From the Lakes to Venice, Rome & Florence
Italy has more than its fair share of beautiful places, but few compare with the lakes that nestle in the foothills of the Italian Alps close to the border with Switzerland. We meet up at our campsite by the banks of Lake Garda and during your stay we visit Verona and the ancient peninsula of Sirmione.
Making our way to Pisa for three nights, where the leaning tower is within walking distance of the campsite.
Rome where we stay for four nights, we include a full day walking tour of Rome and a visit to the Vatican City.
Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, and home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture is our next destination.
Finally, we are near Venice, on the Adriatic Coast. There will be a boat excursion to Burano and Murano in the Venice Lagoon where there are demonstrations of lace-making and glass-blowing, later free time in Venice to explore independently.
This tour has been designed to introduce you to many of the towns, cities and countryside that make up this fascinating land. There will be excursions, the beautiful landscapes, delicious food and wine, and the vibrant and friendly people; there can be no doubt that Italy arguably has it all.
Day One – Sunday 4th September
Our group will meet up at Lake Garda, Italy at a campsite right on the edge of the lake. Time to relax and settle in and this evening we will enjoy a “Welcome to the Tour” dinner in the campsite restaurant
Day Two – Monday 5th September
Excursion today to the ancient Roman city of Verona, famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and The Verona Arena, a huge 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, which currently hosts concerts and large-scale opera performances
Day Three – Tuesday 6th September
Travel to the picturesque peninsular village of Sirmione where you will have free time to explore this beautiful village and visit the 12th century castle, or the excellent archaeological museum adjacent to the Grottoes of Catullus
Day Four – Wednesday 7th September
We move south today to Pisa, you may wish to travel the coastal route. This evening we have a group meal in the campsites own restaurant 190 miles
Day Five – Thursday 8th September
Explore Pisa at your own pace – just a short walk from the campsite where you will find that there is more to the city than just the famous Leaning Tower. The other buildings that make up the Piazza dei Miracoli, including the Duomo, Baptistry and the Camposanto are all worth a visit
Day Six – Friday 9th September
Today is a Free Day, but if you wish, you may join your Tour Directors and take the train to Lucca. This ancient town is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini the great opera composer. The town is also the centre of the olive oil industry, it is known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city centre and its cobblestone streets.
Day Seven – Saturday 10th September
Today we move to the outskirts of Rome where we stay for four nights. 210 miles
Day Eight – Sunday 11th September
We will be taken by coach today into Rome for a full-day guided walking tour. We will see the Forum, Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and the Palatine Museum. Our included Lunch will be taken in a city restaurant.
Day Nine – Monday 12th September
We return to Rome to visit the Vatican City with its wonderful paintings and glorious treasures. We will also see St Peter’s, the Museum and the Sistine Chapel.
Day Ten – Tuesday 13th September
A free day to relax after two busy days in Rome, maybe try the swimming pool
Day Eleven – Wednesday 14th September
One night at a lovely clean motorhome aire in Orvieto. Close to the escalator and funicular, you will have the opportunity to explore the centre of the Old Town, with its narrow streets and hidden underground tunnels. 90 miles
Day Twelve – Thursday 15th September
This morning we drive to our next campsite just south of Florence, in Valdarno. This site, set in the Chianti countryside, has been chosen for its excellent facilities. 90 miles
Day Thirteen – Friday 16th September
Excursion to Florence with a guided tour in the morning and lunch in a local restaurant. You will have some free time in the afternoon before returning to the campsite
Day Fourteen – Saturday 17th September
Half Day Chianti tour in the afternoon with a visit to a castle
Day Fifteen – Sunday 18th September
Excursion to Siena with a guided tour in the morning and free time to discover more of the city in the afternoon before returning to the campsite. This evening we will have a meal in the Campsite Restaurant.
Day Sixteen – Monday 19th September
Our next campsite is on the outskirts of Bologna where we will be staying for two nights. 90 miles
Day Seventeen – Tuesday 20th September
We are on the main bus route into the city which you can explore at your own pace
Day Eighteen – Wednesday 21st September
We drive north to the Venice area today to our campsite on the Adriatic Coast near to Ca’Savio. This site has direct access to the beach and excellent facilities including a supermarket, bar, restaurant, and swimming pool. It is a short bus ride away from the ferries into Venice. We will stay here for four nights. 130 miles
Day Nineteen – Thursday 22nd September
An early start today as we are taken by coach to Traporti where we will board our boat to Burano to see the lace-making traditionally associated with the island and its colourful buildings. We then continue by boat to Murano where we will see a demonstration of glass-blowing. The boat will then take us to Venice where the rest of the afternoon is free for independent shopping and sightseeing until we meet back at the boat for our return to Traporti and then by coach to the campsite.
Day Twenty – Friday 23rd & Day Twenty-one – Saturday 24th September
Two free days to chill out on the beach, walk into the local village or re-visit Venice. The local bus stop is just 10mins walk away and you can obtain your combined tickets for bus and Vaporetto from the campsite reception.
On Saturday evening we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner
Day Twenty-two – Sunday 25th September
The tour ends this morning. You may make your way to Calais at your own pace and for those on the optional package you can make use of your flexible ferry ticket to extend your stay. If the Tour Directors are not returning to Calais they will assist / guide you on campsites for your return journey. The Company’s liability ends this morning, and all subsequent costs incurred are your responsibility.
PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000
DEPOSIT £000
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 21 Campsite nights with electric hook-ups
- All transfers for the excursions as listed in the itinerary
- Entry fees as listed in the itinerary
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS Coordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhomes
- Michelin National Map of Italy
- DK Guidebook for Italy
Excursion, Events & Meals
- Welcome Dinner, including drinks
- Excursion to Verona and Guided Tour
- Excursion to Sirmione
- Dinner in Pisa campsite restaurant
- Excursion and Guided tour of Rome, entry to the Coliseum, including Lunch
- Excursion to Vatican City
- Excursion to Florence, Guided tour including lunch
- Half day Chianti tour including Castle entry
- Excursion to Sienna, Guided tour
- Dinner in the Florence campsite, including drinks
- Excursion to Venice and the Islands
- Farewell Dinner including drinks
This tour starts at Lake Garda, Italy but if you would like to travel at the same time as the Tour Directors on the outward journey from the UK to the start, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf
OPTIONAL PACKAGE
- Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + entry to the ‘All-New’ Club Class Lounge
- Five additional campsite nights with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Tuesday 30th August followed by Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, & Italy
- Dinner at the campsite in Germany
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS Coordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people @ £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person @ £000