DAY 2 Sunday, June 6, 2010 Bagno Vignoni
We arrive in Rome at midday. The group willmeet Sue Jane and travel north by coach to the Tuscan village of Bagno Vignoni. We will stop for lunch in Orvieto. Vineyards famous for their delicious white wines surround the town. Orvieto’s impressive Gothic cathedral houses some of Luca Signorelli’s most beautiful frescoes. We continue on to Bagno Vignoni, where we will spend the next four nights. This small Orcia River valley village has long been a favourite among painters and travellers seeking solitude in a beautiful location. We will stay at a small family-owned 15th-century hotel, built by Rossellino as a summerhouse for Pope Pius II, who enjoyed the advantage of the nearby hot mineral springs. Tour members will enjoy delicious Tuscan dinners each night during our stay at Bagno Vignoni.

DAY 3 Monday, June 7, 2010 Bagno Vignoni
Today we visit the wonderful medieval city of Siena, best known for the famous Palio horse race held in the magnificent Piazza del Campo. Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, a spectacular town hall and majestic cathedral. This morning a local guide will introduce us to the major sights of the city, including the Piazza del Campo with its splendid civic tower and the enormous, partially completed Duomo. The afternoon will be free for tour members to explore Siena independently.

DAY 4 Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Bagno Vignoni
Today we will visit the town of Pienza, made famous by the film, The English Patient. It was completely redesigned in Renaissance times by Pope Pius II who planned to transform his birthplace into a model town. The aroma of pecorino cheese and other local specialities will tempt us into the many delicatessens. Near Pienza, we will visit the studio of a local artist family who continue Tuscany’s ancient painting traditions. Then we have an afternoon drive through the beautiful Orcia Valley, with its rolling hills, to the Brunello wine area of Montalcino, to enjoy a tasting in a well-preserved 14th-century fortress.

DAY 5 Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Bagno Vignoni
We travel through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to Cortona, one of the oldest towns in Tuscany and the setting of the best-selling book Under the Tuscan Sun. In the afternoon we visit Montepulciano, an impressive hill town famous for its vino nobile wines and food specialities.

DAY 6 Thursday, June 10, 2010 Florence
Today we depart Bagno Vignoni for Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. On the way we will stop at the perfectly preserved medieval town of San Gimignano. Known for its skyline of towers built by the feuding nobles of the 12th and 13th centuries, the town featured in the film Tea with Mussolini. We travel on to the historic Etruscan town of Fiesole, a popular summer retreat since the 15th century. Fiesole is known for its perfectly preserved ancient Roman amphitheatre and its panoramic view of Florence. We continue on to our hotel in the medieval heart of Florence. Sue will recommend an interesting venue for dinner.

DAY 7 Friday, June 11, 2010 Florence
A full day to soak up the atmosphere in the home town of Lorenzo the Magnificent and Michelangelo. This morning we will join a local guide for a walking tour through Florence. We will see the cathedral, with its enormous dome, the Baptistry, the Santa Croce church, Piazza Signoria, the famous Ponte Vecchio and more. The afternoon will be free for shopping and visiting museums, galleries and local sights. Sue will recommend an interesting venue for dinner.

DAY 8 Saturday, June 12, 2010 Florence
We travel first to Greve, the chief town of the Gallo Nero region, with its magnificent triangular Piazza Matteotti. After lunch, we travel to nearby Castello Vicchiomaggio for a private cooking demonstration featuring traditional Tuscan ingredients and recipes. Afterwards, we will enjoy the delights of fine Tuscan fare and local wine before returning to the hotel.

DAY 9 Sunday, June 13, 2010 Florence
A day for individual exploration of this historic city. Visit the Uffizi Gallery, with its unsurpassed collection of art, the Accademia, with Michelangelo’s statue of David, or the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Tour members must let Travelrite International know well in advance if they would like to purchase tickets to the Uffizi Gallery. This will be an additional cost.

DAY 10 Monday, June 14, 2010 Florence
Today we travel to the Chianti Classico wine region, renowned for its red wines. We will visit Villa Bonsi Reggello, to see its traditional oil mill and taste its production of olive oil. We meander through the colourful vineyards and olive groves to the small village of Radda, where we sample some chianti. The evening will be free for dinner in Florence. Sue will guide those interested in dining as a group to a good restaurant.

DAY 11 Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Venice
Today we depart Florence and travel north to the city of Venice, where we stay for the next two nights. On the way we will stop in Bologna, capital of the province of Emilia-Romagna. Long governed by the Italian Communist Party, the city has a well-preserved historic centre and is known as the home of bolognese sauce. We continue on to Venice, once the head of a Mediterranean empire. Unique for its canals and Renaissance palazzos, Venice is the most fascinating city in Italy. From world-renowned St Mark’s Square, there is a magnificent view of the Grand Canal. Covered galleries shelter famous cafes and the luxury shops that encircle the square. Sue will recommend an interesting venue for dinner.

DAY 12 Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Venice
This morning we have a sightseeing tour of Venice. We visit St Mark’s Square, see the Grand Canal, St Mark’s Basilica and the Doges’ Palace. In the afternoon we will have a practical course in mask making. Group members will learn the meaning of different decorations on masks from the Carnival of Venice, Venetian daily life and the theatre. Each person chooses a mask they would like to decorate and take home.

DAY 13 Thursday, June 17, 2010 Venice
This morning we have an excursion to the island of Murano, known as the glass-making island. There will be an opportunity to enjoy some excellent, good-value shopping. The afternoon will be free for individual exploration.

DAY 14 Friday, June 18, 2010 Italian Lakes
Today we depart Venice and travel to the ancient city of Verona, famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We will have time to explore the historic centre. We then continue to Como, where we spend the next four nights. Como was prosperous under the Romans and reached its zenith in the 11th century. Now, it is a modern town with a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Como. Sue will guide those interested in dining as a group to a good restaurant.

DAY 15 Saturday, June 19, 2010 Italian Lakes
Today we visit Villa Carlotta, known for its beautiful setting and spectacular gardens. It was built in 1745 and later given as a wedding present to Carlotta, Duchess of Saxe- Meiningen. We then take the ferry across the lake to the lovely town of Bellagio. Occupying a magnificent site on the promontory dividing Lake Lecco from Lake Como, it is known for its pretty streets, villas and gardens. The group will have the option of visiting the semiclassical Villa Melzi, known for its splendid gardens, on the shore of the lake. We return to Como by ferry in the afternoon.

DAY 16 Sunday, June 20, 2010 Italian Lakes
A free day to relax and explore the town of Como, the lake and surrounding villages.

DAY 17 Monday, June 21, 2010 Italian Lakes
We travel through the beautiful Italian Lakes countryside to Lake Maggiore. We take a boat to Isola Bella, the most spectacular of the Borromean Islands. We will see the palace, built in the Lombard Baroque style, including its staterooms; Napoleon’s Room, the Hall of Mirrors, Music Room and more. The gardens are undoubtedly one of the most dramatic examples of 17th-century gardens in Italy, filled with ornamented fountains and statues. On our return to Como, we have a final dinner to celebrate our time in Italy.

DAY 18 Tuesday, June 22, 2010 In flight
The morning will be free for exploration and shopping in the town of Como. We transfer to Milan airport for our early evening flight to Australia.

DAY 19 Wednesday, June 23, 2010 In flight

DAY 20 Thursday, June 24, 2010 Arrival in Australia