ISTANBUL – BOLOGNA – (Siena Tour) – ROME
We arrive at Sabiha Gökçen Airport International Terminal 3 hours before departure and, after completing ticketing, baggage drop-off, and passport procedures, we fly to Bologna on Pegasus Airlines scheduled flight PC1217 at 12:40. After arriving in Bologna at 14:20 local time, we continue by our private bus to our hotel in the Rome area where we will be staying. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Siena Tour (50 Euro). Siena is famous for its narrow streets dating back to the Middle Ages, small avenues, and Campo Square, considered one of the largest squares in Europe. After an enjoyable walk through Campo Square and the narrow, historic streets leading to it, we continue our journey to the hotel in the Rome area. Upon arrival at the hotel, room assignment and free time to rest.
ROME – (Rome Icons & Nemi Strawberry Village Tour) – (Vatican and Rome Local Neighborhoods Tour)
After breakfast, we offer a full day of free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Rome Icons & Nemi Strawberry Village Tour (85 Euro). Our first stop is Nemi. Known for its wild strawberries and therefore called the “Strawberry Village,” Nemi hosts an annual strawberry festival. After a panoramic walk in Nemi, where narrow streets opening onto squares, a captivating lake and valley view, and the scent of strawberries in the air come together, we take you on a historical journey through Rome and its icons, known as Urbs caput mundi, meaning “the city at the center of the world,” featuring art, history, music, shopping, sunshine, and cuisine, with buildings in different styles stretching from antiquity to the Renaissance. While the masterpieces created by architects competing with one another attract thousands of tourists to the city every season, Rome carries even these crowds without overwhelming people, with all its beauty and elegance. During our tour, the Colosseum, the symbol of the city and the ancient theater that hosted gladiator fights throughout the Roman Empire; the Roman Forum, the ceremonial center of the city during imperial times; the Trevi Fountain, where legend says those who toss a coin will return to Rome; the Spanish Steps, famous for street artists; Piazza Pietra; and Piazza Popolo will be among the panoramic sights. At the end of the tour, we offer free time in central Rome at the Pantheon. During this free time, guests who wish may join the optional Vatican and Rome Local Neighborhoods Tour (65 Euro). Starting with views of Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza Navona, we visit 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 (Aziz Petrus Square), where thousands of Catholics come to worship each year and where, on special occasions, the Pope appears from his residence to greet the public, and where the St. Peter’s Basilica stands, the world’s largest cathedral with 140 statues of saints. After the free time, we begin our Rome local neighborhoods tour. In this tour, where we mingle with the people of Rome and feel like locals of the city, we will experience the real Italian atmosphere with its naturalness and simplicity, as well as cafés, small family restaurants, boutiques, greengrocers, butchers, and many other small and charming shops in Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa, Ponte Sisto, and the Ghetto district, along with the ancient Tiber Island, connected to the city by two bridges, seen panoramically. After our walk through the maze-like narrow backstreets with small tables set out, we return to our hotel in the Rome area.
ROME – (Naples Tour) – (Sorrento, the Pearl of Amalfi, or Lunch Included Pompeii Tour) – ROME
After breakfast, during a full day of free time, guests who wish may join the optional Naples Tour (40 Euro). Upon arrival in Naples, our tour includes Castel Nuovo, Palazzo Reale di Napoli, Galleria Umberto, Teatro di San Carlo, Via Toledo, Piazza del Plebiscito, and Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola. After free time in Naples, guests who wish may join the optional Lunch Included Pompeii Tour (80 Euro). Beginning with lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Pompeii, located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD destroyed the city; after long excavations in 1748 by archaeologists, the city was revealed in all its vitality. We complete our tour with a visit to the ancient city of Pompeii. Or, guests who wish may join the optional Sorrento Tour, the Pearl of Amalfi (80 Euro). Sorrento, whose history dates back to prehistoric times and which combines Italian character and charm with a Mediterranean style, fascinates visitors with its small tourist boutiques, stunning beaches, breathtaking views, and Limoncello, the Italian lemon liqueur. After our city tour and surrounding excursion in Sorrento on the Amalfi coast, we offer free time. After the tour, we return to our hotel in the Rome area.
