Picturebook Italy
12 days from £879pp.
Visit: Venice
Visit: Florence, Italy
Visit: Verona, Italy
Visit: Colosseum, Italy
Visit: Borromean Islands, Italy
Visit: Sirmione, Italy
About the Tour
A grand tour of Italy’s majestic cities and sights – from the beautiful shores of Lake Garda, the canals of Venice, and the cobbled streets of Siena, to the majesty of Rome and the stunning Bay of Naples and Sorrento. And that’s all before exploring Renaissance Florence, Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower and the captivating Lake Maggiore on this magnificent holiday taking in the best that Italy has to offer. This holiday is part of our GRAND EXPLORER range.
Tour Includes
- 11 or 13 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 9 or 11 evening meals
- Convenient local joining points
- Travel by executive coach or upgrade to Silver Service or Luxuria
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your tour either online, or by telephone ( 01709 787 463 ), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can:
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Your Itinerary
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France or Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2
Continue south to Lake Garda for a three-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Lake Garda
Lake Garda (Sirmione)
A full-day included excursion along the shores of Lake Garda visiting some of the picturesque villages on its shoreline. We travel along the eastern side of the lake where we visit Malcesine, dominated by Monte Baldo, a 2218-metre high mountain. We continue to Garda, the principal town of the area. Spend time exploring the narrow streets of the old village or relax in one of the many cafés. We also see the ancient fortified town of Sirmione, from where you can take an optional cruise around the peninsula, which lasts approximately 30 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding area from the lake itself.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Venice
Venice
Join our optional excursion to Venice. Venice is renowned for its beauty, architecture and its artwork. It is the world’s only pedestrian city, which makes it easy to explore on foot. Be sure to see some of the famous sights such as the Doge’s Palace, the symbolic seat of Venetian power and the enclosed Bridge of Sighs. A visit to St. Mark’s Square, the main public square of Venice, is also a must. It is dominated at its eastern end by the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, a superb example of the Romanesque-Byzantine style. Perhaps take a ride on a gondola, with your expert gondolier steering you through the busy waterways of Venice (at own cost) or maybe sit back and relax at Harry’s Bar with one of their famous Bellini cocktails, the choice is yours.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5
Siena
Siena
We leave Lake Garda and call in at Siena, a picturesque, Tuscan medieval town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Piazza del Campo is one of the most famous squares in the world on account of its beauty and architectural integrity. It is also the place where the famous horse race, the Palio di Siena, is run. Continue to the Fiuggi or Tivoli area near Rome for a three-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Sorrento
Sorrento
Join our optional visit to the popular Neapolitan resort town of Sorrento, where you can spend the full day exploring at your leisure. If you wish to be introduced to all Sorrento has to offer, then join our optional Taste of Sorrento excursion, where you can combine your visit to Sorrento with a guided walking tour of the town and a visit to a Limoncello factory.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Rome
Colosseum
Today you have the full day to discover the Italian capital city of Rome on our included excursion. The Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wonderful palaces, churches, basilicas, Roman ruins, monuments and fountains. It has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere. There will be ample free time for you to explore this wonderful city at your leisure. To make the most of your visit, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour which takes place by coach and on foot to introduce you to the city’s wonderful sights, including Piazza Venezia and the imposing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. We also see the exterior of the mighty Colosseum (entrance at extra cost). Note: Although Rome is a relatively compact city, we would remind you that this is a walking tour, not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties and we would recommend you wear suitable shoes for the day.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Florence
Florence
We leave our hotel and travel to our overnight stay in the Montecatini Terme area, Tuscany. En route we visit the Renaissance city of Florence. There will be time at leisure to explore the endless historic sights. See the shops in and around the centuries-old Ponte Vecchio, or even have your portrait painted by one of the street artists who usually gather in the square next to the medieval Duomo (cathedral). To get the most from your visit, join our optional guided sightseeing tour with local guide. The tour starts by coach and takes us up the hills behind the city, to Piazza Michelangelo. Here you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. Once you have taken your photos the coach will take you back to the city, where your guide will lead you on a walking tour through the delightful streets of Florence, pointing out the major sights. See the Santa Croce church, the burial place of Michelangelo, the famous statues in Piazza della Signoria and also the magnificent Santa Maria Duomo.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
Pisa
Pisa
This morning we leave our hotel and head north pausing at the beautiful city of Pisa, home to the world-famous Leaning Tower. There will be time at leisure for you to explore all the city has to offer. The area around the Leaning Tower is geared more towards tourists, so you will find lots of small souvenir kiosks selling all kinds of merchandise with the leaning tower motif. Pisa is also famous for its biscotti biscuits and bakeries all through the town sell different varieties. To introduce you to the most important sights why not join our optional guided walking tour? The tour starts at the Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles. The piazza is a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the city’s most famous sights. The Leaning Tower or Torre Pendente has to be the most legendary of them all. From here the tour will continue to the historic centre of the town including such places as Via Santa Maria and Piazza dei Cavalieri. Later today we travel to Lake Maggiore for a two-night stay, (suitable refreshment stops will be made en route).
