Day 1 Early morning departure for the journey to Folkestone and the crossing to Calais. Continuing the journey to the Dijon area for an overnight stop. (NB: Dinner not included).
Day 2 Travelling on into Italy and to your overnight stop in the Milan/Turin area.
Day 3 Today you will be taken to Parma, with one of the oldest universities in the world, for a guided tour. In addition to the world-famous ham, the former royal city offers magnificent buildings: the Palazzo Ducale, built following French standards, the wooden Teatro Farnese and the Baptistery of Parma. After the visit you will continue to Gabicce Mare for a six night stay.
Day 4 An excursion firstly to Ravenna, famous for its huge mosaic decorations, lovely facades in the historic district and the significant architecture from the early Middle Ages. The former capital of the Western Roman Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the most important architectural monuments from the Gothic and Byzan eras including the St. Vitale Basilica (entrance included). Next you travel to Comacchio, a city fully preserved by its character of a lagoon town, a little Venice, and we have included a guided tour.
Day 5 A day at leisure.
Day 6 An excursion to Urbino including a guided walking tour of this picturesque walled city and the World Heritage site nestled on a high sloping hillside.
Day 7 A visit to Bologna which has one of the most beautiful and best preserved historic districts in Europe, with many towers from the Middle Ages and 40 km of arcades. These connect the pedestrian zones, squares, churches and palaces of the extensive city centre. You will be guided through the old University City, known for the ‘de gli Asinelli’ and ‘della Garisenda’ towers, the San Petronio Basilica and the Neptune Fountain. In the afternoon you will visit the FICO Eataly World, the largest food park on the planet. Enjoy a guided tour of the park before having some free time to visit the numerous stands, shops and food preparation and cooking areas. You also have the possibility to interact with local producers, watch cooking demonstrations and taste local products.
Day 8 Excursion to San Marino, which with its size of only 61 sq km is the world’s smallest surviving republic. The sights most worth seeing in this pretty medieval city are the government palace, the cathedral and the Statue of Liberty on the Piazza della Libertá. In the afternoon you will visit the castle town of San Leo, which is located on a high, steep crag. The splendid view alone, due to its special location, merits a visit.
Day 9 It’s time to depart your resort and you will travel to Maranello. Here in 1942 Enzo Ferrari decided to start producing his motor car brand and since then the entire area has ‘breathed’ the red of the ‘stallion’. An included visit to the Ferrari Gallery where, a photo exhibition, historical rarities, antique cars and Formula 1 racing cars tell the legendary history of this horse that stands on its rear legs. Afterwards continue on to your overnight stop in Northern Italy.
Day 10 Continuing the journey back into France and to the Dijon area for your last overnight stop (NB: Dinner not included).
Day 11 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.
Please note: Due to the amount of guided walking tours included. It may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties. However, if you do not wish to join the tours, you can spend time at leisure exploring by yourselves.
This hotel is located at the gateway of the S. Bartolo Naturalistic Park. The city centre is a short distance away and the sandy beach is just steps away. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, safe, mini bar, WiFi and hairdryer. Lift, bar, coffee house, two panoramic restaurants, indoor pool, outdoor pool, terrace and gardens. The hotel is on a slight incline.
Overnight Hotels All bedrooms are en-suite with TV. The hotel in Dijon has a restaurant on site.
Single room supplement £160
Holiday insurance £33.50 (70 years and over £57.00)