SWITZERLAND TO ROME

Day 1 | Saturday 9 May
Arrive Geneva
Meet your Tour Leader and Tour Manager at Geneva Airport where there will be an afternoon transfer by coach to Montreux on Lake Geneva. The afternoon is free to explore the lakeside promenades and Art Nouveau buildings of Montreux. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner on the hotel’s lakeside terrace. Overnight Montreux (D)

Day 2 | Sunday 10 May
Château & Mountains
This morning we take the spectacular rack railway from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye, a steep climb which takes us to a height of 1,600 metres passing fields, villages and forests, with the narrow track along the slope offering spectacular views over Lake Geneva. On our return to ground level, we then take a ferry from Montreux to the Château de Chillon, which lies directly on the route of the Via Francigena. With a history dating back to the 12th century, Chillon is considered the best-preserved medieval castle in Switzerland. It was home to the Counts of Savoy for almost five centuries before coming under the control of Bern and, finally, the French-speaking citizens of Montreux in the 18th century. Scenically, the castle is strategically located on an island in the middle of the lake at the foot of the Alps, its unique position inspiring numerous writers over the centuries, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Lord Byron. After our visit and free time for lunch, we return to our hotel by ferry. Overnight Montreux (B)

Day 3 | Monday 11 May
Glaciers & Vineyards
This morning takes us to Col du Pillon, the mountain pass in the Western Swiss Alps which links Aigle, Le Sépey and Les Diablerets in the canton of Vaud, one of the 26 that form the Swiss Federation. From here we take a cable car up to Glacier 3000, so named since we ascend to an altitude of 3,000 metres to the top of the Vaudois Alps, where, weather permitting, we will have the chance to cross the Peak Walk by Tissot. At 107 metres long, the Peak Walk is the world’s first suspension bridge to link two summits, affording utterly breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. At the end of the glacier lies the spectacularly elevated Restaurant Botta, designed by star architect Mario Botta and our destination for our lunch today. We then descend by cable car and board our coach headed for an afternoon of wine tasting at the famed Domaine de Montimbert, with a chance to sample Chasselas, Switzerland’s most widely planted white grape. In the afternoon we return to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure. Overnight Montreux (B, L, WT)

Day 4 | Tuesday 12 May
Aosta
Today we begin our journey down into Italy, first stopping at the 6th-century Abbey of St Maurice. Once an ancient Roman place of worship in the 1st century, the foundations evolved into a Benedictine Abbey to commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion, which was said to have occurred in the area. For centuries, the Abbey and its 17th-century Basilica, have been a destination for pilgrims on the Via Francigena. During our visit we will have the chance to see its exceptional treasury of decorative arts, spanning late antiquity to the Middle Ages, which includes some of the finest examples of Carolingian gold and enamel ware. We continue to Martigny, whose history stretches back 2,000 years. Celtic tribes, Romans and even Napoleon’s troops have left their imprints. Here, we will have a break for lunch, followed by a visit to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, an internationally renowned archaeological and cultural foundation. We then make our final drive south for the day, arriving in the city of Aosta in the late afternoon. Dinner this evening is in a local restaurant. Overnight Aosta (B, D)

Day 5 | Wednesday 13 May
Roman Aosta
Framed by mountain ranges, Aosta is the Region’s largest city, with a history deeply intertwined with the Roman Empire. Founded in 25 BCE as Augusta Praetoria Salassorum, the town was originally a Roman military outpost that controlled the strategic mountain passes of the Alps. We begin our morning with a walking tour of the town’s highlights, including its Roman archaeological sites and the Medieval Cathedral. We then depart by coach to the nearby town and Commune of Nus for our group lunch at Maison Rosset, a charming rustic farmhouse, before continuing to the imposing Castello di Fenis for a tour of one of the most famous medieval castles in the valley, renowned for its many towers and battlement walls. En route back to Aosta, our final destination for the day is the grandiose Roman aqueduct-bridge, the Pont d’Aël, which stands at 56 metres high and has straddled the Grand Eyvia Stream since the third century BCE. Returning to Aosta, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Aosta (B, L)

