ISTANBUL – LJUBLJANA – TRIESTE – FERRARA – (Pisa Tour) – FLORENCE
We gather at Istanbul Airport’s International Departures Terminal 3 hours before the flight to complete ticketing, baggage drop-off, and passport procedures, and then fly to Ljubljana on Turkish Airlines’ direct scheduled flight TK1061 at 07:30. Upon our arrival at Ljubljana Airport at 08:45 local time, we meet our private coach and depart for Trieste. During our Trieste tour, the Piazza Unita Building, San Guista Basilica, Campo Square, and especially Piazza Unita d’Italia—considered one of Italy’s most impressive squares thanks to its seaside location, graceful and tranquil splendor, and the blend of Italian and Central European architecture—will be among the highlights. After our tour of Trieste, known worldwide as the birthplace of the famous Illy Coffee because it was for centuries one of the main ports of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the place from which coffee beans spread widely into Europe, we will have a short free time before departing for Ferrara. Following our panoramic Ferrara city tour, where we will see from the outside the areas and architectural structures characteristic of the Renaissance, as well as the region’s old brick houses, churches, monasteries, and the historic Este Castle on the other hand, we continue to our hotel in the Florence region where we will stay. En route, guests who wish may join the optional Pisa Tour (50 Euro). Upon arrival in Pisa, our tour will include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and Miracoli Square. After a short free time for photos, we arrive at our hotel in the Florence region. Check-in and free time to rest.
FLORENCE – (San Gimignano & Siena Tour) – ROME
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Rome. En route, guests who wish may join the optional San Gimignano & Siena Tour (80 Euro). Our first stop on this tour will be San Gimignano. San Gimignano has earned a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List for preserving its medieval architecture and appearance to the present day, and it is also known as the “Town of Beautiful Towers” thanks to the 14 architectural marvel towers that survived wars and natural disasters from the original 76 towers. In San Gimignano, where time seems to stand still and visitors feel as if they have been taken on a journey back to the Middle Ages, we will enjoy a walking tour through its narrow streets, each opening onto the town square, and panoramic views of the 14 magnificent towers. We then reach Siena, another highlight of our tour. Siena is famous for its narrow streets from the Middle Ages, small avenues, and Campo Square, considered one of the largest squares in Europe. After an enjoyable tour through Campo Square and the historic narrow streets leading to it, we continue our journey to Rome. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Rome region, check-in and free time to rest.
ROME – (Rome Icons & Vatican and Local Neighborhoods Tour)
After breakfast, we offer a full day at leisure. Guests who wish may join the optional Rome Icons & Vatican and Local Neighborhoods Tour (95 Euro). In Rome, the city at the center of the world—Urbs aput mundi—we take you on a historical journey through a city that greets you with art, history, music, shopping, sunshine, and cuisine, and buildings in different styles stretching from antiquity to the Renaissance. While the creations of architects competing with one another attract thousands of tourists to the city in every season, Rome carries these crowds with all its beauty and elegance without overwhelming anyone. On our tour of the imperial city of Rome, which has shaped European civilization and witnessed 23 centuries of history, we first see the Colosseum, the city’s symbol and the ancient theater that hosted gladiator fights during the Roman Empire, the Roman Forum, the ceremonial center of the city during imperial times, the Trevi Fountain, where, according to legend, those who toss a coin into it will return to Rome, the Spanish Steps famous for street performers, and Piazza Pietra and Piazza Popolo as panoramic highlights. After free time at the Pantheon, we continue by seeing Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza Navona, and then visit the Vatican / San Pietro, the center of the Catholic denomination of Christianity and the world’s smallest country by area. In 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, we offer free time at the San Pietro Cathedral—St. Peter’s Basilica—the world’s largest cathedral, with 140 statues of saints. After the free time, we begin our Rome Local Neighborhoods tour. In this walk, where we mingle with the people of Rome and feel like residents of the city, we will experience the true atmosphere of Italy in Trastevere, with its cafes, small family restaurants, boutiques, greengrocers, butcher shops, and many other small and charming stores, in addition to its naturalness and simplicity. Piazza Trilussa, Ponte Sisto, and the Ghetto area, as well as Tiber Island, which is connected to the city by two bridges, will be among the panoramic sights. After a walking tour through its labyrinth-like narrow backstreets with small tables set out, we complete the tour and return to our hotel in the Rome region.
