Picturebook Italy

Picturebook Italy

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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:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

ipb

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

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

  • 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

  • Explore 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.

  • 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

Itinerary

Expand All

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

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • 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.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • 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

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • 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

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • 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.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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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