Picturebook Italy
Picturebook Italy
Picturebook Italy
12 Days Starting and ending in Northern France
Visiting: France, Garda, Lake Garda, Fiuggi, Siena, Rome, Florence, Montecatini Terme, Lake Maggiore, Pisa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ipb
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
A grand tour of Italy’s majestic cities and sights – from the beautiful shores of Lake Garda, the canals of Venice, and the cobbled streets of Siena, to the majesty of Rome and the stunning Bay of Naples and Sorrento. And that’s all before exploring Renaissance Florence, Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower and the captivating Lake Maggiore on this magnificent holiday taking in the best that Italy has to offer.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Northern France Or Belgium
Location: France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France or Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2 : Arrive In Lake Garda
Location: Garda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bristol, San Giorgio or Hotel Drago
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue south to Lake Garda for a three-night stay.
Day 3 : Lake Garda
Location: Lake Garda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bristol, San Giorgio or Hotel Drago
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A full-day included excursion along the shores of Lake Garda visiting some of the picturesque villages on its shoreline. We travel along the eastern side of the lake where we visit Malcesine, dominated by Monte Baldo, a 2218-metre high mountain.
We continue to Garda, the principal town of the area. Spend time exploring the narrow streets of the old village or relax in one of the many cafés. We also see the ancient fortified town of Sirmione, from where you can take an optional cruise around the peninsula, which lasts approximately 30 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding area from the lake itself.
Day 4 : Free Time Or Venice
Location: Garda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bristol, San Giorgio or Hotel Drago
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join our optional excursion to Venice. Venice is renowned for its beauty, architecture and its artwork. It is the world’s only pedestrian city, which makes it easy to explore on foot. Be sure to see some of the famous sights such as the Doge’s Palace, the symbolic seat of Venetian power and the enclosed Bridge of Sighs. A visit to St. Mark’s Square, the main public square of Venice, is also a must. It is dominated at its eastern end by the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, a superb example of the Romanesque-Byzantine style. Perhaps take a ride on a gondola, with your expert gondolier steering you through the busy waterways of Venice (at own cost) or maybe sit back and relax at Harry’s Bar with one of their famous Bellini cocktails, the choice is yours.
Day 5 : Siena
Location: Fiuggi, Siena
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Lake Garda and call in at Siena, a picturesque, Tuscan medieval town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Piazza del Campo is one of the most famous squares in the world on account of its beauty and architectural integrity. It is also the place where the famous horse race, the Palio di Siena, is run. Continue to the Fiuggi or Tivoli area near Rome for a three-night stay.
Day 6 : Free Time Or Sorrento
Location: Fiuggi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join our optional visit to the popular Neapolitan resort town of Sorrento, where you can spend the full day exploring at your leisure. If you wish to be introduced to all Sorrento has to offer, then join our optional Taste of Sorrento excursion, where you can combine your visit to Sorrento with a guided walking tour of the town and a visit to a Limoncello factory.
Day 7 : Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you have the full day to discover the Italian capital city of Rome on our included excursion. The Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wonderful palaces, churches, basilicas, Roman ruins, monuments and fountains. It has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere. There will be ample free time for you to explore this wonderful city at your leisure. To make the most of your visit, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour. The sightseeing tour takes place on both coach and foot and will introduce you to the city’s wonderful sights, including the mighty Colosseum (entrance not included) and the Trevi Fountain. Note: Although Rome is a relatively compact city, we would remind you that this is a walking tour, not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties and we would recommend you wear suitable shoes for the day.
Day 8 : Florence
Location: Florence, Montecatini Terme
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave our hotel and travel to our overnight stay in the Montecatini Terme area, Tuscany. En route we visit the Renaissance city of Florence. There will be time at leisure to explore the endless historic sights. See the shops in and around the centuries-old Ponte Vecchio, or even have your portrait painted by one of the street artists who usually gather in the square next to the medieval Duomo (cathedral). To get the most from your visit, join our optional guided sightseeing tour with local guide. The tour starts by coach and takes us up the hills behind the city, to Piazza Michelangelo. Here you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. Once you have taken your photos the coach will take you back to the city, where your guide will lead you on a walking tour through the delightful streets of Florence, pointing out the major sights. See the Santa Croce church, the burial place of Michelangelo, the famous statues in Piazza della Signoria and also the magnificent Santa Maria Duomo.
Day 9 : Pisa
Location: Lake Maggiore, Pisa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sant'Anna in Verbania or Hotel Intra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we leave our hotel and head north pausing at the beautiful city of Pisa, home to the world-famous Leaning Tower. There will be time at leisure for you to explore all the city has to offer. The area around the Leaning Tower is geared more towards tourists, so you will find lots of small souvenir kiosks selling all kinds of merchandise with the leaning tower motif. Pisa is also famous for its biscotti biscuits and bakeries all through the town sell different varieties. To introduce you to the most important sights why not join our optional guided walking tour? The tour starts at the Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles. The piazza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the city’s most famous sights. The Leaning Tower or Torre Pendente has to be the most legendary of them all. From here the tour will continue to the historic centre of the town including such places as Via Santa Maria and Piazza dei Cavalieri. Later today we travel to Lake Maggiore for a two-night stay.
Day 10 : Free Time Or Lake Maggiore & The Borromean Islands
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sant'Anna in Verbania or Hotel Intra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join our optional excursion to the southern shores of beautiful Lake Maggiore and the lakeside town of Baveno, from where we board a boat for the short cruise out towards the picturesque Borromean Islands with their landscaped gardens and parks.
Day 11 : Travel To Northern France
Location: France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
To northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 12 : Return Home
Location: France
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
12-day tour
You will stay for three nights at a 3-star hotel such as the Hotel Bristol, San Giorgio or Hotel Drago on Lake Garda; three nights at a 3-star hotel in Fiuggi or Tivoli area, south of Rome; overnight at a 3-star hotel in the Montecatini Terme area, Tuscany; then two nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Maggiore such as the Hotel Sant'Anna in Verbania or Hotel Intra in Verbania.
14-day tour
You will stay for five nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Garda; three nights at a 3-star hotel in the Fiuggi or Tivoli area, south of Rome; overnight at a 3-star hotel in the Montecatini area, Tuscany; then two nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Maggiore.
Overnight stays in northern France/Belgium will be in city-style hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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