Day 6 | Thursday 14 May
Medieval Castle & Winery
This morning we pay a visit to the 12th-century Issogne Castle, the austere and imposing riverside manor which was originally home to the Bishops of Aosta before being taken over by the Challant family, one of the most important noble families in the Aosta Valley in the 15th-century. Within its fortified walls, we will tour the estate, a unique blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, marvelling at the magnificent pomegranate fountain, the symbol of the Challant family. We will also tour the Baron’s Hall, where we can admire the beautiful stone fireplace with the Challant crest alongside a lion and griffin, flanked by painted wooden beams and frescoes depicting landscapes and hunting scenes, as well as the chapel with finely decorated, pointed arch vaults and Gothic altar in a Flemish triptych style. We continue on to the historic Pianta Grossa winery in the Aosta valley, named for a great, centuries-old chestnut tree which once stood in the centre of the original estate. After a tour of the estate and a tasting of the local varieties, we will stop for a lunch break in the charming nearby town of Verres, before returning to our hotel where the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Aosta (B, WT)

Day 7 | Friday 15 May
Pavia
Today we travel to Pavia, a charming medieval city along the Via Francigena and once the former capital of the Lombard Kingdom of Italy. Pavia’s picturesque streets are paved in cobblestones, its avenues and boulevards lined with shops, cafes, bars and cosy pizzerias, which we will have a chance to explore before we embark on a walking tour. We will then visit the historic and cultural highlights of the city, including the 12th-century Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, the 8th-century Romanesque Church of San Teodoro with its outstanding birdseye view frescoes of the city, the University area and the medieval towers in the historic centre built between the 11th and 13th-centuries. In the mid-afternoon, we continue on to Salsomaggiore, a turn-of-the-century spa town nestled in the foothills of the Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, a region boasting Italy’s most highly prized cuisine. This evening we have dinner
in a local restaurant. Overnight Salsomaggiore (B, D)

Day 8 | Saturday 16 May
Apennine Hill Towns 
The Apennines, the mountain ranges which run almost the whole length of Italy from Liguria in the North to the tip of Calabria in the South, have always been a natural barrier to political ambition in Italy: the few passes through them are easily guarded and control of them was central to reaching Rome and the font of power. Today we explore the region’s history, art and gastronomy, beginning with a visit to the village of Fontanellato, whose history dates back to the 13th-century. We will first tour the Rocca di Sanvitale, a fortress surrounded by a water-filled moat, which dominates the village of Fontanellato. The name of the village derives from the abundance of underground water (fontane - fountains) that used to spout from the ground of nearby marshlands. After a break for lunch, we continue to the beautiful medieval village of Castell’Arquato, nestled in the foothills of the Apennines, for a tour of the imposing fortress of the town. Our final destination of the day is the nearby medieval village of Vigoleno, enclosed by impressive crenellated walls, which houses the stunning 12th-century Romanesque church of San Giorgio. We return to our hotel where the evening is at leisure. Overnight Salsomaggiore (B)

Day 9 | Sunday 17 May
Art Gallery & Labyrinth
We continue our journey to Lucca, with our first stop of the day being the Labirinto Della Masone – Mason Labyrinth – built by Franco Maria Ricci. Set across eight hectares, the Labyrinth features three kilometres of bamboo hedges, teeming with twenty different species of plants, making it the largest labyrinth in the world. We will also have time to tour the adjoining arts complex and museum, which houses Ricci’s art collection. We continue on to the medieval Commune of Varano de’ Melegari in the Parma region where the Ceno valley begins. Here we will stop for a lunch of traditional regional cuisine, before continuing to Lucca to check in to our hotel. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Lucca (B, L)

