İSTANBUL – BOLOGNA – (Lucca Tour with Dinner) – FLORENCE
We depart from Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s International Terminal 3 hours before the flight to complete ticketing, baggage check, and passport procedures, then fly to Bologna on Pegasus Airlines scheduled flight PC1217 at 12:35. After arriving in Bologna at 14:20 local time, we meet our private bus and head to the city center for a panoramic city tour. Bologna, located in the Emilia-Romagna region, the homeland of Parmesan and balsamic vinegar, is home to Europe’s oldest and most established university. After our tour, which stands out with its medieval architecture, long porticoed walkways, and lively squares, and where you will also have the chance to experience Bologna’s local street flavors and some of Italy’s finest deli products, we continue to our hotel in the Florence region. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Lucca Tour with Dinner (45 Euro). We begin with dinner at a local restaurant, featuring Tordelli Lucchesi, Lucca’s specialty and Tuscany’s most famous ravioli/pasta, served in Lucchese style. After dinner, we take a walking tour of Lucca, one of Tuscany’s best-preserved medieval towns, admired by visitors for its historic city walls, narrow stone streets, and elegant squares. Following free time around Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the town’s emblem with its distinctive oval shape, we transfer to our hotel in the Florence region.
FLORENCE – (Florence Masterpieces Tour with Lunch) – ROME – (Rome Night Tour)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for Rome. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Florence Masterpieces Tour with Lunch (65 Euro). In Florence, the greatest center of the Renaissance, the city of art and aesthetics, and an open-air museum where world-famous artists such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci were born, we first view from the outside the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its immediately striking orange dome and the 4th largest church in Europe. One of the cathedral’s most notable features is its bronze doors, known as the “Gate of Paradise,” where scenes representing prophets’ stories, some also mentioned in the Quran, are depicted. We then see Giotto’s Bell Tower, once used to summon the people to parliament, Signoria Square, which was Florence’s political and social center for centuries and also houses Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David, and Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge, famous for its antique and jewelry shops. After lunch at a local restaurant with Tuscan-style roast beef, we complete our tour and continue toward our hotel in the Rome region. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Rome Night Tour (35 Euro). In this panoramic tour, where we will explore Rome’s streets in the evening light that adds aesthetic beauty at any time of day, we will offer free time at the world-famous Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. During this free time, in many nearby cafes, you can taste the finest examples of traditional Italian pasta, especially Cacio e Pepe, Rome’s symbol (the famous Roman pasta prepared with Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper). For guests who prefer a light snack, we recommend Supplì filled with mozzarella, and for dessert lovers, the creamy Roman Maritozzo, which Romans traditionally present with a ring inside as a marriage proposal. At the end of the tour, we arrive at our hotel in the Rome region.
ROME – (Rome Icons & Nemi Strawberry Village Tour) – (Vatican and Rome Local Neighborhoods Tour with Dinner)
After breakfast, we offer a full day at leisure. Guests who wish may join the extra Rome Icons & Nemi Strawberry Village Tour (85 Euro). Our first stop is Nemi, a favorite filming location for Turkish and world cinema in Italy. Known for its wild strawberries and called the “Strawberry Village” for this reason, Nemi hosts an annual strawberry festival. During our sightseeing walk and free time in Nemi, where narrow streets open onto squares and a mesmerizing lake and valley view blends with the scent of strawberries in the air, you can try strawberry tart/ice cream made with Italy’s most famous wild strawberries in many small local shops nearby. After our visit to Nemi Strawberry Village, we take you on a historical journey through Rome and its icons, the city called Urbs caput mundi, meaning “the city at the center of the world,” with its art, history, music, shopping, sun, and cuisine, and its buildings in different styles ranging from antiquity to the Renaissance. While the works created by architects competing with one another attract thousands of tourists to the city every season, Rome can carry even these crowds without overwhelming visitors, with all its beauty and aesthetics. In the imperial city of Rome, which shaped European civilization and has witnessed 23 centuries of history, our first panoramic sights will include the Colosseum, the largest ancient theater that became the symbol of the city and hosted gladiator fights throughout the Roman Empire; the Roman Forum, the ceremonial