Day 1- Arrive Rome (3 nights)

Welcome to Italy! You are met at Rome Fiumicino airport and transferred to your hotel. There's time to relax and unwind, before joining our Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink and learn more about the tour programme. Later, why not enjoy Rome by night?
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters (3 nights)

Day 2- Rome sightseeing & at leisure

This morning, with a local guide, we enjoy an excellent and clear commentary about the magnificent works of Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel thanks to our effective audio system. Our guided tour continues through St. Peter's Basilica, where among other great works, we can admire Michelangelo's moving Pieta. Then we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we will overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus and visit the mighty Colosseum. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner in a typical trattoria? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3- Rome at leisure

Enjoy a completely free day to explore the delights that this wonderful city has to offer. Maybe take a trip outside the old city walls, in order to visit the ancient catacombs or take an excursion into the hills to the Sabine town of Tivoli with its magnificent Villa d'Este and refreshing fountains. Or, you may wish to visit the museums and gardens in the Villa Borghese or just while away the hours at a sidewalk cafÈ in one of the many piazzas of the city. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4- Rome - Assisi - Florence (2 nights)

This morning we leave the city on the Seven hills to drive northward and into the Apennine hills to the mystical town of Assisi built on the Mount Subasio. Weíll enjoy a guided visit (with audio system) of the town including St Francisí Basilica, with itís enchanting Giotto frescoes, the narrow cobbled streets of the town and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Then we head north to Renaissance Florence where we enjoy a dinner of local specialities tonight at a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: San Gallo Palace (2 nights)

Day 5- Florence sightseeing & at leisure

Today our walking tour with a local guide using our effective audio system shows us the city's main sights, from the multi-coloured 'Duomo' to the Piazza Signoria with its amazing sculptures and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica, where so many great Italians are buried including Michelangelo. Later maybe take an excursion to Pisa to see its incredible Leaning Tower! This evening make sure you try out some of the justifiably reputed Tuscan cuisine washed down with some robust Chianti wine! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6- Florence - Venice (Mestre) (2 nights)

A scenic drive through the Apennine hills with its craggy gorges and mountain streams leads to the plains of the Veneto and to the unique city of Venice. On arrival, savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city, as we enjoy an included canal cruise past Palladian Churches and palazzos to St Markís square, where we will see the Basilica, Bell-Tower, Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us during our stay in Venice! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Russott (2 nights)

Day 7- Venice Secret Walking Tour and Visit to the Fish Market

Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our effective audio system bringing the city to life, as we cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. We cross the Rialto and visit the colourful fish market that has existed for centuries, and then enjoy a walking tour through the 'calle' seeing sites such as the house of Marco Polo and other interesting as well as beautiful architectural works of art. The balance of the day is at leisure to perhaps take a trip to Burano and enjoy eating some of the local seafood. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8- Venice - Postojna - Ljubljana (2 nights)

We take the coastal highway and are soon at the Slovene border. Driving through verdant scenery we reach the awe-inspiring world of stalactites and stalagmites at Postojna. Weíll take a train ride through the most spectacular caves in Europe before continuing to the Slovene capital ñ Ljubljana. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Mons (2 nights)

Day 9- Ljubljana sightseeing and excursion to Lake Bled

After breakfast, a sightseeing tour with a local guide of this Roman founded city shows us the Opera house, Cathedral, National Museum and Castle, as well as the numerous parks. Then weíll drive to nearby Lake Bled - a little paradise on earth to delight in a cruise on the glassy lake in a local pletna boat. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 10- Ljubljana - Zagreb - Plitvice Lakes

A drive along the valley of the river Sava brings us to the Croatian capital, Zagreb where sightseeing with a local guide highlights all the monuments of the Upper and Lower towns ñ the Church of St Mark and St Catherine, the Parliament, the Cathedral and the Government Palace. Then a short drive south brings us to the Plitvice National Park where we will spend the night ñ a haven of natural beauty. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Jezero

Day 11- Plitvice Lakes - Trogir - Split

A day of sightseeing that will take your breath away! We will visit the National Park composed of sixteen lakes linked by a series of ninety-two waterfalls and cascades before continuing to the Greek founded town of Trogir. Orientation of this island/open-air museum features the grandeur of the Cipiko palace and the Romanesque Cathedral. Finally along one of Europeís most beautiful coastlines to Split, lying on the limpid, turquoise waters of the Adriatic. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Atrium

Day 12- Split sightseeing - Dubrovnik (3 nights)

It was Emperor Diocletian's decision in AD 305 to build a palace for his retirement and as the palace grew so did the city, which we visit today. Our sightseeing tour with a local guide visits the Palace ñ a well-preserved fortress that was once encircled by 750-foot walls. Highlights include remains of the original palace, a colonnaded square and the Temple of Jupiter. Then we continue along the cypress-lined coast to Dubrovnik ñ Pearl of the Adriatic ñ for our three-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Grand Hotel Park (3 nights)

Days 13 & 14- Dubrovnik sightseeing & at leisure

We enjoy two full days in this impeccably medieval city. On our first morning a guided walking tour in the traffic free old city, reveals a great history. We'll see the Rector's Palace, the City Walls, Onofrio's fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik and its five bastions are sure to cast a spell on you! The balance of your time here is at leisure. You may choose to explore the lively market, enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant or simply relax in the atmosphere of this resort. Alternatively, why not take an excursion into Montenegro to see the only Fjord in southern Europe and the 2,500 year old town of Budva? Your Tour Director will be happy to advise how best to use your free time. On our last evening here we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner of local specialities at a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 15- Depart Dubrovnik

Farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your flights home. (Buffet Breakfast)