving at Tronchetto Square, we will take a short vaporetto ride to Saint Mark’s Square for a panoramic city tour. At the end of the square stands the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, famous for its gold mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Also, the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), which prisoners crossed while looking at the city one last time, is located here. During the city tour, we will see the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, the Doge’s Palace, the Clock Tower, and the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore. Venice is particularly renowned for its waterways, with the Grand Canal being the main artery lined with splendid Renaissance palaces. Afterwards, free time is provided, followed by transfer back to our hotel and relaxation.
Day 8 VENICE – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, disembarkation from rooms and transfer to Venice airport as notified by your guide. The scheduled Turkish Airlines flight departs for Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services conclude.
We look forward to meeting you again on another unforgettable tour.
§ Turkish Airlines scheduled flight with Istanbul (IST) - Rome (FCO) / Venice (VCE) - Istanbul (IST) round-trip economy class airline ticket
§ Airport taxes
§ 7 nights stay with bed & breakfast at the selected hotel category
§ Airport-hotel-airport transfers
§ All city transfers with our private buses
§ Rome tour
§ Florence tour
§ Venice tour
§ Professional Turkish guide and assistant services
§ TURSAB professional liability insurance