center of the city in imperial times; the Trevi Fountain, where legend says anyone who throws a coin into it will return to Rome; the Spanish Steps, famous for street artists; Piazza Pietra; and Piazza Popolo. At the end of the tour, we offer free time in Rome city center. For guests joining the Rome Icons and Nemi Strawberry Village Tour, during the free time provided, those who wish may join the extra Vatican and Rome Local Neighborhoods Tour with Dinner (75 Euro). We begin our tour by seeing Castel Sant’Angelo and then visit the Vatican/San Pietro, the center of the Catholic branch of Christianity and the world’s smallest country by area. We offer free time at St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of Catholics gather for worship every year and where, on special occasions, the Pope comes out from his residence to greet the people, and where St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest cathedral with statues of 140 saints, is located. After the free time, we begin our Rome Local Neighborhoods Tour with Dinner. We will experience Pizza Romana Tonda, the traditional Roman pizza with thin, crispy dough and crunchy edges, unique to Rome. After dinner, in our tour where we mingle with the people of Rome and feel like residents of the city ourselves, the areas of Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa, Ponte Sisto, and the Ghetto, where we will experience the true Italian atmosphere with their cafés, small family restaurants, boutiques, greengrocers, butchers, and many other small and charming shops, as well as the ancient Tiber Island connected to the city by two bridges, are among the places to be seen panoramically. After our walking tour through the small tables and maze-like narrow backstreets, we complete our tour and return to our hotel in the Rome region.
ROME – (Orvieto Tour) – (Siena & San Gimignano Tour) – FLORENCE
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we set off for our hotel in the Florence region where we will stay. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Orvieto Tour (50 Euro). On this tour, we first visit the medieval town of Orvieto, famous for its Gothic and Baroque works, cathedral, and wine cellars. We go up to Orvieto, also called “Hawk Hill,” and enjoy the view. During the free time provided, you may taste or buy regional specialties such as Tozzetti biscuits, black truffles, and handmade pasta in the various cafes and shops in the city center. After the Orvieto tour, we continue our journey to Florence. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Siena & San Gimignano Tour (80 Euro). Our first stop is Siena. Siena is famous for its narrow medieval streets, small avenues, and Campo Square, considered the largest square in Europe. After our pleasant visit to Campo Square and the narrow historic streets leading to it in Siena, during the short free time provided, you may taste truffle cheeses and Ricciarelli, Italy’s best hard almond biscuit, as well as Panforte dessert in nearby cafes and restaurants. After our Siena visit, we arrive at San Gimignano, our second stop. San Gimignano has earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List for preserving its medieval architecture and appearance to this day, and it is also known as the “Town of Beautiful Towers” thanks to the 14 architectural marvel towers that survived out of 76 as a result of wars and natural disasters. In San Gimignano, whose narrow streets and squares, each opening onto the town square, make visitors feel as if time has stopped and they have traveled back to the medieval era, we will take a sightseeing walk and then, during the free time provided, stop for ice cream at the award-winning Gelateria Dondoli, holder of the title of the world’s best ice cream maker (especially famous for its saffron and pine nut varieties). At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel in the Florence region.
FLORENCE – (Pisa Tour) – (Portofino Tour by Boat) – MILAN OUTLET – MILAN
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we head to Milan. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Pisa Tour (50 Euro). In our tour upon arrival in Pisa, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and Miracoli Square are among the places to be visited. After a short free time provided for photography, we continue our journey to Milan. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Portofino Tour by Boat (65 Euro). Surrounded by colorful houses and inspiring songs with its beauty, Portofino captivates visitors with its narrow streets, colorful houses, green hills, and turquoise Mediterranean view. During the free time provided, you may have the chance to taste the region’s signature and world-famous bread called “Focaccia Genovese,” prepared with plenty of olive oil and sea salt. After our Portofino visit, we continue our journey to Milan. Along the way, we will visit Milan Outlet Center, one of Europe’s largest outlet centers, home to stylish stores of world-famous prestigious brands, cafes and restaurants, and personal activity areas. After the free time we provide for affordable and quality shopping, transfer to our hotel in the Milan region.