ROME – (San Gimignano Tour) – (Florence Masterpieces and Pisa Tour) – FLORENCE
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we head to our hotel in the Florence area. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional San Gimignano Tour (50 Euro). San Gimignano, which has preserved its medieval architecture and appearance to the present day, has earned a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List; due to the 14 architectural towers that survived from 76 towers remaining after wars and natural disasters, it is also known as the “Town of Beautiful Towers.” After our panoramic walk through San Gimignano’s narrow streets that evoke a journey back to the Middle Ages and its squares from which each tower opens onto the town square, we continue toward our hotel in the Florence area. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Florence Masterpieces and Pisa Tour (95 Euro). First, in Florence, the capital of the Renaissance and the hometown of Pinocchio, we begin with a city tour and first see the Santa Maria Del Fiore Cathedral, which immediately stands out with its orange dome and is the fourth largest church in Europe, from the outside. One of the cathedral’s most striking features is the bronze door called the “Gate of Paradise,” depicting prophetic stories mentioned in the Quran and other sacred texts. We then see Giotto’s Bell Tower, once used to summon the people to parliament, Signoria Square, the political and social center of Florence for centuries and home to Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David, and the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio), famous for antique and jewelry shops. After the Florence Masterpieces visit, our next stop is Pisa. Upon arrival in Pisa, our tour includes the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, the baptistery, and Miracoli Square. After a short free time for photos, we continue our journey to our hotel in the Florence area. Upon arrival at the hotel, room assignment and free time to rest.
FLORENCE – (Cinque Terre Tour by Train) – (Portofino Tour by Boat) – MILAN
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Milan. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Cinque Terre Tour by Train (65 Euro). Cinque Terre is a region on the Ligurian coast of Italy, known for its colorful houses, terraced hillsides running parallel to the coast, and seaside towns. With its narrow streets, coastal views, and preserved architecture, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We complete our tour with a visit and walking tour in one of the five villages that gave Cinque Terre its name, then continue our journey to Milan. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional 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 scenery. After our visit to Portofino, we continue our journey to Milan. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Milan area, room assignment and free time to rest.
MILAN – (Milan Masterpieces and Como Tour) – (Lugano Tour) – (Outlet Tour)
After breakfast, during free time, guests who wish may join the optional Milan Masterpieces and Como Tour (95 Euro). Our first stop is Milan. Known as one of Europe’s fashion capitals, Milan also stands out for its cuisine, opera, and churches. Although recognized as Italy’s business and financial capital, it is also the right destination for shopping and dining. During our tour in Milan, the famous opera house La Scala, Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romano are among the main sights. After the Milan Masterpieces Tour, we arrive in Como. Upon arrival, our tour includes a visit to Lake Como, famous for its luxurious living and natural beauty, home to summer houses of Hollywood celebrities, European elites, and the world jet set, where we will have a photo stop with the lake’s unique view. After free time in Como, guests who wish may join the optional Lugano (Switzerland) Tour (45 Euro), arranged only for guests joining the Milan Masterpieces and Como Tour. In this tour, we will take a peaceful walk along the shores of Lake Lugano, located within Switzerland, and enjoy the unique scenery of the city park and breathtaking views while photographing the beautiful nature. After the tour, we begin our return journey to our hotel in the Milan area. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Outlet Tour (35 Euro). After free time for pleasant shopping at an outlet center hosting stylish stores of many prestigious brands, as well as cafés, restaurants, and personal activity areas, we complete our tour and return to our hotel in the Milan area.
MILAN – (Verona Tour) – VENICE – (Venice Masterpieces and Colorful Islands by Boat Tour)
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we set off for our hotel in the Venice area. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Verona Tour (50 Euro). Verona, listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is also home to Italy’s second-largest amphitheater after the Colosseum and the house of the world-famous love story Romeo and Juliet, written by English author Shakespeare. After our panoramic walk through Via Mazzini (main street) and Erbe Square, surrounded by many shops, cafés, and stores, and including a view of Verona Cathedral, we complete our tour and continue our journey to the hotel in the Venice area. Along the way, guests who wish may join the optional Venice Masterpieces and Colorful Islands by Boat Tour (125 Euro – Vaporetto transportation included). In the first part of our tour in Venice, we will see major 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 magnificence and power, the Clock Tower, the Bridge of Sighs, and the historic Campanile Bell Tower, followed by a pleasant walk through Venice’s streets connected by bridges and stretching along narrow canals. In the continuation of our tour, we arrange our Colorful Islands program. In this tour, where we will have the chance to observe Venice Island from different angles while passing through the lagoons, we will see Lido and Murano islands from the sea and visit Burano Island, a fisherman’s village known as one of the 10 most colorful places in the world and famous for its lace. After the tour, we arrive at our hotel in the Venice area, check into our rooms, and offer free time to rest.
VENICE – BOLOGNA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, at the time indicated by our guide, we head to Bologna Airport for our flight back to Istanbul. After arriving at the airport and completing baggage drop-off, ticket, and passport control procedures, we fly to Istanbul at 15:25 on Pegasus Airlines flight PC1218. Arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 18:55 local time and the end of our tour.