Day 10 | Monday 18 May
Lucca
One of the best-preserved medieval cities in Tuscany, Lucca is a jewel of the region. Once an important pilgrimage destination on the Via Francigena, its imposing 12-metre-high walls have protected its picturesque alleys, piazzas, and churches for centuries. We begin our day with a walking tour showcasing the city’s historic treasures, including a secluded part of the old city centre with the Cathedral, consecrated in 1070 by Pope Alexander II. The interior, a blend of Gothic and Romanesque, features polychrome marble facades and still houses the famous Volto Santo di Lucca or Holy Face of Lucca, a venerated wooden crucifix, with a robed Christ. We will also tour the Basilica of San Michele, an ancient church built over the original Roman Forum, and consecrated the same year as the Cathedral in 1070. We will learn about the Basilica’s Pisan Romanesque style, its façade punctuated with marble sculptures depicting the Archangel Gabriel defeating the dragon. After touring the stunning street scapes and charming piazzas, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy all that Lucca has to offer. Overnight Lucca (B)

Day 11 | Tuesday 19 May
Pisa
Today we spend the day in Pisa. Once a thriving Roman port and a leading maritime power of the medieval period, Pisa’s coastal position allowed it to play a vital role in the rival wars between Lucca and Florence. While the city may be renowned for an architectural project which resulted in a now famous leaning tower, our guided tour this morning also showcases important historic and architectural gems, including its stunning Romanesque cathedral and baptistery, which contain some of the finest sculptures by Nicola Pisano, a 13th-century sculptor who is credited with creating the first ‘Renaissance’ work of art. Before a break for lunch, we will visit the Piazza dei Miracoli for a tour of the 12th-century Tower of Pisa, one of the most remarkable architectural monuments of the Middle Ages, which is actually the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral. The tower has played an active role in both human and divine timekeeping with its seven bells – one for each musical note – the largest of which, cast in 1655, weighs a full three and a half tonnes. In the afternoon we return to Lucca, where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Pisa (B)

Day 12 | Wednesday 20 May
San Gimignano
Medieval Tuscany was home to numerous independent city-states, fiercely competing with each other for territory and trade. This morning, en route to Pienza, we visit the small medieval town of San Gimignano in the province of Siena, a city-state that grew wealthy due to its location on the Via Francigena. Encircled by 13th-century walls, the skyline of the hill town is famed for its medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa and the magnificent Collegiata di San Gimignano, where we commence our tour. The 12th-century church houses outstanding frescoes, their colours remaining resplendent and untouched since the 14th-century, as well as works of art by artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli. After a break for lunch, we continue on to Monteriggioni for a leisurely stroll around this charming fortified hamlet made famous by Dante’s Divine Comedy. We then continue to Pienza and our base for the next three nights: the Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza, an ancient 13th-century convent, whose hanging gardens overlook the tranquil Val d’Orcia. After checking in, we will enjoy dinner in our hotel. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

Day 13 | Thursday 21 May
Pienza & Southern Tuscany
Set amongst the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia, the medieval village of Pienza, built according to the instructions of Aeneus Silvius Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II, is a much beloved UNESCO World-Heritage Site and marvellous testament to the urban standards of the Renaissance. This morning we enjoy a walking tour of the historical centre, known for its gold and brown-hued travertine facades that blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Here, we will tour the highlights of the village, including the Renaissance Pienza Cathedral at the heart of the town, and the Palazzo Piccolomini, adorned with the crests and insignia of the Piccolomini family. We will also take a stroll to visit the enchanting Pieve di Corsignano, a Romanesque-style Roman Catholic pieve, or rural parish church within the town limits of Pienza. Returning to our hotel, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to soak up the atmosphere of Pienza. Overnight Pienza (B)