MILAN – (Como Tour) – VENICE
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for our Milan city tour. Along the way, guests who wish may join the extra Como Tour (50 Euro). Upon arrival in Como, we will visit Lake Como, famous for its luxury life and natural beauty, home to the summer houses of Hollywood celebrities, European billionaires, and the world jet set, and we will take a photo break with the lake’s unique scenery. During the free time provided in Como, you can enjoy the view while having Espresso and Cappuccino at many cafes around the lake and in the city center. After the tour, we continue our journey to Milan city center. Milan, one of Europe’s fashion capitals, also stands out with its cuisine, opera, and churches. Although known as Italy’s business and financial capital, Milan is also the right address for shopping and dining experiences. During our tour, the famous opera house La Scala, Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romano are among the main sights. During the free time provided at the end of the tour, you can spend time at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping mall, Milan’s heart of fashion, and its historic passage with a massive glass-domed architecture and some of the world’s most luxurious and stylish storefronts, or visit Via Montenapoleone and Della Spiga for brand shopping. In many local cafes and restaurants in the city center, you can enjoy Milan’s gastronomic paradise by tasting the region’s famous Risotto alla Milanese (risotto prepared with saffron and symbolized by its golden-yellow color), Panettone (the region’s famous sweet bread), and Panzerotto (fried on the outside, filled with mozzarella and tomato on the inside). After the Milan city tour, transfer to our hotel in the Venice region where we will stay.
VENICE – (Venice & Verona Masterpieces and Grand Canal Tour by Private Boat)
After breakfast, we offer a full day at leisure. During this free time, guests who wish may join the extra Venice & Verona Masterpieces and Grand Canal Tour by Private Boat (125 Euro – including Vaporetto transportation fees). Verona, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also home to Italy’s second-largest amphitheater after the Colosseum and to the home of Shakespeare’s famous work Romeo and Juliet, which tells the world’s greatest love story known today. After our panoramic sightseeing walk in Verona along Via Mazzini (the main street) and Erbe Square, surrounded by many shops, cafes, and stores, and where we can also see Verona Cathedral, during the free time provided you can try Baci di Giulietta dessert, inspired by the love of Romeo and Juliet. We then head toward Venice, the most unique city of waters in the world. Upon arrival, we reach the center of the island by vaporetto. We will see iconic structures such as St. Mark’s Square, built of stone and marble with columns brought from Istanbul, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace designed and used as a symbol of grandeur and power, the Clock Tower, the Bridge of Sighs, and the historic Campanile Bell Tower, and then enjoy a pleasant walk along Venice’s streets connected by bridges and stretching beside narrow canals. During the free time provided, you may visit the famous handmade Venice Carnival masks and Murano glass art workshops. In many nearby cafes and restaurants, you can try Cichetti, local snacks served on small slices of bread with cheese and cured meats, Tiramisu dessert, which originated in the Veneto region and has become famous worldwide, or Risotto al Nero di Seppia, the most special seafood dish of the Venice islands. After this free time, in the final part of our tour, we will go on an unforgettable ride through Venice’s side streets by private boats to reach the Grand Canal. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel in the Venice region and offer free time to rest.
VENICE – BOLOGNA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we head to Bologna Airport for our flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival at the airport, after completing baggage check-in, ticket, and passport control procedures, we fly to Istanbul at 15:25 on Pegasus Airlines scheduled flight PC1218. Arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 18:55 local time and end of our tour.