Tutta Italia and Sicily with Aeolian Islands (2025)

Dia 2

Today, we’ll go on a panoramic tour of the capital of Italy and one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. We’ll see the Colosseum, the Roman Forums, the squares and fountains of the center, and experience the vibrant life of the city. We’ll finish in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, an independent state within the city of Rome and the center of the Catholic Church. You can visit the basilica and the museums.In the evening, we’ll include a transfer to Trastevere, a lively neighborhood known for its traditional little restaurants.

Dia 4

Today we’ll embark on an enchanting journey through the beautiful region of Umbria. Our first stop will be Orvieto, a medieval city majestically set atop a flat summit. Before entering the city, we’ll pause to admire the breathtaking views from its viewpoint. We’ll then take the cable car (included) to the medieval center, where we’ll marvel at the cathedral, a stunning masterpiece of Italian Gothic art. The city also boasts a network of underground tunnels, once used as shelters and water reserves during times of war. Next, we’ll travel to Castiglione del Lago, nestled on the banks of Lake Trasimeno. Here, we’ll have time for a leisurely stroll and lunch. After lunch, our journey will continue to Siena, renowned for its famous Piazza del Campo and the impressive Duomo. We’ll spend the afternoon in Siena.

Dia 5

We’ll leave Siena and make a stop at Monteriggioni, a magical medieval village with cobbled streets, ancient walls, and quaint little shops. Afterward, we’ll continue to San Gimignano, a charming little city with tall medieval towers. After lunch, we’ll travel to Florence, the capital of Tuscany, arriving in the early afternoon. We recommend an afternoon visit to the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia Gallery (both closed on Mondays).

Dia 6

After capturing a photo at the Michelangelo viewpoint, where we’ll enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of the city, we’ll embark on a guided tour of the capital of Tuscany, one of the most visited cities in the country. This city, known as the cradle of the Renaissance, has inspired some of the most influential artists and thinkers in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael. We’ll marvel at the Gothic Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze), the ancient stone bridge (Ponte Vecchio) with its goldsmith stores, and Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city with the town hall in a medieval building. Free time will follow the tour.

Dia 7

Today, we’ll travel to Pisa. A little tourist train will take us to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), home of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. After this, we’ll head to the Ligurian Riviera, renowned for some of the prettiest coastlines in Europe. We’ll visit the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area comprises five villages, almost isolated by road, which live on fishing and tourism. We’ll arrive by train, tickets included, to one of its charming towns (normally Vernazza, but on busy tourist dates, it could be Manarola or Corniglia, very similar towns that are somewhat less crowded). We’ll have time for lunch. Afterwards, we’ll travel by train to Levanto, where we’ll take the bus to continue to Genoa. Its center reminds us that it was a thriving republic in the Middle Ages.Note: The train to Cinque Terre is a regular commuter service, not a tourist train. During peak tourism times, there can be long waits as trains may be full, and seat reservations are not available. In some cases, the journey might be done standing. If this happens, we recommend walking to the monumental site, which is approximately 900 meters away.

Dia 8

We’ll continue our journey to the nearby city of Santa Margherita Ligure, where we’ll embark for Portofino, one of the most exclusive places in Europe. Enjoy a stroll by the sea and time at leisure. After lunch, we’ll continue to Milan, the busy northern city where we recommend a visit to the cathedral.Note: During winter, weather conditions may prevent the boat to Portofino from operating. In such cases, we’ll spend more time in Santa Margherita. If you wish, you can take an urban minibus to Portofino (service quality may be poor, with long waits).

Dia 9

Today we’ll see one of the most beautiful scenic areas in Europe, the region of the Italian Lakes. First, we’ll travel to Lake Orta in Orta San Giulio, a well-preserved medieval city. We’ll take a train ride to reach the medieval center of the town and then a boat to the Island of San Giulio, a little island on the lake with a monastery. After this, we’ll go on to Lake Maggiore, making a stop in Stresa, where we’ll have the option to visit the Borromean Islands. The highlight is Isola Bella, featuring its gardens and palace (closed in the winter). We´ll have some time for lunch and then we’ll head to Verona.Note: During the winter months, the Orta train does not operate. If that is the case, you can access the medieval town by walking approximately 800 meters from the bus parking lot.