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10
Lake Maggiore & the Borromean Islands
Isola Bella
Join our optional excursion to the southern shores of beautiful Lake Maggiore and the lakeside town of Baveno, from where we board a boat for the short cruise out to the picturesque Borromean Islands with their landscaped gardens and parks.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
To the outskirts of Paris for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Return home.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Your Excursions
Included Excursions & Visits
- Lake Garda - Charming lakeside villages
- Siena - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Rome - Wonderful ancient sights
- Florence - Rich architectural splendours
- Pisa - Famous leaning tower
- Verona (14-day tour)
Optional Excursions & Visits
- Lake Garda Cruise - Superb scenery
- Venice - Floating city of canals and gondolas
- Sorrento - Popular Neapolitan Riviera resort
- Lake Maggiore & the Borromean Islands - Stunning beauty
- Rome Guided Sightseeing - See the ancient sights
- Florence Guided Sightseeing - See the highlights
- Pisa Guided Sightseeing - Discover more than the Leaning Tower
- Verona Walking Tour ( 14-day tour )
Notes
Travel Insurance from £38.00 (12 days). Single Room Supplement from £199.00 (12 days), £249.00 (14 days).
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France or Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2
Continue south to Lake Garda for a five-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Lake Garda
Lake Garda (Sirmione)
A full-day, included excursion along the shores of Lake Garda, visiting some of the picturesque villages on its shoreline including Sirmione, from where you can take an optional cruise on the lake.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Venice
St. Mark’S Square
Join our optional excursion to Venice with its maze of ornate bridges, weaving canals and elegant Byzantine and Renaissance architecture.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5
Verona
Juliet's Balcony
Join our included excursion to the beautiful and ancient city of Verona. To discover its charms, join our optional guided walking tour, seeing the 1st century arena and many of the fine palaces, churches and monuments which adorn alleyways and squares.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Day at leisure
Lake Garda
Spend your final day on Lake Garda, relaxing and enjoying some last minute sightseeing.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Siena
Siena
We leave Lake Garda and call in at Siena, a picturesque, Tuscan medieval town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Piazza del Campo is one of the most famous squares in the world on account of its beauty and architectural integrity. It is also the place where the famous horse race, the Palio di Siena, is run. Continue to Fiuggi or Tivoli area near Rome for a three-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Sorrento
Sorrento
Join our optional excursion to the popular Neapolitan resort town of Sorrento where you will have free time to explore and relax. The town features beautiful architecture, many cafés, restaurants and lots of shops for you to explore.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
Rome
Trevi Fountain
Included visit to the ‘eternal city’. Our optional, guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot will introduce the city’s wonderful sights, including the Colosseum (admission is extra), Piazza Venezia and the Trevi Fountain.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10
Florence
Florence
We leave our hotel and en route to our overnight stay in the Montecatini Terme area, Tuscany, we visit the Renaissance city of Florence, which is rich in architectural splendour. To get the most from your visit, join our optional, guided sightseeing tour.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
Pisa
Pisa
Included visit to Pisa, famed for its Leaning Tower. Our optional, guided sighteeing tour is a good way to see the best of this city. We then travel to Lake Maggiore for a two-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12
Lake Maggiore & the Borromean Islands
Baveno
Join our optional excursion to the southern shores of beautiful Lake Maggiore and the lakeside town of Baveno, from where we board a boat for the short cruise out to the picturesque Borromean Islands with their landscaped gardens and parks.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13
To the outskirts of Paris for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Return home.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Your Excursions
Included Excursions & Visits
- Lake Garda - Charming lakeside villages
- Siena - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Rome - Wonderful ancient sights
- Florence - Rich architectural splendours
- Pisa - Famous leaning tower
- Verona (14-day tour)
Optional Excursions & Visits
- Lake Garda Cruise - Superb scenery
- Venice - Floating city of canals and gondolas
- Sorrento - Popular Neapolitan Riviera resort
- Lake Maggiore & the Borromean Islands - Stunning beauty
- Rome Guided Sightseeing - See the ancient sights
- Florence Guided Sightseeing - See the highlights
- Pisa Guided Sightseeing - Discover more than the Leaning Tower
- Verona Walking Tour ( 14-day tour )
Notes
Travel Insurance from £38.00 (12 days). Single Room Supplement from £199.00 (12 days), £249.00 (14 days).