ROME – (Amalfi Pearl Sorrento Tour) – ROME
After breakfast, we offer a full day at leisure. During this free time, guests who wish may join the optional full-day Amalfi Pearl Sorrento Tour (95 Euro). Sorrento, whose history dates back to prehistoric times and which captivates visitors by combining Italian character and charm with a Mediterranean style, is famous for its small tourist boutiques, breathtaking beaches, stunning views, and the Italian lemon liqueur Limoncello. After our city tour and surrounding excursion in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast, we offer free time for sea, sand, and sun on the region’s most beautiful beaches. After this pleasant free time, we complete the tour and return to our hotel in the Rome region.
ROME – FLORENCE – VENICE
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, we begin our city tour. In Florence, the capital of the Renaissance and Pinocchio’s hometown, we first see from the outside the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, which immediately draws attention with its orange-colored dome and is the fourth largest church in Europe. One of the cathedral’s most striking features is the bronze door called the “Gate of Paradise,” where scenes representing prophetic stories also mentioned in the Qur’an are depicted. We then see Giotto’s Bell Tower, once used to summon the people to parliament, Signoria Square, which was the political and social center of Florence for centuries and also houses Michelangelo’s famous David statue, and the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio), famous for its antique and jewelry shops. After the Florence city tour, we head to our hotel in the Venice region. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Venice region, check-in and free time to rest.
VENICE – (Venice Masterpieces & Colorful Islands by Boat and Outlet Tour)
After breakfast, guests may join the optional full-day Venice Masterpieces & Colorful Islands by Boat and Outlet Tour (135 Euro – including vaporetto transport fees), which will be offered during the day at leisure. First, we offer pleasant free time at an outlet center home to stylish stores of world-famous brands, cafes and restaurants, and activity areas, for affordable and quality shopping. After the free time, we depart for our Venice Colorful Islands program. On this tour, where we can observe the Venice lagoon from different angles as we pass through the canals, we will see the islands of Lido and Murano from the sea and visit Burano Island, the fishing village famous for its lace and known as one of the 10 most colorful places in the world. After the Colorful Islands program, we proceed to the canals area to organize our Venice Masterpieces program. In this part of the tour in Venice, we will see iconic works 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, then enjoy a pleasant walking tour through the streets of Venice connected by bridges and extending along narrow canals. After Venice Masterpieces, we complete the tour and return to our hotel in the Venice region, where free time to rest is offered.
VENICE – (Ljubljana & Bled Lake Tour) – LJUBLJANA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Ljubljana Airport for our return flight to Istanbul. En route, guests who wish may join the optional Ljubljana and Bled Lake Tour (65 Euro). We first conduct our Ljubljana city tour. Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia, is also culturally and architecturally rich because it lies at the intersection of Alpine, Central European, and Mediterranean cultures. During our tour in Ljubljana, we will see Vodnik Square, Ljubljana Castle, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Zmajski Most, the Old Square, the Historic Fountain, and People’s Square. After a short free time, we head to Bled. We will enjoy a peaceful tour of Bled, located around an emerald-green mountain lake with an island of the same name, famous for its church on the island and Bled Castle on the high hill above. After completing the tour, we continue our journey to Ljubljana Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, we complete baggage drop-off, ticketing, and passport control procedures and fly to Istanbul at 20:15 with Turkish Airlines’ direct scheduled flight TK1064. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:40 local time and the end of our tour.