Dia 10

We’ll have time to explore Verona, the enchanting city of Romeo and Juliet, before departing for Venice, arriving around 01:00 p.m. A delightful boat trip to St. Mark’s Square is included, followed by a guided walking tour of the City of Canals, including a visit to see Murano glasswork. Afterwards, enjoy some leisure time—perhaps a gondola ride? Accommodation will be in the Mestre district.

Dia 11

At the time informed by the guide, we will make a transfer to the airport to catch a domestic flight included in your trip. On arrival at destination we will give you another hotel transfer. Your guide will contact you at the end of the afternoon or you can consult the information in your hotel reception. Note: remember that on domestic flights, the luggage normally allowed is one suitcase of up to 20 kg in the hold. Passengers must pay for all excess luggage directly to the airline.

Dia 12

Today with a local guide we will have a city tour of Palermo. We will admire the cathedral with its mix of styles and its royal tombs inside (admission included); the Norman Palace (the former royal palace), its fountains, its markets and gardens. During the visit we will also go to MONREALE, its cathedral (admission included) has been declared a World Heritage Site for its impressive golden mosaics that cover the interior. Free time in the afternoon.Note: Sometimes, if the number of travelers is very limited, the visit may not be private but rather carried out with a regular excursion provided by local companies.

Dia 13

We will leave Palermo, following the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Beautiful landscapes. CEFALU, a charming coastal city. Its Norman cathedral with its original architecture and mosaics has been declared a World Heritage Site, the historic center is of great beauty with its small streets, its views over the sea and its commercial and tourist life. After lunch time we continue towards the interior of the island. CASTELBUONO, a small and picturesque town between mountains that shows us the tranquility of the inland towns, with its walls, castle and picturesque streets in the center. We continue again along the coast towards TINDARI, at the top of a mountain, dominating the sea, stands the Sanctuary of Tindari, a famous pilgrimage site, with its relic of the Black Madonna and its great views. Very close to the sanctuary are the remains of the ancient Greek polis. We continue to MILAZZO, a port city full of life in front of the volcanic Aeolian Islands.

Dia 14

We will have a day full of emotions. We will visit two of the islands of the AEOLIAN archipelago, declared World Heritage Sites for their continuous volcanic activity. We will take a ferry to LIPARI, the largest of the Aeolian Islands and the most pleasant city of the archipelago, with its historic center, its castle and its tourist life. Time for lunch and a walk. After that we will take another ferry that in less than 30 minutes takes us to VULCANO, where we will be impressed by the smell of sulfur that permeates the entire island and the active fumaroles. On this island, dominated by its crater, we will admire its hot water beaches. We recommend trying baths in the sulfurous thermal waters (its mud is considered very beneficial for the skin). Don´t miss this unique experience. After that we return by ferry to Milazzo (just over an hour´s journey) and from there continue towards TAORMINA, arriving at the end of the day.Note: In summer or on special dates, accommodation may be provided in Messina instead of Taormina.

Dia 15

At the foot of the Etna volcano, the beautiful city of TAORMINA was defined by Churchill as the most beautiful place on earth. Time to stroll through the old town full of life, its Greek theater dominating unforgettable landscapes. After that we continue our route towards the center of the island. CALTAGIRONE, a city declared a World Heritage Site for its great Baroque legacy. We include a ride on a tourist train to listen to the explanations of the city and learn about its main points. The city is the center of ceramics in Sicily, as witnessed by its numerous shops and workshops and some of its emblematic places, the best known, the staircase of 142 steps, each decorated with different tiles. After lunch time we continue to the VILLA ROMANA DEL CASALE (admission included), a World Heritage Site. Villas, in the Roman Empire, were the symbol of agrarian exploitation. El Casale not only it has the architectural configuration of the 4th century been preserved, but, due to their abundance and quality, the mosaics that adorn almost all the rooms are the most beautiful in the Roman world. Crossing the mountainous center of the island we continue to PALERMO, arriving at the end of the day.