Day 14 | Friday 22 May
Siena
At the heart of Siena lies its historic centre, a true embodiment of a medieval Tuscan city along the Via Francigena. More than any other city we visit, it retains the appearance it would have had for medieval pilgrims. The fine medieval buildings of Siena are a result of the prosperity brought about by its location on the trade route and the development of banking. Throughout the centuries, the people of Siena upheld a fierce rivalry with their neighbours in Florence and Pisa. The city’s urban landscape still reflects this, having preserved its unique Gothic style, particularly the characteristic Sienese arches introduced to the town from the East during the Crusades between the 12th and 15th centuries. We devote our morning to the outstanding centre exploring some of its treasured sights including the iconic Piazza del Campo and the 13th century Duomo di Siena, one of Italy’s most illustrious cathedrals, its baptistery and museum containing a masterpiece of medieval art, the Maestà by Sienese artist Duccio. We also visit the nearby Santa Maria Della Scala complex opposite the Cathedral, whose frescoes and treasury reflect the wealth of the citizens who patronised this ancient pilgrim hall. After free time for lunch, we return to Pienza, where the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Pienza (B)

Day 15 | Saturday 23 May
Orvieto
Today, we head south from Pienza to Rome, making our first stop in the enchanting medieval town of Orvieto in Umbria, perched high above the valley floor on a vast expanse of volcanic rock overlooking the cypress-dotted Umbrian plains. Orvieto is the quintessential Italian hill town – older than Rome, the cultural and religious hub of the ancient Etruscans, and home to numerous Popes throughout the Middle Ages. We will enjoy a guided tour of this impressive city, exploring its charming cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. We also visit the magnificent Duomo, known as the “Golden Lily” of cathedrals for its stunning golden mosaics that illuminate the façade, as well as its magnificent frescoes by Renaissance painter Luca Signorelli, which explore themes of resurrection and salvation, reflecting the turbulent political and religious climate of Italy in the late 15th-century. After free time for lunch, we take a guided tour of Orvieto’s underground city, where tunnels and chambers carved from the soft volcanic tuff during the Etruscan period created a network connecting the city’s fortress to the outside world. We continue on to Rome, where upon arrival and check in, we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Rome (B, D)

Day 16 | Sunday 24 May
The Layers of Rome
Rome’s history spans over a 1,000 years, evolving from a small settlement on the Tiber River into a vast empire, and its history, art and culture extend well beyond the tourist hotspots. This morning is dedicated to medieval Rome, beginning with a guided visit to the catacombs of San Sebastiano, situated along the Via Appia Antica, one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads. We return to our hotel for free time for lunch, before we make our way to our destination for the afternoon – the 12th-century Basilica of San Clemente. With its underground archaeological complex, the Basilica reflects the many layers of Rome’s extraordinary past and remains one of the world’s great treasures. Descending below street level, we encounter the centuries of Rome’s history, from the Mithraic temple dating back to the 1st-century to its 4th century church containing some of the world’s finest medieval frescoes. We end our day with a visit to the 5th-century Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo, the oldest church with a circular plan in Rome, boasting a portico with five arches on tall ancient granite columns with Corinthian capitals. Returning to our hotel, the evening at leisure. Overnight Rome (B)

Day 17 | Monday 25 May
The Ancient Churches of Rome
Rome thrived in late antiquity as a centre of Christianity and, although its most famous late antique building, Constantine’s Basilica of St Peter, was built over during the Renaissance, there are numerous other sites which reveal Rome’s art and history from late antiquity to the Middle Ages. We begin our day with a visit to the catacombs dedicated to Saint Agnese and the mosaic mausoleum of Saint Costanza, daughter of the
Emperor Constantine the Great. After a break for lunch, we continue to our final of the destination of the day – the outstanding Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Built on ancient foundations, Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome and the only one of the four to have preserved its Paleochristian structures. We will enjoy a guided tour of its colonnaded space to admire, in particular, the glittering mosaics in both the central nave and the triumphal arch. The outstanding coffered ceiling dates back to the time of Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503) and, according to tradition, it was gilded with the first shipment of gold from the Americas, a gift from Isabella of Spain. Tonight we share a farewell meal in one of Rome’s finest restaurants. Overnight Rome (B, D)

Day 18 | Tuesday 26 May
Depart Rome
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Please consult your individual travel documents for your outbound journey. (B)