Classical Italy for Solo Travellers

Classical Italy

Italy has it all, from world-class art and architecture to stunning scenery, not to mention some of the world’s finest food and wine. It’s ideal for the single traveller, especially if it’s your first time seeing the world on your own.

Tuscany is perhaps best known for its rolling hills, stately cypress trees and isolated farmhouses. But the region is also blessed with some of the most stunning towns and cities in the country; Florence, Siena and Arezzo to name just three. You’ll be able to enjoy all of them before we head to the eternal city of Rome. Nowhere else can quite compare with Rome’s rich history, and so much of it is still visible and tangible as you walk around the city with other solo travellers. You will have the opportunity to visit some of the iconic sites that make this one of the most exciting cities in the world.

What's Included

• 7 nights in 3-star superior to 4-star accommodation
• Return flights & transfers
• Programme of daily tours & visits
• Daily breakfast, 3 dinners & Welcome Dinner
• Expert tour manager
• Hotel porterage
• Checked Luggage
• Guided tour of historic Rome, home to the Colosseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps and more
• Guided tour of Siena, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities
• Guided tour of Florence, 'Pearl of the Renaissance' with a timed visit to the Uffizi, one of the world’s finest art galleries - entrance fees included
• Walking tour of Arezzo, one of Tuscany' most wonderfully unspoilt medieval cities
• Visit Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis
• Experience Tuscany’s stunning countryside
• A welcome dinner on the first night to get to know your travelling companions

Day 1 - Arrival in Rome

You’ll be met at the airport by a member of the team for our flight to Rome. On arrival, a coach will transfer us to the delightful medieval city of Arezzo in Tuscany, where we stay at the four-star Minerva Hotel for the next four nights. The hotel started out life as a restaurant fifty years ago, and we will dine there tonight on some traditional Tuscan fare.

Day 2 - Siena

After breakfast, you'll be taken to the medieval city of Siena which was one of the world's largest cities in the 12th and 13th centuries. A must-see on this visit is the beautiful main square, Piazza del Campo. Surrounded by tall, historic buildings, you'll enjoy a drink or a snack as you sit-back and watch the world go by. No visit to the city would be complete without a trip to Siena's cathedral arguably one of Italy's greatest cathedrals. After spending the day in the city, you'll make your way back to the hotel where you'll admire the famous and scenic Tuscan countryside.

Day 3 - Florence & the Uffizi Gallery

Today you'll visit the stunning city of Florence where on your guided tour you'll see the jewels of the city such as the Cathedral and the Uffizi gallery home to esquisit works of art from artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Florence is also home to an array of shops and markets which you can explore at your leisure.

Day 4 - Arezzo

After breakfast in our hotel, our tour takes you to the main town of Arezzo for a guided walk around this city that boasts a kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The cathedral is home to some of the world’s most detailed and best-preserved tapestries. The main square is a masterpiece, one of Europe’s most stunning. The afternoon is free for you to explore Arezzo at leisure before heading back to the hotel for our final dinner at the Minerva.

Day 5 - Assisi

Today we leave Tuscany after breakfast driving firstly to Assisi. This delightful medieval town, with its flower-hung streets, lovely views over the Umbrian countryside and fountain-splashed piazzas is famous for a single event – the birth of Francis, the most revered saint in Italy. The man himself was one of the most extraordinary figures the Italian church has ever produced. He had a privileged upbringing, leading a very un-Christian lifestyle, but whilst imprisoned, God appeared to him. After release, he renounced his inheritance, living the life of a beggar, and mixed with lepers, but ultimately found his vocation founding the order of monks which bears his name, the Franciscans. Two years after his death, the basilica was built, financed by donations from all over Europe creating one of the most beautiful shrines in the Christian world adorned by arguably its greatest art collection outside an actual gallery. The building today is actually two churches, one on top of the other with St Francis himself lying under the floor in the crypt. The mood inside is most respectful, being in tune with Franciscan principles – silence being the rule, quite plain around the tomb itself and accompanied by brown-robed monks.

We have ample time to visit the basilica together with the town, arriving in Rome early evening. Our hotel is the three-star superior Cicerone Hotel, well-located in Rome’s elegant Prati district, close to the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo and one of Rome’s best shopping districts. The hotel features a restaurant and bar, and the comfortable rooms are decorated in a classic style.

Day 6 & 7 - Rome

One of the most captivating cities in the world, Rome is the perfect blend of ancient history and modern times. This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of the city, where we will take in many of the best-known sights, such as St Peter’s, Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, the Forum and so much more. The beautiful Eternal City owes its majesty to the Roman Empire that commanded much of the world for nigh on 500 years, and also to the Papacy, which for much of its existence, held great political as well as religious influence. This afternoon, you are free to explore as you wish, be it on your own or with new-found friends. May we suggest a visit to the Vatican Museum? Or enjoy a wander through the maze of streets and welcoming piazzas.

Day 8 - Flight Home

Today your coach will take you to Rome airport where you'll catch your flight back to home filled with memories of your unforgettable tour.