Frequently asked questions about our tours
Accommodation
Hotels throughout your holiday will be as named, or similar.
12-day tour
You will stay for three nights at the 3-star Hotel Bristol in Riva del Garda on Lake Garda; three nights at a 3-star hotel in Fiuggi or Tivoli area, south of Rome; overnight at a 3-star hotel in the Montecatini Terme area, Tuscany; then two nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Maggiore such as the Hotel Campagna in Cannobio or the Hotel Ghiffa in Ghiffa (2017 departures) or the Hotel Sant'Anna in Verbania or Hotel Intra in Verbania (2018 departures).
14-day tour
You will stay for five nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Garda; three nights at a 3-star hotel in the Fiuggi or Tivoli area, south of Rome; overnight at a 3-star hotel in the Montecatini area, Tuscany; then two nights at a 3-star hotel on Lake Maggiore.
Overnight stays in the northern France and the Paris area will be in city-style hotels.
Mercure Reims Parc Des Expositions
The 3 star Mercure Reims Parc Des Expositions is located in the business centre of Ecoparc Reims which is close to the old champagne cellers of Colline St Nicaise which is held as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel is only 4km away from Reims and the cathedral. The hotels offers the following facilities hotel garden, swimming pool (unheated)* air conditioning, gift shop /news stand, 24 hrs reception, restaurant, bar and Wi-Fi/Internet access. All bedrooms feature flat screen T.V, air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, Tea and Coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom. *The swimming pool can close without prior notice.
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Bristol
The Hotel Bristol is located on the outskirts of Riva Del Garda, approximately one mile from the resort. All bedrooms are elegantly furnished, with en-suite facilities, hairdryer, telephone, satellite television and safe. Some rooms feature air-conditioning, and others have balcony. The restaurant, bar and television lounge are air-conditioned and from the panoramic terrace you can enjoy the stunning scenery. After a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, relax in the sauna or on one of the loungers in the garden with a cool drink and a tasty snack. The hotel has a lift.
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Campagna - Cannobio
The Hotel Campagna is a charming 3-star family run hotel, situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the centre of Cannobio. It has a private beach equipped with sun beds and parasols, a 24 hour reception, restaurant and a bar. All rooms are equipped with satellite T.V., en-suite facilities, telephone and safe.
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Green Park Madama Hotel
The Green Park Madama is ideally suited to provide a peaceful and relaxing stay and is surrounded by 8 hectares of green countryside. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, hairdryer, telephone, television and safe. The hotel also offers 24 hour reception, restaurant, fitness centre and a bar/lounge, as well as free WiFi in public areas.
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Hotel Sant Anna
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
Frequently asked questions about accommodation
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
Travel Information
- Travel Options
- Extra Services
Executive coach
Our executive coaches feature air-conditioning, drinks machine, onboard toilet and reclining seat.
Silver Service
On most of our holidays you can upgrade to Silver Service, luxury coach travel, for comfort and style across Europe.
Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.
Luxuria
Setting the standard in Luxury travel across Europe, our new and innovative Luxuria coach
Luxuria Coach Features
Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests with cup holders and retractable calf rests give you a more comfortable journey.
Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch screen T.V. offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
4 seats face-to-face with tables. And with a total of 5 single seats available, these are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
Stay overnight near Dover
Find out moreWhy not go the night before your holiday for a relaxing start? You can park for FREE for up to nine days at the Holiday Inn Ashford North and enjoy an overnight stay with English breakfast from just £38 per person. This offer is subject to availability and based on two sharing a twin/double room on a B&B basis. We’ll then collect you from the hotel on the day of departure and return you there at the end of your holiday.
To book this package, please call the hotel on 01233 713333, quoting ‘Leger Holidays’ and your booking reference. If your holiday is longer than nine days you can pay for additional days’ parking. Ask one of our friendly reservations team for more details when you book your holiday.
Single supplements and terms and conditions apply.
Our Door-to-Door service
Find out moreOn Single Traveller holidays and coach holidays of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. If you live within 20 miles of one of our free joining points we’ll pick you up from your home and take you to meet your transfer vehicle, then return you back home at the end of your holiday. The cost is from £35 per booking each way for up to four people per booking.
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
Join coach at Interchange
Find out moreOn most holidays if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes holidays to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Looking for your local joining point? Enter your post code below
*Please note pickups are subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions about travel options
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days' duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days' duration) and £25pp (9 days' duration and over) on all European tours. This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. In addition to this, seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £17pp (9 days duration and over). Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on transfer journeys to/from the interchange. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour, you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure. The route taken depends on where paassengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
OR
Call our reservations team on:
01709 787 463
To book this tour, just give our friendly team a call on 01709 787 463 or book online at www.leger.co.uk