Italian jewels
We meet at Malta International Airport at 05:00 for flight KM612 with Air Malta, departing at 07:00 to Rome Airport, arriving at 08:35. We depart by coach towards our first destination in the Lazio region, Castello Gandolfo and Lago Albano. An orientation tour with the leader around the town, which is the Pope’s summer residence. We visit Piazza della Libertà, Via Roma, Via Palazzo Pontificio, and the belvedere to enjoy the most beautiful views of Lago Albano. Free time. We continue by coach to the Umbria region, to the city of Terni. Accommodation at Hotel Michelangelo Palace 4* and an outing with the leader. Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast. Today, we have an excursion that will also take us to the Tuscany region, to the town of Arezzo, a city surrounded by monuments, churches, and palaces offering a beautiful itinerary for visitors. With the leader, we visit Piazza Guido Monaco, the Basilica of San Francesco, Maria Delle Pieve, Piazza Grande, Palazzo della Provincia, Piazza della Libertà, and the Cathedral of San Pietro and San Donato. Free time on the elegant street filled with shops, Corso Italia. After lunch, we depart for Terni. (Group A) In the evening, we participate with many pilgrims in the procession with the statue of the dead Christ and the Madonna of Sorrows, which leaves the Church of San Francesco. (Group B) Upon arriving in Terni, free time for shopping and personal sightseeing. Dinner at the hotel.
Today’s excursion takes us through rich vineyards, olive groves, and famous hilltop villages. We visit the Franciscan town of Assisi, where we discover Renaissance masterpieces. With the leader, we visit the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, a World Heritage site, where the saint's tomb is located along with large frescoes by Giotto. We also visit Via Francesco, Piazza del Comune, and the Basilica of Santa Chiara. Free time to enjoy the atmosphere of Easter in the Historic Centre of Assisi. Afterward, we head to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Porziuncola. By coach, we continue to Spoleto, a tourist destination, where we discover the Cathedral, Piazza della Libertà, and Corso Mazzini. Free time and return to the hotel in Terni for dinner.
Breakfast. Today, our excursion takes us to Gubbio, a medieval town where we visit Giardini del 40 Martiri, Via Repubblica, Via XX Settembre, Palazzo dei Consoli, and Piazza Grande, from where we enjoy a panoramic view of the Umbrian valleys. Free time, and then we depart for Foligno. We take a walk in the historic centre, where we discover several beautiful religious buildings and noble palaces. We continue to Porta Romana, Corso Cavour, the Cathedral of San Feliciano, and finally Piazza della Repubblica, where we find a magnificent Town Hall. Free time and then return to the hotel for dinner.
Breakfast. We begin the day with a trip to the largest city in Umbria, Perugia. With the tour leader, we visit the Historic Centre, where we discover underground mines and rooms of the Rocca Paolina fortress, Piazza Italia, Corso Pietro Vannicci, Piazza della Repubblica, the Cathedral, and the belvedere at Giardini Carducci. Free time, and then we head to Casa Del Cioccolata Perugina, where we take a tour of the factory and experience a unique chocolate experience (extra). Return to Terni. Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast. We depart for the western part of Umbria to discover the town of Orvieto. A tour with the leader to visit the Cathedral, whose façade is a masterpiece of the Middle Ages, Corso Cavour, Torre Del Moro, Via Duomo, and the elegant Piazza della Repubblica. Free time, and then we head to Cascata Delle Marmore (extra), one of the highest waterfalls in Europe, which has become one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Umbria. Return to Terni, and (Group A) we attend the “Celebrazione della Veglia Pasquale” (Easter Vigil). Dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, we leave Terni and begin our journey to the Lazio region, heading to the capital city, Rome. Upon arrival, we have a city tour, part of it on foot with the leader, where we explore more historical sites in Rome. We visit Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Fontana di Trevi, and Piazza Navona. Free time, and then we head to Tivoli to visit Villa d’Este (extra), a 16th-century villa with the famous Italian Renaissance garden filled with fountains. Afterward, we head to Fiumicino Airport to return to Malta on flight KM615, departing at 20:50.
